Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

You know that moment when you catch a whiff of something baking and it takes you back to carefree afternoons of homemade goodness? Dive into this recipe where ripe bananas and gooey chocolate chips meet in a swirl of buttery bliss—perfect for satisfying your inner child while impressing your adult taste buds. Let’s make some banana bread magic happen! 🍌🍫

One of my favorite methods to enhance traditional banana bread is by including rich, semi-sweet chocolate chips and creamy Greek yogurt. This not only adds decadence to the loaf but also infuses it with a good dose of healthy fats and protein, making it a moist and almost too-irresistible treat for any time of day.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe Ingredients

• All-purpose flour: Provides structure, packed with carbohydrates.
• Baking soda: Aids leavening, ensures a tender crumb.
• Brown sugar: Adds moisture, deepens sweetness with molasses.
• Mashed bananas: Natural sweetness, offers fiber and potassium.
• Sour cream/Greek yogurt: Ensures moistness, adds a tangy flavor.
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts into gooey sweetness, rich in antioxidants.
• Walnuts or pecans: Optional crunch, source of healthy fats and protein.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 ripe bananas)
• 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Optional: 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

How to Make this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up. Prepare a loaf pan that measures 9×5 inches, either by greasing it or by lining it with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk them well together.

3. Combine the melted butter and brown sugar in a large bowl.

4. Combine the egg and vanilla extract with the butter mixture and mix everything together until it’s smooth.

5. Mix in the sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and the mashed bananas until everything is completely incorporated.

6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients a little at a time, mixing until everything is just combined. Do not mix too much, or you will have tough muffins.

7. Incorporate the chocolate chips and, if you choose to use them, the chopped walnuts or pecans.

8. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared loaf pan.

9. Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs attached.

10. Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing it and allowing it to cool completely on a wire rack. It should be cooled completely before slicing and serving.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. 9×5-inch loaf pan
3. Parchment paper (optional)
4. Measuring cups and spoons
5. Medium bowl
6. Large bowl
7. Whisk
8. Mixing spoon or spatula
9. Toothpick
10. Wire rack

FAQ

• Can I use less sugar in this recipe?If you want less sweet banana bread, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar by half to 1/2 cup. Still, this may affect the texture somewhat.
• Can I substitute the sour cream or Greek yogurt with something else?Indeed, using plain yogurt or buttermilk in its stead is an option. Both impart distinct flavors and textures.
• What kind of chocolate chips work best?It is recommended to use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips can be used based on personal preference.
• How ripe should my bananas be?For optimal results, select bananas that are extremely ripe, displaying a skin covered in brown spots. They are more delicious and have a greater concentration of sugars.
• Can nuts be omitted or replaced in the recipe?Indeed, nuts are not mandatory. You can omit them or substitute them with dehydrated fruits such as cranberries or raisins.
• Is it okay to use salted butter instead of unsalted?Should salted butter be your fat of choice, then decrease the added salt in the recipe to a mere pinch.
• How should I store the banana bread?After cooling, wrap in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for a week.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

To make the all-purpose flour healthier, interchange with whole wheat flour in the same amount.
If you don’t have brown sugar, try substituting with these measures:

For the brown sugar: Use 3/4 cup of coconut sugar or granulated white sugar as an alternative.
For the butter that has no salt: Replace with 1/2 cup of coconut oil or canola oil for a dairy-free alternative.
For the sour cream or Greek yogurt: Use a corresponding measure of buttermilk or plant-based yogurt for a similarly textured result.
Substitute dark chocolate chunks for a more intense flavor in your baking, or use white chocolate chips; for an added touch, try experimenting with flavored chocolate chips, like those from the store in my neighborhood that sells a line of banana-flavored chocolate chips.

Pro Tips

1. Ripe Bananas: Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor. This will enhance the moistness and natural sweetness of the bread.