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- 3 ripe bananas, thoroughly mashed - 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup - 2 large eggs, at room temperature - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon baking soda - A pinch of salt - 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (70% cocoa or higher) - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) Gather these ingredients before you start. Make sure your bananas are ripe; they should be spotted and soft. This gives your bread natural sweetness and flavor. Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture, while honey or maple syrup gives a hint of sweetness. Use fresh eggs at room temperature for best results. Just one teaspoon of vanilla extract adds a lovely aroma. Baking soda helps the bread rise nicely. A pinch of salt balances the sweetness well. Whole wheat flour keeps the bread healthy and hearty. Finally, dark chocolate chips give a rich taste. If you like nuts, add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch. These ingredients create a delicious and healthy treat! {{ingredient_image_2}} Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is the perfect temperature for baking. Get your 9x5 inch loaf pan ready. Lightly grease it or line it with parchment paper. This makes it easy to remove the bread later. In a big bowl, take your ripe bananas and mash them well. Add 1/3 cup of unsweetened applesauce to the bananas. Then, mix in 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup. Crack in 2 large eggs that are at room temperature. Don’t forget 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Use a whisk to blend everything until smooth. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt. Stir gently until they blend in. Now, slowly add 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour. Use a spatula to fold it in softly. A few lumps are fine; they help keep the bread tender. Now, it’s time for the fun part! Carefully fold in 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips. If you want, add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a nice crunch. Make sure everything is evenly mixed without overworking the batter. Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top. Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, your bread is ready. Once baked, take the loaf out of the oven. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, move the bread to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps keep it from getting soggy. Select bananas with brown spots. These spots mean the bananas are ripe. Ripe bananas have a sweeter taste and soft texture. They mix better into the batter. You can also let green bananas ripen on your counter. Check them daily until they turn yellow with spots. You can swap out applesauce for yogurt if you want a creamier texture. If you want to skip honey, use maple syrup or agave syrup. For flour, whole wheat works best, but you can try almond or oat flour. Each will change the flavor a bit, but they can still be tasty. To keep your bread moist, don’t overmix the batter. Mixing too much can make it tough. Use a spatula to fold in the flour gently. This keeps the crumb tender. Also, let the bread cool completely on a wire rack. This helps it maintain its soft texture. Pro Tips Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter your banana bread will be. Look for bananas with lots of brown spots for maximum flavor! Experiment with Flours: While whole wheat flour is healthier, you can blend it with all-purpose flour for a lighter texture if desired. Store Properly: To keep your banana bread fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for a week. Freeze for Later: If you have leftover banana bread, slice it and freeze individual pieces. Simply toast or microwave to enjoy later! {{image_4}} To make a vegan version, swap the eggs with flax eggs. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. You can also replace honey or maple syrup with agave syrup for a vegan sweetener. Make sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips. This way, you keep all the great taste without using any animal products. For a gluten-free banana bread, use gluten-free flour. You can try almond flour, oat flour, or a gluten-free all-purpose blend. If you pick a blend, make sure it has xanthan gum. This will help your bread rise and hold its shape. Follow the same steps as the original recipe, and you will have a tasty gluten-free treat. You can add extra flavors to your banana bread. Try mixing in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth. A teaspoon of each can make a big difference. You can also add shredded coconut or chopped dried fruit for a fun twist. If you want a crunch, toss in seeds or nuts like pumpkin seeds or pecans. These little changes can take your banana bread to a whole new level. To keep your banana bread fresh, wrap it in plastic wrap. You can also use aluminum foil. Store it at room temperature for up to three days. If you want longer storage, place the wrapped bread in the fridge. This method can keep it fresh for about a week. For best taste, let it come to room temperature before serving. Freezing banana bread is easy. First, let it cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil. This method helps prevent freezer burn. You can freeze slices or the whole loaf. When ready to eat, take it out and let it thaw at room temperature. You can also warm it in the oven for a few minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked taste. Banana bread lasts a while if stored well. At room temperature, it can last up to three days. In the fridge, it stays good for about a week. If you freeze it, banana bread can last up to three months. Always check for mold or smell before eating. Enjoy your delicious treats fresh! Yes, you can use frozen bananas. Just thaw them before mashing. This keeps the banana bread moist. Drain any extra liquid after thawing. The flavor stays rich and sweet. You can replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Both work well in this recipe. You can also try brown sugar, but adjust the amount. Use less if you want a lighter bread. Look for a golden brown crust. A toothpick should come out clean when you test the center. The bread should spring back when you touch it. If it feels too soft, give it more time in the oven. This blog post covered how to make delicious banana bread. We discussed key ingredients like ripe bananas and dark chocolate chips. I outlined step-by-step instructions for the perfect bake. We also explored tips for choosing ingredients and variations like gluten-free options. In conclusion, making banana bread can be simple and fun. With those tips, you can create tasty bread to enjoy and share. Happy baking!

Deliciously Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

A wholesome and delicious banana bread made with ripe bananas, applesauce, and dark chocolate chips.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 none ripe bananas, thoroughly mashed
  • 1.33 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 0.25 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1.5 cups whole wheat flour
  • 0.5 cup dark chocolate chips (aim for 70% cocoa or higher)
  • 0.25 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, for added crunch)

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x5 inch loaf pan by greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper to ensure effortless removal of the banana bread.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the thoroughly mashed bananas with the unsweetened applesauce, honey (or maple syrup), eggs, and pure vanilla extract. Use a whisk to mix until everything is well blended and smooth.
  • Once mixed, sprinkle in the baking soda and the pinch of salt, stirring gently until they are fully incorporated into the banana mixture.
  • Gradually sift the whole wheat flour into the wet ingredients, folding it in softly using a spatula. Take care not to overmix; a few lumps are okay to maintain a tender crumb.
  • Carefully fold in the dark chocolate chips and, if desired, the chopped nuts to the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout without overworking the dough.
  • Pour the luscious batter into the prepared loaf pan, using a spatula to smooth the top to an even layer.
  • Transfer the loaf pan to the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread; it should come out clean when the bread is fully baked.
  • Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for approximately 10 minutes. Afterward, gently transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Cut the banana bread into generous slices and serve warm, adding a delightful smear of nut butter atop each slice. For an extra touch, adorn with additional chocolate chips and a few fresh banana slices for a beautiful presentation!
Keyword banana bread, chocolate chip, healthy dessert