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.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup softened butter
- 3-4 ripe bananas mashed 1 ½ - 1 ⅔ cups
- ½ cup low fat buttermilk
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- cooking spray or shortening to coat pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream the butter and sugars together.
- Add the bananas, buttermilk, salt, vanilla and egg whites & beat until smooth.
- Place flours in a separate bowl and mix in the baking soda, then add the dry mix to wet. Mix thoroughly.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, until evenly distributed.
- Pour batter into greased or coated and floured loaf baking dish.
- Bake until toothpick inserted in center pulls clean. (9x5 loaf pan: about 1 hour 10 min, 8X4.5 loaf pan about 1 hour 25 min)
Nutrition
More Chocolate Chip Recipes
If you loved this recipe, you will really enjoy these chocolate chip recipes too.
LyndaS says
I love good banana bread. I just pinned that so that I can make it later. Thanks for sharing.
Mellisa says
I LOVE this kind of bread! It's great morning, day and night.
courtney says
Yummy! We get tons of bananas now for baby and she is recently having some tummy trouble because of them. I have about 3 brown ones ready for this!!!
Kathleen says
Oh my, I love banana bread, I can only imagine how good the chocolate chips make it!
Amber K says
I'm totally making this just so my house will smell super yummy!
Shell Feis says
That chocolate glaze looks like a bit much to me, I think I like your version better!
Theresa says
Mmmmm this looks so good.
Anne says
Now this is a banana bread I know my kids would eat!!
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
Banana bread is like my favorite thing in the world. Add chocolate to it and I'm in heaven. Thanks so much for sharing. Love it!
Cat Davis | Food Family & Finds says
Mmmm banana bread AND chocolate? Heaven!
HilLesha says
That looks amazing!
iPinRecipes says
Hello,
We love your recipes, they are so yummy. Would be delighted if you can share your recipes with us at http://ipinrecipes.com/ A Community for food bloggers and food lovers. Simply register your food blog with us and start pinning your recipes directly from your blog. No need to crop or edit your images and your recipes will be published immediately without any editorial review. With ipinrecipes.com you can not only pin your recipes, but you can repin, like others recipes and can create food category boards.
So why to wait, Join ipinrecipes.com and start Pinning your amazing recipes.
Happy Pinning!!!
Regards
iPinRecipes Team
Kim @ What's That Smell? says
This looks soooo good. I wonder how it would do with my gluten-free flour?
Robin Gagnon says
I've actually made banana bread with just ground oatmeal as a flour for a gluten-free recipe.. it was super moist& I LOVE oats.
Jenn says
Mmmmm. This looks so dense and moist.
Colleen says
Sounds like a good combination to me!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
My bread always turns out crumbly and doesn't raise nice. I'm going to pin this one so I can try it.
Jenn- The Rebel Chick says
I could live off banana bread, but chocolate banana bread...pure heaven. Printing recipe now.
Tricia @ Night owl mama says
i have to TRY THIS I so would make this. Looks delicious
Tammy says
Oh that looks so good - and it's my kind of breakfast - just enough sweet though to make it feel naughty!
Lolo says
I love banana bread! I bet with chocolate chips it is even better!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
Wow, that looks like it came from a bakery! You did an amazing job! I was just wanting some banana bread the other day, so I'm so happy that I came across this recipe. I've never made it homemade, so I'll give it a try to see how it turns out. I bet it's really good, too!
Kelsey Apley says
I have never thought to add chocolate chips to banana bread!! PURE Brillance! Thanks for the recipe!
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
Ooh, that looks yum!
Donna says
I've never made "chocolate chip" banana nut bread before, but I loved it!
Marcie W. says
It seems like no matter how many bananas I buy each week, a few try and go bad. I need to get into a regular habit of baking banana bread, especially with chocolate chips added in!