Florencia Baldini Last Updated on June 14, 2026My Healthy Banana Bread recipe goes viral every single time I share it, so it was only a matter of time before I gave it a chocolate upgrade.
This version has all the things you love about the original: no flour, no butter, no refined sugar, and made with simple wholesome ingredients. But this time, I’ve added rich cacao powder and chunks of dark chocolate to make it even more indulgent.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I have a serious weakness for chocolate. So for me, this is the ultimate healthy banana bread. It’s soft, moist, naturally sweetened with ripe bananas, and packed with chocolate flavour while still being made with ingredients that leave you feeling nourished and satisfied.
Whether you’re looking for a healthier sweet treat, an easy breakfast, or a snack to enjoy with a cup of coffee, this chocolate banana bread delivers every single time. It’s simple to make, absolutely delicious, and, if you ask me, even better than the original.
One of my favourite things about this banana bread is how simple it is to make. All you need is a blender or food processor and a handful of everyday ingredients. The bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture, while the oats and almonds create a tender texture that stays soft for days.
Whether you’re trying to use up overripe bananas, looking for a healthier sweet treat, or simply want a recipe that everyone will love, this chocolate banana bread delivers every single time. Rich, chocolatey, wholesome, and absolutely buonissimo.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made without flour or butter
- Naturally sweetened with bananas and maple syrup
- Rich chocolate flavour from cacao powder and dark chocolate
- Soft, moist texture
- Easy one-bowl recipe
- Great for breakfast, snacks, or dessert
- Freezer-friendly
All The Ingredients Are From Ocado *
I switched my food shopping to Ocado a few months ago and honestly haven’t looked back. I love that I can always find exactly what I need — from good-quality frozen fruit to chia seeds, plant based milk, and a great selection of all my favourite brands, all in one place. The variety is brilliant, and it makes recipe testing so much easier when you can rely on the same brands every time. For this smoothie, I picked up everything in one shop: simple, everyday ingredients, but sourced well, and you can really taste it in the finished result.
I’m partnering with Ocado, and I’m so chuffed to be able to give you a special discount.
If you’ve never shopped with Ocado before, you can use code 30FLO on the Ocado website to get 30% off your first order plus 3 months of unlimited free deliveries. Such an amazing offer—let me know in the comments if you’ll be using it .
*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links with Ocado. I may earn a small commission if you choose to shop through my link, at no extra cost to you. As always, I only recommend brands I genuinely use and love.
Storage
Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
It also freezes beautifully. Slice the loaf before freezing so you can thaw individual portions whenever you need a healthy chocolate fix.
Top Tips
- Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best sweetness and flavour.
- Don’t overbake the loaf. It should remain slightly moist in the centre as it will continue to set while cooling.
- For an extra chocolatey finish, sprinkle a little extra chopped dark chocolate over the top before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?
Yes. Both work well in this recipe and provide natural sweetness.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, simply use certified gluten-free oats.
Can I freeze it?
Absolutely. Allow the loaf to cool completely, slice it, and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Is this banana bread suitable for breakfast?
Yes. Thanks to the oats, almonds, eggs, and bananas, it’s a more balanced option than traditional chocolate cake and makes a delicious breakfast or snack.
More Healthy Breakfast
- Healthy One-Pan Berry Baked Oats
- No Added Sugar Pear Granola (Naturally Sweetened & Easy to Make)
- Healthy Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- Raspberry Chia Pudding – 5-Ingredient Healthy Meal Prep
Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3 medium overripe bananas
- 2 eggs
- 120 g rolled oats
- 60 g ground almonds
- 25 –30 g cacao powder, unsweetened
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 70 g maple syrup, or honey
- 50 g chopped dark chocolate
- Pinch of salt, optional, but really enhances the chocolate flavour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 20 x 11.5 x 7 cm (8 x 4.5 x 2.75 inch) loaf tin with parchment paper.
- Add the bananas, eggs, rolled oats, baking soda, cacao and maple syrup to a food processor. Blitz for a few seconds, just until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared tin. Sprinkle over the chopped chocolate and gently fold it through with a spoon to distribute evenly.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until set in the centre and lightly golden on top.
- Leave to cool in the tin for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.