Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread (gluten free!)

Just a few years again I shared this unbelievable almond flour banana bread and it obtained TONS of rave opinions from AK readers. After that, I figured it was time to strive one other model that was simply as unbelievably scrumptious. So I set out on a quest to make a banana bread that tasted precisely like a fudgy brownie. It turned out even higher than I might’ve imagined and has shortly turn into probably the most well-liked fast breads on Bold Kitchen!

That’s proper everybody, this wholesome chocolate banana bread actually tastes similar to a fudgy brownie and also you’re going to need to bake it up ASAP. I used to be blown away the primary time I had a slice, after which instantly ate one other one topped with peanut butter + a sprinkle of sea salt.

Yep, it’s that good.

What makes this chocolate banana bread wholesome?

Conventional chocolate banana breads are typically filled with oil and refined sugars, making them nearly like a wealthy cake. Don’t get me incorrect, I like an excellent slice of cake, however I needed to loosen up this chocolate banana bread to make it an exquisite snack, straightforward breakfast or perhaps a more healthy dessert. What makes this bread extra nutritious? It’s:

Oil-free: that’s proper, this wholesome chocolate banana bread is deliciously moist with out having any extra oil.
Naturally sweetened: with simply ripe bananas and pure maple syrup. Darkish chocolate chips add an additional contact of sweetness — be at liberty to make use of no matter model you want.
Gluten, grain & dairy free (and paleo): as a result of this bread simply makes use of almond flour + cocoa powder because the dry components and nil butter or different sorts of dairy.
Stuffed with wholesome fat: almond flour additionally supplies an excellent quantity of wholesome fat to maintain you feeling happy whenever you benefit from the bread for breakfast or as a snack.

Elements in wholesome chocolate banana bread

This unbelievable grain & gluten free chocolate banana bread recipe is of course sweetened, decrease in carbs and made with wholesome fat. I like how nourishing it’s because of almond flour, straightforward to make, and completely excellent for all of my chocolate lovers. Plus, it’s deliciously moist and filled with loads of chocolate chips. What’s life with out chocolate? Right here’s what you’ll want:

Overripe bananas: ensure that to make use of bananas which have a number of brown spots on them. This may give the bread a pure sweetness.
Eggs: the eggs hold this chocolate banana bread tremendous moist and fluffy. I haven’t tried it with flax eggs however let me know if you happen to give it a shot.
Pure maple syrup: you’ll simply want a little bit of maple syrup in order that the bread is completely candy. Date syrup would additionally work nicely. I might not advocate utilizing honey because it might trigger the bread to burn.
Vanilla extract: just a bit vanilla makes an enormous distinction in baking. For those who’re out you may also use a splash of bourbon. Discover ways to make vanilla extract here!
Almond flour: we’re utilizing effective, blanched almond flour on this recipe to maintain it gluten & grain free.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: this offers the bread that wealthy chocolate flavor.
Baking staples: gotta have each baking soda and salt.
Darkish chocolate chips: is there something higher than bites of chocolate in each slice? Be happy to make use of dairy free chocolate chips, too.
Fancy sea salt: I like sprinkling just a little fancy sea salt on high of every slice. Non-compulsory, however so scrumptious!

Suggestions for making this banana bread

Listed below are a few of my greatest suggestions for guaranteeing your gluten free chocolate banana bread comes out excellent:

Comply with the recipe. One of the best ways to make sure the success of this wholesome chocolate banana bread is to observe the recipe and use the precise components as written. I haven’t tried this bread with totally different flour substitutes, so I’m unsure how the bread would end up when substituting them.
Use overripe bananas. Utilizing bananas which have LOTS AND LOTS of brown spots and are very mushy will assist hold this banana bread each candy, completely moist and scrumptious. Belief me.
Use recent baking soda. In case your baking soda is older than 3 months, I recommend grabbing a brand new one for greatest baking outcomes.
Take pleasure in it the subsequent day. Banana bread is all the time greatest the day after it’s baked, because the sugars launch the bread will get sweeter!
Add your fav mix-ins. Be happy so as to add in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra wholesome fat!

Flip it into muffins

You possibly can completely use this gluten free chocolate banana bread recipe and switch it into muffins! Right here’s how you can do it:

Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray or use muffin liners. To be secure, I all the time spray the within of the liners too.
Put together the batter as directed, then divide evenly between liners.
Bake for 18-23 minutes at 350 levels F or till a tester comes out clear.

Storing & freezing suggestions

To retailer: this wholesome chocolate banana bread ought to be saved well-covered in foil or plastic wrap at room temperature for as much as 3 days, then I like to recommend transferring to the fridge or freezer.
To freeze: merely wrap in plastic, then tightly in foil, and eventually place in a reusable bag or freezer-friendly bag for as much as 3 months. Thaw at room temperature as soon as you’re able to eat. You too can be at liberty to freeze particular person slices for a fast on-the-go deal with.

Extra methods to make use of ripe bananas

Get all of my recipes utilizing ripe bananas here!

For those who make this wholesome chocolate banana bread recipe, remember to go away a remark under and charge the recipe! You too can snap and movie and put up it on Instagram utilizing the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen. xo!

Wholesome Chocolate Banana Bread

Complete Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Wholesome chocolate banana bread made with almond flour and sweetened solely with bananas and a contact of pure maple syrup. This paleo, dairy free and gluten free chocolate banana bread tastes like a scrumptious brownie and will likely be your new favourite to bake when you might have further bananas.

Elements

3
very ripe medium bananas (ones with LOTS of brown spots), mashed (1 ¼ cups mashed banana)
3
eggs
¼
cup
pure maple syrup
1
teaspoon
vanilla extract
2 ½
cups
packed effective blanched almond flour
½
cup
unsweetened cocoa powder
1
teaspoon
baking soda
1/2
teaspoon
salt
½
cup
darkish chocolate chips (dairy free if desired), plus 2 tablespoons further chocolate chips for sprinkling on high
Fancy sea salt, for sprinkling on high

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 levels F. Line an 8 ½ x 4 ½ inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray to forestall sticking.
In a big bowl, whisk collectively the mashed bananas, eggs, pure maple syrup and vanilla extract till nicely mixed. Add within the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Use a wood spoon to mix. Fold within the chocolate chips.
Pour batter into ready loaf pan, smoothing the highest with a spatula. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips on high. Bake for 50 minutes-65 minutes or till the tester comes out nearly clear in the midst of the bread. Cool bread for 10 minutes within the pan, then take away and switch to a wire rack to complete cooling fully. As soon as cool, minimize into 12 slices. The bread is greatest the subsequent day (as are all banana breads!) Prime together with your favourite nut butter or butter and sprinkle with just a little sea salt. Take pleasure in!

Recipe Notes

Be happy so as to add in ⅓ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for extra wholesome fat.

Bread ought to be saved well-covered at room temperature for as much as 3 days, then I like to recommend transferring to the fridge or freezer.

This bread freezes nicely, merely wrap in plastic, then tightly in foil and eventually place in a reusable bag or freezer pleasant bag for as much as 3 months. Thaw at room temperature as soon as you’re able to eat. You too can be at liberty to freeze particular person slices for a fast on the go deal with.