Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread
User Reviews
4.9
Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread
Description
Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread uses very ripe bananas mashed with eggs, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract as the wet ingredients. Almond flour and unsweetened cocoa powder form the base dry ingredients, giving the bread a natural nuttiness and chocolate depth. Baking soda helps the bread rise, while dark chocolate chips mix in melted pockets of sweet chocolate throughout the loaf. The batter is baked in a parchment-lined loaf pan coated with cooking spray to prevent sticking, for approximately 50 to 65 minutes, until a tester comes out nearly clean.
The finished banana bread has a moist texture from the bananas and almond flour with chocolate chips providing bursts of flavor and texture. The subtle salt sprinkled on top balances the sweetness. Letting the bread cool completely before slicing helps it hold together.
This bread makes a convenient snack or breakfast item and keeps well at room temperature for a few days. It can be frozen in whole or sliced portions for longer storage and thawed before use. Adding chopped walnuts or pecans can increase healthy fats and texture variety.
Using very ripe bananas is key to sweetness and moisture, and maple syrup provides a natural sugar alternative. The recipe advises a rested overnight flavor and texture improvement typical of banana bread.
Ingredients
- 3 banana very ripe, medium, lots of brown spots, mashed, 1 1/4 cups mashed
- 3 egg
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups almond flour packed, fine, blanched
- ½ cup cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips dairy free if desired; plus 2 tablespoons extra for sprinkling on top
- sea salt fancy, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 ½ x 4 ½ inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, eggs, pure maple syrup and vanilla extract until well combined. Add in the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Use a wooden spoon to combine. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips on top. Bake for 50 minutes-65 minutes or until the tester comes out almost clean in the middle of the bread. Cool bread for 10 minutes in the pan, then remove and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Once cool, cut into 12 slices. The bread is best the next day (as are all banana breads!) Top with your favorite nut butter or butter and sprinkle with a little sea salt. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can mix in about ⅓ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to add texture and healthy fats.
- Store the bread well-covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, then refrigerate or freeze for longer keeping.
- To freeze, wrap the whole loaf tightly in plastic and foil and store for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature.
- Individual slices can be frozen separately for quick snacks on the go.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 258 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1slice | |
| Calories | 258cal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 25.7g | 9% |
| Protein | 7.5g | 15% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.9g | 20% |
| Fiber | 5.3g | 21% |
| Sugar | 14.9g | 30% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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