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This Paleo Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread is sweetened only with bananas for a guiltless treat that tastes just like traditional banana bread! This is an easy recipe you’ll come back to again and again. This paleo banana bread is also gluten-free, grain free, and sugar-free.
**2017 Update** This recipe has been a favorite since it’s initial publishing in August of 2014 – I’ve made it SO many times, always to rave reviews, and I know so many of you love it too! This well-loved recipe deserved some new photos, so it got a makeover!
Of course, the recipe remains the same as when it was originally published, as does the original post text below. If you haven’t tried this one yet…what are you waiting for?!
I originally was not going to post this recipe on Bakerita, not only because I already have way too many banana bread recipes on this site, but also because 80% of them include chocolate in some way. Oops. #sorrynotsorry
But…after I made it, and it got devoured within mere hours, with everyone having no idea it was grain-free and no sugar added (besides the chocolate), I decided it needed to be posted. And YEAH, you read that right – this banana bread has NO sugar added.
Because THIS banana bread is sweetened only with bananas. Of course, I ruined the sugar free thing by adding chunks of chopped chocolate (so much better than chocolate chips guys – try it), but who can resist big melted chocolate chunks in their banana bread?!?
Leave the chocolate out though (or make your own batch of paleo chocolate), and this stuff is totally paleo-friendly, grain-free, gluten-free, no sugar added, soy-free…I can’t think of any more “frees” but I’m sure it totally could apply to more diet categories too.
I was eating slivers of this banana bread with some of the chocolate coconut almond butter that I used in the recipe as well. It was so beyond good, guys. The banana flavor comes through better than most recipes I’ve made, and they also add so much moisture and keep the bread super tender. The touch of cinnamon adds that extra bit of warmth too. SO good.
I absolutely love how guilt-free this stuff is while tasting so insanely decadent. AND – it’s easy. I hate when quick batters take forever to come together, so it makes me happy that this one doesn’t take more than a few minutes of measuring and stirring ingredients together. No need to worry about overmixing either, since there’s no gluten in this recipe!
Paleo Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread Recipe
This Paleo Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread is a standout, even among all my other banana bread recipes. Since I posted this recipe back during my senior year of college, it’s been made countless times in my kitchen, in my sister’s kitchen, and in hundreds (maybe thousands?) of your kitchens! Tons of you have let me know that it’s a staple for you and your familys. I believe my favorite way to enjoy a slice is warmed up for about 15-20 seconds in the microwave, either plain or with a tiny bit of almond butter drizzled on top…swooooon!
If you’re one of the folks that haven’t yet tried this Paleo Banana Bread, I think it’s time to change that! You’re going to love this moist, flavorful, just-sweet-enough banana bread. Get the recipe below, get to baking, and enjoy each and every bite.
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Paleo Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 4 bananas, 2 ½ cups mashed or 575 grams
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup 140 grams almond butter, or any nut butter of your choice
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- ½ cup 75 grams coconut flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of sea salt
- 6 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (see Notes for recommendation to keep 100% Paleo)
Instructions
- Grease one 9"x5" loaf pan (or 8"x8" square pan, which is what I used) and preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- In a large bowl or mixer, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, coconut oil, vanilla extract and nut butter until fully combined.
- Add the coconut flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt to the wet ingredients and mix well. Fold in the chocolate chunks.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes if using a square pan, and 50-60 if using a loaf pan. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, and when you press down lightly on the loaf, it should spring back, not stay indented. If a toothpick comes out clean but the loaf isn't springing back, keep it in the oven until it does to ensure it's baked through.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for about 1/2 hour. Flip out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Notes
Want more banana bread?! Try these other outrageously delicious banana bread recipes…
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Paleo Cinnamon Streusel Banana Bread
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And it’s not quite banana bread…but I think you’ll love this Banana Bread Pecan Almond Butter!
This is really great! I added one shredded zucchini b/c I needed to use one up and left out the chocolate b/c we’ve been eating enough of that lately. It’s really awesome even with those changes! Thanks for the great recipe!
Awesome, I’m so glad you liked the recipe Chrissy! Thanks for letting everyone know how it turned out with the changes you made.
I’m not a baker in fact baking and I don’t mix. I made this recipe and holy moly it’s good! I made muffins instead of bread baked for 20 minutes and they are perfect. I’ve scarfed down two already and I’m eyeing a third. Thank you for sharing this…I’ve missed banana bread since going grain and sugar free.
Quick question, where are you getting grain free baking powder? I’ve seen a couple of ‘paleo’ recipes with baking powder recently. The baking powder I have contains maize starch….
Hi Janice! If you’re concerned about grain free baking powder, you can make your own at home with just 3 ingredients to ensure it’s grain free.
This recipe looks so good! I just started eating Paleo and I’m missing chocolate. I checked the link you provided for the recipe to make your own Paleo chocolate, but it states that it is not for baking. Have you (or anyone else out there) had success using this in baking? I really want to make this recipe!
I’ve made this recipe several times!! It’s a massive hit in our household. Simple to make and by far the best banana bread recipe out there!!
Awesome, I’m so glad that you like it Lucie!! Thanks for reporting back :)
I made this on Sunday at about 11am by Sunday night it was almost gone I made it in a 9×11 pan and my hubs that HATES bananas was getting some every time he came in the kitchen as was I. It will be made for gathering ONLY I can’t be trusted with this in the house.
I make this recipe at least once a month. I sometimes skip the chocolate or add just a little. I add chunks of pear or apple, with added cinnamon. Once I added caramelized ginger. This recipe is awesome.
I’m fairly new to paleo baking. What do you grease your pans with? I’m guessing that shortening is out?
Thanks!
Hi Laurie! I usually use coconut oil cooking spray, but a little melted coconut oil can be used also. Enjoy :)
Is it better to use almond butter, because it has a weaker flavour?
Hi Anya. Yes, almond butter is recommended to use in this recipe, but other nut butters may be substituted based on personal preference.
I absolutely looove this recipe. I have made it so many times now. And now that I have been struck down with the dreaded gestational diabetes it’s become a real life saver for when I crave sweets, which is most of the time! I just substitute five or six packets of splenda for the honey in the paleo chocolate chunks and it tastes just as good and doesn’t raise my blood sugar at all.
That is amazing to hear – and thanks so much for sharing your chocolate trick for others who may be in a similar situation! So glad you love this recipe, it’s a favorite of mine too. Thanks, Lexi!