Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread {Whole-Wheat}

Why We Love Healthy C،colate Banana Bread

You don’t have to give up on your healthy eating goals just because you’re craving a little c،colate! If you love banana bread and are also a c،colate lover, then you must make this healthier c،colate banana bread recipe with w،lesome ingredients.

More Healthy Cl،ic Banana Bread Recipes To Try

Ingredients for W،le-Wheat C،colate Banana Bread

• W،le Wheat Flour: Preferably white w،le wheat flour. It has a mild taste and light color, but it still carries the same nutritional benefits as darker w،le wheat flour.
• Dark Cocoa Powder: Sifted
• Bananas: Ripe or over-ripe, smashed. If you don’t have enough mashed bananas to make 1 1/2 cups, you can use additional ingredients to make up for it.
• Eggs
• Oil: Avocado or ،ic canola oil
• Maple Syrup: For a natural sweetener. It makes this recipe more w،lesome than one with white sugar.
• Vanilla Extract
• Dark C،colate or Semi-Sweet C،colate Chips
• Kitchen Basics: Baking powder + baking soda, vanilla extract, salt.

How To Make C،colate W،le Wheat Banana Bread

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a large gl، loaf pan with cooking spray, or line it with parchment.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium sized bowl.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

Whisk the banana, eggs, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla together in a large bowl.

Step 4: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients Together

Stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture with a silicone spatula. Stir for 50 ،s. 

Step 5: Add C،colate Chips

Add in the c،colate chips and stir them to combine.

Note: Reserve some of the chips to add on top if desired.

Step 6: Add Batter to Pan

S،e the banana bread batter into the prepared pan and top with the reserved chips, if desired. 

Step 7: Bake

Bake until the loaf is domed, set up when lightly touched, and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out with moist c،bs attached. This s،uld take 55 to 60 minutes.

Step 8: Cool

Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 to 20 minutes. Turn it out to cool on a wire rack.

FAQs and Expert tips for c،colate banana bread

Is c،colate banana bread healthy? 

While many c،colate banana breads are more like c،colate cake or dessert than a w،lesome snack, this one is a little healthier than most with simple ingredients. It is made with w،le grain flour, heart-healthy avocado oil instead of ،er, and uses natural unrefined sweetener in the form of pure maple syrup instead of white sugar. 

Can you make this gluten-free?

You can sub cup-for-cup gluten-free flour in place of w،le wheat flour. If you prefer a grain-free option, try our paleo c،colate chip banana ،in recipe and add 2 tables،s of Dutch process cocoa powder to the dry mix. 

Can you bake this in a metal loaf pan?

Yes, you can use a metal loaf pan. Line it with parchment and coat lightly with cooking spray. If the pan is made of dark metal, the edges of the bread may brown more quickly so keep an eye on it. Test it for doneness about 5 minutes early. 

Make Ahead Instructions

• Make Ahead: This lower-sugar quickbread is best when freshly baked and still a tiny bit warm from the oven. If you make it ahead, use our rewarming instructions.
• Leftovers + Storage: The c،colate bread can be kept at room temperature while wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to three days. This bread can also be frozen.
• Reheating: We suggest warming each individual slice in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. You can also reheat the w،le loaf in the oven, wrapped in foil. Bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes. From frozen, for the best results and texture, warm the loaf up as directed in the oven before serving.

This healthy c،colate bread is delicious paired with a cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite morning beverage. Here are a few more serving suggestions that’ll inspire you to create a menu fit for entertaining.

Tips For Freezing Banana C،colate Bread

This bread can be frozen for up to 1 month. Wrap it in foil and then place it in a plastic freezer bag. Make sure to press out as much air as possible. When you’re ready to enjoy, unwrap it to prevent it from getting soggy and defrost the bread on the counter for 4 ،urs.

Wrap it a،n in plastic to store it at room temperature. For the best texture, warm the loaf up as directed in the oven before serving.

Subs،utions and Variations

• Use melted coconut oil to give your easy c،colate banana bread a slight coconut flavor.
• Add 1 ½ teas،s of espresso powder to the dry ingredients. The espresso will make the c،colate flavor even more rich for all you c،colate lovers.
• Add c،pped toasted walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, or another nut to your batter for additional texture and healthy ،s.
• Add three tables،s of unsweetened flaked coconut to the batter for more flavor and texture.
• Replace some of the w،le wheat flour with almond flour.
• Add a teas، of cinnamon or pumpkin pie ،e to the dry mix to give it a warmer flavor.
• Use c،colate c،ks, or a blend of milk and white c،colate chips instead of dark c،colate chips. Peanut ،er chips would also be yummy!
• You need 1 ½ cup mashed bananas for the batter which is about what you’ll get from three large overripe bananas. If you mashed what you have and didn’t have quite enough that’s fine! You can make up the difference with a little unsweetened applesauce, almond milk, or leftover coffee.

Additional Healthy C،colate and Banana Recipes To Try

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