The BEST Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Published: Mar 5, 2021 · Modified: Jul 8, 2023 by christina.marsigliese · 125 Comments

This. IS. IT! My recipe for Best Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is so easy to make! This popular loaf is so moist and tender and soft with just a few simple ingredients. It is the only banana bread recipe you will ever need, and it is one of the many delicious banana bread recipes from Scientifically Sweet Occasions cookbook. Follow the step-by-step instructions below and watch the recipe video to see how easy it is to make this delicious bread!

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS BANANA BREAD RECIPE?

Easy to make - this easy banana bread recipe is a cinch to prepare! You don't need an electric mixer and can make it in one bowl with a whisk or a spatula.

Super moist banana bread - the loaf is SUPER moist and has such a soft texture. It stays moist for days in an airtight container.

Not too sweet - the bananas are sweet enough that you don't need a lot of sugar to keep this cake moist and it has such a rich banana flavor.

Low fat - it doesn't use a ton of fat (only ¼ cup of butter!)

Chocolate chip banana bread - there are plenty of mini chocolate chips so you get a hit of dark chocolate in every bite! This truly is the best banana bread recipe!

INGREDIENTS FOR BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD

All purpose flour - regular unbleached all-purpose flour works great for a moist banana bread. Do not pack it down when measuring or use a scale to get the right amount

Baking powder - you'll need quite a bit of baking powder since this is a dense batter and, like most quick bread recipes, there is no aerating step. You just mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, so we really rely on chemical leaveners to give rise to this loaf.

Baking soda - baking soda is what gives this loaf such a rich deep brown crust and it will also react with the acidity from the molasses in brown sugar.

Bananas - you'll need about 3 ripe bananas for this recipe. Mash them up and measure out 1 ½ cups. For me, this is usually 3 medium bananas. I don't recommend using frozen bananas for the best taste, but it will still work. See my tips below in the FAQ section to read why.

Unsalted butter - butter brings the flavor! You can actually use salted butter too. AND, you can use any neutral tasting oil in place of butter. I have made this recipe with vegetable oil and it works great! I prefer the taste of butter though.

Brown sugar - light or dark brown sugar works great in this recipe. It adds a lovely hint of molasses flavour and also keeps it extra moist.

Dark chocolate chips - I love using mini dark chocolate chips in my muffins, but you can use regular if that's all you can find. Semi-sweet works great.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1). Mash bananas in a bowl with the back of a fork until quite smooth. A few small lumps are ok but it shouldn't be chunky.
STEP 2). Whisk in brown sugar. Add the brown sugar and whisk it in until it looks syrupy.
STEP 3). Add eggs. Crack in the eggs and then add melted butter and vanilla extract. Whisk it all in until evenly combined and smooth.

STEP 4). Combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour baking powder, baking soda and salt.
STEP 5). Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Add flour mixture and fold it in until just combined.
STEP 6). Fold in chocolate chips. Add the mini chocolate chips just before all of the flour is incorporated and fold them in until the batter is evenly blended. Do not over-mix.
STEP 7). Bake. Spread batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is evenly browned and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

EXPERT BAKING TIPS

Measure flour correctly! Adding too much flour to the batter can result in a dense loaf. Bananas contain carbohydrates that will contribute to some of the structure of the loaf itself, so the batter will be naturally wet. Resist the urge to add more flour.

Use the right amount of bananas. Bananas come in all different sizes... generally small medium and large. This recipe uses 3 medium sized bananas, and 1 medium banana (flesh only) weighs about 120g. So, that means after you peel your banana it should weigh about 120 grams. For this recipe you will need 360g of banana flesh.

Mash the bananas very well. Mash the bananas to a smooth consistency. This will ensure you extract all of the sugars and starch so they incorporate into the batter to make it moist and with an even crumb texture.

Do not over-mix - banana bread is a rustic batter and doesn't need to be perfectly smooth to turn out wonderfully. Just gently fold the flour in until evenly incorporated so there aren't any large dry streaks, but no need to mix excessively. Over-mixing will lead to a drier, tougher crumb texture instead of soft and tender.

Avoid frozen bananas if you can. I always prefer to make banana bread with very ripe spotty bananas and not frozen bananas. That is because freezing destroys the cell structure of the banana so that a lot of water leaches out once they thaw. This water is free water and can cause a dense gummy layer to form at the bottom of the baked loaf. Fresh bananas have their cell structures intact so that they can contribute better to the integrity of the loaf.

RECIPE FAQ

Can I use a mixer to make this banana bread?

If you prefer to use a mixer, you totally can. Place the ripe bananas in the bowl and use the whisk attachment on medium speed to mash them up. Then continue to follow the recipe. Be careful not to over-mix once you add the flour.

Can I use frozen bananas to make the best chocolate chip banana bread?

The short answer is, "Yes", you can. However, I don't recommend it. For the best results, use very ripe spotty bananas. Ripe fresh bananas will provide the necessary sweetness while still contributing solid structure to the loaf without making it stodgy.

Frozen bananas discolour (they turn brown due to a chemical reaction called oxidation) and will leach water once defrosted. This free water can make the loaf soggy, and it may bake with a dense gummy layer on the bottom. Also, bananas take on lots of unpleasant freezer flavours that can alter the taste of the loaf.

Can I use oil instead of butter?

Yes, you can replace melted butter with an equal amount of oil to make this recipe dairy free. Of course butter has better flavour and I prefer this recipe with butter; however oil will make the loaf even more moist if that is what you prefer.

How do I know when banana bread is finished baking?

This banana bread is ready when the top is deeply browned and cracked along the center. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out without any wet batter.

Can I add nuts to this best chocolate chip banana bread recipe?

Yes, you absolutely can! I would recommend a softer nut such as walnuts or pecans. You can add about ½ cup of nuts to this recipe when you add the chocolate chips.

How do you store banana bread?

This banana bread keeps well in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the fridge.

How do you wrap banana bread?

For best freshness, wrap the cooled loaf first in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing.

Can I freeze banana bread?

Yes, you absolutely can! To freeze the whole loaf, wrap it well in plastic wrap and then in foil. Place the wrapped loaf in a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. If you choose to freeze slices, wrap the slices individually in plastic wrap and the place in a freezer bag.

How do you keep banana bread moist?

Be sure to store banana bread in an airtight container after baking, and make sure you don't over-bake it. This recipe makes a very moist loaf, but if you prefer an even softer texture, then use oil instead of butter.

Why does my banana bread come out dry?

If you have problems with your banana bread being dry, it is mostly likely because it has been over-baked or you have used too much flour. Make sure that you measure accurately. However, no one has ever complained about this recipe turning out dry so I don't think you will have an issue!

If you love banana bread, check out these recipes!

Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Banana BreadMoist Chocolate Fudge Swirl Banana MuffinsPeanut Butter Chocolate Swirl Banana BreadWhole Wheat Chocolate Banana MuffinsDouble Chocolate Banana BreadBanana Oat Muffinsa href="https://scientificallysweet.com/best-banana-blueberry-oat-muffins/">Banana Blueberry Oat Muffins