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    Home » All Recipes

    Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread

    July 22, 2022 By Melissa Huggins / 6 Comments

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    For pinning purposes.

    If you love the combination of chocolate and banana, then you need to make this Vegan Chocolate Banana bread. It's moist, tender, and bursting with intense chocolate and sweet banana flavors.

    Overhead view of vegan chocolate banana bread on a cooling rack.

    Homemade banana bread is definitely one of my all-time favorite desserts and yes, sometimes breakfast. Adding chocolate just makes it even better and this Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread has me hooked!

    It was so easy to make, too... I just adapted my Vegan Banana Bread Recipe and turned it into this chocolatey creation. It's heavenly!

    Table of Contents

    • Ingredients, Notes, And Substitutions
    • How to make Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread
    • Baking tips for the best Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread
    • Storing Tips
    • FAQ's
    • More chocolate recipes to try
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread

    Ingredients, Notes, And Substitutions

    Before you head to the full recipe below, here are some additional ingredient notes and substitution ideas:

    Ingredients for the recipe on a table top.
    • Ground Flaxseed + Water - when combined, it will thicken and create an egg-like consistency. This helps bind everything together.
    • Bananas - It is very important that you use spotty, overripe bananas or the loaf will not have much banana flavor.
    • Brown Sugar - this will yield a moister crumb and add a hint of caramel flavor. However, cane sugar works nicely, too.
    • Neutral-Flavored Oil - such as grapeseed, avocado, canola, sunflower, vegetable, etc. will all work well.
    • All-Purpose Flour - I haven't tried it with gluten-free flour yet, but it should work with a 1.1 gluten-free variety.
    • Dutch-Process Cocoa - yields a rich chocolate flavor that complements the banana perfectly. Regular cocoa powder can be used too, just note that it will yield a lighter color and the chocolate flavor will be less intense.
    • Baking Powder + Baking Soda - together they yield a tender loaf with the perfect rise.
    • Cinnamon + Vanilla Extract - together they enhance the chocolate flavor and complement the banana really well. However, they are both optional.
    • Vegan Chocolate Chips - these are optional but really kick up the chocolate flavor.
    • Sea Salt - this helps bring everything together so don't skip this. You can reduce it though if preferred.

    How to make Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread

    Once you preheat the oven and make the batter, it's all hands-off from there. Here are step-by-step photos to show you how easy it is:

    Six process photos showing how to make the batter in a mixing bowl.
    • Combine the ground flax and water in a small bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes.
    • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together to combine.
    • In a large mixing bowl, mash up the bananas using a fork or potato masher. Whisk in the oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and flax eggs.
    • Add the dry ingredients into the wet and fold with a spatula until just combined. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
    Two process photos showing wet batter in a loaf pan and fully baked banana bread in a loaf pan.
    • Pour batter into the loaf pan, and gently spread it out evenly using a spatula. Sprinkle the top with chocolate chips and bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
    • Remove from oven and let the loaf cool for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. Let the loaf completely cool before cutting.

    Baking tips for the best Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread

    Here are my top baking tips to ensure success:

    • For accurate results, don’t scoop the flour with a measuring cup directly from the flour container. Instead, Aerate the flour first, then scoop the flour out of your container with a spoon and then into a measuring cup. Don’t pack or tap the cup. After filling, lightly sweep a butter knife across the top to remove the excess flour.
    • If you only have whole flaxseed, you can grind the seeds in a coffee grinder. Make sure to measure the flaxseed in its ground form.
    • Start checking your loaf around the 50-minute mark. You don't want to overbake or it will get dry. The loaf will also continue to cook when it comes out of the oven.
    • Do not Overmix while combining the dry and wet mixtures together, just stir and fold the batter gently. Overmixing causes too much gluten to develop which can create a tough and rubbery texture.
    • Lining the loaf pan with parchment paper will help prevent sticking and makes removing the loaf a breeze. Here's a quick visual tutorial on how to line a loaf pan.

    Storing Tips

    This vegan chocolate banana bread is delicious when it's fresh, but if stored properly, it'll taste just as good at a later date. Here's how to do it:

    • Room temperature – it will stay good for 2-3 days in an airtight container. Place a paper towel on the bottom of the container to absorb excess moisture.
    • Fridge – this isn't my preferred way to store banana bread becuase it tends to get slightly dry, but it will last longer than room temp. However, you can always cover a piece in a slightly damp paper towel and microwave for 10-15 seconds to revive it. It can be refrigerated for 4-6 days in an airtight container.
    • Freezer – this is my preferred way to store banana bread and it can be frozen for up to 3 months. I like to wrap the pieces individually in wax paper and place them in an airtight container or Ziploc. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or place in the microwave in 10-second intervals until thawed

    FAQ's

    Can I use frozen bananas for banana bread?

    Yes, you can use frozen bananas, but you will need to thaw them first before using. Just place them in a colander over the sink for about 30 minutes until they are softened and the excess water has drained out.

    What can I use instead of chocolate chips?

    You can use dried fruit or nuts such as raisins, dried cranberries, walnuts, or pecans.

    Front view of sliced vegan chocolate banana bread on a cooling rack.

    More chocolate recipes to try

    For more chocolatey goodness, here are a few reader favorites you may want to check out:

    • Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
    • Vegan Chocolate Cake
    • Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream
    • Vegan Chocolate Frosting

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  rating and sharing your feedback in the comment section below. It would really make my day! You can also share your remake with me on Instagram. Just tag #veganhuggs and @veganhuggs so I don’t miss it! 

    ⭐️ Subscribe to the Vegan Huggs Newsletter and receive weekly recipes straight to your inbox! You'll also receive my FREE eCookbook featuring my top 10 recipes. 

    📖 Recipe

    front view of sliced banana bread.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread

    If you love the combination of chocolate and banana, then you need to make this Vegan Chocolate Banane bread. It's moist, tender and bursting with intense chocolate and sweet banana flavors.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time55 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 10 people
    Calories: 290kcal
    Author: Melissa Huggins

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 5 tablespoons water
    • 1 ½ cups overripe mashed bananas (about 4 medium bananas)
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup avocado oil or any neutral-flavored oil (canola, grapeseed, sunflower, etc.)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder (sub regular cocoa powder)
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ cup vegan chocolate chips + more for topping

    Recommended Equipment

    • 1 Loaf Pan (8.5 x 4.5)
    • 2 Mixing Bowls
    • 1 Whisk
    • 1 Spatula
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 ° F (177 ° C). Line a loaf pan (8.5 x 4.5) with parchment paper or lightly grease. (9X5 will work too).
    • Combine the ground flax and water in a small bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes. It will thicken and gel up.
    • In a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk to combine and set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, mash up the bananas using a fork or potato masher. Now add the oil, brown sugar, vanilla, and flax eggs. Whisk well to combine.
    • Add the dry ingredients into the wet and fold with a spatula until just combined. Don't overwork the batter. The batter should be very thick. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
    • Pour mixture into loaf pan, then gently spread it out evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the top with chocolate chips. Place on the center rack in your oven. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (check in 3 places). Small crumbs are ok, just not wet batter. Don't confuse melted chocolate for wet batter.
    • Remove from oven and let the loaf cool for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack. Let the loaf completely cool before cutting. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Measuring Flour: For accurate results, don’t scoop the flour with a measuring cup directly from the flour container. Instead, Aerate the flour first, then scoop the flour out with a spoon and then into the measuring cup. Don’t pack or tap the cup. After filling, lightly sweep a butter knife across the top to remove the excess flour.
    Dutch Process Cocoa: yields a rich chocolate flavor that compliments the banana perfectly. Regular cocoa powder can be used too, just note that it will yield a lighter color and the chocolate flavor will be less intense. You can add 1-2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder to bump up the chocolate flavor though. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1slice | Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 138mg | Sugar: 25g
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    About Melissa

    I’m Melissa Huggins – the creator of Vegan Huggs. I started this blog to share delicious vegan recipes that everyone will love. Yep, that includes carnivores, too! Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Betty

      July 30, 2022 at 8:19 am

      Your instuctions say In a large mixing bowl, mash up the bananas using a fork or potato masher. Now add the oil, brown sugar, GRANULATED SUGAR, vanilla, and flax eggs. Whisk well to combine." But, nowhere in the ingredient list is there granulated sugar. What gives????

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        July 30, 2022 at 8:51 am

        Hi Betty, I'm sorry about that. This recipe calls for just brown sugar. Thank you for catching that mistake. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Michaele

      July 27, 2022 at 5:11 am

      Hi Mellisa, Thanks for the recipe, looking forward to making this. I do have one question, on several recipes, I see flax and chia used as a thickener, I made that adjustment myself for a few things, I just don't know if your measurement of the flax is pre or post grinding? I've seen a recipe or 2 say which, and I just want to make sure I get this right.

      Thanks you!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        July 27, 2022 at 9:37 am

        Hi Michaele, you're most welcome! I measure it ground, so it's 2 tablespoons ground. I'm so glad you'll give it a try. Thank you 🙂

        Reply
    3. Annie

      July 24, 2022 at 7:17 am

      5 stars
      Delicious and easy to do!

      Reply
      • Melissa Huggins

        July 24, 2022 at 10:29 am

        I'm so glad you liked it, Annie! Thank you for making it and sharing your feedback. 🙂

        Reply

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