Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread is rich, moist banana bread loaded with gooey chocolate chunks in every bite. Made with simple ingredients and overripe bananas, this easy recipe is perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert.
The secret to the best chocolate chip banana bread is letting the sweetness of the bananas shine while adding plenty of chocolate. Every slice is soft, tender, and packed with rich banana flavor. Be sure to sprinkle a few extra chunks on top before baking for a bakery-style finish.
Be sure to also try our Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread Recipe and Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding next!
Before You Get Started
- Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots for the best banana flavor.
- Mash bananas well with a fork before adding them to the batter.
- Bring the butter and eggs to room temperature.
- Don't overmix the flour mixture once combined.
- Line your loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Ingredients
- Salted butter - Adds richness and moisture. You can substitute refined coconut oil if needed.
- Sugar and light brown sugar - A combination creates the perfect sweetness and helps keep the bread moist.
- Eggs - Used to bind the dry ingredients and wet ingredients together.
- Bananas - The riper they are, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread becomes.
- Vanilla - Vanilla extract enhances all the flavors.
- All purpose flour - The main dry ingredient needed to make the bread.
- Baking powder and baking soda – Help the bread rise.
- Salt - Just a pinch will enhance the other flavors.
- Chocolate chunks - I love using chocolate chunks, but semi-sweet chocolate chips work just as well.
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make This Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Recipe
Step One: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add parchment paper to a loaf pan. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together. Add the eggs and vanilla.
Step Two: Add the bananas. Mix well.
Step Three: Add the dry ingredients. Mix until they are just combined.
Step Four: Next, add the chocolate.
Step Five: Fold in the chocolate chunks. Use a light hand. Overmixing can make quick breads dense.
Step Six: Finally, pour the bread mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing with a sharp knife.
Top Tip
The best trick for moist banana bread is to avoid overmixing and use very ripe bananas. But make sure the center is set. It is easy to underbake banana bread. Check if it jiggles and if a toothpick comes out clean. If it gets too dark before it is done, you can cover it with aluminum foil.
Variations
- Chocolate - Have fun with the chocolate flavors. Add dark chocolate chunks, semisweet chocolate, crumbles of a dark chocolate bar, milk chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, or white chopped chocolate to this sweet banana bread.
- Nuts - Add chopped or crushed nuts of your choice. We like pecans and walnuts.
- Muffins - Even though this might be my favorite banana bread recipe, you can easily turn these into banana muffins as well. And then make sure to try our Mini Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe.
- Nut Butters - Swirl in a little bit of almond butter or peanut butter once the batter is in the loaf pan.
- Honey - If you'd like to try a honey-sweetened banana bread, check out our Honey Banana Bread Recipe.
- Yogurt - Replace part of the butter with Greek yogurt for a boost of protein and even more moisture.
See this Banana Carrot Muffins recipe for another great way to use ripened bananas.
Equipment
For the best results, you'll want to have an electric mixer, loaf pan, medium bowl for mixing, and nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper.
Storage
Store tightly wrapped with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Individual slices also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months and can be warmed for a few seconds in the microwave before serving.
Common Questions
Very ripe bananas provide plenty of natural sweetness. If you'd like even more, you can replace some of the sugar with honey or maple syrup, though this may slightly change the texture.
I will say that the flavor of this classic banana bread is so good you don't even have to add anything to the top of the baked bread. But you can melt any leftover or extra chocolate pieces and drizzle them on top, top with a light glaze, or shake a bit of powdered sugar on. Pats of salted butter on warm slices is a great combination.
You bet. I always do this when I have too many bananas to use and not enough time. Once they start to get black spots, I peel the bananas and toss them into an airtight container or freezer bag. Then, I keep them in the freezer until I'm ready to make this best banana bread recipe or another baking dish.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 oz salted butter softened
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs beaten
- 3 large bananas mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Cream together the butter and sugars.
- Add eggs, bananas, and vanilla.
- Mix well.
- Add the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chunks.
- Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Nutrition
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Originally Published March 6, 2024. Revised and Republished July 9, 2026.
Debbie tyler says
This was one of the most delicious banana breads I have ever eaten. Easy to make and just perfect.