There are a million and one banana bread recipes out there. Yet, I cannot help adding one more… especially when it has this much chocolaty goodness in it. In this recipe I wanted to make a banana bread that was a little healthier, but still super indulgent. This definitely fits the bill for both.

I made this for a part of gift basket for my bestie when she had her first baby. In the basket I put pasta, homemade pasta sauce, cookies, fresh berries and this amazing banana bread. It packed up so cute and fit perfectly into the basket. They loved this loaf as well.

Perfect food basket gift ideas

I love giving food as a gift whenever I can. There are a lot of occasions that this is the perfect gift. You can make baskets of baked goods, a combination of sweet and savory or even a combination of food and liquor or wine.

Here are a few different food gift basket ideas.

Holiday food baskets– featuring specialties that capture the specific holiday traditions
A new arrival– When a friend or family member has a baby, it is perfect to bring a dinner or a day or two full of food for the family in a cute basket. That is the biggest help when a new baby comes.
Sickness or recovery– If someone you love has had surgery, is sick or is recovering from some type of medical situation. Homemade food will brighten and cheer up anyone
Loss– Any kind of loss in a loved ones life warrants a basket of soul foods to comfort them from the inside out
A fun activity– you can gift a fun gift basket with items to make a charcuterie board or decorate their own cookies, cakes or even donuts
Just to show some love– You don’t even really need a special occasion to gift someone a yummy basket of treats. It is the perfect way to just say, I am thinking of you!

Banana Bread variations

I feel like there are a million and one different banana bread recipes out there. You are probably thinking, ok, well here is another one… big deal!

Yet, this banana bread recipe will quickly become one of your new favs. I know it quickly became a favorite for me and for my friend that received the basket as well. This banana bread is not only filled with delicious banana flavor, but it is also fudgey and chocolaty. Which are some of my favorite things.

Plus the top is covered in chocolate chips, so really, how bad can that be?

Chef’s Tip-

The best bananas to use in banana bread are very, very over ripened ones. So, super brown on the outside and super soft on the inside. You can also throw your bananas in the freezer when they get ripe if you are not ready to make the banana bread just yet. Frozen bananas make the perfect banana bread.

Also, do not over mix your banana bread. It will get dense and tough versus crumbly and moist. Make sure you have enough fat in your recipe too so that your banana bread does not come out dry. In this recipe we use melted butter and oil. This makes a very moist, gooey and delicious bread.

Chocolate Banana Bread

This banana bread is ooey and gooey and chocolaty delicious. It is packed with banana flavor and this will quickly become the new family favorite in banana bread recipes. It also makes for a great gift.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Ingredients

Ingredients
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup of good cocoa powder dutch processed if you can get it
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
3 very ripe brown bananas
1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 egg lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla bean paste or 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup mini chocolate chips divided

Instructions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with non stick cooking spray
In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients and set aside
In another medium to large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Add the melted butter and vegetable oil. Stir well to combine. Add in the brown sugar, the egg, and the vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
Fold 3/4 of the cup of the mini chocolate chips into the dry ingredients. This will help them incorporate into the bread throughout and not just all sink to the bottom.
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet and be careful not to over mix the batter.
Pour the batter into the sprayed loaf pan. Spread evenly into the pan and then sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips on the top of the batter.
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. It may have some melted chocolate on it, but not the bread batter. Cool down on a wire rack and then slice and ENJOY!