Chocolate Chip Protein Banana Bread (Printer View)

Wholesome banana bread with protein and dark chocolate chips, naturally sweet and free from refined sugar.

# Components:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
04 - ¼ cup melted coconut oil or light olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

06 - 1½ cups whole wheat flour
07 - ⅓ cup vanilla or unflavored protein powder
08 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
09 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
10 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Add-ins

12 - ½ cup dark chocolate chips, 70% cocoa, no added sugar
13 - ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth. Whisk in eggs, maple syrup or honey, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
03 - In a separate medium bowl, combine flour, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk together to distribute evenly.
04 - Pour dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix; small lumps are acceptable.
05 - Gently fold chocolate chips and nuts, if using, into the batter until evenly distributed.
06 - Transfer batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top and sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top if desired.
07 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few melted chocolate streaks.
08 - Allow bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and chocolatey without the guilt of refined sugar or weird aftertaste.
  • The protein powder blends so seamlessly you'd never know it's there, making this genuinely feel like real banana bread, not a health food compromise.
  • One slice with coffee becomes your favorite part of breakfast, and suddenly meal prep feels less like a chore.
02 -
  • Overmixing is the most common mistake and it will make your bread dense and tough, so stop stirring the moment you don't see dry flour anymore.
  • Not all protein powders are equal; some are chalky or have weird aftertastes, so taste-test yours first or ask a friend who uses it what they think.
03 -
  • Use frozen bananas that have thawed for even more intense banana flavor and a slightly moister crumb, since they release more liquid than fresh ones.
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more smoothly and create better texture than cold ones straight from the fridge, so pull everything out 15 minutes before you start.
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