This banana chocolate chip bread turns ripe bananas, a box of yellow cake mix, and chocolate chips into an easy homemade loaf. With just three main ingredients, plus mini chocolate chips for the top, it’s a simple way to use those bananas sitting on your counter. There’s no need to measure flour or add the eggs, oil, and water called for on the cake mix box.
The bananas bring the flavor and moisture, while the cake mix keeps the preparation easy. Stir everything together in one bowl, spread the batter into a greased loaf pan, and finish with a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips before baking.
My Experience Making This Easy Banana Bread
I made this banana chocolate chip bread as part of a little cake mix baking series, and I filmed a separate video for each recipe. Along with this banana version, I also made pumpkin chocolate chip bread and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
What I like about this idea is how little preparation it takes. For the banana bread, you mash the bananas right in your mixing bowl, stir in the dry cake mix and chocolate chips, and your batter is ready for the pan. The mini chocolate chips on top give it that extra chocolate finish without adding another complicated step.
If you’re in the mood for fall baking, try my pumpkin chocolate chip bread next. It uses the same easy cake mix approach with pumpkin in place of bananas. And if you prefer a cookie to a slice of bread, my pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are another fun recipe in the series.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Three main ingredients: Yellow cake mix, mashed bananas, and chocolate chips make the batter.
One-bowl preparation: Mash and mix in the same bowl for an easy cleanup.
A use for ripe bananas: Those soft, spotted bananas are just what you want here.
No separate eggs or oil: Follow this recipe rather than the preparation directions on the cake mix box.
Chocolate in every slice: Chocolate chips go into the batter, with mini chips sprinkled over the top.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Classic yellow cake mix: Use one box of dry cake mix. You do not need the additional ingredients listed on the package.
Mashed bananas: You’ll need 1½ cups, usually about 3–4 bananas depending on their size. Measure after mashing so you get the right amount. Choose ripe bananas that are soft and have plenty of brown spots.
Chocolate chips: One cup goes into the batter. Use the chocolate chips you enjoy most with banana.
Mini chocolate chips: Sprinkle these over the batter before baking. The amount depends on how much chocolate you’d like on top.
How to Make Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
- Preheat and prepare the pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a loaf pan.
- Mash the bananas. Place the bananas in a mixing bowl and mash until they have an applesauce-like consistency. Measure out 1½ cups of mashed banana.
- Add the dry cake mix. Stir the cake mix into the mashed bananas. Do not prepare it according to the box directions.
- Mix in the chocolate chips. Add 1 cup of chocolate chips and stir until everything is combined and no dry pockets of cake mix remain.
- Fill the pan. Spoon the batter into the greased loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Add the topping. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the surface.
- Bake. Bake for approximately 40–45 minutes, checking the center before removing the loaf. A toothpick should come out without wet batter; melted chocolate on the toothpick is okay.
- Cool before slicing. Let the bread cool enough to handle before removing it from the pan, then allow it to cool further before cutting into slices.
Tips & Tricks
- Measure the mashed banana. Banana sizes vary, so 3–4 bananas are a guide. The 1½-cup measurement is what matters.
- Use ripe bananas. Soft, spotted bananas are easier to mash and have a sweeter banana flavor than firm, underripe ones.
- Combine the batter thoroughly without overmixing. Stir until the dry cake mix is incorporated, then stop. You don’t need an electric mixer.
- Check the middle of the loaf. A browned top doesn’t always mean the center is finished. Insert your toothpick into the center and try another spot if you hit a chocolate chip.
- Treat the baking time as a guide. The size and material of your loaf pan, your oven, and the size of your cake mix box can affect the baking time. Start checking at 40 minutes and continue baking if the center still has wet batter.
- Cover the top if needed. If the top is getting too dark before the center is baked, loosely tent it with foil and continue baking.
- Give it time to cool. A hot loaf is more delicate and can be difficult to slice neatly.
FAQs
Storage & Reheating
Let the bread cool completely before wrapping it or placing it in an airtight container.
At room temperature: Store in a cool spot for up to 2 days.
In the refrigerator: Keep tightly wrapped or in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
In the freezer: Wrap individual slices or the cooled loaf tightly, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw slices as you need them.
To warm a slice: Microwave briefly in short intervals until it reaches your preferred temperature. The chocolate chips can become hot, so check before taking a bite.
Serving Suggestions
Serve a slice with your morning coffee, tuck it into an afternoon snack plate, or enjoy it as a simple dessert. It’s delicious on its own, or you can gently warm a slice to soften the chocolate chips.
For a seasonal baking spread, serve it alongside pumpkin chocolate chip bread or a plate of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
Recipe at a Glance
Cake mix banana chocolate chip bread is an easy loaf made with one box of yellow cake mix, 1½ cups mashed ripe bananas, and 1 cup chocolate chips. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top and bake at 350°F for approximately 40–45 minutes, or until the center is baked through. No additional eggs, oil, or water are added.
Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
An easy banana chocolate chip bread made with yellow cake mix, mashed ripe bananas, and chocolate chips. One bowl, three main ingredients, and no added eggs or oil.
Ingredients
- 1 box classic yellow cake mix
- 1½ cups mashed ripe bananas, about 3–4 bananas
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Mini chocolate chips, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan.
- Mash the bananas to an applesauce-like consistency. Measure 1½ cups into a mixing bowl.
- Add the dry cake mix and chocolate chips. Stir until combined and no dry pockets remain.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the batter.
- Bake for approximately 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out without wet batter. Melted chocolate on the toothpick is okay.
- Allow the loaf to cool before removing it from the pan and slicing.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 310Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 388mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 3gSugar: 36gProtein: 3g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
