Chocolate Banana Bread

Published: Oct 8, 2025 by Jenna Passaro · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This chocolate banana bread loaf is rich, fudgy, and stays perfectly moist for days. It’s the perfect way to use up ripe bananas and makes a bakery-worthy treat for breakfast, snack, or dessert.

Easy chocolate banana bread loaf recipe with rich cocoa and ripe bananas

Table of Contents

See how to make this easy chocolate banana bread…

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

It’s extra rich and fudgy—like dessert disguised as banana bread.
Made with simple pantry ingredients and overripe bananas.
Stays super moist for days (if it even lasts that long).

Closeup of Chocolate Banana Bread Loaf on a Platter

Craving more cozy bakes? See this recipe for Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread next.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
3 large ripe bananas (about 1 ½ cups mashed)
¼ cup salted butter, melted and slightly cooled
⅓ cup applesauce or your favorite cooking oil
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Another loaf bread recipe everyone loves is this blueberry lemon loaf cake.

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

Here’s the step-by-step recipe…

Preparing a loaf pan for chocolate banana bread with parchment paper — **Step 1 – Prepare the Pan:** Heat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal, then grease the parchment paper and pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Mixing dry ingredients for chocolate banana bread loaf in a bowl — **Step 2 – Mix the Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Preparing wet ingredients for chocolate banana bread with mashed bananas — **Step 3 – Prepare the Wet Ingredients:** In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Add the melted butter and applesauce (or oil), stirring until combined. Mix in the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Combining wet and dry mixtures for chocolate banana bread batter — **Step 4 – Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:** Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix.

Assembling the batter for chocolate banana bread loaf in a mixing bowl — **Step 5 – Assemble the Batter:** Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

Baking chocolate banana bread loaf in a loaf pan in the oven — **Step 6 – Bake:** Bake for 50 minutes to 1:10, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few crumbs. Check at 50 minutes, as oven times may vary.

Cooling a freshly baked chocolate banana bread loaf on a wire rack — **Step 7 – Cool and Set:** Let the bread rest in the pan for at least 30-45 minutes to cool and set. Carefully lift the bread out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and transfer it to a wire cooling rack to continue cooling. This helps the bread stay together.

Serving sliced chocolate banana bread loaf on a plate with a knife — **Step 8 – Serve:** Slice and enjoy once the bread has fully cooled.

De-licious!

POPULAR SUBSTITUTIONS & ADDITIONS

Applesauce instead of oil – swap for a healthier, lower-fat option while keeping the bread moist.
Add nuts – walnuts or pecans add crunch and flavor.
Swap chocolate chips – try white chocolate or peanut butter chips for a fun twist.
Add spices – cinnamon or espresso powder enhance depth of flavor.

Freshly Baked Chocolate Banana Bread Loaf on Platter

See how to make the best chocolate chunk oatmeal cookies.

SERVE IT WITH

Closeup of moist homemade chocolate banana bread loaf slices with soft texture

Also try this blueberry chocolate banana bread.

Can’t wait to hear what you think!

I’d love to know how your version turned out! Drop a rating and leave a comment below to help the Sip Bite Go community. And if you snapped any photos, tag me on Instagram—I love sharing reader pics in my Stories!

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Comments

K says

October 26, 2025 at 1:52 pm

So I used the applesauce but also added another egg and about a half cup of sour cream. It is so moist and the chocolate flavor is so smooth. I love it. Thank you for the recipe ❣️

Reply
Kathy says

January 28, 2025 at 5:12 pm

Easy recipe was great

Reply

5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)