Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe (VIDEO)

The only thing better than our popular Banana Bread recipe might just be this Chocolate Banana Bread recipe, straight from Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook. It is soft, extra chocolatey, and stays moist for days.

Call it breakfast, bread, or even dessert- this soft crumb, double chocolate loaf is a chocolate lover’s dream. Watch the video tutorial and see how easy it is to make.

Sliced Chocolate Banana Bread showing the soft crumb center.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

We love that this recipe is a perfect combination of our Fudgy Brownies and Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. If you are a fan of quick and easy sweet bread recipes that could be mistaken for a cake, this Chocolate Banana Bread is a must-try!

This has to be the richest, chocolaty (and yet perfectly acceptable for breakfast) loaf I’ve baked. The best part is that it will stay nice and moist for a few days, but let’s be serious, we both know it won’t last that long!

This recipe checks all of the right boxes:

  • Moist – with a tender crumb
  • Chocolatey – with gooey morsels of chocolate
  • Easy to make – essentially mixing dry and wet ingredients
  • Freezer-friendly – this keeps well

Chocolate Banana Bread Video

Watch Natasha make this Fudgy Chocolate Banana Bread. You will be surprised at how moist it is thanks to the ripe bananas. This recipe is perfect for any time of day, so what are you waiting for? Let’s get baking!

Ingredients

The key to making great banana bread is using overripened bananas. See my tips below to speed up the ripening process.

  • Bananas – very ripe bananas are easier to mash and make a sweeter banana bread
  • Sugar – adds sweetness to balance the cocoa
  • Butter – unsalted and softened at room temperature
  • Eggs – large and at room temperature, to bind the batter together
  • Vanilla – Use our homemade vanilla for the best flavor
  • Flour – All-purpose, or gluten-free if desired
  • Cocoa Powder – natural unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s (not Dutch-process cocoa)
  • Baking soda – a leavening agent to help the banana bread rise
  • Salt – I almost always use fine sea salt
  • Chocolate Chips – semisweet is our go-to
Ingredients to make Chocolate Banana Bread: bananas, cocoa powder, vanilla, chocolate chips, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, salt

Customize Your Bread

This recipe is delicious as is, but feel free to add your own mix-ins.

  • Chopped nuts – walnuts, pecans
  • Nutella
  • Peanut butter
  • Milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips

How to Make Double Chocolate Banana Bread

This recipe couldn’t be easier – it’s essentially beating together the wet ingredients then sifting in the dry ingredients and putting them together.

  • Prepare – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9.25 x 5.25 x 2.75-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper. Use enough parchment paper to hang over the sides of your pan so you can lift the banana bread later.
  • Wet Ingredients – In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and mix just to combine. Mix in the mashed bananas and vanilla until blended.
  • Dry Ingredients – In a second large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix on medium-low speed until just incorporated. The batter will be a little lumpy (don’t over-mix).
  • Fold in 3⁄4 cup of the chocolate chips, spread the batter into the loaf pan, and sprinkle the remaining 1⁄4 cup of the chocolate chips over the top.
  • Bake – Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center, comes out clean. Let the bread rest in the pan 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and gently pull up on the parchment paper to transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool.
Chocolate Banana Bread fresh out of the oven, resting in the pan on a wire rack

Pro Tip:

When checking for doneness, a toothpick inserted in the center should come out without any wet batter on it, not to be mistaken with melted chocolate. Sometimes you’ll hit a melted chocolate chip so poke the surface a couple of times.

How to Ripen Bananas Quickly

The best bananas for banana bread are not bright yellow. You want brown, soft bananas for this recipe. If you need to quickly ripen your bananas for baking, there are a couple of ways to do this.

  • Paper Bag Method: Place the unripe bananas in a paper bag and fold the top closed. If you have apples or tomatoes, toss them in too to help speed up the process. All of these fruits release ethylene gas, a natural ripening agent and the paper bag traps the gas and helps to ripen the bananas quickly. Place the bag on the counter for 24 hours. Placing the bag near a heat source or in direct sunlight will expedite the process even more.
  • Oven Method: If your bananas are already yellow but not browned, you can speed up the process. Place bananas on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 30 minutes or until softened and blackened on the outside. Let them cool before handling.
  • Saving Ripe Bananas: If you have overripe bananas and aren’t ready to bake with them, don’t throw them away! Peel them and place them in a freezer bag, 2-3 to a bag, and pop them into the freezer to use in the future. Let them thaw to room temperature, and they’ll be perfect for your next batch of Banana Bread.

Common Questions

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! You can make a double batch and bake in 2 separate pans. They may need a slightly longer bake time if baking two so test both with a toothpick to ensure doneness.

How do you make moist banana bread?

The key is to have the perfect ratio of mashed bananas to flour. Watch my How to Measure Ingredients video tutorial to be sure you are measuring correctly. Too much flour and your bread will be dry, too little flour and your bread will be mushy.

Can I use frozen bananas?

You can certainly use previously frozen bananas, but make sure you thaw them first so you can mash them into a smoother consistency for baking.

Three slices of chocolate chocolate chip banana bread on a wire cooling rack

To Serve Chocolate Banana Bread

This bread has such a moist crumb and the chocolate chips add wonderful creamy texture to the inside, and a chocolate chunk texture to the topping. We love that it can pass for breakfast bread or dessert. After baking, let the bread cool to room temperature before slicing. This ensures that the sugars have settled into the crumb and make it perfectly sweet.

Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and serve with:

  • Fresh berries or sliced bananas
  • Yogurt
  • Vanilla ice cream (ok, maybe not for breakfast)
  • Peanut butter
  • Whipped Cream

How to Store Banana Bread

We love that this Chocolate Banana Bread stays moist for days. Bake your bread and let it cool completely before storing.

  • To Refrigerate: Wrap it in plastic wrap, or place it in a Ziploc bag or airtight container, and store it at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • To Freeze: Tightly wrap your chocolate banana bread in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy this tasty bread, unwrap it and let it sit on the counter at room temperature to thaw.
Chocolate Banana Bread topped with chocolate chips sliced on a wire rack

We hope that you will enjoy this recipe and all of the recipes included in Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook. I am so excited to finally get to share more of the recipes that I love, with you.

More Banana Recipes

If you love this Chocolate Banana Bread, then you won’t want to miss these other delicious banana recipes. These are all tasty ways to use up leftover bananas.

Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

5 from 134 votes
Sliced Chocolate Banana Bread on a wire rack, showcasing the chocolate chocolate chips
This Fudgy Chocolate Banana Bread is easy to make, extra chocolatey (with cocoa and chocolate chips), and stays moist for days. Enjoy this for breakfast or dessert.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Resting time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 10 slices, makes 1 loaf

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9.25 x 5.25 x 2.75-inch loaf pan and line it with a sheet of parchment paper. There should be at least two inches of overhang on the sides to help you lift out the loaf once it’s done baking.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the lightly beaten eggs and mix just to combine. Mix in the bananas and vanilla until blended.
  • In a second large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix on medium-low speed until just incorporated. The batter will be a little lumpy, and that’s ok. Do not over mix or your loaf will be tough.
  • Use a spatula to fold in 3⁄4 cup of the chocolate chips. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining 1⁄4 cup of the chocolate chips over the top. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center, comes out clean.
  • Let the banana bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then gently pull up on the parchment paper to transfer the loaf to a cooling rack. Serve the banana bread at room temperature or when it is slightly warm to the touch.

Nutrition Per Serving

1slice Serving334kcal Calories42g Carbs5g Protein18g Fat10g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat5g Monounsaturated Fat0.4g Trans Fat58mg Cholesterol243mg Sodium301mg Potassium4g Fiber24g Sugar363IU Vitamin A3mg Vitamin C26mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
Serving Size
 
1 slice
Amount per Serving
Calories
334
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
18
g
28
%
Saturated Fat
 
10
g
63
%
Trans Fat
 
0.4
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Cholesterol
 
58
mg
19
%
Sodium
 
243
mg
11
%
Potassium
 
301
mg
9
%
Carbohydrates
 
42
g
14
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
24
g
27
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
363
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
 
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
 
26
mg
3
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Bread, Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chocolate Banana Bread
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 334
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
5 from 134 votes (67 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Jorge Flores
    August 14, 2025

    Hi Natasha and good morning. Quick question on the Chocolate Banana Bread. In addition to the chocolate chipsand bananas I would like to add some Walnuts. How much should I add?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 14, 2025

      Hi Jorge. You can add them to your preference, but 1 cup is a good amount.

      Reply

  • Vanessa
    August 10, 2025

    Love this. Perfect every time. Do you have a marble loaf or blueberry bread recipe??

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 10, 2025

      Hi Vanessa! I’m glad you love this recipe. I don’t have a marble cake, but I think you’ll love my Easy Blueberry Bread Recipe here.

      Reply

  • Lindsay
    August 2, 2025

    Hi Natasha!
    Almond flour? I live this recipe and I want to make it again but can I only have almond flour at hand.. can I use that instead? If so, same amount?
    Thank you!!!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 2, 2025

      Hi Lindsay. I haven’t tested almond flour in this recipe so I don’t know how it would turn out and what modifications are needed.

      Reply

  • Patty M
    August 1, 2025

    Delicious!!! Better than my original banana bread recipe. So moist! So glad I found it. This is a keeper.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 1, 2025

      I’m so happy you loved it, Patty!

      Reply

  • Meghan
    July 18, 2025

    Perfect every time! It’s so hard to find a banana bread that doesn’t dry out and this one is so moist even a few days later.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 18, 2025

      I’m so happy you found this recipe and also enjoy it. Thank you for the review. It’s a family favorite.

      Reply

  • Evangeline
    July 16, 2025

    This is my new go to banana bread recipe. If you replace the cocoa powder with additional flour instead you will have regular banana bread that is equally as delicious if you’re not in the mood for chocolate. I have also replaced the sugar with monk fruit sweetener for a no sugar added version and you can’t even tell the difference. It’s super moist and stays moist for a WEEK.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 16, 2025

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Evangeline! We do have a regular Banana Bread recipe that’s quite popular also.

      Reply

  • J.K.
    July 15, 2025

    This chocolate banana bread is absolutely amazing & so delicious.It was very moist..My friends and I love your recipes.

    Reply

  • Alina
    June 30, 2025

    So perfect! I love using this recipe for muffins. I add less sugar because they turn out a bit too sweet for me but otherwise so delicious and moist.

    Reply

  • Juliane Haag
    May 30, 2025

    I baked two loaves of this chocolate banana bread — they turned out great, and the recipe was super easy to follow!

    Reply

  • Rick
    April 25, 2025

    This is a very tasty recipe!
    I made Muffins from it. I couldn’t wait for it to cool, but it was wonderful… just wish that I had some vanilla ice cream to go with it. 😁😋

    Reply

  • Bahar
    April 2, 2025

    I made this today and it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I’ve always craved something like brownies—moist, chocolatey, but less sweet and heavy—and this was exactly it. I added walnuts and crunchy peanut butter, reduced the sugar by 20g, and since I was out of baking soda, I swapped in 3 tsp of baking powder. It still turned out beautifully! Thank you, Natasha, for sharing this gem from your cookbook—I think it’s officially going into my dessert rotation! 😍🍌🍫🤎❤️

    Reply

    • Bahar
      April 3, 2025

      To be precise, I mixed 2 full Tbs of crunchy peanut butter right after banana in the wet ingredients. And the walnuts were a handful chopped and not toasted walnuts which I folded into batter together with chocolate chips.

      Reply

  • Mary Margaret Holtz
    March 28, 2025

    Hi Natasha. I would like to add peanut butter. How much do you suggest? Thanks

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 28, 2025

      Hi Mary, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.

      Reply

    • Bahar
      April 3, 2025

      Hi Mary! Yesterday I actually tried adding 2 very full table spoons of crunchy peanut butter right after banana to the wet ingredients. Moreover, I also folded a handful chopped walnuts together with chocolate chips into the batter. It actually turned out amazing and I like that you could taste the peanut butter but it wasn’t overpowering. 😊

      Reply

  • Rachel Anne Davis
    March 25, 2025

    Can you substitute the coco powder with chocolate shavings?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 25, 2025

      Hi Rachel, while I haven’t tried it to give specifics, yes, you can substitute cocoa powder with chocolate shavings, just note it will likely change the texture and sweetness of the banana bread. Cocoa powder is unsweetened and has a more concentrated flavor. I hope this helps.

      Reply

As Featured On

Never Go "Hangry" Again!

Get weekly updates on new recipes, exclusive giveaways plus behind the scenes photos.