Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is a classic recipe that yields the best banana bread. And it’s loaded with chocolate chips to make this bread extra special. This recipe requires only 15 minutes of prep!

Banana bread is a classic bread that frequently makes an appearance in our house. Who doesn’t love the small of fresh bread from the oven? It’s a great choice for breakfast or snack. Add chocolate chips and you create a delectable sweet treat everyone loves. Mix together the ingredients in one bowl, bake and enjoy. It’s that easy!

How to make easy chocolate chip banana bread

This recipes comes together easily. Be sure to follow the recipe as specified, including using both granulated sugar AND brown sugar. The brown sugar really enhances the flavor of the bread. Also ensure that your eggs are at room temperature and your butter is softened.

• Step 1: Mash the bananas. Be sure to use overripe bananas. The bananas should be mostly brown to yield the best flavor. Mash until smooth. Do not leave chunks of bananas.
• Step 2: Prepare the pan. Grease a 9×5 metal loaf pan and set aside. Use butter or a nonstick cooking spray to grease the sides.
• Step 3: Make the batter. Cream together the butter and sugars. Then add the eggs, mashed bananas and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Fold until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.
• Step 4: Add the chocolate chips. Gently fold in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips until combined. After pouring the batter into the loaf pan, sprinkle the remaining 1/4 chips on top.
• Step 5: Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the bread is set and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Storing suggestions

Banana bread tastes best when store at room temperature on the counter. Cover it with plastic wrap and store on a plate. Or store it in an airtight container. It will keep for up to 4 days on the counter.

We do not recommend storing the bread in a refrigerator as the circulation of cool air removes moisture and can dry out the bread.

Freezing banana bread

Freeze the entire loaf or slices of fresh bread. To freeze the whole loaf, wrap the bread in one layer of plastic wrap, then one layer of foil. To freeze slices, wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer bag. Freeze the bread for up to 3 months.

Thaw the bread at room temperature before serving.

While this recipe is our favorite, we also love switching it up by adding fresh berries or by making banana bread into muffins. Don’t throw overripe bananas in the trash, use them to make bread or muffins that everyone loves.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Yes! Frozen bananas actually work great here since freezing breaks down their structure and makes them even softer once thawed. Just let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour, then drain off any extra liquid before mashing.

Why did my banana bread sink in the middle?
The most common cause is overmixing once the flour is added, which overdevelops the batter and makes the center collapse as it cools. The other usual culprit is underbaking. Mix until the dry ingredients just disappear, and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.

Do I need a stand mixer to make this banana bread?
Nope, no mixer required! This recipe comes together in one bowl with just a fork and a whisk: mash the bananas, stir in the wet ingredients, then fold in the dry ones by hand. A hand or stand mixer works too if you’d rather.

Can I make this into muffins instead of a loaf?
Yes! Rather than using this exact batter, I made this Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe that’s specifically adapted for muffin form. Same easy banana-chocolate flavor, but tweaked for the right texture and bake time in a muffin tin. It’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Other banana bread recipes

• Blueberry Banana Bread
• Paleo Chocolate Strawberry Banana Bread (naturally paleo and made with coconut flour)
• Banana Coconut Crunch Bread
• Chocolate Zucchini Banana Bread
• Banana Coconut Crunch Muffins
• Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Once you try this recipe, you will want to make it again. The quick bread is always moist and delicious. It’s easy to make and comes together with less than 15 minutes of prep time. Freeze an entire loaf or leftover slices and pull them out of the freezer whenever you’re craving banana bread.

Try it and let us know what you think!