Breads & Doughs

The Essential Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

4.96 from 497 votes
My Essential Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe is everything you want in banana bread — bananas and chocolate. Did I mention you can make it in the microwave for the fastest banana bread loaf possible?
Sliced chocolate chip banana bread, that you can make in the microwave.

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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.

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

A close up of the chocolate chunks on my 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.):

  1. Stir the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together in a large bowl. 
  2. In another bowl, mix your mashed bananas, egg, oil, and vanilla extract.
  3. 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.
  4. 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. 
  5. 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!
  6. 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. 

The interior of my chocolate chip banana bread to show texture and consistency, next to a yellow mug.

Make More Banana Bread!

And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!

Full (and printable) recipe below!

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Watch The Recipe Video!

The Essential Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

4.96 from 497 votes
My Essential Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe is everything you want in banana bread — bananas and chocolate. Did I mention you can make it in the microwave for the fasted banana bread loaf possible?
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 1 loaf
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
My Essential Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe is everything you want in banana bread — bananas and chocolate. Did I mention you can make it in the microwave for the fasted banana bread loaf possible?
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 1 loaf

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅔ cups (8oz/225g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (4oz/115g) sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 ½ cups (12oz/360g) bananas (around 3 medium bananas), mashed
  • 1 large egg
  • cup (2½floz/71ml) flavorless oil (Sunflower, vegetable, canola)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (6oz/170g) chocolate chips plus a handful more for decorating the top

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Butter a 9x5 (23x12.5cm) inch loaf pan and line with parchment.
  • In a large bowl stir the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together.
  • In a separate bowl, mix the mashed bananas, egg, oil, and vanilla extract.
  • Combine the dry ingredients with the mashed banana mixture until just combined. Do not over mix.
  • Fold in the cup of chocolate chips and spoon into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the top with a handful of chocolate chips.
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes until the loaf is golden brown and springs back when pressed gently with your finger. Leave in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
  • Enjoy warm! Store leftovers at room temperature for 3 days or freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature in the container for a few hours.

FOR THE MICROWAVE

  • If you want to microwave the loaf, 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 wattages because your timing may vary.
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Jas K
3 years ago

Hey Gemma!!!

I am such a BIG fan and follower of yours and I have made sooo many of your recipes. Your Best Ever Blondies are surely the BEST and are our family’s all time favorite. Your recipes are so easy to follow and tasty that I just can’t stop eating them 😅. I just made your Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and it is just sinful!! Also, thank Kevin for the amazing baking lesson and George is very adorable!!! 😃

Last edited 3 years ago by Jas K
Sonali B
3 years ago

Hi Gemma,

I love your recipes and am a big fan of yours! They are so tasty and irresistible. I LOVED the Chocolate Chip Banana recipe and thank you for such an amazing one!! 😊

Jasmine Sanchez
3 years ago

Hi Gemma! I’m 14 and I am a HUGE fan of yours! I love to bake all of your delicious recipes! I give this recipe 5 stars. I have made many banana breads before but this recipe was by far the best! Not only was it delicious, but as I was baking the house smelled amazing! Above I submitted a photo of my banana bread. Thank you for all of your recipes! They are delightful! 😃

Rose
Rose
3 years ago

This looks delicious!! I made it with applesauce instead of oil, added walnuts and dried cranberries as well as raisins. No chocolate…..Mmmmm good.

Peggy Hiykel
Peggy Hiykel
3 years ago

Love the fact that it can be made so easily and in the microwave too. My grandkids call me microwave grandma because I make everything I can in the microwave. Kevin thanks for the baking lesson.

erin
3 years ago

😭😭😭 Thank you so muchhh! I like literally fail at everything in baking, but man, the chocolate chip banana bread made my parents blow their eyes out. Again thank you soooo so much!!!

Carla Paralta
Carla Paralta
3 years ago

Big fan of yours – love how you involve your family in your business. This recipe was excellent and so easy to make. Whole family loved it! Thank you for such great recipes.

Last edited 3 years ago by Carla Paralta
Aki20
3 years ago

Hello Gemma, I got my baking confidence from your banana cake you made with oats. That’s the best loved by everybody so far. Whenever I want to try a new cake I check out your website for details. This chocochip recipe is the best by far. luckly I had chocochips at home. 🙂 Keep Baking and keep giving us more and more recipes…

Love from this part of world to yours…. 🙂 Lots of love to George… :*

Avy O'Brien
3 years ago

Gemma, this recipe was awesome. I tried the baked version and it was delicious. Both kids and husband gave it a thumbs up. My 6 yr old asked if we could have this every day 🙂

Thank you for continuing to inspire us bakers.

Keep it up everyone!

Sandra
Sandra
3 years ago

Absolutely amazing! Another great recipe that I must make. I’ve been baking a LOT. Of Gemma recipes and they NEVER fail! Can’t wait to try this one- my girls favourite: banana bread and chocolate= heaven for them! 🥰

This Recipe Made By Bold Bakers

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About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

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