Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Banana Bread

This chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread is one of the best ever ways to make banana bread. Boasting not only that distinctive banana flavor and moist texture but also the appeal of chocolate chips and tasty oats, this snack is sure to make your taste buds happy.

Banana bread recipes are ideal for breakfast or brunch, as a snack or even for dessert.

This was inspired by my gluten-free blackberry banana bread recipe on this site and pairs well with a homemade pumpkin smoothie.

Ingredients

The ingredients in this chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread are all kitchen staples, so you probably already have most of them. In fact, a few brown-spotted bananas might have been why you were considering homemade banana bread in the first place!

Ripe bananas: Banana bread recipes are always best with ripe or over-ripe bananas, so it's fine if yours are very soft and have more brown than yellow on the skin.
Egg: To bind the banana bread batter together.
Canola oil: Feel free to use another neutral-tasting oil if preferred, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
Vanilla extract: Use 100% pure vanilla extract, not synthetic vanilla essence.
All-purpose flour: If you want to make the banana bread gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free flour.
Rolled oats: These are more processed and flattened with steel-cut oats, so they are ideal for banana bread. Steel-cut oats would be too chewy for this.
Sugar: Use white or brown granulated sugar to add sweetness.
Ground cinnamon: This warm, earthy spice is delicious paired with any kind of fruit, including bananas.
Baking powder and baking soda: To get the texture of the bread just right.
Salt: Just a pinch.
Chocolate chips: Use your favorite kind.

Slices of oat and chocolate chip banana bread stacked, with a bottle of milk in the background.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and put an oven rack on the middle shelf. Add parchment paper to a loaf pan and grease it.

Step 2: Barely mash 2 of the bananas, leaving some chunks. Add in the egg, oil and vanilla and mix with a fork.

oatmeal banana bread ingredients in a bowl

Step 3: Combine the flour with a cup of the oats, the sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.

Step 4: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ones and mix. Fold in some of the chocolate chips.

Step 5: Pour half of the batter into the greased baking pan and add a whole banana in the center. Pour the remaining batter on top.

Step 6: Bake for 1 hour or until golden brown, then cool slightly in the pan. Lift the banana bread out of the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack. Slice and serve.

Hint: Use dark chocolate or bittersweet chocolate for a less sweet flavor or semisweet chocolate chips if you want more sweetness. You could even try white chocolate chips. My preference is these extra-dark chocolate chips.

chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread from the side

Substitutions

The recipe is delicious as it is but there are some substitutions and variations you could consider.

Sugar - use your preferred sugar alternative and also use sugar-free chocolate chips for a reduced sugar option
Ground cinnamon - ground nutmeg would also be delicious or you could use cloves or cardamom
Vanilla extract - try almond extract, coconut extract or another one in place of the vanilla

Try These Variations

Extra fruity - add ¼ cup of raisins, dried blueberries or dried cranberries
Individual servings - use muffin tins instead of a loaf pan to make individual servings (the cooking time might be a few minutes less if you do this)
Nutty banana bread - add ½ cup of roasted salted peanuts, pecans or hazelnuts to the batter. You can toast the oats in a dry pan before adding them to the batter for a nuttier flavor
Spices- Add ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, cardamom, and/or cloves.
Bananas - You can use less ripe bananas, but the banana flavor will not stand out as much. If you want a richer banana flavor, use very brown bananas.

See my gluten-free version of chocolate chip banana bread on my website too.

sliced chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread

Equipment

You will need a 5 x 9-inch loaf pan to make this chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread, along with mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, a spatula, and some parchment paper.

A sliced loaf of banana bread with chocolate chips on a white surface. A bottle of milk and bunch of ripe bananas are in the background.

Storage

Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature. It should stay fresh for up to 5 days.

Another option is to freeze it wrapped in foil for up to 3 months. I like to slice the banana bread first so I only have to thaw as much as I need.

Top tip

The riper the bananas the richer and sweeter the banana bread will come out, so for the best result make sure yours are soft with plenty of brown areas on the peel.

FAQs

Can I use butter instead of canola oil?

Butter tends to yield a fluffier, moister banana bread, so I'd recommend using oil not butter.

Is this best served warm or at room temperature?

It's your choice. I like to microwave it for 20 seconds. You could also melt some butter in a skillet and toast a slice of banana bread on each side.

Can I make this without parchment paper?

The parchment paper stops the banana bread from sticking to the loaf pan so it's best to use it. In a pinch you can use foil instead.

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