One Bowl Choc Chip Banana Bread: Fool Proof

A classic banana bread with a rich, chocolatey twist—this one-bowl wonder is soft, moist, and packed with flavour. With minimal clean-up and simple ingredients, it’s the perfect bake to use up those old ripe bananas.

A top view of one-bowl choc chip banana sliced to perfection, with a spread of salted butter with a butter knife, chocolate chips and slices of banana bread in the background.

I grew up baking classic banana bread and swore by the original—until my partner made a simple request: “Can you add chocolate chips next time?”

At first, I resisted. Why mess with perfection? But after stubbornly baking my classic version three more times, I finally gave in. And wow—game changer. The result? A ridiculously moist, rich, and indulgent loaf that’s impossible to stop at just one slice.


a slice of one bowl choc chip banana, with a spread of salted butter with a butter knife, chocolate chips and slices of banana bread in the background.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • One-Bowl Wonder – Minimal mess, no unnecessary dishes. Everything comes together in a single bowl, making clean-up a breeze.

  • Perfectly Moist & Soft – The natural sweetness and moisture from ripe bananas ensure a soft, tender crumb every time.

  • Chocolatey in Every Bite – The chocolate chips melt into the batter, creating little pockets of rich, gooey goodness.

  • Quick & Easy – No complicated steps or fancy equipment—just mix, bake, and enjoy!

  • Great for Meal Prep – Bake a loaf at the start of the week, and you’ll have a ready-to-go snack or breakfast. It also freezes beautifully.

  • A Crowd-Pleaser – Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just yourself (no judgment), this banana bread is always a hit.

Glass mixing bowl with creamed butter, sugar and egg

One Bowl Magic: Less Mess, More Banana Bread

There’s something so satisfying about a recipe that doesn’t leave your kitchen looking like a war zone. This banana bread is as simple as it gets:

  • Just one bowl.

  • No extra mixing steps.

  • No mountain of dishes to clean afterward.

The best part? Less clean-up means more time to enjoy warm banana bread straight from the oven.

How to Make It

  1. Mash & Mix: Mash the bananas in a large bowl, then mix in the wet ingredients.

  2. Add the Dry Ingredients: Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt—no overmixing!

  3. Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Gently stir them in so they’re evenly distributed.

  4. Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into a loaf pan and bake until golden brown and fragrant.

A top view of one-bowl choc chip banana sliced to perfection, with a spread of salted butter with a butter knife, chocolate chips and slices of banana bread in the background.

The Best Bananas To Use

We’ve all been there—bananas ripen faster than we can eat them, and before you know it, they’re looking a little too soft for snacking. But don’t toss them! Overripe bananas are the secret to incredibly moist, naturally sweet banana bread. The more spots, the better!

If you’re not ready to bake just yet, peel and freeze your ripe bananas in an airtight container or bag. When the craving strikes, simply thaw them at room temperature or give them a quick zap in the microwave before mashing.

Note: For the ultimate flavour and moisture, your bananas should be spotty, soft, and super ripe. If they’re not quite there yet, here’s a quick fix:

  • Speed ripen in the oven: Bake unpeeled bananas at 150°C for 15 minutes.

  • Ripen in a paper bag: Leave bananas in a bag with an apple overnight.

one-bowl choc chip banana sliced to perfection on top. of baking paper with scattered chocolate chips in the background.

One Bowl Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Fool Proof

Servings: 8-10 | Prep: 10 mins | Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (125g) salted butter, softened

  • ¾ cup (110g) brown sugar

  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

  • 3 medium bananas (1 cup), very ripe, mashed

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • ⅓ cup (55g) dark chocolate chips

  • ⅓ cup (55g) milk chocolate chips

  • 1 ½ cup (225g) plain flour

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

  • 1 tsp bi-carb soda

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • ¼ tsp salt

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°c and line a loaf pan with baking paper.

  2. In a bowl, finely mash the ripe bananas using a fork.

  3. Add the softened butter, brown sugar, vanilla and eggs, whisking until well combined.

  4. Stir in the chocolate chips, sifted flour, spices, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, mixing until fully incorporated.

  5. Scoop mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the top with extra chocolate chips if you desire.

  6. Bake for an initial 20 mins. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

  7. Continue baking for another 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

  8. Allow to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Sugar can be reduced to ½ cup for a slightly less sweet option.

  • This recipe can be easily adapted for muffins, adjusting the baking time to 20-25 minutes at the same temperature.

  • For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with an equal amount of melted coconut oil.

    Ensure that the eggs are at room temperature to prevent the coconut oil from solidifying.

  • No sorry. You can only use very ripe bananas to achieve the classic flavour and texture. Read more about the best bananas to use.

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate/freeze for longer freshness.

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