The Best Banana Bread Recipe With Chocolate Chips
If you’ve been searching for the perfect banana bread recipe that’s simple, cozy, and always comes out moist and flavorful — this is the one. This is the kind of recipe that fills your kitchen with that sweet, comforting aroma that makes everyone wander in asking, “What’s baking?” It’s the ultimate comfort bake for lazy weekends, rainy mornings, or even as a little pick-me-up during a busy work week.
I’ve made this recipe countless times, and every single loaf turns out golden on the outside, soft and tender inside, with just the right balance of banana sweetness and a hint of spice. The melted butter adds richness, and the chocolate chunks give it that little something extra — like a cozy hug in dessert form.
Why I Love This Banana Bread Recipe
There’s something timeless about banana bread. It’s nostalgic, homey, and somehow fits every occasion. But this particular version stands out because:
- It’s made with everyday ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
- It’s foolproof — perfect even if you’re new to baking.
- It’s moist, flavorful, and lightly spiced with cinnamon and ginger.
- It works beautifully as a base recipe — you can dress it up with nuts, swap in cocoa powder, or make it dairy-free.
This banana bread has been my go-to for cozy weekends, family breakfasts, or gifting to friends. And honestly, it’s one of those recipes that just feels right no matter the season. It’s simple comfort done well.
When To Make It
This banana bread recipe is my favorite baking project for:
- Weekend breakfasts — slice it warm and spread a little butter or peanut butter on top.
- Afternoon snacks — pair it with coffee or tea for an instant mood lift.
- Lunchbox treats — individually wrap slices for a quick, satisfying snack.
- Holiday mornings — bake a few loaves to share during Christmas or Thanksgiving breakfast.
It’s also the best way to use up those overripe bananas that are sitting on your counter right now. Instead of tossing them, turn them into something delicious.
Banana Bread Recipe With Chocolate Chips
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll only need a handful of simple ingredients for this banana bread recipe:
- 3 ripe bananas (about 12–14 oz / 350–400 g, peeled)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup melted butter (1 stick / 120 g)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (120 g)
- 1½ tbsp vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (180 g)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp baking powder (12 g)
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips or chunks (about 90 g)
You can easily swap the chocolate for walnuts or pecans, or even mix in a little shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
How To Make The Banana Bread
Step 1: Prep your pan and oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly. This recipe makes one full loaf — the photos show two pans because I like to double the batch when baking for friends. 🙂
Step 2: Mash the bananas
In a large bowl, mash your ripe bananas until they’re smooth and creamy. Don’t worry if there are a few small chunks — they’ll add great texture.
Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients
Add in the eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt. Whisk until well combined. Then stir in the melted butter until smooth and glossy.
Step 4: Combine the dry ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and ginger.
Step 5: Bring it all together
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix — that’s the secret to soft, tender banana bread. Fold in the chocolate chips (and save a few for sprinkling on top if you’d like).
Step 6: Bake it to perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40–50 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a little melted chocolate is perfectly fine!).
Step 7: Cool and slice
Let it cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Variations & Substitutions
This recipe is incredibly versatile! Here are a few fun ways to make it your own:
- Nutty twist: Replace chocolate chips with chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Double-chocolate version: Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dry mix.
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-free: Substitute melted coconut oil or plant-based margarine for the butter.
Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, experiment with mix-ins like shredded coconut, dried cranberries, or even a swirl of peanut butter.
Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead Tips
This banana bread recipe stores beautifully, which makes it ideal for meal prep or gifting.
- Room temperature: Wrap tightly and store on the counter for 2–3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps up to 5 days when wrapped or stored in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Slice the loaf, wrap individual slices in parchment, and freeze. You can toast or microwave straight from frozen!
If you’re planning ahead, you can also mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, then combine them right before baking. It’s a great time-saver for busy mornings.
Packing Tips for On-the-Go
- Wrap individual slices in parchment for a quick grab-and-go breakfast.
- Add a thin swipe of almond butter, peanut butter, or hazelnut spread for extra flavor.
- Pair with yogurt and berries for a complete breakfast on the move.
Whether you’re packing lunches, prepping snacks, or looking for a cozy bake to enjoy with your coffee, this banana bread recipe fits the bill perfectly.
Time-Saving Hacks
- Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to mash bananas and mix the wet ingredients in one go.
- Pre-mix the dry ingredients and store them in a jar — your own banana bread mix, ready whenever you are!
- Double the batch and freeze one loaf for later — future you will be so grateful.
More Cozy Breakfast Recipes to Try
If you love this banana bread recipe, you’ll definitely want to check out a few of my other cozy breakfast ideas on Daily Appetizer:
- Cozy Apple Oatmeal Pancakes (Small Batch, Blender Style)
- Easy Cinnamon Ginger Pumpkin Scones
- Perfect Banana Bread Muffins with Ginger
They all have that same homey, comforting vibe — perfect for fall mornings or anytime you need something sweet and satisfying.
Final Thoughts
This banana bread recipe is everything I love about home baking — simple ingredients, rich flavor, and that nostalgic aroma that fills your whole kitchen. It’s the kind of bake that never goes out of style, and one you’ll keep coming back to again and again.
It’s delicious warm, wonderful cold, and honestly just as good for breakfast as it is for dessert. Try it once, and I promise you’ll add it to your forever recipe list.
If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to see your results! Share your bake on Pinterest and tag me — I post all my new recipes and cozy seasonal treats there:
👉 Pinterest.com/DailyAppetizer
Banana Bread Recipe With Chocolate Chips
If you’ve been searching for the perfect banana bread recipe that’s simple, cozy, and always comes out moist and flavorful — this is the one. This is the kind of recipe that fills your kitchen with that sweet, comforting aroma that makes everyone wander in asking, “What’s baking?” It’s the ultimate comfort bake for lazy weekends, rainy mornings, or even as a little pick-me-up during a busy work week.
I’ve made this recipe countless times, and every single loaf turns out golden on the outside, soft and tender inside, with just the right balance of banana sweetness and a hint of spice. The melted butter adds richness, and the chocolate chunks give it that little something extra — like a cozy hug in dessert form.
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas (about 12–14 oz / 350–400 g, peeled)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup melted butter (1 stick / 120 g)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (120 g)
- 1½ tbsp vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (180 g)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp baking powder (12 g)
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips or chunks (about 90 g)
Instructions
Step 1: Prep your pan and oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly. This recipe makes one full loaf — the photos show two pans because I like to double the batch when baking for friends.
Step 2: Mash the bananas
In a large bowl, mash your ripe bananas until they’re smooth and creamy. Don’t worry if there are a few small chunks — they’ll add great texture.
Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients
Add in the eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt. Whisk until well combined. Then stir in the melted butter until smooth and glossy.
Step 4: Combine the dry ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and ginger.
Step 5: Bring it all together
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix — that’s the secret to soft, tender banana bread. Fold in the chocolate chips (and save a few for sprinkling on top if you’d like).
Step 6: Bake it to perfection
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 40–50 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (a little melted chocolate is perfectly fine!).
Step 7: Cool and slice
Let it cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Slice and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
This recipe is incredibly versatile! Here are a few fun ways to make it your own:
- Nutty twist: Replace chocolate chips with chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Double-chocolate version: Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to the dry mix.
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-free: Substitute melted coconut oil or plant-based margarine for the butter.
Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, experiment with mix-ins like shredded coconut, dried cranberries, or even a swirl of peanut butter.
