This Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Banana Bread is one of my most delicious and favorite recipes when you've got some extra bananas. Whether you are Gluten Free, Dairy Free, or neither, you will absolutely love this one bowl, naturally sweetened, delicious quick bread recipe! Perfect for an afternoon snack, brunch, dinner parties, or a casual weeknight dessert!
How to Make Gluten Free and Dairy Free Chocolate Banana Bread
Start by gathering all of your ingredients. You really only need 6 main ingredients here, and you probably have them all in your pantry already. One of the best part of this recipe is its simplicity!
This recipe is very easy and forgiving, too. So if you are out of one thing, you can probably find a simple substitute or just leave it out. I outline substitutions and more options below.
Ideally, you will have rolled oats or oat flour, overripe bananas, maple syrup (or honey), cocoa powder, eggs, and chocolate chips!
Ingredients in Gluten Free Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Oat Flour. The base of this quick bread is Oat Flour, which is simply ground up rolled oats. You can purchase Oat Flour (like this), or buy Rolled Oats (like these) and grind them yourself in a blender or food processor! If you have Celiac, make sure your oats are certified gluten free. If you are looking for a substitute, you can use Almond Flour or another 1:1 gluten free flour blend.
Overripe Bananas. An obvious staple in Banana Bread. Browner bananas are sweeter - the browner, the better for just the right amount of natural sweetness!
Maple Syrup. Pure Maple Syrup serves as a natural sweetener in this recipe, keeping it refined sugar free. Just a quarter cup goes a long way in enriching the chocolate flavor, while keeping the taste natural. You can also use honey or coconut sugar.
Cocoa Powder. This is what takes this recipe from a classic Banana Bread to a DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD. Make sure you are using unsweetened cocoa powder.
Eggs. A couple eggs work as binders to hold everything together. If you are a vegan or allergic to eggs, you can easily sub this with a Flax Egg! Just take 2 tablespoon of Ground Flax Seed (I love this one), mix with 6 tablespoon of water, and let it sit until it forms a gel. Then, mix in as you would the eggs!
Vanilla Extract. Vanilla brings out the flavor of chocolate! The recipe will theoretically work without it, but the flavor will be much better if you are able to include it.
Baking powder. Oats, bananas, and maple syrup are heavy! Gotta help this puppy rise.
How to Make Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread
To make your healthy banana chocolate bread, start by preheating your oven temperature to 350 degrees Farenheit. Next, whisk all the wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Then, add the dry ingredients on top (only one bowl required!) and gently fold them into the wet mixture. Its important that you mix until just combined and not overdo it. Oats are very absorbent, so you don't want them to absorb them too much moisture before baking, or you will end up with a denser or gummy loaf.
Lastly, fold in those chocolate chips! I love using Mini Chocolate Chips in this loaf, as it ensures there are little chocolate nuggets in every bite. I love this brand, which is gluten free, dairy free, and soy free.
Pour everything into a loaf pan and top with extra chocolate chips.
Why?
Because you can never have too much. You can also top the loaf with an extra sliced banana, if you have an extra banana lying around!
Also, here's an idea. Use some milk chocolate chips and some dark chocolate chips.
Voila - TRIPLE CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD.
After baking, wait AT LEAST 5 - 10 minutes before digging in.
THIS IS IMPORTANT.
This Banana Bread recipe is made with lots of liquid ingredients and will be extremely moist. For best results, you need to let it cool down after baking to give it a chance to come together nicely.
The good news is that it only takes a few minutes. You just have to WAIT a few minutes, and then you can enjoy the entire loaf!
Serving Chocolate Banana Bread
There are many ways and many occasions to enjoy a slice of Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread.
Top it with Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, or your favorite nut butter. Or a dollop of Greek Yogurt for a kick of protein. But seriously, it is moist and flavorful and amazing enough to enjoy completely on its own! Maybe with a nice glass of Oat Milk or Almond Milk to wash it dwon.
Is it healthy enough for breakfast? Why yes. Picture a bowl of oatmeal with some sliced banana, cacao powder, and a drizzle of maple syrup. This is essentially a food anagram of that!
Is it decadent enough for dessert? Oh you betcha! Especially if you don't listen to me and add even more chocolate than the recipe calls for.
Oh PS! Another really awesome thing about this super easy recipe?
It keeps really well in the fridge for a few days!
Not only that. It actually tastes great cold too. Some might argue even better.
FAQ
Do you have a regular Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe?
Yes, of course I do. That one is only 5 ingredients and you can actually make it in a blender for the easiest clean up ever. Get the recipe here.
Will this work with frozen bananas?
Yes! You can thaw them for a few minutes on the counter or under some water, enough to be able to mash them. If they are still very cold once you've made the batter, you may need to add up to 10 minutes to the baking time.
What can I sub for the Maple Syrup?
You can sub in Honey, Date Syrup, or Coconut Sugar.
You could sub in brown sugar if you don't have anything else, but it will no longer be refined sugar free.
Can I adapt this recipe to make a Vegan chocolate banana bread?
Yes! The only ingredient you will need to substitute is the eggs - you can use Flax Eggs instead.
Ready to make this easy double chocolate banana bread? Pin the recipe for later!
Check out more Gluten Free Baked Goods Recipes
We've got tons of Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, and Dairy Free Dessert recipes on The Granola Diares. Try one each week all summer long!
Gluten Free Healthy Bluberry Crisp
Healthy Berry Coffee Cake
Healthy Blueberry Peach Cobbler
Easy Apple Yogurt Cake
Blender Banana Bread
Healthy Pumpkin Banana Bread
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Double Chocolate Banana Bread (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free)
Equipment
Ingredients
Wet
- 3 Large Brown Bananas about 300 grams once mashed
- 2 Large Eggs
- ¼ Cup Maple Syrup
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Dry
- 1 Cup Oat Flour
- ½ Cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ Cup Mini Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and grease a loaf pan with some coconut oil, or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Add in the egg, vanilla, and maple syrup and mix well.
- Add in all dry ingredients on top of the wet mixture and mix gently, just until combined. Do not overmix!
- Lastly, fold in chocolate chips, reserving some extra chocolate chips for sprinkling on top.
- Pour in loaf pan. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes, Then, enjoy warm, or allow to cool for longer and enjoy later at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or the freezer for up to 5 months.
Notes
Nutrition
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Dannii
This banana bread looks so light and fluffy. I can't wait to try it.
O-yummy
The recipe is so simple and easy to make and the cake looks so moist!!! I have to try thank you for the recipe 😀
Charla
Fellow gluten free blogger here! This look amazing, I'm always looking for new ways to make chocolate banana bread. I can't wait to make your recipe.
thegranoladiaries
Hope you love it!
Shashi
I just finished off PB&J toast for breakfast and am hungry again - this looks mouthwatering and love that it is GF!!
Mirlene
Decadent and moist. Chocolate cake or bread is usually dry. This is such a great recipe. Can't get enough of it.
thegranoladiaries
So glad you like it!
Bobby Dishwasher
Stay tuned for Bobby's paleo chia pudding
Robbie
This was one of the best banana breads I have ever had. Perfect flavor profile and incredibly moist. It was hard not to eat all of this in one sitting. I can't wait until I make it again soon.
rachelle
hi! can i use unsweetened cacao powder instead of cocoa powder?
thegranoladiaries
Definitely!
Caroline
I have made this so many times. We LOVE it and always hope we have bananas going brown so we have an excuse to make it.