![Sliced chocolate chip banana bread, that you can make in the microwave.](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 2048 1365"></svg>)
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Hi Bold Bakers!
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread should be everyone’s comfort food! On their own, chocolate and banana are delicious — but pair them together and they become something magical! The super sweetness of the very ripe bananas is toned down by the bitterness of the dark chocolate. Every bite of this homemade chocolate chip banana bread is somehow more delicious and comforting than the one before it…
For my Essential Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe, I even opt to use a good quality chocolate bar instead of the chocolate chips, but you can definitely just use chocolate chips. It just really amps up the flavor and makes it feel somehow more mature.
[ Try my Best-Ever Banana Bread recipe, too! ]
Yes, I am a responsible adult. My taxes are done on time, and I eat banana bread with chocolate chunks.
That said, I’m still down for chocolate chips in my banana bread because I’ll take this recipe anyway I can get it! Did I mention it can also be made in the microwave? Keep reading.
![My chocolate chip banana bread recipe topped with gorgeous chocolate chunks.](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1365 2048"></svg> "Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with an ideal amount of chocolate chunks (lots).")
What Is Chocolate Chip Banana Bread?
One day, some brilliant mind looked at their unappetizing brown bananas on their counter and thought, “I can make bread with this.”
Sometime later, another genius was eating banana bread and thought, “You know what would make this perfect loaf even better? If I threw some chocolate in with it.”
The rest is history.
The Kind Of Chocolate Matters
Since bananas are so sweet, I would use semi-sweet chocolate chips. If you want to be even more decadent, use a darker chocolate bar. And if you want to go nuts, use an 80% cocoa solids bar!
What You Need To Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
How To Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
This recipe is truly the best way to use up any forgotten bananas. Here’s how to make it (and don’t forget to get the full recipe with measurements, on the page down below.):
- Stir the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together in a large bowl.
- In another bowl, mix your mashed bananas, egg, oil, and vanilla extract.
- Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until JUST combined. You don’t want to over mix your batter, otherwise, your bread will be too tough.
- Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks and then spoon the batter into a buttered 9×5 (23×12.5cm) inch loaf pan lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 45-50 minutes, until the loaf is golden brown. You can check for doneness by pressing the center of the loaf gently with your fingers. If it springs back, it’s done!
- Leave the banana bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to finish cooling.
How NOT To Make Banana Bread
Despite the easiness of this recipe, there are in fact ways to make mistakes when whipping up a loaf. Let me break down the most common things people get wrong, so you can avoid them and sail straight to success. Find that information here in my master Best-Ever Banana Bread recipe!
In The Microwave
If you want to microwave the loaf instead of traditional baking, you will need a
microwave-safe 9 x 5-inch dish. Microwave on HIGH for 7 minutes in total, checking roughly every 2 minutes to gauge how much more cooking time it needs. Take care not to ‘over microwave’ or it will get hard. Cover with foil once done to steam and soften. This cook time is based on my microwave which is 1200 Watts so check your wattage because your timing may vary.
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Do not overmix your batter once you’ve added the flour! Instead of a soft, moist loaf, you’ll be left with a tough (but, okay, still delicious) one.
- Slice the bread before you freeze it. This way, if you can defrost the exact amount you plan to eat!
- Chop semi-sweet chocolate to use to complement the banana bread.
- Cut up a bar of good quality chocolate rather than using chocolate chips. It makes a world of difference in quality and taste.
- More chocolate?! Sure! Use an 80% cocoa solids bar for an intense chocolate flavor.
- Bake this in the microwave, if you’d like. Find the instructions in the written recipe below.
How Do I Store Chocolate Chip Banana Bread?
Store any leftover bread at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze chocolate chip banana bread in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Before serving, defrost at room temperature in the container for a few hours.
Make More Banana Bread!
And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!
Full (and printable) recipe below!
The First-Ever Bold Baker Challenge Winner:
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 2048 1346"></svg> "Branila Winner")
Congratulations, Branila! We hope you enjoy your $275 Amazon Gift Card!
If you want to try the November challenge, check out the rules, and make the recipe for my Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake!
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![Banner to subscribe now to the Bold Baking Academy](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1433 951"></svg> "Subscribe to the Bold Baking Academy now")