Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

This easy chocolate chip banana bread recipe is tender, sweet, moist and packed with chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts, this is what banana bread dreams are made of! Not only is this recipe super easy, but it can be made in one bowl using ingredients you probably already have in your house. A special little trick I like to do is top the bread loaf with more chocolate, nuts and sugar for a crisp, flavorful topping!

How ripe should bananas be for banana bread?

The more ripe the better, but whether there are only a couple or dark spots or the bananas are completely black this recipe will work! If I’m being honest I tend to buy extra bananas just so they overripen and I can make more banana bread! The reason we want overripe bananas is because they are very sweet and super soft which makes the bread tender, moist and sweet.

Ingredient Notes

The ingredients that go into this easy chocolate chip banana bread recipe

Bananas – what would banana bread be without bananas?!

Eggs – binds the bread together and provides some much needed moisture

Melted Butter – provides moisture and fat, while also softening the bread

Caster Sugar – of course! To sweeten the bread

Plain Flour – provides the perfect base to create a tender, moist banana bread

Baking Powder – adds so much lightness and height to the banana bread

Salt – balances everything out and enhances all of the flavours

Vanilla Paste or Vanilla Extract – adds so much flavour, depth and that classic vanilla smell

Espresso powder / Instant coffee – adds a ton of flavour and richness, without being overpowering

Chocolate Chips – I like using semi-sweet chocolate chips but, you could use milk, dark or even a mix or the two!

Walnuts – adds a nutty flavour and crunchy texture, that sends this recipe over the top! – You could substitute with pecans, if you wish

Granulated sugar – for a crisp and sweet top to the banana bread

What is the difference between banana bread and banana cake?

They are very similar in taste and consistency except banana bread doesn’t often have icing or frosting like banana cake does. Banana bread also tends to have more texture and isn’t as smooth as banana cake. Think of it like the difference between a cupcake and a muffin, very similar in texture but completely different in eating experience.

How to make chocolate chip banana bread – step by step

Mash the bananas with a fork or whisk, till mostly smooth
Then, crack in the eggs one at a time and whisk together well for a few minutes
Next, add in the sugar and melted butter and combine
Now, add in the salt, vanilla and coffee powder and mix
Sift in the plain flour and baking powder, mix well to combine (but do not overmix!)
Coat the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts in 1 tbsp of flour and fold into the banana bread mixture
Pour the banana bread batter in a prepared loaf pan and top with some extra chocolate chips, walnuts and a sprinkle of sugar for that extra crisp top
Place in a preheated oven at (180°C / 355°F / gas mark 4) and bake for 40 – 50 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean

Note: the top of the banana bread often browns before the inside is fully cooked, so once the top has browned cover the loaf pan in a sheet of foil, until fully cooked in the centre

When the banana bread is done cooking, take it out onto a cooling rack
Once fully cooled, slice and serve!

Do I need to add walnuts to the banana bread?

No, of course not, not if you don’t want to. You can leave them out completely or replace them with pecans, they are just as flavourful and crunchy.

What kind of chocolate should I use for chocolate chip banana bread?

My chocolate of choice is semi-sweet chocolate chips, as they are well balanced, full of chocolate flavour and still nice and sweet. But you can use milk chocolate chips for an even sweeter banana bread or dark chocolate chips for a richer and darker flavour! You could even mix even quantities or milk and dark chocolate chips together, this creates a wonderful balanced chocolate flavour with a lot of depth.

Tips and Tricks – Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

Use foil – to cover the top of the banana bread, especially if you’re making this in a loaf tin as, the top tends to brown before the inside is fully cooked
Store the chocolate chip banana bread – in a airtight container or tin and store at room temperature at it should last for about 3 days
If you don’t have overripe bananas – use can use ripe yellow bananas and add in a little more sugar
If you don’t like walnuts – simply leave them out or replace them with pecans instead
To mash the bananas – use a fork, a potato masher or even a metal whisk

The recipe video is on my Tik Tok and IG – please tag @aceofspoons_ if you make this recipe