Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

There’s something magical about banana bread—it’s comforting, delicious, and incredibly easy to make. But when you take it up a notch with brown butter and chocolate chips, you’re in for an absolute treat. This brown butter chocolate chip banana bread is a game-changer, offering a rich, nutty depth of flavor with melty chocolate in every bite. If you have overripe bananas sitting on your counter, don’t let them go to waste—turn them into this incredible homemade treat!

Why Brown Butter?

Brown butter, also known as beurre noisette, is regular butter that has been gently heated until the milk solids caramelize, giving it a deep golden color and a rich, nutty aroma. This extra step makes all the difference in baking, especially in a recipe like banana bread. The toasted, caramel-like flavor of brown butter enhances the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and complements the warm notes of cinnamon and vanilla.

The Perfect Combination: Banana, Chocolate, and Brown Butter

Banana bread is already a beloved classic, but adding brown butter and chocolate chips elevates it to another level. The moisture from the mashed bananas keeps the bread soft and tender, while the chocolate chips create gooey pockets of sweetness in every bite. The brown butter ties everything together, giving the loaf an indulgent flavor profile that makes it irresistible.

Now, let’s dive into how to make this decadent brown butter chocolate chip banana bread!

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this banana bread, you’ll need:

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 to 4 ripe bananas (about 385g), mashed – The riper, the better! Overripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture.

• 150g honey – A natural sweetener that enhances the flavor without being overpowering.

• 113g unsalted butter (browned) – The key to that rich, nutty taste.

• 2 large eggs – Helps bind the ingredients and gives the bread structure.

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – Adds warmth and enhances all the flavors.

• 120g Greek yogurt – Keeps the bread extra moist and tender.

Dry Ingredients:

• 165g all-purpose flour – The base of the banana bread.

• 1 teaspoon baking soda – Helps the bread rise and creates a light texture.

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon – Adds a touch of warmth and spice.

• ½ teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall taste.

• 100g chocolate chips – For delicious pockets of melty chocolate in every bite.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

2. Brown the Butter

• In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

• Continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and starts emitting a nutty aroma.

• Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning, and let it cool slightly before adding it to the batter.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, honey, browned butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and Greek yogurt until well combined.

4. Combine the Dry Ingredients

• Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to the wet mixture.

• Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold the ingredients together. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the banana bread dense instead of soft and tender.

5. Add the Chocolate Chips

• Fold in most of the chocolate chips, saving a few for sprinkling on top before baking.

6. Bake the Banana Bread

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

• Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top for an extra chocolatey finish.

• Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

7. Cool & Serve

• Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.

• Slice and enjoy warm, preferably with a cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk!

Tips for the Best Banana Bread

1. Use Extra Ripe Bananas
   The more ripe and spotty your bananas are, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. If your bananas aren’t ripe enough, try placing them in a warm oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for 10-15 minutes until they soften.

2. Don’t Skip the Brown Butter
   It’s tempting to just melt the butter and call it a day, but browning it adds so much more depth to the banana bread. Take the extra few minutes—it’s worth it!

3. Don’t Overmix the Batter
   Overmixing leads to dense banana bread. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined for a soft, tender crumb.

4. Use High-Quality Chocolate Chips
   Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips work best, as they balance out the sweetness of the bananas and honey. If you prefer, you can also chop up a chocolate bar for bigger chocolate chunks.

5. Customize Your Loaf

• Add chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) for extra crunch.

• Swap honey for maple syrup if you want a slightly different sweetness.

• Stir in a pinch of nutmeg for an even warmer spice profile.

How to Store & Freeze Banana Bread

• At Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• In the Fridge: Wrap the banana bread in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to a week.

• Freezing: Slice the bread and wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Simply thaw a slice at room temperature or warm it up in the microwave for a quick treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Moist & Fluffy – Thanks to Greek yogurt and ripe bananas.
Rich & Buttery Flavor – The brown butter makes it stand out.
Easy to Make – No fancy equipment required, just one bowl!
Perfect for Breakfast or Dessert – Enjoy it with coffee or as a sweet snack.

Final Thoughts

This brown butter chocolate chip banana bread is the ultimate comfort food. Whether you’re making it for a cozy weekend treat, a special brunch, or just to use up overripe bananas, this recipe is sure to impress. The combination of rich brown butter, sweet bananas, and melty chocolate makes every bite pure bliss.

Must try Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie Recipe

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

Rich and moist brown butter chocolate chip banana bread with a nutty flavor, melty chocolate, and ripe bananas. Perfect for breakfast or dessert!

Type: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keywords: Brown Butter Banana Bread, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Moist Banana Bread, Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Recipe Yield: 1 loaf (8-10 slices)

Calories: 250 per slice (based on 10 slices)

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 50-60 minutes

Total Time: 65-75 minutes

Recipe Ingredients:

• 100g chocolate chips
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 165g all-purpose flour
• 120g Greek yogurt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 113g unsalted butter, browned
• 150g honey
• 385g ripe bananas (3-4 bananas), mashed

Recipe Instructions:

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Brown the Butter:

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and starts emitting a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning, and let it cool slightly before adding it to the batter.

Mix the Wet Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, honey, browned butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and Greek yogurt until well combined.

Combine the Dry Ingredients:

Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to the wet mixture. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold the ingredients together. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the banana bread dense instead of soft and tender.

Add the Chocolate Chips:

Fold in most of the chocolate chips, saving a few for sprinkling on top before baking.

Bake the Banana Bread:

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top for an extra chocolatey finish. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.