Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread [Vegan]
Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread [Vegan]
Get ready to savor the goodness of this moist and tender Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread—a delightful blend of rich flavors with gooey pieces of chocolate melting throughout. This easy vegan banana bread recipe highlights the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, complemented by the comforting touch of maple syrup + delicious semi-sweet chocolate chips, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy it for breakfast, as a snack, or as a comforting dessert—this chocolate banana bread is sure to become a beloved treat in your home. Gluten-free option.
Why Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread?
There's nothing I love more than banana bread—it's my go-to treat! My loyal Orchirds + Sweet Tea followers know this isn't my first time making banana bread, and it won't be my last. I love this chocolate + maple twist on my more classic recipes like Vegan Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread and Healthy Banana Bread. Both are delicious, but it just hits differently with melted, gooey chunks of chocolate.
Bananas + chocolate are like the dynamic duo of deliciousness, and I couldn't resist creating this recipe to combine their magic. I swear, every time I bake this banana bread, it becomes an instant family favorite. The heavenly aroma fills the house, and it's like a homely beacon calling everyone to gather around for a slice of pure joy.
It's super easy to make with simple plant-based ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen-- especially when you have a few spotty (very ripe) bananas just lying around. AND for my chocolate lovers, be sure to try this Vegan Chocolate Bourbon Banana Bread next!
Jump to:
- Why Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread?
- How to Make Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Can I Make Gluten-Free Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread?
- Is Maple Syrup A Healthy Natural Sweetener?
- Why You Will LOVE This Maple Chocolate Banana Bread
- Can I Use Another Plant-Based Milk for Banana Bread?
- How Ripe Should Bananas Be for Banana Bread?
- How to Ripen Bananas for Banana Bread
- Tips For THE BEST Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Check Your Baking Powder + Baking Soda are Fresh.
- How to Serve Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Q + A's
- More Delicious Banana Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread [Vegan]
How to Make Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
This is a simple vegan banana bread recipe. Here's what you need to know about the ingredients for Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread -
INGREDIENTS
- Bananas. You'll want to use really ripe bananas for the densest, sweetest flavor.
- All-purpose flour. I like Bob's Red Mill organic flour, which is certified vegan.
- Brown sugar. Again, choose organic to make sure it's vegan.
- Almond milk. You can use any plant-based milk, including a nut-free option like oat or soy milk.
- Apple cider vinegar. My trick is to combine vegan milk with some ACV to make vegan "buttermilk." It's tangy and acidic, which helps the baking soda rise. You can also use white vineger.
- Vegan butter. I like to bake with the buttery sticks from Earth Balance, they're easy to measure.
- Maple syrup. I love the warming flavor of maple in this banana bread.
- Vegan chocolate chips. I like semi-sweet, but if you prefer bittersweet or dark chocolate, go for it.
Can I Make Gluten-Free Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread?
Usually, when turning my breads into gluten-free bread, I simply swap regular all-purpose flour for the gluten-free all-purpose flour or 1-to-1 baking flour from Bob’s Red Mill. I recommend using a GF Flour Blend (Bob’s Red Mills has a great version!) for greater ease. However, if using only GF All-purpose flour, be sure to add Xanthan Gum so that it acts as regular flour would.
Also, when making this Banana Bread gluten-free, I had success with the following adjustments:
- Reducing the use of bananas to only 3 instead of 4.
- Reducing maple syrup to ⅓ cup instead.
- Using only 2 Tablespoons of a healthier oil like canola instead of a full ¼ cup.
Everything else remains the same throughout the recipe.
Is Maple Syrup A Healthy Natural Sweetener?
Absolutely! Maple syrup is like nature's sweet gift to our taste buds! It's a healthier option compared to refined sugars because it comes from the sap of maple trees with minimal processing. Maple syrup contains essential minerals like manganese and zinc, as well as some antioxidants, which provide added nutritional value!
Why You Will LOVE This Maple Chocolate Banana Bread
- Easy-to-make + simple ingredients.
- Moist, tender, and filled with chocolate gooey goodness.
- Perfect snack, dessert, or breakfast treat.
- Aromatherapy-- home sweet chocolate home.
- Fun baking activity for the entire family.
- Entirely dairy-free + vegan & has a gluten-free option.
Can I Use Another Plant-Based Milk for Banana Bread?
Yes, you can use any dairy-free milk you like to make this Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Here are some easy recipes to make your own milk that is cheaper and so easy to whip up!
- Quinoa Milk
- Coconut Milk
- Easy Homemade Creamy Cashew Milk
- How to Make Potato Milk
- Ultra Creamy Homemade Oat Milk
- Cauliflower Milk
How Ripe Should Bananas Be for Banana Bread?
When it comes to making this vegan banana bread recipe, the level of ripeness of your bananas matters. I've made my banana bread with both types of bananas, and to be honest, the VERY ripe bananas have made the BEST banana bread.
Very ripe bananas make for a sweeter and more moist bread, and the mashing is also a lot easier.
How to Ripen Bananas for Banana Bread
Have you ever had bananas that weren't fully ripe, but you were dying to make banana bread recipe? Well, I totally understand. I've definitely been there. Luckily, I've come across a few hacks to help you ripen your bananas if you're in a pinch and here's what you can do:
- Keep the banana bunches together to avoid the ripening process from stalling.
- Store your bananas in a warm place like near a heater or atop your refrigerator. This helps them to ripen faster.
- Using a paper bag, add your bananas inside and fold it over to close it. The gases from inside the bag once shut tight will ripen the bananas within 24-36 hours.
If you're looking to ripe your bananas more quickly for baking purposes then you can do one of the following:
- Oven Method: Preheat the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place bananas (with peels on) unto a baking sheet and let them bake for 15-20 minutes or until skins are black. The bananas at this point should be soft and sweet.
- Microwave Method: Poke holes into the peel bananas (all around) and microwave for 30 seconds at a time until the bananas are soft enough.
Tips For THE BEST Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
After a bit of trial and error with many types of breads, I've found that the following tricks have been full-proof in baking my banana breads perfectly:
Ensure that your batter is the "right" consistency.
- You want the batter to be "scoopable" which means that it's thick but also easily stirred versus really "liquidy" or super thick where it's hard to manage.
Poke holes!
- Midway through the baking time, poke small holes (using a toothpick or cake tester) around the tops of the bread to allow for the heat to penetrate through more easily and cook everything evenly. NOTE: I do this twice. Once halfway through the baking time and the second time in the last 10-15 minutes.
Put it in the middle.
- Place your bread in the middle rack so that it browns but doesn't burn since it's in the oven for at least 1 hour.
Check Your Baking Powder + Baking Soda are Fresh.
Baking is such a science, but more importantly because certain ingredients like your leaveners (aka baking powder + baking soda) are completely fresh so that your banana bread (and other baked goods) fully rise and bake through nicely.
Incase you weren't aware, there's an easy to double check both the baking powder and baking soda. Here's what you need:
BAKING SODA HACK:
-Add 1 teaspoon baking soda with ¼ cup vinegar or lemon juice in a bowl and if it's fresh, the mixture should "bubble/fizz". If no bubble/fizz is present, then your baking soda needs to be replaced.
BAKING POWDER:
-Add 1 teaspoon baking powder with ¼ cup Hot tap water in a bowl and if it's fresh, the mixture should "bubble/fizz". If no bubble/fizz is present, then your baking powder needs to be replaced.
How to Serve Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
This sweet treat has a place at breakfast, brunch, or tea time. But it doesn't stop there.
Here are a few more creative ideas on how to enjoy this vegan chocolate banana bread-
Warm and Fresh: Enjoy a slice while it's still warm from the oven. The crisp top and soft, moist interior make for a heavenly combination. You can savor it as is or add a pat of vegan butter or a drizzle of maple syrup for extra indulgence.
Toasted and Topped: Toast a slice of banana bread to add a delightful crunch to the already delicious crunchy topping. Once toasted, you can spread a layer of your favorite vegan cream cheese, nut butter, or even homemade fruit compote on top for a decadent twist.
Pair with a Beverage: Banana bread pairs beautifully with a hot or iced coffee like this Iced Caramel Latte, or for my chocolate lovers, double the chocolate fun with this Creamy Homemade Caramel Hot Chocolate
Ice Cream Sandwich: Get creative and turn your vegan banana bread into a delightful ice cream sandwich. Slice the bread + scoop your favorite vegan ice cream like this Caramel Ice Cream or Butter Pecan Ice Cream in the middle, and enjoy a warm + cold creamy treat.
Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Q + A's
Absolutely! You can always use frozen bananas in your Maple Banana Bread. However, you'll need to thaw them out at room temperature and then drain off any excess liquid before mashing them and adding them to the mix.
Refrigerate leftover vegan chocolate banana bread by tightly wrapping it in foil paper or keeping it fully covered in a cake stand—lasts up to a week. Can also be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.
You can freeze leftovers by wrapping the whole loaf in aluminum foil. Store it in a zip-top bag. Squeeze as much air out as you can without smooshing the bread.
The ratio of dry ingredients to wet ingredients matters. This is why it's super important to add a high-quality neutral oil (or butter) to your bread for the perfect moistness. Just remember that too much milk and not enough flour creates the opposite problem----meaning that your cake will become too wet and may not bake through best or take much longer.
Whether you choose to use chopped chocolate or chocolate chips for this banana bread, the important thing is to keep them from sinking to the bottom--right? Well, the best trick that I've tried is to lightly flour the chocolate chips (or chocolate) before folding them into the mix!
More Delicious Banana Recipes
Love this Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe? Try these banana-infused recipes next!
- Classic Southern Banana Pudding
- Vegan Banana Cake with Maple Buttercream
- Jamaican-inspired Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
- Banana Cupcakes + Maple Buttercream
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you make this Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea
Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread [Vegan]
Ingredients
BREAD:
- 4 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 3 cups organic all-purpose flour (See Notes!)
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tsps baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tsps ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of sea salt
- ½-3/4 cup Almond milk (You can use your fave plant-based milk)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- ½-1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (Ensure that it's vegan-friendly)
Instructions
MAKE THE DAIRY-FREE 'BUTTERMILK':
- In a bowl, whisk together the milk and apple cider vinegar and set aside for 5-10 minutes until everything "activates" to create the dairy-free "buttermilk".
TO MAKE THE BREAD:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease it using vegan butter or coconut oil and line with parchment paper, leaving a hanging over on the sides for an easy "pull-out".
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and 'buttermilk' mixture, whisking them together until combined.
- Next, add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. NOTE: DO NOT OVER-MIX!
- Fold in ½ the chocolate until they're incorporated.
- Pour batter in the prepared loaf pan and evenly spread it out.
TOP THE BREAD:
- Add the remaining chocolate pieces atop the bread batter, lining them side by side somewhat until the top is fully covered.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick or knife that is inserted in the middle comes out clean. NOTE: Midway, I like to poke VERY SMALL holes all over the bread to allow heat to penetrate through and to ensure it cooks through so that the centers aren't uncooked.
- Once done, remove bread from oven and let it cool for 25-30 minutes before gently removing it from loaf pan to cool completely.
- Once cooled, slice and enjoy!
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Refrigerate leftover bread by tightly wrapping it in foil paper or keeping it fully covered in a cake stand—lasts up to a week. Can also be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can freeze leftovers by wrapping the whole loaf in aluminum foil. Store it in a zip-top bag. Squeeze as much air out as you can without smooshing the bread.
- GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: SEE RECIPE POST FOR GREATER DETAILS FOR MAKING THIS BREAD GF!
- OIL: Instead of coconut oil, you can also use melted vegan butter, vegetable oil or olive oil, if preferred.
- SWEETENER: If you choose to opt out of maple syrup, you can always substitute with raw honey (if not restricted to vegan), brown coconut sugar, organic brown sugar, cane sugar, or Date syrup as well.
Nutrition
DID YOU MAKE THIS recipe?
Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea
LOVE THIS RECIPE?
LET US KNOW!