Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Coconut

Need a new spin on banana bread?  You can go wrong with our recipe for Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Coconut!

This delicious Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Coconut is a fun twist on plain old boring Banana Bread. Your kids will love it for breakfast or a snack!  It’s great for on-the-go breakfasts and as a lunch box snack.

There has never been a question that Ethan would eat one of my muffins or a slice of my quick bread – until now.  He refuses my Banana Bread almost as often as he refuses fresh bananas.  {Sigh}.  It’s a constant struggle to get him to try new foods, and now he’s rejecting some of the foods he’s always eaten.

Plus there are the pesky bananas that always seem to linger at the end of the week.  I’ve tried several banana bread variations, and his favorite so far has been the Chocolate Chip Zucchini Banana Bread – no doubt thanks to the chunks of dark chocolate.

I came across this recipe from A Spicy Perspective and decided to give it a go. I am sold. 

It’s moist and delicious.  I made a few minor changes to the recipe, toasting the coconut first so it’s crispy instead of chewy, and adding the chocolate chips.  To make up for the extra sugar I added with the chocolate chips, I cut a little out and substituted some of the white flour for whole wheat.  I’m not sure this qualifies as a “healthy” recipe, but it works for my family….

Ethan loves this Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Coconut.  Of course, Olivia loves all food, and this is no exception.  Even Mr. Juggling Act – who is not a big coconut fan – said, in between bites, ‘it’s not bad.’  I’m especially excited, too, because Ethan hasn’t really had coconut either, and didn’t seem to mind it at all.  We have a winner folks!

Shopping List:

• Sugar
• Butter
• Applesauce
• Eggs
• Ripe Bananas
• Flour
• Whole Wheat Flour
• Baking Soda
• Cinnamon
• Baking Powder
• Shredded Coconut
• Mini Chocolate Chips

Items You May Also Need:

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• 9×5 Baking Pan
• 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set
• Spatula
• Stand Mixer
• Serving Plate and Utensils

For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.

What is the Size of a Loaf Pan?

Traditional loaf pans are around 8 inches long, but you’ll want to note that this recipe calls for a 9×5 pan  That’s because this recipe is more batter than a standard banana bread recipe.  Here’s the break down:

• 8 x 4 x 2 1/2 inch pan is best for 4 cups of batter
• 8 1/2×4 1/2×2 1/2 is best for 6 cups of batter
• 9 x 5 x 3 inches is best for 8 cups of batter

I adore these 9×5 Long Loaf Pans which I have had since 2012!  They are super affordable (in my opinion), and have held up to weekly baking. 

Can You Make Banana Bread in a Glass Pan?

Yes, you can use a glass pan, but keep in mind you may need to adjust the cooking time.  And again, refer to the pan sizes above and be sure you’re using the right size for your recipe.

Tips To Make the Best Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

• Use overly ripe bananas – the more ripe, the sweeter they are, so adjust the sugar if needed.
• Mash the bananas before you put them in the mixer so that they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
• Always grease your bread pan well.  I like to using coconut oil or butter best.

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Coconut

 

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Coconut

Forget boring banana bread recipes! One bite, and this Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Coconut will become your new favorite recipe!

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Prep Time: 10 minutes

Author: Ang Paris - Juggling Act Mama

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 stick of softened butter
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 2 large or 3 small very ripe bananas smashed
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350-degrees and grease and flour a 9X5 loaf pan.
• Add the coconut to a large non-stick skillet and toast over medium high heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs. Mix in the smashed bananas and applesauce.
• In another bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients, then slowly add it to the wet ingredients. Fold in the coconut and chocolate chips.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325-degrees and bake another 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
• Let the bread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, before turning out onto a cooling rack.
• Leftovers, if there are any, will keep best in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator.
• Note, I used my Long Loaf Pans which I adore. The bread doesn't need to cook for quite as long, and the slices are just right for my little ones!

Notes

Adapted from A Spicy Perspective

How I Made this Recipe Healthier:

• Instead of 1 cup of sugar, I use 3/4 cup.  When you use super ripe bananas, the bread will be sweeter.  You won’t miss the extra 1/4 cup at all!
• I swapped out the vegetable oil for applesauce.  This helps give it a nice moist texture and cuts out the trans fats.
• Instead of 2 cups all-purpose flour, I’m using 1-1/4 cups and adding in 3/4 cups of whole wheat flour.  The nuttiness goes well in this recipe.

Other Banana Bread Variations:

• Add in a 1/2 cup of your favorite chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans or almonds.
• Reduce the chocolate chips by half and add in 1/2 cup of toffee bits.
• Omit the coconut and add in 1/2 cup of fresh raspberries for blueberries.

If you give it a try, be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you think, or post a pic on Instagram and tag me at @jugglingactmama and use hashtag #JugglingActMama.

If you like this Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Coconut recipe, check out some more of my favorite breakfast recipes:

Spinach & Strawberry Green Smoothie Bowl

Raspberry Cream Cheese Muffins

Here are some other delicious quick bread recipes:

• Pumpkin Zucchini Bread – Shugary Sweets
• Strawberry Quick Bread – An Italian in my Kitchen
• Apricot Pecan Quick Bread – Let’s Dish