This Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is:
- really easy to make
- seriously moist
- mostly naturally sweetened!
As my Gluten-Free Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread recipe has been so popular, I thought it was definitely time to make a chocolate chip version!
This easy gluten-free vegan banana bread recipe is made using one bowl and simple ingredients, and is easily customisable depending on what you have on hand - you can use any type of oil and any type of plant-based milk.
Adding ground almonds to the batter helps to create a moist and fluffy texture, as well as adding extra protein and fibre, which makes it more filling.
This vegan banana bread can also be made using normal wheat flour if you don't need it to be gluten-free.
The recipe for this banana bread batter is completely naturally sweetened relying solely on the natural sweetness of the bananas. To keep it refined sugar free, you can use refined sugar free dark chocolate chips or chunks, or just leave them out completely.
Alternatively, if you prefer a sweeter banana bread, you could add some maple syrup (or any other sweetener) to the batter.
I've left the cinnamon as optional as I wasn't sure how everyone would feel about mixing cinnamon with chocolate, so you can use it depending on whether you want to or not.
For a more indulgent banana bread, you could add some fragrant desiccated coconut or earthy chopped walnuts or pecan nuts.
This chocolate chip banana bread is great for batch-cooking and meal prep as it keeps well for up to a few days and makes a filling breakfast, healthier dessert or an energising snack. I'd recommend reheating it in the toaster!
For more banana recipes, check out my:
- Blueberry Banana Bread
- Banana Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Banana Bread Muffins
- Banana Cake
- Chocolate Banana Bread
- Banana Oatmeal
- Gluten-Free Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread
If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog, I’d really love to hear any feedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.
Helpful tools to make this Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:
glass mixing bowl
measuring jug
one-pound loaf tin
baking paper
cooling rack
Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3 medium-sized ripe bananas
- 60 g (¼ cup) coconut oil (or sub olive or vegetable oil)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar* ensure gluten-free if necessary
- Pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 150 g (1 ¼ cup) ground almonds** (almond meal)
- 150 g (1 ¼ cup) gluten-free flour blend (or sub plain flour if not gluten-free)
- 2 heaped teaspoons baking power (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
- ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 120 ml (½ cup) unsweetened almond milk (or sub any other plant-based milk)
- 60 g (â…“ cup) dark chocolate chips*** (ensure vegan/gluten-free if necessary)
To decorate:
- 20 g (â…› cup) dark chocolate chips*** (ensure vegan/gluten-free if necessary)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Peel the bananas and place in a wide-bottomed bowl, then use a fork to mash until you get a smooth paste
- Place the coconut oil in a separate large bowl and melt over a saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave (skip this step if using any other oil)
- Once melted, add the vinegar to the same bowl along with the salt (and cinnamon if using) and ground almonds
- Sift in the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda
- Add the mashed bananas, and mix well, adding the milk a small amount at a time until you get a loose batter. You may not need to use it all depending on how liquidy your bananas are - you may also need to add a little more milk if your bananas are dry
- Transfer the mixture into a loaf tin lined with greased baking paper - I used a one-pound loaf tin
- Scatter over more chocolate chips to decorate
- Bake in oven for around 45 minutes until risen and golden brown and an inserted skewer comes out clean
- Once out the oven, transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely before cutting
- Keeps covered in the fridge for up to a few days - best reheated in the toaster!
Notes
Disclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase any of these products, a small percentage will come to me with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.
Claire
I've only got two bananas, will I need to change the amount of everything else? What do you suggest with only two medium bananas?
Rhian Williams
You should be able to make it with two medium bananas, you might need to add a bit of extra milk and maple a little bit of sweetener of choice. Hope that helps!
Claire
Just trying the banana loaf. I didn't have dark chocolate chips so used what was left from Christmas of my vegan white chocolate and also added half a cup of walnuts (only had two bananas and didn't need to add extra milk) It tastes delicious but it's time I invested in a new oven as everything is getting burnt lately! I covered it with foil when I saw it was burning and once out the oven just sliced off a thin layer from the top and voila a lovely cake!!
Rhian Williams
Thank you so much, glad it worked out ok! Sorry about your oven!
Claire
Rhian would you mind please letting me know what kind of oven you use? I want to get a new one but need one that's best for baking, is fan best? (By the way my banana loaf is almost gone already after less than 24hours it's that good!)
Rhian Williams
Hi Claire, thanks for asking! I use a fan oven, currently I use a britannia one which is good, but I think I preferred my old one which was an AEG one. Glad you liked the banana loaf!
Dagmar Kugler
Love your recipes. I made my own possibly too heavy AP flour, and used the cup not gram measurements. So I added a tiny bit more milk and a few tablespoons of agave (I like it sweet anyhow.)
Baking up nicely. Thanks for the great ideas.
I used to feel so lost giving up junk food. This is great.
Rhian Williams
Thank you so much, so happy to hear that!
Karen
Hey there, Thanks for this recipe! I just wanted to let you know that I used coconut flour instead of almond meal, and my own gluten/rice-free blend of flours and it worked out well. I just needed to add more liquid to account for the thirstiness of the coconut. My kids just love it!
Rhian Williams
Thank you so much, so happy to hear that!