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Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 123 reviews

This Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread is a moist and delicious treat made with ripe bananas, almond flour, and cocoa powder for a rich, naturally sweet flavor. Sweetened with pure maple syrup and loaded with dark chocolate chips, this nourishing loaf is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Gluten-free and easy to prepare, it combines wholesome ingredients to satisfy your chocolate and banana cravings without refined sugars or flours.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 very ripe medium bananas (ones with LOTS of brown spots), mashed (1 ¼ cups mashed banana)
  • 3 eggs
  • ¼ cup (78g) pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (280g) packed fine blanched almond flour
  • ½ cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (90g) dark chocolate chips (dairy free if desired), plus 2 tablespoons extra chocolate chips for sprinkling on top
  • Fancy sea salt, for sprinkling on top

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 ½ x 4 ½ inch loaf pan with parchment paper and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, eggs, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the almond flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to gently combine all ingredients until just incorporated.
  4. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the ½ cup of dark chocolate chips to the batter.
  5. Pour and Top Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the extra 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips evenly over the top, and optionally sprinkle with fancy sea salt for a hint of savory contrast.
  6. Bake: Bake the bread for 50 to 65 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out almost clean. This ensures the bread is cooked through but remains moist.
  7. Cool: Let the bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove it from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Serve: Once fully cooled, slice the bread into 12 pieces. The bread tastes best the next day and can be enjoyed with your favorite nut butter or butter with a sprinkle of sea salt.

Notes

  • Optional: Add ⅓ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for extra healthy fats and a crunchy texture.
  • Store the bread covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. Afterward, refrigerate or freeze to maintain freshness.
  • This bread freezes well; wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
  • You can also freeze individual slices for quick, on-the-go snacks or breakfasts.

Keywords: Healthy banana bread, Chocolate banana bread, Gluten-free banana bread, Almond flour banana bread, Maple syrup sweetened bread, Dairy-free chocolate chips, Moist banana bread, Healthy snacks

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/healthy-chocolate-banana-bread-recipe/