Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: The Best Way to Use Overripe Bananas
Nothing beats the cozy smell of chocolate chip banana bread baking in the oven. It’s soft, moist, and filled with gooey chocolate in every bite. If you’ve got a few overripe banana recipes waiting to be made, this one will quickly become your favorite. With the perfect balance of sweet bananas and rich chocolate, it’s no wonder many call this the best ever banana bread. Whether you enjoy it warm for breakfast, as a snack, or as a sweet treat after dinner, this classic loaf is pure comfort. Let’s dive into how to make the ultimate banana chocolate chip bread at home.
Why You’ll Love It
- Perfect use for overripe bananas – instead of tossing them, turn them into something delicious.
- Chocolate lovers’ dream – every bite has melty chocolate chips.
- Moist and fluffy – no dry or crumbly bread here.
- Freezer-friendly – bake now, enjoy later.
- Crowd-pleaser – perfect for brunch, potlucks, or after-school snacks.
If you love cozy bakes like my Tuscan Chickpea Soup on chilly days, this bread is another recipe that brings warmth and comfort straight from the oven.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup melted butter (unsalted)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
How to Make
- Prepare oven and pan
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment.
- Mix wet ingredients
- Mash bananas in a large bowl. Stir in melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Fold in chocolate chips
- Add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring gently. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Bake the bread
- Pour into the loaf pan, sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top, and bake 55–60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Room Temperature: Store tightly wrapped for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Wrap slices individually, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
- Reheating: Warm a slice in the microwave for 15–20 seconds for melty chocolate goodness.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: The Best Way to Use Overripe Bananas
Ingredients
Method
- 1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment.
- 2. Mash bananas in a large bowl. Whisk in butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla.
- 3. Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; fold into wet just until combined.
- 4. Fold in 1 cup chips. Pour into pan; scatter 1/4 cup chips on top.
- 5. Bake 55–65 minutes; start checking at 55. Toothpick should show moist crumbs.
- 6. Cool 10 minutes in pan; lift out and cool fully before slicing.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!FAQs and Conclusion
What’s the best banana stage for banana bread?
The darker and spottier, the better! Overripe bananas make the bread moist and naturally sweet.
Can I add nuts?
Yes – walnuts or pecans pair wonderfully with chocolate chips.
How do I keep it from sinking in the middle?
Don’t overmix the batter, and check your baking soda and powder are fresh.
Final Thoughts
This chocolate chip banana bread is everything you want in a homemade treat – moist, sweet, and full of chocolatey goodness. If you’ve got ripe bananas sitting on your counter, don’t wait – whip up this loaf and enjoy a slice of pure comfort. Try it once, and it might just become your best ever banana bread recipe.
