“This is the best Banana Bread ever!” Those are the words I heard after I finally came up with the perfect recipe. We love bananas, but we love banana bread even more. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread to be exact! We always have bundles of bananas in our house. And… when they go ripe, they do not get thrown away! I have been making banana bread for years, in all different ways. But, this one is the best yet!
What makes this banana bread even better, are those banana slices on top. I cut them long ways and lay them on top of the mixture. Pushing them down ever so slightly, that way they bake with the bread. They soften in the oven, then slightly caramelize from the heat. They also release some sugars and juices into the bread, keeping it super moist. I also sprinkle some of the left over chocolate chips on top.
Mini Chocolate Chip Banana Breads are just the cutest. They are perfect for on the go or even to share. All you need are a few mini loaf pans. For these, I cut the bananas in half first, then sliced them long ways.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup almond milk, unsweetened
- ½ cup coconut oil, softened (or unsalted butter, softened)
- 4 bananas, ripe
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips or chunks
- Preheat oven 350 degrees and prepare a 9x5 inch loaf pan greased and lined with parchment.
- In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream sugar and coconut oil until smooth and creamy. On low, add egg and vanilla extract.
- Mash 3 bananas in a bowl and add to the creamed mixture.
- Slowly add sifted ingredients until just combined. Add almond milk.
- Using a spatula, stir in ¾ cup chocolate chips by hand.
- Spread batter into loaf pan.
- Slice the last banana long ways, and lay on top of the bread mixture. Sprinkle the last ¼ cup of chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for about 55-60 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
- If using mini loaf pans, cut banana in half, then slice long ways. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
