Simple Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This Simple Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is made with caramelized brown butter, heaps of bananas, and gooey chocolate chips. It’s super moist and the perfect afternoon snack, dessert, or treat alongside a cup of coffee or tea.

I have made hundreds of loaves of banana bread over the last 14 years. It is the recipe I have analyzed the most and made the most often. I’ve conducted experiment after experiment to determine exactly what ingredients in what quantities and combinations are best.

This version of banana bread uses browned butter which browns the milk solids in the butter and brings out a caramel flavor. The browned butter is paired with brown sugar, which also has a molasses, caramel like flavor. Brown sugar does not make a big difference in the flavor profile of a regular loaf of banana bread, but it pairs nicely with browned butter in this recipe.

I use plenty of bananas for a strong banana flavor and a dense and moist banana bread. It is then topped off with lots of chocolate chips for an extravagant take on the perfect banana bread.

For more banana bread baking tips, including what bananas to choose and whether it matters if they are overripe see my Guide to Baking Homemade Banana Bread.

🗒️ Variations

Below are a few different variations of Banana Bread to consider depending on what ingredients you have on hand and what types of flavors you are going for.

• Banana Bread Without a Loaf Pan: A lighter and even fluffier version of banana bread baked in a square baking dish.
• Banana Bread with Streusel Topping: Made with sour cream, it is super moist, and topped with a sweet but simple streusel topping.
• Banana Raisin Bread: With a cinnamon swirl throughout and studded with raisins, this is like a banana version of a cinnamon raisin sweet bread.
• Banana Cake: This cake is much lighter and airier than banana bread for a cake-like texture. But it uses bananas, for a moist loaf that is topped with chocolate cream cheese frosting, great for a birthday or special treat.
• Banana Bread Frosting: For when you want an extra indulgent topping on your banana bread.

🛒 Ingredients

Below are the ingredients needed to make Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

• Butter: I use salted butter, but unsalted butter is fine too. When browned, the butter adds a nutty aroma.
• Brown Sugar: If you do not have brown sugar, you can use an equal amount of granulated sugar. Only a half cup is needed due to the added sweetness of the bananas.
• Mashed Bananas: Use ripe or overripe bananas. Add the bananas to a 4-cup measuring cup and mash with a fork or potato masher or use a hand mixer to mash (easiest). Scrape down the sides and check to make sure that the total amount comes up to the 2-cup line. Using 4-5 bananas yields a super moist chocolate chip banana bread.
• Eggs: Use large eggs, pasture-raised if possible. Using room temperature eggs helps, but it is not critical.
• Vanilla Extract: Use real vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla. Costco and other wholesale stores sell large bottles for much less per volume than the small ones at the grocery store.
• Baking Soda: For leavening.
• Salt: To bring out flavor.
• Flour: Use all-purpose, unbleached flour.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Use a cup of chocolate chips. Most brands will work. You can use semi-sweet, bittersweet, dark chocolate, or even milk chocolate chips depending on your preference. They will all work well.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

📝 How to Make Simple Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Below are the step-by-step instructions and photos for how to make Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

Aside from browning the butter, it is simply mixing all the ingredients together in one bowl, starting with the wet ingredients and ending with the dry ingredients and chocolate chips. It's super simple.

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch metal loaf pan and line it with parchment paper (do not use wax paper). Or if you prefer, butter and flour the loaf pan.

Step 1. Brown the Butter: Add half a stick of butter to a small or medium saucepan at medium heat. Stir occasionally until the butter foams and browns, about 6-8 minutes (the exact timing depends on the precise temperature and the type of pan you are using). Remove from the heat.

Step 2. Brown Butter and Brown Sugar: Add the browned butter to a large mixing bowl, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan along with the brown sugar and combine. This can be done by hand, with a hand mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Step 3. Wet Ingredients: Add the mashed bananas and eggs to the large bowl and combine. Make sure that the brown butter mixture is not hot, otherwise it will cook the eggs.

Step 4. Add Vanilla, Baking Soda, and Salt: Add a teaspoon vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt and combine.

Dry Ingredients:

Step 5. Add the Flour: Add the flour and use a large spoon to combine the flour with the banana bread batter by hand until just combined. This helps to prevent overmixing.

Step 6. Add the Chocolate Chips: Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir by hand to gently combine.

Step 7. Assemble: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Top with additional chocolate chips, if desired.

Step 7. Bake: Bake the banana bread at 350°F for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

This may take a few tries as it can be hard to tell with the melted chocolate in the banana bread. Look for the top of the banana bread to be a deep golden brown and the center, where the banana bread has cracked, to be fully set without any soft batter.

❄️ To Serve, Store, and Freeze

• To Serve: Cut into 8 thick slices, then cut each slice in half for 16 servings. Serve on its own, with a cup of milk, tea, or coffee. This can be eaten alongside an indulgent brunch, as an afternoon snack or as dessert.
• To Store: Store in the loaf pan covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap or sealed in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
• To Freeze: Banana Bread freezes and thaws incredibly well. Either cut individual slices or place any uncut leftovers in a freezer bag with as much air pressed out as possible and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight or let thaw on the counter. You can also gently reheat the banana bread in the microwave at a low power level.

💖 If You're Interested in More Banana Treats, You May Enjoy These:

If you've tried this Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or any other recipe on my site, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I'd love to hear from you!