Classic Guilt-Free Chocolate Banana Bread Delight Without Oil
This delicious and healthy chocolate banana bread uses ripe bananas and applesauce for moisture, making it a guilt-free treat perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Equipment
- Oven
- Loaf Pan (9x5 inch)
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Fork
- Whisk
- Medium Bowl
- Spatula or Wooden Spoon
- Wooden Skewer or Toothpick
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3-4 Ripe Bananas very ripe, with dark spots
- 2 large Eggs
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Applesauce or Greek Yogurt
- 1/4 cup Maple Syrup or Honey
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
Fold-in
- 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips dairy-free if preferred
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x5 inch loaf pan by greasing or lining it with parchment paper.
Mixing Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, mash ripe bananas until mostly smooth.
- Add eggs, applesauce (or Greek yogurt), maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas, then whisk until well combined.
Mixing Dry Ingredients
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, ensuring no cocoa powder lumps remain.
Combining Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Baking
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Ensure bananas are very ripe for the best flavor and moisture. Do not overmix the batter, as this can lead to a tough banana bread.