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Home > Vegan Recipes

Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

3/20/22 by Nicole Stevens | Leave a Comment

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5 from 2 votes. Leave your review!

This soft and delicious vegan chocolate chip banana bread is a perfectly sweetened dessert or snack. It’s a dairy free and eggless classic that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy!

With loads of banana flavor and a tender texture, this loaf won’t last long. Scale-up the recipe and make a double-batch; you’ll thank me later!

Skill: Easy | Time: 60 min | Servings: 8

Loaf of banana bread with chocolate chips on cooling rack with one slice cut and resting in front of loaf.

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Is Banana Bread Vegan?

Unless it’s specifically labeled as vegan, most banana bread recipes (or store-bought/ restaurant options) are not vegan. These recipes typically include eggs and dairy.

However, it’s incredibly simple to replace the eggs and dairy in banana loaf with vegan alternatives. Banana itself is an ideal egg replacement in some baking recipes. As for dairy, simply make a quick and easy vegan buttermilk alternative using any plant-based milk you enjoy.

To make a chocolate chip banana bread, you’ll also need vegan chocolate chips. These shouldn’t be too hard to find if you look for semi-sweet or dark chocolate. Always read the ingredients as not all semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips are vegan.

New vegan chocolate alternatives come out all the time; you may even find a vegan “milk” chocolate!

Top view of arrangement of sliced banana bread on plates with chocolate chips, a butter knife and mug of tea.

Ingredients and Substitutions for Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

The ingredient list for this banana bread is simple and uses pantry items you’ll already have on hand!

  • Plant-based milk: Some plant-based milk helps create a buttermilk alternative for this recipe. I use unsweetened soy milk which makes for the richest, thickest buttermilk; but any type of plant-based milk should work just fine.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Adding vinegar to plant-based milk creates a quick and easy vegan buttermilk alternative. Most banana bread recipes use buttermilk or sour cream for a rich texture and some tang to balance out the sweetness. White vinegar can work as well.
  • Banana: Obviously you’ll need some banana for this recipe! It’s best to use overripe bananas (ones that have lots of brown spots). Your bananas can be fresh or frozen, but if using frozen, make sure to thaw them completely before using. I typically thaw bananas in a microwave.
  • Brown sugar: Added brown sugar creates a delicious banana loaf. I don’t find this recipe overly sweet compared to some other banana breads, but you’ll certainly want to use some sugar.
  • Vegetable oil: Oil adds moisture needed to create a soft and tender loaf. Any type of neutral-flavored oil should work.
  • Vanilla extract: Add flavor with some vanilla extract; an essential for almost all baking recipes!
  • Whole wheat and all-purpose flour: I use half whole wheat, half all-purpose flour for this recipe. Whole wheat flour adds a slight nutty flavor and creates a denser loaf; one that’s still soft and tender, just not super fluffy. You can use 100% all-purpose flour if you want an ultra-soft and super fluffy loaf. Don’t use exclusively whole wheat flour as your loaf will become very dense and chewy.
  • Baking powder and baking soda: These ingredients help the loaf rise and become fluffier.
  • Cinnamon: This is optional, but I like ground cinnamon in my banana bread!
  • Chocolate chips: Any type of vegan chocolate chips can work for this recipe. I typically use semi-sweet chocolate because it’s easiest for me to find.
Arrangement of ingredients. From top left moving right then down: two bananas; vinegar; brown sugar; plant-based milk; vanilla; chocolate chips; flour; cinnamon and salt; whole wheat flour; oil; baking powder and soda.

How to Make Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Instructions and Tips

This recipe is simple to make and requires very little work. Just remember to not over-mix the batter or you may end up with a tough and chewy loaf.

Step 1: Mix Wet Ingredients

The first step is to prepare a vegan buttermilk alternative by whisking together plant-based milk with vinegar in a large mixing bowl. Buttermilk is a great way to create a rich loaf, and the tang from vinegar helps balance out sweetness from your bananas.

In a separate bowl, mash your bananas. I use a fork but a potato masher also works well. If you use frozen bananas, make sure they’re completely thawed and no longer cold before using.

With your bananas mashed, measure 1 C (265 g) and add this to the large mixing bowl with buttermilk in it.

Side by side images showing banana being mashed then scooped into a measuring cup.

Then, add the remaining wet ingredients: brown sugar, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is evenly combined.

Two images showing liquid ingredients about to be whisked and the final mixture.

Step 2: Stir in Dry Ingredients

Most baking recipes require you to mix dry ingredients separately before being adding them to liquid ingredients. While you can do this, I’ve yet to have an issue adding the dry ingredients directly into the wet mixture. I do this to prevent creating more dirty dishes.

Add the whole wheat and all-purpose flour, baking powder and soda, a pinch of salt and cinnamon. Stir this mixture until it’s mostly combined, then add the chocolate chips.

Stir again until the chocolate chips are evenly mixed through the batter and no clumps of dry ingredients are visible. At this point, stop stirring (don’t over-mix the batter).

Four images showing dry ingredients being added to a liquid mixture in a bowl, then chocolate chips being added and the final mixed batter.

Step 3: Bake

Grease a loaf pan using some vegan butter, margarine or a non-stick cooking spray. Scoop your banana bread batter into the loaf pan then spread into an even layer. It’s a thick batter so be sure to spread it flat.

Spreading banana bread batter in a loaf pan.

Bake in an oven preheated to 350 °F for 40 minutes. When done, the top should be a dark golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

Once out of your oven, let cool in the pan for a few minutes before carefully transferring to a wire cooling rack.

Cool your banana loaf completely before storing in an airtight container.

Buttered slice of chocolate chip banana bread on small plate with other slices on plate in background.

Vegan Banana Loaf Variations

While I’m a big fan of a classic banana bread, there’s lots of ways to make this recipe your own. In addition to (or instead of) chocolate chips, walnuts are a delicious addition.

Any nut or large seed, like pumpkin seeds, are delicious mixed into the loaf or sprinkled on top before baking.

You could also add up to ⅓ C of dried fruit to the mix. Raisins, cranberry and coconut would be tasty additions.

Adding a crumble or streusel topping before baking is another tasty variation worth trying.

You can also get creative with how you serve the bread. I spread some vegan butter onto a slice, but peanut butter is a perfect pairing with chocolate and banana.

If you want a sweeter dessert, why not glaze or add icing to the loaf?! Vanilla or chocolate buttercream (vegan of course) would be great additions. Or go all-out and drizzle with a vegan chocolate ganache.

Slice of chocolate chip banana loaf on small plate with rest of loaf in background.

How to Store Leftovers: Refrigerating and Freezing this Recipe

Let the banana bread cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. You can store this loaf on your countertop for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

You can also freeze this banana bread in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 4 months. Once frozen, thaw in your fridge overnight or use a microwave to defrost pieces as needed. This recipe is delicious served warm. I love microwaving a slice for 5-10 seconds before eating to melt the chocolate chips again. Add some vegan butter to your slice for a truly decadent treat!

Top view of arrangement of banana loaf and slices of the loaf on plates with small dish of chocolate chips.

I hope you enjoy this recipe! If you make it, please rate and comment below so others benefit from your experience.

More Delicious Vegan Dessert Recipes

Three white mugs filled with microwaved brownie; two mugs in back topped with whip cream and mug in front has spoon with bite of brownie on it resting across mug. Patterned towel resting along left side of mugs

Mug Brownie

Carrot Cake

Vegan chocolate orange cake recipe with full cake in background and individual slice of dairy free, eggless cake in foreground

Chocolate Orange Cake

Close up of a loaf of banana bread with chocolate chips on cooling rack with one slice cut and resting in front of loaf.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This soft and perfectly sweet vegan chocolate chip banana bread is easy to make. It creates an ultra-satisfying dessert or snack that’s dairy free and eggless.
5 from 2 votes. Leave your review!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 1 hr
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 299 kcal
Cuisine Vegan

Equipment

  • 2 Mixing bowls (medium and large)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Loaf pan
  • Whisk
  • Mixing spoon (large)

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup plant-based milk
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup mashed banana (about 3 medium or 2 large) (265 g)
  • ½ cup brown sugar , lightly packed (80 g)
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup whole wheat flour (95 g)
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour (95 g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¾ cup chocolate chips (155 g)
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Step 1: Mix Wet Ingredients

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar. Set aside.
    ¼ cup plant-based milk, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • In a separate, medium-sized bowl, mash bananas using a fork or potato masher. Once mashed, measure the amount you'll need.
    1 cup mashed banana
  • Add your mashed banana to the buttermilk bowl along with the brown sugar, vegetable oil and vanilla extract.
    ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Whisk until well combined.

Step 2: Stir in Dry Ingredients

  • Add whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon to the wet ingredients.
    ¾ cup whole wheat flour, ¾ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, 1 pinch salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Stir until mostly combined, then add chocolate chips.
    ¾ cup chocolate chips
  • Continue stirring until the mixture is just-mixed; meaning there are no obvious clumps of dry or wet ingredients in the bowl. At this point, stop mixing as this batter can be over-mixed.

Step 3: Bake

  • Grease a loaf pan with vegan butter or margarine (or a non-stick cooking spray).
  • Add your thick banana batter to the loaf pan, then spread it into an even layer.
  • Bake in an oven preheated to 350 °F for 40 minutes. The loaf should be a dark golden brown when done and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf should come out clean.
  • Let the loaf cool for a few minutes before carefully removing from its pan and onto a wire cooling rack.
  • Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Video

Notes

Accuracy of nutrition information cannot be guaranteed (certain ingredients may not have all nutrients listed in the database); amounts may vary (and will vary depending on brands of ingredients used); all nutrition fact values rounded to the nearest whole number.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Slice (⅛ of loaf)Calories: 299 kcalCarbohydrates: 48 gProtein: 4 gFat: 12 gSaturated Fat: 4 gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4 gMonounsaturated Fat: 3 gSodium: 149 mgPotassium: 242 mgFiber: 3 gSugar: 26 gVitamin A: 36 IUVitamin C: 2 mgCalcium: 70 mgIron: 2 mg
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Filed Under: Vegan Dessert Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegan Snack Recipes Tagged With: All-purpose flour, Apple cider vinegar, Baking, Baking powder, Baking soda, Banana, Brown sugar, Chocolate chips, Cinnamon, Dessert, Easy, Fruit, Nut free, Plant-based milk, Snack, Soy free, Vanilla extract, Vegetable oil, Whole wheat flour

About Nicole Stevens

Nicole is a vegan Registered Dietitian (RD) and founder of Lettuce Veg Out. She provides vegans with balanced meals and easy-to-understand nutrition science. As a trusted source of nutrition information, she educates others about vegan diets and how to thrive as a vegan.

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Hi, I'm Nicole! As a vegan Registered Dietitian, I empower vegans to live a balanced life and gain confidence in the kitchen.

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