Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe (2024)

By Robin Gagnon | Updated on 01/04/2023

Today, I share my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe. What could make banana bread better but the addition of chocolate chips.... not much.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe was inspired by the cover of Cooking Light magazine, which features a beautiful Banana Bread with Chocolate Glaze. I didn't have several ingredients for that banana bread on hand, but after seeing it, I had to have a chocolate and banana bread combo. I had to. My version has since become a go-to recipe for me.

My concoction has little in common with the original. Yes, both are banana bread. Both of them incorporate chocolate (though they use a glaze rather than chocolate chips).

If you don't have some of the ingredients for my version, by all means, check out theirs. It is part of their 25 All Time Favorite Recipes feature this month, so it must be pretty dang good.

Chocolate Chips or Chocolate Glaze

So why did I decide to load this banana bread up with chocolate chips, rather than top it with that lovely decadent chocolate glaze?

Because, I can always slather a slice with the Nutella I have in my pantry, and go double chocolate crazy at any moment if I want to. So, I guess the true underlying reason would be that my devious mind was overtaken by pure chocolate greed.

How To Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

My entire recipe is in a printable recipe card further below. But first, I have some tips and tricks that you might want to know.

Ingredients

My banana bread recipe has all the basic ingredients. If you have ever made banana bread before, then this will all sound familiar.

• Sugar
• Light brown sugar
• Softened Butter
• Bananas
• Pure Vanilla Extract
• Egg Whites
• All-purpose flour
• Whole wheat flour
• Chocolate Chips

Light Brown or Dark Brown Sugar - Which is Best?

Honestly, light brown and dark brown sugar can be used interchangeably. The only difference is very minor. Dark brown sugar has higher levels of molasses, so it has slightly higher levels of moisture.

You might not notice any difference at all. I used light brown sugar because the bananas add enough moisture and I didn't want to add more to it.

How to Save Bananas for Banana Bread

Since you are going to be mashing your bananas, you want them to be really ripe, like almost so soft they aren't edible.

Keep them on the counter until they turn a few shades of brown.

Once they get really ripe, make the bread.

But if you don't have time, you can always freeze the bananas. Then all you have to do is put them in the refrigerator to thaw out overnight.

How to Ripen Bananas Faster

If you had to buy almost green bananas from the grocery store, you can ripen them faster with this little hack.

Put your bananas in a brown paper bag and fold it down. This will cause the bananas to release and inhale their own ethylene gas and riped in a few days.

How To Make Your Own Buttermilk

Need a replacement for buttermilk? Try this.

Just add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of milk. Give it a quick stir. You'll see it start to change consistency. This causes a chemical reaction that resembles buttermilk.

What Type of Chocolate Chips to Use in Banana Bread

This is a personal preference. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips because it adds just enough sweetness without being too rich.

If you are really craving deeper flavors, add dark chocolate chips.

For another delicious twist on banana bread try my Banana Date Nut Bread recipe or Starbucks Banana Nut Bread recipe.

More Chocolate Chip Recipes

If you loved this recipe, you will really enjoy these chocolate chip recipes too.

• Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars Recipe
• Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes Recipe