This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is made with ripe bananas, melted butter, sour cream, and chocolate chips for a soft, moist loaf. It costs just $0.48 per slice and is a delicious way to use up overripe bananas.
This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is one of the most requested treats in our house. Whenever I have overripe bananas, this is the first thing my kids ask me to make. It is a budget friendly treat with bakery style flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Budget Friendly — $4.76 total for a full loaf that tastes like it came from a specialty bakery
- The perfect way to use up overripe spotted bananas
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips in every single bite make this genuinely irresistible straight from the oven
- Freezes beautifully — make a double batch and freeze one loaf for the busiest weeks
We took our super moist banana bread recipe and added chocolate chips to satisfy you chocolate lovers. This is one delicious bread that won’t disappoint.
It is the perfect bread to make for the holidays or wrap up as a gift. I also make this cranberry bread, chocolate chip pudding cookies, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, banana bread brownies, and applesauce bread for a delicious dessert for the holidays. My chocolate fondue recipe is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- Very Ripe Bananas: Use heavily spotted or black bananas for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter adds richness and moisture.
- Egg: Helps bind the batter and gives the loaf structure.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness without making the bread overly sweet.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warm flavor that pairs well with banana and chocolate.
- Baking Soda: Helps the bread rise. Make sure it is fresh.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Measure carefully to keep the bread soft and tender.
- Sour Cream: Adds extra moisture and helps create a tender crumb. Greek yogurt also works.
- Chocolate Chips: Fold them in gently and save a few for the top.
Scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Step 1 – Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 5×9 loaf pan with cooking spray.
Step 2 – Peel the bananas. (these can be from the freezer, just thaw first) Mash the bananas in a medium bowl.
Step 3 – Stir in the melted, slightly cooled butter, egg, sugar, vanilla extract, and sour cream until well combined.
Step 4 – Add the baking soda and salt and stir to combine.
Step 5 – Add flour and mix with well with the other ingredients.
Step 6 – Fold in the Chocolate chips to the banana bread batter.
Step 7 – Pour the banana bread batter into loaf pan and bake. Bake for 50–60 minutes, checking at the 50-minute mark.
Step 8 – Let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips for Success
- Do Not Overmix: Stir just until the dry ingredients disappear. A few small lumps are fine.
- Check at 55 Minutes: Test with a toothpick and remove the loaf when it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Tent With Foil: If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil for the last 15 to 20 minutes.
- Cool Before Slicing: Let the loaf cool before cutting so the texture can set properly.
- Save Chocolate Chips for the Top: Press a few into the batter before baking for a bakery style finish.
Variations & Substitutions
- Chopped Nuts – You can add nuts to this bread recipe. Chopped walnuts are always a great option but chopped pecans and slice almonds are great too.
- Chocolate Chips – Try using dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate or anything you prefer. White chocolate chips can also be used.
- Skip Chocolate Chips – If you are just wanting banana bread, you can leave the chocolate chips out.
- Brown Sugar – Brown sugar can be substituted for granulated sugar. You can also use half dark brown sugar and half granulated sugar.
Storage & Freezer Instructions
- Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze Whole Loaf – Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Freeze Individual Slices – Wrap slices separately for easy grab-and-go breakfasts and snacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Thaw completely and drain excess liquid before mashing.
When combining the ingredients, make sure to not overmix. This could cause the center sink and not using the right size of pan. Using the right size of pan allows the center to bake all the way through.
Yes, you can add in Greek Yogurt or sour cream to the mixture. This allows the batter to be extra moist. Add ½ cup for a delicious addition to this family favorite banana bread recipe.
Too much flour or overbaking can cause dry bread.
Yes. Bake in a muffin tin at 350°F for approximately 18–22 minutes.
More Easy Banana Bread Recipes
We love hearing from you. If you make this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 4 bananas (very ripe)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups All Purpose Flour
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease or spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until mostly smooth, leaving a few small lumps.
- Stir in the melted, slightly cooled butter, egg, sugar, vanilla extract, and sour cream until well combined. Add the baking soda and salt and stir to combine.
- Add the flour and gently stir just until no dry streaks remain. Do not over mix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it into an even layer.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, checking at the 50-minute mark. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Making this tonight. Who doesn’t like banana and chocolate chips. YUMM
Right? I feel the same way. I hope you enjoy it!
Love this recipe. I’m wondering if it can be canned?
I don’t think but it does freeze great. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze in a freezer safe bag for up to 6 months. Defrost out completely at room temperature and it’s ready to enjoy!
Amazing! I luv this recipe made it last night!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Robin! Thank you for for the 5 star review!
Recently made these as muffins. Family Favorite
Yum! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it – Thank you for sharing and thank you for the positive review!
This recipe was so easy and delicious! I’ll be making this again and again. 🙂
Thank you so much Missy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Plan to make this this weekend! I have a bunch of bananas in my freezer ready to get turned into bread!
I hope you enjoy it Elizabeth – Thank you for sharing!
I made these at recently and gave to friends for Easter as a gift. They loved them and asked for the recipe.
Looks yummy!
Made the bread, so moist and delicious!!
Woohoo! I’m so glad you enjoyed it Lisa. Thank you for sharing and thank you for the positive review!
This bread looks so delicious. Thank you for sharing all your recipes.
You’re welcome Margie! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes.
My kids and I love this recipe we made it two days in a row! We used mini chocolate chips for an even more chocolatey goodness!
Woohoo! I’m so glad your kids and you enjoyed it! It sounds delicious with mini chocolate chips. Thanks for sharing!
We will be making these with the kids this weekend using mini loaf pans so they can add their own special toppings!!
Such a fun idea! I hope that you enjoy making this recipe with your family.
This was perfect! I didn’t have to change a thing. I was moist and perfect in the morning with a cup of coffee , sitting on the deck before starting your day .
My grands will love this.
Just made this yesterday. I do add some cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a twist. I have a mini loaf pan that makes 8 mini loaves. I use this pan at Christmas to make mini loaves for our neighbors Christmas baskets.
I love the idea of using mini loaf pans for Christmas! That’s awesome.
I made this for my mother in law and she loved it!Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad she loved it.
Ok lol i wrote a long comment on here , and it didn’t show up , so will say a few words again, this chocolate banana bread is wonderful , i am 78 years old , and never to old to learn lol , this is a keeper my husband loves it i slice it up in a low glass dish with a lid ,on the coffee table ,, he loves it with coffee in the morning , and snacks on it in the evening so ty ty ty ty .xxxooo.when the grandkids come over they love it and take some home and i am so happy lolol .
I’ve made this bread and took it to a women’s breakfast it was the first thing gone.
This recipe is a winner! Easy and delicious. I made 2, and froze one. It freezes and thaws really well.
I’m so enjoying these recipes! Thanks for sharing
Easy to make/bake Smells heavenly while baking but the taste out of this world
Woohoo! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe.
I love Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Yummy!
Made this for my kids and they loved it!!!
Woohoo! I’m so glad you enjoyed it – Thank you for sharing Melissa and thank you for the positive review!
Am going to try this one
I hope you enjoy it Brian!
This bread has just the right amount of chocolate.!!
OH MY GOSH!! Just made this recipe with milk chocolate chips and 4ozs of unsweetened applesauce! AMAZING!! Was still warm when I tried it and added a little butter and WOW!! Very moist and out of this world!! Only had a glass pan but it came out great (40 minutes cooking time). Will definitely make this many more times!! Thanks!
I was looking for an easy recipe and found this. I had put the loaf in the oven when i remembered that i had forgotten to add the melted butter! took it out(had only been in 5 min) back in bowl, mix in butter, melt all the chips. oh well, back in oven. one hour later the best Chocolate Bananna bread ever! loved it!
Hi there,
I love making this original recipe, and wanted to try it as muffins!
How long do you suggest baking time should be for muffins, and oven temperature?
Thank you!
I would cook the muffins at 350 for approximately 25 minutes. Thank you and let us know how they turn out.
I was going to use the recipe that I usually use for banana bread, but I didn’t have the right ingredients for it. I am so so so so so so glad I used this one. The banana bread was so delicious. I used bananas that were very brown and mushy, but it still turned out great.
SO, SO good! I baked for 55 minutes and let sit to finish the cooking process. Oh my gracious! The loaf will be gone in no time!
I just tried your recipe using gluten free flour and adding 1 tsp cinnamon. Cooked to perfection at exactly 55 minutes! Super moist and so good it didn’t last 10 minutes (even better served warm with butter). This is our new weekend favorite!
That is fantastic, thanks so much for the great review.
Oh I am! This sounds so good. I am going to make this for my little clan while we put up the Christmas tree this year.
How much chocolate chips do you use?
1 cup of chocolate chips. I’ll fix that Sara. Thanks for visiting!