Fitness / February 16, 2024

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips

This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is super moist and flavorful, made with wholesome ingredients, it can be served for breakfast, as dessert, or when you don’t want to show up empty-handed.

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips featured top shot

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What sets this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe apart from the rest is the healthy modifications, that don’t taste too healthy at all. With whole wheat flour, coconut sugar, and dark chocolate chips you’ll be using less processed ingredients and getting health boosters like antioxidants. Your home will still smell amazing, like home sweet home, but you’ll be consuming fewer calories with this health-conscious version of Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips.

How often do you look over to notice your bananas have spots on them or just turned completely brown? If only all of our healthy intentions could be turned into something as delicious as this Banana Bread we would all be so much happier. Banana bread itself is a classic, but adding the chocolate chips adds depth. The chips get deliciously gooey without saturating the bread and taking over the sweet banana flavor. The other thing that makes this recipe incredible is that it is so versatile! You can serve this for breakfast paired with protein-rich Sheet-Pan Eggs or make it a healthy-ish dessert with Cookie Dough Banana Ice Cream

Are Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Healthy?

I can bet my priceless recipe collection that you will not find a healthier recipe for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Using whole wheat flour instead of AP flour increases the fiber content and adds vitamins such as B-1, B-3, and B-5. You will also be using coconut sugar, a plant-based, natural sweetener, pure maple syrup, and super-ripe bananas to sweeten this recipe.

Bananas are ridiculously healthy and can improve immunity. They are great for your heart and bones and have a high fiber content. Pair them with dark chocolate (the higher cocoa content the better) and you’ll reap even more health benefits. It is one of the best antioxidants available and contains iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, and potassium.

This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is So Easy to Make and Can Be Made To Fit Your Needs

Aside from being absolutely delicious and pretty healthy, this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is simple to make.

It only takes about fifteen minutes to mix all the ingredients. Also, no fancy Kitchen-Aid or even hand mixer is needed, just two mixing bowls and a large spoon or spatula.

Make it Your Own!

My daughter is allergic to eggs, so I have made this recipe with both chia and flax seed “eggs”. Then if you substitute the butter for oil it also becomes vegan!

There are endless varieties if you use this wholesome recipe as the base. Feel free to add chopped walnuts or pecans, swirl in peanut butter or add peanut butter chips, or throw in a handful of fresh blueberries.

You can also swap the maple syrup for honey or agave and add almond extract instead of vanilla.

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour for a healthier option
1/2 cup organic coconut sugar a less processed alternative
1/4 cup pure maple syrup for natural sweetness
1 teaspoon baking soda for lift
1/2 teaspoon sea salt for balance
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for warmth
3 medium ripe bananas about 1 pound, the riper the better!
2 large eggs free-range, lightly beaten
1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled (or substitute with coconut oil for a healthier fat)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract for that lovely aroma
1 cup dark chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with a dab of butter or coconut oil and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Combine

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, coconut sugar, maple syrup, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon.

Mash and Mix

In a separate bowl, give your bananas a good mash until they’re smooth! Then, whisk in the eggs, melted butter (or coconut oil), and vanilla extract.

Fold Together

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mix using a spatula. Stir until just combined. Fold in half of the dark chocolate chips.

Bake

Transfer the batter to your prepped loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake for about 55-60 minutes.

Cool

Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then use the parchment paper handles to lift it onto a wire rack.

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips featured image close up

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

You can store this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread in the freezer for up to three months. Make sure the bread is cooled, wrap it with plastic wrap, and then aluminum foil or an air-tight container. When you are ready to serve, thaw it at room temperature for a couple of hours.

What if Bananas Are Not Overripe?

The riper the banana the sweeter your bread will be. To quicken the process though you can try the following:
Put them in a brown paper bag and close it tightly. They should be ready the next day or two. This works with avocados too!
You can also peel the banana and microwave it for thirty seconds.
If your bananas aren’t ready naturally add a tad more sugar to the recipe.

Is This Vegan?

This recipe is not vegan since it calls for eggs and butter, but both can be substituted. The eggs can be replaced with unsweetened apple sauce, chia or flax seed “eggs”. Instead of butter use coconut oil.

Tip & Trick 1:

Do not over-mix the batter. Be sure to fold in the wet ingredients and chocolate chips gently.

Tip & Trick 2:

Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about fifteen minutes after taking it out of the oven. This will help keep the moisture in and help keep its fluffy texture.

Tip & Trick 3:

Aside from breakfast, dessert, or snack, this Banana Bread is a great gift! I hate showing up empty-handed and nothing shows love like a homemade treat. Make sure it is completely cool, place a paper towel underneath, and wrap it in plastic wrap. You can then put it in foil, and add a ribbon or twine with a flower or sprig of greenery.

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips top shot

Serving Suggestions

This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is a great addition to a family breakfast or brunch party. Pair it with Easy Coddled Eggs or Perfect Sunny Side-Up Eggs for a sweet and savory taste. Serve with the Perfect Bloody Mary and your guests will swear they are at some five-star hot spot.

Another way to jazz up this already delicious snack is to top it with Cinnamon Roll Homemade Cashew Butter and Healthy Strawberry Chia Jam. If you are serving it as a dessert, use it to dip in chocolate fondue or serve it warm and top with ice cream. This Banana Bread goes perfectly with Chunky Monkey Banana Ice Cream Bowls.

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips

This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is super moist and flavorful, made with wholesome ingredients, it can be served for breakfast, as dessert, or when you don’t want to show up empty-handed.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Servings

Calories 246kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour for a healthier option
1/2 cup organic coconut sugar a less processed alternative
1/4 cup pure maple syrup for natural sweetness
1 teaspoon baking soda for lift
1/2 teaspoon sea salt for balance
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for warmth
3 medium ripe bananas about 1 pound, the riper the better!
2 large eggs free-range, lightly beaten
1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled (or substitute with coconut oil for a healthier fat)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract for that lovely aroma
1 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with a dab of butter or coconut oil and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, coconut sugar, maple syrup, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon. has a touch of health-conscious sweetness.
Mash and Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, give your bananas a good mash until they’re smooth – think of it as a great arm workout! Then, whisk in the eggs, melted butter (or coconut oil), and vanilla extract.
Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry mix using a spatula. Stir until just combined to keep the bread tender. Now, for the fun part – fold in half of the dark chocolate chips.
Transfer the batter into your prepped loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake for about 55-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is a lovely golden brown.
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then use the parchment paper handles to lift it onto a wire rack. This will help it cool completely without getting soggy.