Chocolate chip banana bread is one of those magical recipes that never disappoints. It hits every craving: sweet, soft, tender banana bread swirled with melty chocolate chips. It’s cozy, it’s comforting, it’s nostalgic, and it’s one of the easiest baked goods you can make with ingredients you probably already have.

This recipe delivers everything you want in the perfect banana bread: a soft and tender crumb, deep banana flavor, hints of vanilla and brown sugar, a rich buttery base, and plenty of chocolate in every bite. Whether you’re baking it for breakfast, dessert, a midday treat, or gifting it to someone special, this banana bread will become your new go-to recipe.

Banana bread has stood the test of time for decades — and for good reason. It’s the ideal way to use overripe bananas, it fills your kitchen with warm, sweet aroma, and it’s impossible to mess up if you follow a few simple tips. With added chocolate chips, it goes from comforting to irresistible.

Below, you’ll find everything you need, including ingredients, step-by-step instructions, variations, tips, serving suggestions, and a complete JSON format ready for apps or recipe cards.

Why This Banana Bread Is the Best

1. Melt-in-Your-Mouth Moist

Thanks to ripe bananas, butter, and the perfect sugar ratio.

2. Loaded With Chocolate Chips

Every slice has gooey chocolate throughout.

3. No Mixer Required

This is a simple whisk-and-stir recipe.

4. Doesn’t Dry Out

This banana bread stays moist for up to 4 days.

5. Perfect for Freezing

It freezes beautifully in slices or whole loaves.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Mix-Ins

• 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)
• ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 loaf pan or line with parchment.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients
   In a bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a second bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Combine Wet and Dry
   Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and gently stir until just combined. Do NOT overmix.
5. Fold in Chocolate Chips
   Add chocolate chips (and nuts if using) and fold lightly.
6. Bake
   Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are fine).
7. Cool Before Slicing
   Let loaf cool in pan for 10 minutes, then move to a rack.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Moist, soft, and loaded with chocolate chips, this banana bread is perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Servings: 10 slices

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 290

Ingredients

  

Wet Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas mashed
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
• 0.75 cup brown sugar
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt

Mix-Ins

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 0.5 cup nuts optional, chopped

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Loaf pan
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment.
2. Whisk mashed bananas, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla together.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts if using.
6. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake 55–65 minutes.
7. Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to rack to cool completely.

Notes

For a bakery-style top, sprinkle extra chocolate chips on the batter before baking.

Tips for the Best Banana Bread

Use Overripe Bananas

The darker and spottier, the better — more sweetness and moisture.

Do Not Overmix

This causes dense, rubbery bread.

Add Extra Chips on Top

Sprinkle chocolate chips on the batter before baking for a bakery-style finish.

Use Room Temperature Eggs

Helps the batter mix evenly.

Bake in the Center of the Oven

Ensures even rise and no sinking.

Variations

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

Add ¼ cup cocoa powder + extra chocolate chips.

Banana Nut Bread

Add chopped walnuts or pecans.

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Swirl in ¼ cup melted peanut butter.

Cinnamon Banana Bread

Add 1½ tsp cinnamon.

Healthy Banana Bread

Swap flour for whole wheat and sugar for maple syrup.

Serving Suggestions

• Warm with butter
• Toasted with peanut butter
• Served with coffee or tea
• As dessert topped with vanilla ice cream
• Pack in lunchboxes or slice for brunch
• Freeze slices for grab-and-go snacks

Fun Facts

• Banana bread surged in popularity during the Great Depression as a way to prevent food waste.
• Bananas add natural moisture, allowing less fat than other cake-like breads.
• Chocolate chip banana bread is now one of the most popular banana bread variations online.