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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread (Vegan)

    Posted: Jan 11, 2021 by Lori Modified: Jun 11, 2022 · This post contains affiliate links.

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    This Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread tastes like rich and decadent cake, but don't let it fool you! It's dairy-free, egg-free, made with oat flour, and has NO butter or oil in the batter!

    This is one of those fun recipes that manages to be perfectly appropriate both breakfast and dessert. Enjoy a slice the morning with a cup of coffee and in the evening warmed up with a scoop of vanilla oat milk ice cream on top. Vegan and gluten-free with a nut-free option.

    Loaf of chocolate banana bread in a pan, topped with sliced banana and chocolate chips.

    This Oil-Free Oat Flour Banana Bread receives so much love from you all. So I figured a chocolate version was in order.

    The batter for today's recipe is almost identical to that one but with the addition of cocoa powder, rich chocolate chips, and a hint of ginger just for fun.

    Oh, there's also a splash of either balsamic vinegar or coffee added to this one because both are great at enhancing chocolate flavor.

    This vegan chocolate banana bread is moist and sort of like a cross between brownies and cake, and it tastes amazing warmed up the next day!

    overhead view of chocolate loaf with banana slices baked into the top.

    Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients for chocolate banana bread spread out on a large baking sheet.

    Here's more great news... everything you need for this healthy chocolate banana bread should be easy to find at your local grocery store.

    • fine oat flour - use store-bought or make your own by blending rolled oats until fine
    • almond flour - this improves the texture of the oil-free batter; look for it near other gluten-free baking ingredients
    • unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
    • ground cinnamon and ginger, optional
    • 3 very ripe bananas
    • maple syrup - for moisture and sweetness
    • coconut sugar - or substitute light brown sugar
    • smooth almond butter - or for nut-free, use a seed butter such as tahini or sunbutter
    • unsweetened non-dairy milk
    • balsamic vinegar or brewed coffee - just a touch enhances the chocolate flavor
    • dairy-free chocolate chips - use semi-sweet for sweeter bread or 70% dark chocolate chips for less sweet, dark chocolate bread

    See the recipe card below for amounts and full instructions.

    How to Make Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread

    Making vegan chocolate banana bread is easy as pie, I promise!

    batter in a bowl with chocolate chips and parchment-lined pan to the side.
    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and line the loaf pan with a piece of parchment.
    2. Add the oat flour and almond flour to the mixing bowl. Sift in the cocoa, baking powder and soda, and spices. Whisk to combine.
    3. In the smaller bowl mash the bananas with a fork. Add the remaining wet ingredients, and whisk or stir very well so that the nut butter is incorporated.
    4. Pour wet into dry, and stir. Fold in about ½ cups chocolate chips, and transfer the batter to the loaf pan.
    5. Arrange more chocolate chips on top (and banana slices, if desired), and bake for about 55 minutes.
    6. Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then move to a cooling rack. Let it cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

    Tips

    As you can see in the photo above, the batter will be somewhat thick, with a fluffy consistency. And if you're tempted to lick the bowl clean I completely understand.

    Sometimes I like to decorate the top of the loaf with sliced banana. Sometimes I go with just chocolate chips. You can't go wrong either way. 

    In fact, if you also want to add chopped walnuts or pecans on top, that's a wonderful idea!

    batter in a loaf pan topped with chocolate chips.

    Equipment Needed

    • a mixing bowl and a smaller bowl
    • 9 x 5 loaf pan (or 8 ½ x 4 ½)
    • parchment paper

    How to Store Chocolate Banana Bread

    Once the bread has cooled completely I like to store it in the refrigerator so it stays fresh longer, up to 6 days. Wrap tightly or place in an airtight storage container.

    The bread also freezes well. Make sure it's wrapped very well and/or in a freezer bag or storage container to protect from freezer burn.

    More oat flour recipes:

    • Healthy Oat Flour Pancakes
    • Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Oil-Free Vegan Banana Brownies
    • Vegan Peanut Butter Brownies
    • Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Spiced Tahini Oatmeal Cookies
    • Strawberry-Banana Oat Bars
    close up of slices of rich chocolate banana bread on a cutting board.

    I hope you enjoy this deliciously healthy vegan chocolate banana bread. If you try the recipe I would LOVE to hear from you. Comment below to let us know how it turns out. Happy baking!

    Recommended Recipes:

    • Chocolate Zucchini Bread (Less Oil, Whole-Grain)
    • Fudgy Almond Flour Brownies (Vegan)
    • Vegan Chocolate Pie (No Tofu OR Coconut)
    • Chocolate Chickpea Ice Cream (No Nuts or Coconut)
    overhead view of chocolate banana bread on a platter

    Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread (Vegan & Gluten Free)

    Author: Lori Rasmussen, My Quiet Kitchen
    This healthier chocolate banana bread batter is oil-free and made with oat flour. It's rich and chocolatey and perfect anytime, from breakfast to dessert! Nut-free option.
    Servings: 10 servings
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 15 mins
    Cook Time: 55 mins
    Cooling time: 30 mins
    Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins

    Equipment

    • 8.5 x 4.5 loaf pan
    • parchment paper
    • scale

    Ingredients 

    Dry ingredients:

    • 1 ¾ cups oat flour - See Notes for tips
    • ¼ cup fine almond flour - Or use an additional ¼ cup oat flour
    • ⅓ cup coconut sugar - Or light brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ½ cup natural cocoa powder
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger, optional

    Wet ingredients:

    • 3 large very ripe bananas (plus 1 small one IF you want to decorate the top with banana) - Should equal 1 ⅓ cups mashed
    • ⅓ cup maple syrup
    • ¼ cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
    • ¼ cup smooth almond butter - Or tahini or sunflower seed butter
    • 1 tablespoon good quality balsamic vinegar or strong brewed coffee
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Addition:

    • ½ to ¾ cup dairy-free chocolate chips - Use semi-sweet for sweeter bread or dark chocolate chips (70% cacao) for less sweetness.
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    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C), and line an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper (a 9x5 pan is fine, too). The paper doesn't have to cover the ends; just make sure there's enough overhang on the sides to easily lift the bread from the pan after baking.
    • In a large mixing bowl combine the oat flour, almond flour, coconut sugar, and salt. Sift in the cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and spices, if using. Whisk very well.
    • In a smaller bowl mash the bananas (a few larger bits are okay). Measure to make sure you have 1 ⅓ cups pureed banana. Add the maple syrup, milk, almond butter, balsamic or coffee, and vanilla. Stir very well so the almond butter is fully incorporated.
    • Pour wet ingredients into dry, and stir to combine. Fold in ⅓ to ½ cup chocolate chips (I used ½ cup in the batter and about ¼ cup on top.) Transfer batter to the pan, and arrange remaining chocolate chips on top. If adding banana on top, arrange slices between chocolate chips, and very lightly press into the batter.
    • Bake for 53 to 58 minutes or until the center feels firm and a tooth pick comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then use the parchment to lift onto a cooling rack. Let cool for 20 minutes before slicing.

    Notes

    Measuring Oat Flour
    For baking I always recommend using a kitchen scale if you have one (click on "Metric" above to see the gram weights of the flours and cocoa). If you don't have a scale, whisk the oat flour to fluff it up, then spoon it into a measuring cup, and level off the top. 
    Storing and Freezing
    Chocolate banana bread will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two or refrigerated for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for up to 1 month.
    Serving tip: warm up individual slices for about 15 seconds in the microwave.

    Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 6gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 125mgFiber: 6gSugar: 23g

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used. We calculate this information using the online calculator cronometer.com.

    Did you try the recipe?I LOVE hearing from you! Comment below to let us know.
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    Comments

    1. Tessa

      April 18, 2022 at 1:19 pm

      I forgot to add stars to my review, definitely 5 stars!

      Reply
    2. Tessa

      April 17, 2022 at 7:13 pm

      This is delicious! We made it today for easter and it's a big hit. We are used to using very little sugar, so I choose to add a lot less. I used 1.5 Tbsp maple syrup and 1.5 Tbsp coconut sugar and it was definitely sweet enough for us.

      Reply
    3. Lisa

      January 16, 2022 at 4:17 pm

      Just baked this and my entire family loves it! Delicious!!

      Reply
    4. Pam in Sacramento

      January 13, 2021 at 6:48 pm

      Made it today and just tasted my first bite. Heavenly!
      The loaf rose nicely and is light, very chocolatey, and has a lovely crumb. Definitely a keeper!

      Reply
      • Lori

        January 14, 2021 at 9:11 am

        Such wonderful feedback! Thank you, Pam. I'm so glad you loved it.

        Reply

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    Lori Rasmussen, Owner/Creator

    Hi, I'm Lori. Welcome to My Quiet Kitchen where I share easy vegan recipes with a healthier twist. Many are special diet-friendly or easily adapted. I also have a passion for veganizing classic desserts, and sometimes even those get a healthy-ish makeover.

    Learn more about me →

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