Spiced Banana Bread Recipe with Chocolate Chips
There’s something almost magical about the smell of banana bread baking—it’s like a warm sweater for your kitchen. And this one? This isn’t your average loaf. It’s studded with melty chocolate chips, kissed with cozy spices, and so moist it practically melts in your mouth. The cinnamon and ginger make it feel like a fall morning, even if it’s the middle of summer, and the chocolate… well, that just seals the deal.
Whether you’re dealing with an army of overripe bananas or just craving something sweet with your coffee, this spiced banana bread is the kind of bake that wins hearts and disappears fast. Bonus: it tastes like dessert but feels totally justifiable for breakfast.
🍌 Spiced Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas (about 12–14 oz / 350–400 g, peeled)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick / 120 g)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (120 g)
- 1½ tbsp vanilla sugar (20 g – or use 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (180 g)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp baking powder (12 g)
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chunks (about 90 g)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth and creamy.
- Add eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar (or extract), and a pinch of salt. Whisk until well combined.
- Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is smooth.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and ginger.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture—don’t overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, saving a few for topping if you like.
- Pour into your prepared pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle any reserved chocolate chips on.
- Bake for 40–50 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean (melted chocolate is fine!).
Let it cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then move to a wire rack.
🌀 Variations & Substitutions
- Nutty twist: Swap chocolate chips for chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Cocoa lovers: Add 1 tbsp of cocoa powder to the dry mix for a double-chocolate version.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-free: Sub the butter with melted coconut oil or a dairy-free margarine.
⏳ Storage, Prep & Make-Ahead Tips
- Keeps on the counter (wrapped) for 2–3 days or in the fridge for up to 5.
- Freezes beautifully! Slice, wrap, and stash in a freezer bag. Toast slices straight from frozen.
- Want to prep ahead? Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine just before baking.
🧃 Packing Tips
- Wrap individual slices in wax paper or parchment for a grab-and-go snack or lunchbox treat.
- Add a thin swipe of nut butter for an energy-boosting breakfast on the run.
⏱ Time-Saving Hacks
- Use a stand mixer to mash bananas and mix the wet ingredients in one go.
- Pre-mix the dry ingredients and store them in a jar—banana bread mix on standby!
⚠️ Allergen Info & Diet Versions
- Contains: Eggs, dairy, gluten
- Egg-free? Try 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg per egg.
- Dairy-free version: Use plant-based butter or coconut oil.
- Gluten-free version: Use your favorite GF flour blend.
🥄 Healthy Tips & Nutrition Notes
- Sub half the flour with whole wheat for a fiber boost.
- Cut sugar to 1/3 cup for a less-sweet loaf—bananas do a lot of sweet-talking already.
- Add chia or flax seeds to the batter for a sneaky nutrient boost.
🛒 Mini Shopping List
Produce:
- Ripe bananas (3)
Pantry Staples:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground ginger
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Chocolate chips
Fridge:
- Eggs (2)
- Butter (or dairy-free alternative)
Optional Add-ons:
- Greek yogurt or sour cream (for moisture)
- Nuts (for crunch)
- Cocoa powder (for a chocolatey twist)
If your bananas are freckled and floppy, this is their time to shine. Bake it once, and I promise—it’ll become your go-to loaf for slow mornings, snack attacks, or sweet comfort on a rainy day.
If you loved this spiced banana bread recipe and you’re in the mood for more easy, feel-good bakes, I’ve got a few more treats up my sleeve that you’ll definitely want to check out:
- Craving more banana goodness? Try my banana muffin recipe — it’s soft, fluffy, and a total hit with both kids and grown-ups.
- Feeling a little adventurous? These easy beetroot heart cookies are bright, zesty, and just the right kind of quirky.
- Want a tropical twist for your mornings? Don’t miss my coconut mango toast — it’s sunshine on a plate.
And if you’re a Pinterest scroller like me, come hang out over at my Pinterest page for even more sweet, simple, and snackable ideas. There’s always something baking!
