There’s something undeniably cozy about fresh banana bread—especially when it’s studded with melty chocolate chips. This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe is just that: perfectly moist, wonderfully sweet, and packed with bananas and chocolate in every bite. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll want to keep a loaf ready at all times.

There are three slices of dark brown chocolate chip bread stacked on a white marbled surface, with the top slice being lifted by a woman's hand. The bread looks moist with many small, dark chocolate chips scattered throughout each slice, showing a rich texture. In the background, more slices are slightly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This chocolate chip banana bread isn’t just your average loaf — it strikes the perfect balance between tender, moist banana goodness and pockets of gooey chocolate chips. I’ve made it countless times and it never disappoints, whether for breakfast, snack, or dessert.

Super moist texture: Thanks to the Greek yogurt and ripe bananas, this bread stays tender for days without drying out.
Chocolate chip overload: Mini chocolate chips throughout plus extra on top ensure melty surprises in every slice.
Simple ingredients: You probably already have everything on hand—no fancy stuff needed.
Customizable: Easily adapt with nuts, different chocolate types, or swap yogurt for sour cream.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe lies in its harmonious ingredients. Every component plays its own role to deliver a loaf that’s moist, flavorful, and satisfyingly sweet without being overwhelming. Here’s a bit about why each ingredient matters—and a few tips to snag the best results from your shopping trip.

Flat lay of three medium ripe bananas, a small mound of light brown sugar, a small mound of granulated sugar, a small white bowl with melted unsalted butter, two large whole uncracked eggs, a small white bowl with vanilla extract, a small white bowl of Greek yogurt, a small pile of all-purpose flour, a small heap of baking soda powder, a small heap of salt, a small white bowl filled with mini chocolate chips, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic surface, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ripe bananas: Overripe ones with lots of brown spots work best—they’re naturally sweeter and add moisture.
Light brown sugar: Adds a subtle caramel richness that deepens the flavor.
Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps create a nice crust on the bread.
Unsalted butter: Melted butter gives richness and keeps the crumb tender; I always use unsalted to control saltiness.
Eggs: These bind everything together for structure and softness.
Vanilla extract: A must-have for that warm, inviting aroma.
Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tang—sour cream works great too if you prefer.
All-purpose flour: Or a gluten-free 1-to-1 baking blend if needed; this is the bread’s base.
Baking soda: Leavens the bread, helping it rise just right.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness.
Mini chocolate chips: Tiny morsels melt beautifully and scatter evenly without sinking.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe is how flexible it is. I often tweak it depending on what’s in the pantry or my mood, and you can too! Feel free to play around with mix-ins and flavors to make it your own.

Add nuts: I love tossing in toasted walnuts or pecans for a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the soft crumb.
Swap chocolate types: Dark chocolate adds a nice bitterness, while white chocolate brings more sweetness if that’s your vibe.
Make it vegan: Use a flax egg and dairy-free yogurt with a compatible gluten-free flour for a plant-based version.
Spice it up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg for a warm, cozy twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

A single slice of banana bread lies flat on a white marbled surface, showing one visible layer with a dense, moist texture filled with small dark chocolate chips and bits of banana evenly spread throughout. The outside crust is dark golden brown with a slightly crisp, rough texture, while the interior is lighter brown with a soft, speckled appearance from the mashed banana and chocolate pieces. In the background, a white cloth and a blurred cooling rack with more bread slices can be seen. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Mash those ripe bananas

I start by peeling my bananas and mashing them with a fork right in a large mixing bowl. Aim for a chunky puree—don’t overdo it. Having some texture keeps the bread hearty and interesting. Make sure they're really ripe for that natural sweetness and moisture.

Step 2: Mix wet ingredients until smooth

Next, I add the melted butter, both sugars, eggs, vanilla, and Greek yogurt to the mashed bananas. I whisk everything together until smooth—no streaks of butter or sugar should remain. This step makes sure your bread is evenly moist and sweet.

Step 3: Combine the dry ingredients separately

In another bowl, I sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Sometimes I gently stir with a fork to make sure baking soda is evenly distributed, which helps the banana bread rise perfectly.

Step 4: Bring it all together and fold in chocolate chips

I gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, folding gently with a spatula just until combined. Then I fold in the mini chocolate chips, saving a handful to sprinkle on top, which creates a pretty chocolate-studded crust once baked.

Step 5: Bake and cool with patience

Pour the batter into a greased or parchment-lined loaf pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes. Start checking at 55 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack so it doesn’t get soggy.

Top Tip

After baking this bread dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help bring out the best texture and flavor.

Banana Ripeness Matters: Use bananas that are heavily spotted or almost brown for the sweetest and moistest bread.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Gently fold dry ingredients in to avoid a tough, dense loaf; a little flour streak is okay.
Mini Chips Over Regular: Mini chocolate chips distribute more evenly throughout the batter, so every bite gets a little chocolate love.
Cooling Time Is Key: Let the bread cool completely before slicing to avoid it turning gummy inside.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often top warm slices with a smear of salted butter or a dollop of Greek yogurt to balance the sweetness. Sometimes, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the warm bread really elevates the chocolate flavor and adds a nice crunch.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea, making for a delightful breakfast or afternoon treat. For a more hearty brunch, I like serving it alongside scrambled eggs or fresh fruit salad.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I slice the bread into thick slabs and serve it with whipped cream and fresh berries on the side. Another fun idea is to turn leftover slices into French toast—dip them in egg mixture and pan-fry for a decadent twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. It stays perfectly moist and the chocolate chips keep melting into the warm bites whenever you reheat.

Freezing

I like to freeze extra loaves (or slices) wrapped well in foil and plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. When thawed overnight in the fridge, it tastes almost as fresh as the day it was baked—perfect for busy weeks.

Reheating

Reheat slices using a toaster oven or microwave in 15-second bursts until warm. Don’t overheat or it’ll dry out, but a slightly warm chocolate chip banana bread slice is pure comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular-sized chocolate chips instead of mini ones?

Yes, you can use regular chocolate chips; just keep in mind they tend to sink more during baking and can cause larger pockets of chocolate rather than an even distribution. Mini chips melt nicely throughout and tend to stay suspended better.

What if I don’t have Greek yogurt?

Sour cream is a perfect substitute if you don’t have Greek yogurt—both add moisture and a slight tanginess. Alternatively, you can use an equal amount of plain yogurt or even buttermilk, but note the texture might be slightly different.

How do I know when the banana bread is done?

The best test is to insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of the loaf. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached, but no raw batter. If the toothpick is wet, bake for another 5-10 minutes, checking frequently.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum or similar binder. Make sure the blend is suitable for baked goods to achieve a similar texture.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe has been my go-to for a reason: it’s reliable, indulgent, and just downright comforting. I love sharing it with friends and family because everyone agrees it’s a winner. I hope you enjoy baking (and eating!) it as much as I do—there’s really nothing like the smell of banana bread gently baking in your oven to brighten any day.