Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

If you have the "problem" of browning bananas sitting on the kitchen counter, chocolate chip banana bread is the answer. Overripe bananas are the key ingredient to making a loaf of banana bread with great texture and flavor, and banana bread will serve as the perfect afternoon snack or dessert. But what makes classic banana bread even better? Chocolate chips mixed into the batter.

This recipe for chocolate chip banana bread puts a simple spin on traditional banana bread. The result? A moist, tender loaf jam-packed with plenty of banana flavor, wonderfully complemented by rich chocolate throughout.

Learn how to make chocolate chip banana bread from scratch to have on hand for company, to pack in lunches, or for the kids to enjoy as an after-school snack.

Ingredients for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

The key to making great banana bread is to start with bananas. For this chocolate chip banana bread recipe, you’ll also need a few other easy-to-find ingredients from your local grocery store.

• Softened butter: Adds richness to the cake and helps make a tender bread.
• Granulated sugar and brown sugar: Both types contribute sweetness, and brown sugar adds notes of caramel.
• Eggs: You'll need 2, and they help hold the batter together.
• Bananas: This is your chance to use those browning, very ripe bananas.
• Vanilla extract: An essential baking ingredient. It helps elevate all the flavors of this quick bread.
• Baking soda: Bake soda gives the banana bread its lift while baking.
• Salt: A small amount balances the sweetness.
• All-purpose flour: This type of flour results in a tender loaf with a good crumb.
• Mini chocolate chips: For more chocolate flavor, you can choose to use regular chocolate chips instead.

How To Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Get started on making this chocolate chip banana bread by preheating the oven to 350°F. Here is the rest of the steps in a brief outline; the full recipe is further below:

• Step 1. Mix together all of the dry ingredients in a bowl, and set it aside.
• Step 2. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and then mix in the mashed bananas.
• Step 3. Gradually mix the dry ingredients mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix the batter. Stir the chocolate chips into the batter.
• Step 4. Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan.
• Step 5. Bake the banana bread for one hour, until the top is golden brown and a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove the baked banana bread from the oven and allow it to cool before slicing and serving it.

What Are the Best Bananas to Use for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread?

The secret to making the best banana bread is to use very ripe bananas. Using green or semi-hard bananas won’t result in the same great texture and flavor. As bananas ripen, the sugars in the fruit continue to develop. Once bananas are past their prime for munching on, they’re perfect for utilizing in banana bread.

You can save your over-ripened bananas in the freezer until you’re ready to make banana bread. Just be sure to remove them from the freezer to thaw an hour ahead of making the banana bread batter. Or, use ripe bananas straight from your fruit bowl.

Should Banana Bread Be Wet in the Middle?

Great banana bread texture walks a fine line between wonderfully moist and too wet. The key to making banana bread, and avoiding a gooey center, is to be sure the loaf is fully baked before removing it from the oven. This banana bread recipe requires that the loaf bakes in the oven for one hour. Insert a tester into the middle to be sure it comes out clean before removing the banana bread from the oven.

How To Store Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Once your banana bread has baked and cooled, it’s time to dive in to enjoy a slice! If you’re serving freshly baked banana bread to a crowd, you may not have any leftovers. But if you do, those extra slices or half of a loaf can definitely be saved for later.

Wrap any leftover banana bread in plastic wrap or put it in an airtight plastic bag. Store the banana bread at room temperature for three days, or up to one week in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Chocolate Chip Banana Bread?

Yes, we always recommend you bake a loaf of banana bread for a rainy day. Once baked and cooled, you can wrap the loaf in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store up to 3 months. Thaw the loaf in the fridge overnight, then slice and enjoy.

You can also slice the bread before wrapping and freezing the slices. This way, you can bring a single slice out of the freezer, leave it at room temperature, and it'll be thawed and ready to eat in about 20 minutes.