Delicious and moist chocolate chunk banana bread with melty chocolate chunks and bananas, perfect for a sweet breakfast or dessert

chocolate chunk banana bread recipe

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Decadent Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread – A Moist and Irresistible Delight

Introduction: What is Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread?

If you’re looking for a treat that combines the comfort of banana bread with the indulgence of chocolate, this Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread is exactly what you need. This recipe takes the classic banana bread recipe up a notch with generous chunks of rich chocolate. The result? A perfectly moist, sweet, and chocolate-infused bread that’s a hit with both kids and adults.

Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread is ideal for any occasion, whether you’re serving it for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or a post-dinner treat. This recipe is easy, requires minimal ingredients, and transforms those ripe bananas on your counter into something truly special. Plus, the addition of chocolate makes each bite a satisfying blend of creamy, banana sweetness and melty chocolate goodness.

Recipe Overview

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Servings: 10 slices
  • Yield: 1 loaf

Ingredients

To make this delicious banana bread with chocolate chunks, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chocolate chunks (or chocolate chips)

Tip: The riper the bananas, the sweeter your bread will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots.

Directions: How to Make Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, then set it aside. This ensures that your bread will bake evenly and release easily after baking.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

Close-up of mashed ripe bananas, butter, sugar, and eggs being mixed together in a bowl to make chocolate chunk banana bread batter / Flour, baking soda, and salt being added to the banana mixture in a bowl for chocolate chunk banana bread preparation

In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mash the ripe bananas until they reach a smooth consistency. Pour in the melted butter, stirring well to blend it with the bananas. Then, add the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract, whisking all ingredients together until the mixture is creamy and well-combined.

Hand folding chocolate chunks into the banana bread batter with a spatula, preparing for chocolate chunk banana bread baking / Banana bread batter being poured into a greased loaf pan, ready to be baked into chocolate chunk banana bread

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt by sifting them together. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, gently stirring just until everything is blended. Avoid overmixing, as it can make the bread dense rather than tender and fluffy.

Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chunks

Gently fold the chocolate chunks into the batter, ensuring they’re evenly spread throughout for delicious chocolatey bites in every slice. The chocolate will melt as the bread bakes, creating pockets of gooey, melted chocolate that elevate every bite.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Freshly baked chocolate chunk banana bread being sliced to reveal the moist interior filled with chocolate chunks and banana goodness

Transfer the batter to the greased loaf pan, then use a spatula to level the top, ensuring it bakes up evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (with melted chocolate streaks as an exception). Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Each slice of this chocolate chunk banana bread provides a rich blend of nutrients:

  • Calories: 260 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 140mg

Note: These values are estimates and may differ depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes used.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

  1. Don’t Overmix – Overmixing the batter activates the gluten in the flour, which can make your banana bread tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined for a soft, tender crumb.
  2. Use Room-Temperature Ingredients—Using ingredients at room temperature helps them combine effortlessly, resulting in a smoother, creamier batter. This is particularly key for the egg and melted butter.
  3. Choose High-Quality Chocolate – High-quality chocolate chunks or chopped chocolate bars make a noticeable difference in flavor. Opt for chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content for a rich, intense taste.
  4. Allow to Cool Before Slicing – Let the bread cool completely before slicing. This helps it set properly and keeps the chocolate from smudging.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use chocolate chips instead of chocolate chunks?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips work well in this recipe, but chocolate chunks provide a bit more texture and gooeyness, making each bite even more decadent.

2. How ripe should the bananas be?
For the best results, the bananas should be very ripe, and covered with brown spots. As bananas over-ripen, they become naturally sweeter and add extra moisture, making the bread deliciously tender.

3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! To make this recipe gluten-free, just swap out the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of a gluten-free baking blend. This will help maintain a similar texture.

4. How should I store Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread?
To make this recipe gluten-free, just swap out the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of a gluten-free baking blend.

5. Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Of course! Adding chopped walnuts or pecans can give your banana bread a wonderful crunchy texture. Simply fold in about ½ cup of nuts when you add the chocolate chunks.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. Moist and Tender Texture – Thanks to the mashed bananas and melted butter, this bread has a perfectly moist and tender crumb that everyone will enjoy.
  2. Rich Chocolate Flavor – The chocolate chunks melt into the batter as it bakes, creating a luxurious chocolatey flavor that complements the banana sweetness.
  3. Simple Ingredients – You don’t need any complicated ingredients to create this delicious banana bread. You probably have all the ingredients you need right in your pantry!
  4. Easy to Customize – Feel free to add nuts, spices, or even a bit of cinnamon for an extra kick. This recipe offers plenty of room for creativity, letting you customize it to suit your taste preferences.

If you love this Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread, here are a few more recipes that you might enjoy:

  • Classic Banana Bread Recipe – This traditional recipe is simple, moist, and perfect for any occasion.
  • Banana Nut Bread – Adding crunchy walnuts or pecans takes this classic banana bread to a new level.
  • Double Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins – Ideal for on-the-go breakfasts or snacks, these muffins are packed with chocolate in every bite.
  • Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread – A plant-based twist on this classic recipe that’s just as delicious as the original.

Closing Note

Give this Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread recipe a try, and treat yourself to a delightful blend of ripe banana flavor with gooey chocolate chunks in every bite. It’s a recipe that will become a staple in your baking rotation, perfect for family gatherings, brunches, or whenever you need a comforting treat. Don’t forget to share your #BeesRecipes creations on Instagram – we can’t wait to see how you enjoy this decadent banana bread!