This healthier banana bread recipe is your answer to all that food and candy overdose. Past and future. With coconut oil and whole wheat flour, it has a sweet, earthy tone that complements those wonderful dark chocolate chips. Or chunks.
Originally posted in November 2017, the text and images have been updated to serve you better. The recipe remains the same.
Originally posted in November 2017, the text and images have been updated to serve you better. The recipe remains the same.I have a go-to banana bread recipe as I'm sure you do too. Mine has roasted bananas and is plain, no add-ons, just a whole lot of banana flavor.
Taking that recipe as a guide, I developed a healthier one, with the same amazing flavor, and some dark chocolate chunks in it. Banana and chocolate is really an incredible combination.
Main ingredients for this healthier recipe.
Whenever I adapt a regular recipe and make it healthier, some ingredients might not be your everyday staples (image below).
- Oil: instead of butter. I use coconut oil which makes it lighter and moist.
- Sugar: coconut or fine muscovado are my choices for a healthy bread. You can use brown sugar, of course.
- Chocolate: chips or chunks, it needs to be dark, 70% or so being my absolute favorite. I like chunks because they are easily noticeable. I love a definite chocolate flavor in the bite.
- Flour: superfine whole wheat works really well, adding some earthiness but allowing for a tender, tight crumb.
- Bananas: I like to mash them but not so much that they start to turn liquid. Chunkier is better.
Follow these easy steps:
- Using an electric hand beater is faster, but this bread can be made with a whisk and some arm power.
- Mix sugar and oil until foamy (image 1).
- Add sugar, mix well and add half the bananas (image 2).
- Alternate the rest of the bananas with the dry ingredients (image 3) in two parts; that way it will mix better and easier.
- Add chocolate by hand. I use a spatula (image 4) because the chunks are easier to mix.
Loaf pan.
I like to use non-stick metal loaf pans that have been sprayed (with baking spray) and lined with a strip of parchment paper that covers the bottom and two short sides (image below). That way it's easier to remove and it doesn't stick.
Decoration.
This bread surface can be dull, so I add a whole banana cut lengthwise and then in half (image below). And I sprinkle with some extra coconut sugar to get a crunchy layer when baked.
You can also sprinkle with some chocolate chips or just the sugar.
Storing:
I love to eat this bread during the first two days (if it lasts that long!) and it keeps great well wrapped in plastic.
Freezing - if there's something left I slice and freeze it. I like to wrap it in plastic and then in aluminum. It lasts a month.
Variations:
You can add a couple of tablespoons of cocoa nibs and wheat bran to make it healthier. Or nuts.
Best bananas for making banana bread.
We all know that the best banana for this type of recipe is one that is overripe, soft, mushy, that smells barely fermented and where the skin is usually spotted.
You probably wouldn’t eat it raw, but it does make the best bread. Why? Because the flesh is sweeter and after baking the banana flavor is more intense. That doesn’t happen with very firm bananas.
Other recipes you might like:
Healthier Banana Nut Muffins
Banana Muffin Cake with Dulce de Leche and Cream
Banana Quinoa Chocolate Muffins (gluten-free)
Banana Bundt Cake
Roasted Banana Bread
Zucchini Pineapple Bread
Apple Walnut Loaf
Let me know if you make this recipe! I’d love to hear what you think about it.
Thank you for being here, I appreciate it! Let’s connect via Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Quick breads
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This healthier banana bread recipe is your answer to all that food and candy overdose. Past and future. With coconut oil and whole wheat flour, it has a sweet, earthy tone that complements those wonderful dark chocolate chips. Or chunks.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (260g) superfine whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup (100g) coconut or fine muscovado sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, at room tº
- 2 cups (3-4 medium) mashed very ripe banana
- 1/2 cup (60g) dark chocolate chips or chunks
- 1 whole banana, for decoration (optional)
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 350ºF / 180ºC.
- Line a 10x4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper (bottom and two narrow sides) and spray or butter remaining sides.
- In a large bowl beat coconut oil with sugar for 1 minute.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add bananas and vanilla in 2 parts, alternating with sifted dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt) in 3 parts. I sift everything directly over the batter, but you can do it separately.
- Add chocolate chips or chunks and mix well with a spatula.
- Pour into the prepared pan and add whole banana, cut lengthwise in 4 pieces, on top.
- Sprinkle with the extra tablespoon of sugar.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, until cracked on top and a tester comes out clean.
- Let cool on a wire rack and unmold.
- It keeps, well wrapped, at room tº for a day or two.
Notes
Bananas: the best ones for this recipe are the ones that are overripe, soft, mushy, that smell barely fermented and where the skin is usually spotted.
Variations: add some chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter, about 1/4 cup, or a few tablespoons cocoa nibs or wheat germ or bran.
Freezing: well wrapped it can be frozen for up to a month.
Keywords: healthy banana bread, chocolate chip banana bread
I love this healthier banana bread version!!! Soooo tasty and delicious, and none of the guilt!! LOVE IT!!
★★★★★
I am pretty sure there is nothing more welcoming than a slice of warm banana bread. This sounds wonderful and I love that other one you share with roasted bananas! So good.
★★★★★
Banana Bread is great normally, but boy does it taste good with chocolate in it. It gets me everytime! I can never say no.
★★★★★
Love any variation of banana breads. Chocolate sounds insanely delicious. Thank you.
★★★★★
I have never used coconut oil in my banana bread but I'm going to have to give this a try! Love the healthier version!
If you ask me, I would be happy to start any day every day with this delicious bread. Add a cup of your favorite hot drink to it, and you get the perfect breakfast. Oh, and great tips on the type of bananas to use - super helpful.
★★★★★
I love your addition of the sliced banana on top with a little sugar to give it just a little extra decoration and crunch. Such a great idea!
★★★★★
This was so moist and perfect! I loved having the chocolate and banana flavors mixed. I'll definitely be making this again.
★★★★★
Love the addition of chocolate chips! Takes banana bread up to a whole new level!
★★★★★
This recipe was beyond delicious! So easy and scrumptious, I'll definitely be making again!
★★★★★
This banana bread turns out perfectly every time, and I love the hit of chocolate inside. What a treat!
★★★★★
Nothing beats banana bread in my opinion! I absolutely love it in the morning. This healthier version with chocolate chips is right up my alley...now I can feel a little less guilty about having chocolate for breakfast ;D
★★★★★
Talk about perfect timing! I need a break from all that heavy eating over the holidays, but I still love my baked goods. I bet the coconut oil really keeps this banana bread perfectly moist.
★★★★★
Healthy banana bread? Sold! And as soon as I made it, I knew I would never have to make another banana bread recipe again! So easy, had all the ingredients in my pantry already, and so darn delicious!
★★★★★
You can never have too many banana bread recipes. I love this healthier version with wholewheat and coconut oil.