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Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

4.9 from 87 reviews

This Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread is a moist, rich, and nutrient-packed twist on the classic banana bread, made with ripe bananas, cocoa powder, oat flour, and optional protein powder. Naturally sweetened with a granular sweetener like monk fruit or brown sugar, it’s a guilt-free treat perfect for breakfast or snack time.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 medium ripe bananas (about 12 oz / 360 g total)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup (60 g) nut butter (almond, peanut, cashew, or sunflower seed butter)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Sweetener & Salt

  • ⅓ cup (70 g) granular sweetener (monk fruit or brown sugar)
  • ⅙ tsp sea salt

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup (150 g) oat flour (or preferred flour)
  • ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup (50 g) protein powder (optional; used as replacement for half the flour)
  • ¼ cup (40 g) chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a 20 cm (7.9 inches) loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper or greasing it with oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Mash bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the three ripe bananas with a fork until fully smooth, creating a creamy base for your batter.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: Stir in the nut butter and eggs into the mashed bananas until completely combined, then add the granular sweetener, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Whisk or stir this wet mixture for about two minutes to ensure everything is well incorporated.
  4. Add dry ingredients: Gradually stir in the oat flour (or a mix of oat flour and protein powder), cocoa powder, and baking powder. Mix thoroughly until a uniform batter forms, then gently fold in the chocolate chips.
  5. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, optionally topping with extra chocolate chips. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is done.
  6. Cool: After baking, remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, transfer it out of the pan and let it cool completely before slicing to maintain its structure and texture.

Notes

  • You can substitute the oat flour with other flours such as whole wheat or gluten-free flour, adjusting texture accordingly.
  • For added protein, replace half of the oat flour with protein powder, as noted in the ingredients. This boosts nutrition without compromising taste.
  • Ensure your bananas are ripe with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
  • Chocolate chips on the top are optional but add extra indulgence and texture.
  • Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Keywords: healthy chocolate banana bread, banana bread recipe, low fat banana bread, chocolate banana loaf, oat flour banana bread, protein powder banana bread