Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread

 Healthy chocolate banana bread is the perfect recipe to make when you have extra bananas. Oil free, dairy free and gluten free, this moist chocolate banana bread tastes like a fudgy brownie. But healthy!

Last week it was Black Friday’s week, and the only sales I cared about were for grocery. Looking for good bargains, on Friday I went to Aldi, and upon entering the store I saw bananas on sale.

And that’s how I left the store with 4 kilos of bananas in my backpack. But that’s also how I was left with 4 kilos of bananas, ripening a way too fast for me. Hence, yesterday I had to find a way to use up some ripe bananas. But wanting something more than just a simple banana bread or protein pancakes. So I made this healthy chocolate banana bread, without oil and without sugar! 

WHY THIS CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD IS SO HEALTHY?

Before you think it’s just another clickbait, let me tell you why this chocolate banana bread is so healthy. So healthy that you can eat this everyday. As a snack, dessert or for breakfast, whenever you crave chocolate. And I’m not joking!

• This banana chocolate bread is oil-free. Instead of oil, this recipe uses nut butter, which is a source of nutrients, minerals and protein.
• There is no sugar in this chocolate loaf. This recipe is sweetened with bananas and sugar-free sweetener.
• This chocolate banana bread recipe has no refined flours. You are going to need oat flour or whole-wheat flour instead. What’s more, oat flour is gluten-free, rich in nutrients and high in protein.
• Last but not least, cocoa powder is also very healthy; a real superfood. And I’m not joking! Besides being so delicious, cocoa is also a source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (the so called “polyphenols”).

INGREDIENTS

This chocolate banana bread recipe only calls for a handful of very simple ingredients that are also very healthy. Here is all you need to bake a super moist and healthy chocolate bread with bananas. Make sure you read though because you’ll find plenty of details and substitutes, if something is still missing.

• Bananas. The riper they are, the better. Look for brown-ish bananas, with dark spots all over their skin. If your bananas are still yellow, let them ripe before making this recipe.
• Eggs. For a tastier and healthier banana loaf, make this recipe with free-range fresh eggs. Replace with flaxseed egg or chia egg for a vegan dessert.
• Nut butter. This recipe can be prepared with the nut butter you like the most. I normally use almond butter, but also peanut butter, cashew butter, or walnut butter are great. If you are allergic to nuts, make this banana bread with chocolate with tahini or sunflower seed butter.
• Oat flour. Both store-bought and homemade oat flours work, gluten-free if it is necessary. As an alternative, you can replace it with whole-wheat flour, spelt flour or regular all-purposes flour.
• Cocoa powder. For healthier banana bread, choose natural cocoa powder without added sugars.
• Granular sweetener. To keep this chocolate banana bread sugar-free, this recipe uses erythritol. You can replace with coconut sugar, brown sugar, date sugar or with any granular sweetener of your choice.
• Flavors. Vanilla extract and a pinch of salt will make your banana bread irresistibly delicious!
• Baking powder. This will make your chocolate banana loaf rise.
• Chocolate chips. This recipe uses extra dark chocolate chips with no sugars. You are free to substitute with the chocolate chips you like the moist, such as sweet or semisweet chocolate chips.

WHICH BANANAS FOR CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD?

The best bananas for chocolate bread aren’t yellow, they are brown! For a great breakfast bread, there is no such thing like overripe bananas – the blacker they are, the sweetener and tastier your chocolate banana loaf will be.  

Let me tell you a quick trick for recognizing if they are ripe enough. Check the peel! It should be completely dark or at least have brown spots all over it.

VEGAN CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

If you follow a vegan diet or can’t eat eggs, I have good news. This chocolate banana bread recipe can be “veganized” very easily if you replace the eggs with two flax-eggs. Flaxeggs – aka flaxseed eggs – are nothing but ground flaxseeds mixed with water. To make one vegan egg at home, stir together 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds with 2 1/2 tablespoon of water and let it sit for a couple of minutes. After about 5 minutes, you’ll get an eggy mixture for your bakings. Here you’ll need to double the quantities to get the replacement for two eggs.

As there is no need for milk or dairy, all other ingredients won’t require replacement. Just make sure to use (nondairy) dark chocolate chips and you’re set to bake a vegan chocolate banana loaf.

HIGH PROTEIN CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

Looking for a protein dessert? Then you should keep on reading, because I’m about to tell you how to make high protein chocolate banana bread.

But before I begin…If you didn’t know it yet, I also have a high protein banana bread recipe on my blog. Sugar-free, oil-free and with over 15 grams of protein per slice!

If you want to add some protein to this bread, all you should do is substituting part of the flour with protein powder. But don’t exaggerate. Replace at most 30 grams (1/3 cup) of flour with one scoop of protein, or you’ll end up with a dry banana bread.

My recommendation is to prefer vegan protein powder or casein, avoid whey protein. If you opt for vegan powders and casein, your banana bread will stay moist and fluffy. On the contrary, with whey it will get dry and rubbery.

When it comes to the protein powder flavor, my suggestions are vanilla or chocolate flavored options. However, feel free to pick and choose your favorite: vanilla, cinnamon, peanut butter or unflavored protein powders are all great picks!

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

Step 1: Make a smooth banana mixture. In a large mixing bowl, mash three ripe bananas with a fork until they are completely smooth. Stir the nut butter and eggs into the banana mixture. Add now the granular sweetener of your choice, vanilla extract and salt. Stir the wet mixture with a whisk or fork for around two minutes, or until all is well combined.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients. Stir in oat flour (or your preferred flour), cocoa powder and baking powder. Give it a good stir until all is well combined, then fold though your favorite chocolate chips.

Step 3: Bake and let cool. Pour the banana bread batter into your prepared loaf pan, and top with chocolate chips if desired. Bake in hot oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of your oil-free banana bread comes out clean. Finally, remove from the oven and let cool in the loaf pan for about 15 minutes before slicing.

HOW TO STORE CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

Before storing, you’ll need to let the banana chocolate bread cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, wrap your loaf very well and it will stay fresh for up to 3 days, if kept at room temperature.

For a longer storage, place in a food container and refrigerate for a maximum of 5 days. As an alternative you can also seal it in airtight zipping bags and freeze. If frozen, this sugar-free chocolate bread will last for up to 3 months. Before serving, remove from the freezer and pop in the oven for a couple of minutes. Enjoy!

FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is chocolate banana bread healthy?

Yes, this recipe for chocolate banana bread is a healthier version of the original. It uses wholesome ingredients and includes healthier substitutes for refined sugar and flour.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can use gluten-free oat flour or almond flour. Just ensure that all other ingredients, such as baking powder and cocoa, are also gluten-free.

Can I use regular flour instead of oat flour?

Absolutely! While oat or whole wheat flour add extra fiber and nutrients, you can use regular all-purpose flour if you prefer. The texture may be slightly different, but it will still taste delicious.

How can I replace eggs in this recipe?

You can substitute eggs with flax eggs, chia seed egg, or vegan egg replacements. Just bear in mind that each substitution will slightly change the bread texture, but your bread will still turn out moist and tasty.

Can I add nuts or other mix-ins to banana bread?

Definitely! Feel free to add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, for some extra crunch and flavor. You can also include dark chocolate chips or dried fruit for more richness.

Can I freeze this banana chocolate bread?

Yes, you can! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, reheat and enjoy!