What could be better than homemade healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread when you have some overripe bananas left to use up? Using better-for-you ingredients makes this recipe delicious, comforting and so wholesome!
Maple Syrup as a sweetener gives it a natural flavorful sweetness. Fill your house with a mouthwatering banana and maple aroma by whipping this into the oven.
If you're looking for more dairy-free and vegan recipes, check out our tofu tiramisu recipe, this soft tofu scramble recipe and these easy no-bake chocolate peanut butter protein bars.
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📋 Ingredients
To make healthy chocolate chip banana bread at home, you need to gather a few ingredients.
- ripe bananas
- vanilla extract
- water
- dark maple syrup
- avocado oil
- cinnamon
- flax meal
- spelt flour
- old-fashioned oats
- cane sugar
- baking powder
- nuts and semi-sweet chocolate chips
See the recipe card at the end of the post for precise measurements and instructions.
🔄 Substitutions
- Spelt Flour Substitute: You can use all-purpose flour or whole-wheat flour, or even a 1:1 gluten-free flour option.
- Nuts: Optional, can be omitted for nut allergies.
- Oil: Substitute with melted vegan butter following a 1:1 ratio with the oil.
💡 Variations
- Chocolate Delight: Add more chocolate chips to the batter or swirl in vegan chocolate spread for a chocolatey twist.
- Nutty: Incorporate chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds for added crunch and flavor.
- Tropical: Mix in shredded coconut and diced pineapple for a tropical-inspired banana bread.
- Berry Burst: Fold in fresh or frozen berries such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries for a burst of fruity goodness.
- Cinnamon Swirl: Create a cinnamon swirl by layering cinnamon-sugar between the batter for a marbled effect.
- Espresso: Add a shot of espresso, coffee or instant coffee powder to the batter for a delightful coffee-infused banana bread.
- Pumpkin Spice Twist: Blend in pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice for a cozy autumn-inspired banana bread.
- Chai Spice: Infuse warm chai spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger into the batter for a unique flavor.
- Lemon Poppy Seed: Incorporate lemon zest and poppy seeds for a bright and citrusy banana bread variation.
- Almond: Mix in shredded coconut, chopped almonds, and vegan chocolate chips for an Almond Joy-inspired delight.
🍽 Equipment
- Loaf pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula
👩🏽🍳 How To Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Preheat your oven to 180°C / 355°F.
- Grease and flour your loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Mash the 3 overripe bananas in a mixing bowl. Whisk in vanilla extract, water, maple syrup, avocado oil, cinnamon, and flax meal. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix spelt flour, oats, cane sugar, baking powder, and salt (if using).
- Add dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture and whisk until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts with a spatula.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, filling it around ⅔ full. Optionally, place halves of 1 banana on top.
- Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely or serve immediately.
✨ Sprinkle's Expert Tips ✨
- For extra moistness, replace a portion of the avocado oil with unsweetened applesauce.
- Customize your banana bread with mix-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruits for extra texture and flavor.
- Adjust sugar levels according to your preference. You can reduce sugar if your bananas are very ripe.
- If the top is browning too quickly, cover the bread with foil during the last part of baking to prevent overbrowning.
🍰 Serving Ideas
- Toasted with Butter: Toast slices and spread with vegan butter for a comforting and indulgent treat.
- Nut Butter Topping: Slather almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter on warm banana bread slices.
- Banana Bread French Toast: Turn banana bread into French toast for a delightful breakfast twist. Serve with maple syrup.
- Banana Bread Sundae: Create a banana bread sundae with a scoop of vegan ice cream, chocolate sauce, and nuts.
- Grilled Banana Bread Sandwich: Grill slices of banana bread and make a sandwich with vegan cream cheese and sliced strawberries.
- Banana Bread Muffins: Bake banana bread batter in muffin tins for individual servings, perfect for on-the-go snacking.
💭 Recipe FAQ
Overripe bananas with brown spots or fully brown skins are ideal. They add natural sweetness and moisture to the bread.
Yes, substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and make sure the oats you are using are gluten-free friendly.
Common egg substitutes include flax eggs, applesauce, mashed bananas, or commercial egg replacers. However, bananas themselves are a great vegan egg substitute! In fact, they safely replace eggs in many plant based baked goods. Read more about plant-based substitutes in our vegan egg replacement guide.
Overmixing the batter or using too much leavening agent can cause banan bread to sink. Follow the recipe instructions carefully to prevent this from happening.
Some brands that offer healthier chocolate chips are:
- Lily’s Sweets
- Enjoy Life
- Simple Truth
- Evolved
- Pascha Chocolate
- Sprouts and Trader Joe's
🥣 Storage & Reheating Instructions
Store your delightful banana bread covered in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days on the counter. If you opt for refrigeration, it will maintain its freshness for up to a week!
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze it for up to 2 months by wrapping it well or placing it in a freezer bag, labeled with the freezing date.
When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, at room temperature, or lightly heat in the oven.
🍏 More Vegan Recipes You'll Love:
📖 Recipe
Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3 medium ripe bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 60 milliliters filtered water
- 80 milliliters dark maple syrup
- 60 milliliters avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon flax meal
- 200 grams spelt flour
- 50 grams old-fashioned oats
- 100 grams organic cane sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 50 grams walnuts
- 150 grams semi-sweet chocolate chips
Toppings
- 1 banana peeled and halved
- more chocolate chips if desired
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C / 355°F.
- Grease and flour your loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Mash the 3 overripe bananas in a mixing bowl. Whisk in vanilla extract, water, maple syrup, avocado oil, cinnamon, and flax meal. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix spelt flour, oats, cane sugar, baking powder, and salt (if using).
- Add dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture and whisk until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts with a spatula.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, filling it around ⅔ full. Optionally, place halves of 1 banana on top.
- Bake for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely or serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
The provided nutritional information is an estimate. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
This recipe was perfect for using up the overripe bananas I had on the counter! And it was a bonus that the kitchen smelled incredible too! We loved this wholesome recipe!
all my favourite ingredients partying together. super tasty and moist
Great recipe! I loved the chocolate twist on this all-time classic!
Love this chocolate chips banana bread! It is fluffy, soft, and perfectly moist!