One Bowl Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (NO eggs!)
Hands down, this is the BEST banana bread recipe with chocolate chips you need to have on hand! One bowl, no eggs, and no dairy, it’s moist and secretly healthy! No mixer needed, it’s perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!
With all the home baking happening at home right now, it’s no surprise that classics like chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, and banana bread are being made.
In times of doubt, nothing is more comforting than spending time in the kitchen baking from the heart. It takes our minds off what is happening around the world and gives us an excuse not to watch the news.
Many of you have told me you’ve stocked up your pantry with basics, so let’s get our bake on.
We ALL have that leftover banana or two on our kitchen counters and for me, using leftover bananas is screaming for banana bread, but not just any banana bread…
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.
The very BEST recipe.
I might even have it for breakfast.
Banana Bread Recipe with Chocolate Chips
Okay, so my original banana bread recipe had over one hundred 5 star reviews. That recipe is made with no flour, so it is the perfect flourless recipe to have on hand.
This chocolate chip banana bread is a little bit different.
It’s made with no eggs, no refined sugar, and no dairy, but you’d never tell.
Texture-wise, it ticks ALL the boxes in what a delicious chocolate chip banana bread should be.
Moist on in the side, tender on the outside, and loaded with chocolate chips throughout and on top.
Taste-wise, it’s sweet, with hints of banana (not too much!) and bits of chocolate in every bite.
Bonus? It’s eggless and refined sugar-free, making it PERFECT for those following a vegan and gluten-free diet! Oh, and it’s secretly healthier than traditional ones!
How to make chocolate chip banana bread
The Ingredients
- Bananas– the browner your bananas are, the sweeter they will be!
- All-purpose flour– You can use regular all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour. Be wary of the brands of gluten-free flour you use, as some have additives in it that can make sweet bread gummy.
- Granulated sweetener of choice– I recommend sticking to white sugar (table sugar, monk fruit sweetener), or use part white and part brown sugar. Using all brown sugar (or coconut sugar) will yield a heavier loaf, and also have a very strong flavor.
- Baking soda– To help the bread rise and have that gorgeous dome shape we love!
- salt-
- Dairy-free butter– Replaces the need for any oil in the recipe, while keeping the bread buttery and super moist.
- Dairy-free milk– Any dairy-free milk will work- I’ve used oat milk, unsweetened almond milk, and soy milk.
- Vanilla extract– A must for any good banana bread recipe!
- Apple cider vinegar– This helps the bread rise and be fluffy, without the need for any eggs!
- Chocolate Chips– Use a mix of chocolate chunks and chocolate chips, to ensure the chocolate is evenly distributed between the entire loaf. Be sure to reserve a few to top the bread with it.
- Walnuts– Optional, but highly recommended. There is nothing I love more than the chocolate/walnut combination.
The Instructions
Making this banana bread is so simple, and needs no fancy kitchen gadgets to prepare!
In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients and mix well. Mash your bananas, and add those to the bowl, along with the other wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, as we don’t want to overmix it! Using a rubber spatula, fold through the chocolate chips and walnuts (if using them). Transfer to a loaf pan and top the bread with extra chocolate chips and walnuts.
Now we bake! Bake the chocolate chip banana bread for around 45-50 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean from the center. Oven makes and models vary, so you may find your banana chocolate chip bread taking a little longer to cook. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan.
NOTE: Remember, the banana bread continues to cook as it cooled!
Can I use ‘real’ butter and ‘real’ milk if I’m not vegan?
I often get asked by non-vegan readers if they can use eggs or butter in recipes that call for egg substitutes or dairy-free butter. The same goes for non-dairy milk.
The answer is YES!
If you don’t follow a vegan diet, you can use butter instead of dairy-free butter and use milk instead of plant-based or non-dairy milk.
How do you keep chocolate chips from sinking in banana bread?
You often hear that chocolate chips can sometimes sink to the bottom of the banana bread.
To combat this, you should ALWAYS fold through the chocolate chips at the end of the recipe preparation, instead of all at once.
Alternatively, you can toss the chocolate chips in a few tablespoons of flour. This stops them from sinking to the bottom too.
NOTE: you don’t need to do this with the chocolate chips you are topping the bread with, as they stay put!
Tips and tricks for PERFECT Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Do not overmix the batter, as that can really affect whether the banana bread rises beautifully, or sinks. I know it is tempting, but avoid it!
- Mash the bananas with a fork, instead of blending it, as the extra lumps will give the bread an even more delicious texture.
- Always line the loaf pan with parchment paper, instead of just greasing it. This bakes the banana bread more evenly and avoids any potential for it to stick. Also, use more than necessary, so that there is an inch on each side ‘overhanging’. This makes removing the cooked banana chocolate chip bread from the loaf pan seamless.
Can you cook banana bread in a glass pan?
I got asked this question over and over again in my other banana bread recipes, so I had to try it out for myself.
Yes, you can cook or bake your banana chocolate chip bread in a glass pan, but be wary that the heat distributes differently. To combat this, bake the banana bread at 170C/325F to compensate.
How to store chocolate chip banana bread
Store banana bread in a sealed container or covered in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator at all times. Because of how moist it is, it can easily spoil if left at room temperature.
How long does banana bread last? Refrigerated banana bread will keep for up to 7 days. I recommend consuming within 5 days for optimum freshness.
Can you freeze banana bread? YES! Banana chocolate chip bread is freezer friendly and can be stored in the freezer.
Either freeze the loaf completely whole or slice up pieces individually. Place them in a ziplock bag. They will keep well frozen for up to 6 months.
To thaw, either remove from the freeze and microwave instantly or thaw at room temperature until no longer frozen.
How do you dress up banana bread?
Or rather, what flavor combinations can I make banana bread? Well, I have a few for you…
- Coconut Banana Bread
- Raspberry Banana Bread
- Strawberry Banana Bread
- Ginger Banana Bread
- Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
- Banana Pecan Bread
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour gluten-free, if necessary
- 1 cup granulated sweetener of choice * See notes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups banana approximately 4 bananas
- 1/2 cup vegan butter softened ** See notes
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup milk of choice ** See notes
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips of choice
- 1/4 cup walnuts optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, reserving a few inches on each side overhanging.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and mix well. Add your mashed bananas, softened butter, vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar and mix of choice, and mix until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold through your chocolate chips of choice.
- Transfer your batter into the lined loaf pan. Top with extra chocolate chips and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a skewer comes out just clean from the center.
- Remove banana chocolate chip bread and allow to cool in the pan completely.
Can I use almond flour?
Not for this recipe, but you can make this one instead- https://thebigmansworld.com/healthy-flourless-banana-breakfast-cake/
If I make these in a muffin tin, how much should I reduce the cook time?
I haven’t tried this in a muffin tin, but as a general rule of thumb, aim for 15-20 minutes, depending on your oven make.
Hi Arman! Have made a couple of your “2-ingredient” recipes while quarantined with my family in NY – thumbs up all round!!!
Was wondering if maple syrup or honey could be used as the sweetener for this banana bread? (That’s all I have in the house!)
Thanks!
Pauline
Hi Pauline- I haven’t tried that- you could add some and then also add a little extra flour to combat the extra liquid.
Ok, thanks for replying 🙂
This banana bread is seriously SO yummy!! A bit crispy on the outside, but still moist inside. My only question is I cooked the bread WAY longer than 45-50 min. it was in the oven for about 90 min. total.. Ended up tenting the top with foil to prevent to top from over cooking and bumping the temperature up a bit. Has anyone else experienced cooking way longer? Any-who, bread came out amazing and will be making again!
Hi! Ahhh not sure why it took so long- I’ve known some ovens can take up to 60-65 minutes- Was your heat on the lower end? Hopefully we can troubleshoot this 🙂
hmm.. I use a gas oven so if anything I would of thought it would of been faster! I’ll have to make it again and see if it is consistent with the baking time for me. 🙂
This recipe is delicious! This is the first banana bread recipe I have been successful at making. The bread came out just like in the pictures. I baked it for exactly 45 mins. I accidentally over mixed the ingredients and was afraid it wasn’t going to rise while baking but it didn’t seem to have a huge effect. The bread rose beautifully, came out slightly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Simply delicious! Thank you for all your amazing recipes!!!
You are so welcome, Daisy-Thank you for the feedback 🙂
Hi All…
I wanted this so bad but didn’t want to use sugar or oil so I soaked 10 dates..1/2 banana and a peeled green apple and blended it..i just skipped the oil..came out anazing!!!!!
So glad it worked!
May I ask what gluten free flour you would recommend for this recipe?
Thanks so much,
Kristina
Bob’s gluten free flour that contains added xanthan gum
Can this be made in a bread machine? Kitchen gutted for renovation, so I’m without an oven 🙃
Not that I’ve tried!
Hi, I was just wondering if I would need to make a double batch if I wanted to make a 3 layered 6 inch cake? And if so, would you recommended doubling everything? Or adding less flour, less this, more that, etc.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Mariel! I’ve never tried this so you’ll need to experiment and see!
This is only my second attempt at baking gluten free and vegan. My bread came out pretty well and tasting great. Two issues: the top sank some in center. The toothpick came out clean but once I cut into it, the lower center all the way through was still raw, uncooked. I put it back in for another 6 minutes. My oven cooks hot so for me I need to cook this recipe for about 60 minutes at 350.
Love all the helpful tips you offer and great questions too, thank you!
Hi Pamela- It sounds like it could be your oven. I’d recommend you remove the loaf halfway through and cover with tin oil do it doesn’t overcook the top.