Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

Imagine the irresistible aroma of freshly baked banana bread wafting through your kitchen — now add the creamy richness of peanut butter and the melty magic of chocolate chips. This Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is a sweet, nutty, chocolate-studded treat that tastes like something straight out of a bakery, but it’s shockingly simple to whip up at home.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is that it transforms kitchen staples into a loaf that tastes both familiar and fresh. Every ingredient pulls its weight, creating a loaf that’s full of flavor, perfectly moist, and studded with gooey chocolate chips.

• All-Purpose Flour: This forms the sturdy backbone of the bread, balancing out all the moisture from bananas and applesauce.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the loaf and helps with that golden, lightly crisped crust.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Our leavening duo, giving the bread its beautiful rise and lightness.
• Salt: A pinch sharpens every flavor and keeps things from tasting flat.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Just a teaspoon infuses cozy warmth — or swap for cinnamon if you prefer.
• Mashed Bananas: Ripe, spotty bananas are the unsung hero here; the riper, the better for bold banana flavor and natural moisture.
• Applesauce: This sneaky little ingredient keeps the bread extra-moist and cuts back on oil, plus it adds a subtle fruitiness.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Choose your favorite brand — classic, creamy peanut butter infuses every crumb with nutty, melt-in-your-mouth richness.
• Canola or Vegetable Oil: Just a bit gives the bread a tender, soft texture that stays that way for days.
• Eggs: These help bind the batter and contribute to that springy crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the sweetness and brings all the flavors together.
• Miniature Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Tiny chips mean more melt and chocolate in every bite; swap in peanut butter chips for even more nuttiness!

Variations

This Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is endlessly adaptable, so feel free to put your own delicious spin on it! With a few creative swaps or additions, you can make it suit your tastes, dietary needs, or whatever ingredients you have handy.

• Make It Vegan: Replace the eggs with flax eggs and choose a plant-based peanut butter and chocolate chips for a vegan-friendly loaf.
• Nut-Free Twist: Use sunflower seed butter in place of peanut butter and allergy-safe chocolate chips for a nut-free treat.
• Go Whole Grain: Swap half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour for added fiber and a subtle earthy taste.
• Add Crunch: Stir in chopped roasted peanuts or walnuts for a delightful contrast to the soft crumb.
• Mix Up the Chips: Try white chocolate, dark chocolate, or peanut butter chips, or even a mix for something new every time.

How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pans & Preheat

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for perfectly even baking. Give two 8×4-inch loaf pans a generous mist of nonstick spray — this helps guarantee your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread pops out effortlessly. (If you have mini loaf pans, those work too. This recipe makes enough batter to fill four or even five mini pans.)

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. You want to break up any clumps so your bread stays fluffy and light, and every bite is packed with that spiced-sweet flavor.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a second bowl, mash your bananas until nearly smooth, then mix in the applesauce, creamy peanut butter, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk well until everything is gloriously smooth and fully combined — this batter smells like heaven already!

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour your wet banana-peanut butter mixture into the flour mixture. Using a rubber spatula or a big wooden spoon, gently fold everything together just until combined. Then, stir in the miniature chocolate chips (and save a few for topping, if you want bakery-style looks!)

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans — each one should be about halfway full. Sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips over the top for extra chocolatey flair. Bake for 45–50 minutes, loosely covering the loaves with foil in the last 15 minutes so they don’t over-brown. When a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with no wet batter, it’s done!

Step 6: Cool & Enjoy

Let your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread cool in the pans for about 15–20 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Slicing into a loaf while it’s still warm (with butter!) is pure bliss, but it’s just as tasty at room temperature.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Garnishes

Take your slices to the next level by spreading them with a little extra peanut butter, a drizzle of honey, or even a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top. For dessert vibes, add a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar. And those extra chocolate chips you sprinkled on before baking? They’ll create a dessert-worthy look all on their own.

Side Dishes

This bread is a comfy breakfast or snack all by itself, but pairs beautifully with a mug of hot coffee, creamy latte, or even an ice-cold glass of milk. Serve it alongside Greek yogurt and fresh berries for a more filling morning meal, or pack a slice in your lunchbox with an apple and a handful of nuts for an afternoon treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or brunches, slice the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread into thick fingers and arrange them on a platter with small bowls of peanut butter and chocolate hazelnut spread for dipping. Mini loaves or muffins also make charming edible gifts — just tie them up with a ribbon and add a handwritten label for a homemade touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread will stay wonderfully moist for days! Once completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm or humid, the fridge will stretch its freshness for another couple of days.

Freezing

This loaf freezes like a dream. For ultimate convenience, slice the bread and wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then tuck them in a freezer bag. Pull out a slice (or three) whenever the craving strikes! Let them thaw at room temperature, or give them a quick zap in the microwave.

Reheating

A quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave brings cold or frozen slices back to life, making the chocolate chips gooey and irresistible. For a crisp edge, toast slices lightly before serving. Whichever route you choose, slather with butter or peanut butter for pure comfort.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you adore the classic flavors of banana bread, but crave something a little extra-special, this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread might just become your new go-to loaf. Every bite is pure comfort — sweet, soft, nutty, and absolutely loaded with chocolate. Give it a try and share the deliciousness with someone you love (or keep both loaves for yourself — that’s a baker’s secret!).

Print