Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread

An easy recipe for Paleo Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips from the Whole Smiths brought to you by New Barn Organic Almondmilk. This healthy banana bread is sure to become a family favorite around the house! 

A loaf of grain-free Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread in a white ceramic loaf pan

With this easy Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread, breakfast will be something to look forward to every morning.

Oh bejeezus you guys. I can’t even tell you how freaking amazing this recipe for paleo banana bread turned out. For reals. The only way you are going to know is when you make it for yourself.

Luckily it’s the easiest banana bread recipe ever to make and you probably already have all of the ingredients in your kitchen.

As you may (or may not) know, paleo baking is usually my nemesis. I find that so often paleo baking recipes require a zillion different flours and ingredients to create a sub-par version of it’s gluten-y cousin.

It takes forever and even when I follow the directions to a “T”, the recipe flops. It drives me… bananas!

paleo banana bread batter in a white ceramic loaf pan

Which is why when I create a paleo baking recipe, like this Chocolate Banana Bread, it’s got to be easy and not contain a zillion ingredients.

I don’t want you to have to search high and low for monkey bone flour (that’s not a real thing.. don’t worry.. or is it?). It also means it’s going to be freaking amazing. Like super amazing.

Like so amazing you can give it to your friends and they won’t even know that it’s grain-free. And this paleo banana bread recipe is all of that. In fact, I dare you to make this for a friend and see if they can tell it’s paleo.

close-up of a loaf of paleo chocolate banana bread in a white loaf pan

No refined sugar – my paleo banana bread is naturally sweetened! 

There’s minimal sweeteners in this recipe as it’s sweetened naturally by mostly banana.

I also used New Barn Organic Almond Milk in place of traditional dairy.

Throughout my paleo baking endeavors, I’ve found no difference subbing in almond milk for “regular” milk. As far as which variety of New Barn Organic Almondmilk I used, I stuck with the Unsweetened variety for this one.

The truth of the matter however is that any of their varieties would work equally well in this recipe. Whether it’s the Barista, Vanilla or Unsweetened Vanilla, they would all work equally well.

Here’s another reason I love my New Barn Almondmilk in respects to baking… the ingredients are so pure. There’s no funky additives, stabilizers etc.

Their Unsweetened version is so clean it’s even Whole30 compliant. Because here’s what… if I’m going to to go through the trouble to bake myself a clean treat at home I don’t need anything funky monkeying it up. You feel me?

A slice of grain-free Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread with the remaining loaf on the side

I wanted this recipe for paleo banana bread to be clean for you and your family. It’s still a treat, I wouldn’t eat the entire loaf in one sitting, but it’s something you can feel good about putting into your body.

I don’t need no carrageenan messing with my Chocolate Banana Bread mojo.

You can find the entire line of New Barn Organic Almondmilks at your local Whole Foods or use their store finder HERE. Next time you’re there, make sure to check the refrigerated section for them.

A slice of grain-free Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread on a white plate

Ok, on to the recipe for paleo banana bread.

I promised you it would be easy so I don’t have too many cooking notes for you here.

Tips for making Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread: 

  • I like to use Grade B maple syrup, which has a more intense flavor. Instead of maple syrup, you can use honey.
  • Paleo-friendly cocoa powder is available in some grocery stores and online. Select a powder that is unsweetened and non-alkaline (NOT processed with alkali and NOT dutch-processed). The only ingredient on the package should be 100% (ideally organic) natural cocoa powder.
  • When using a skewer or toothpick to check for doneness, check in more than one place. If you stick the tester into a chunk of banana rather than the batter, you could get a false reading.

How ripe should bananas be for making paleo banana bread?

As far as the bananas go, make sure they’re ripe. Personally, I find the best bananas for baking usually have a lot of good brown spots on them. Not too many that they seem spoiled but a heavy amount, enough that you think to yourself. “Do I want to eat this plain, are they a little too ripe?”. Those bananas, those are the bananas that are perfect for this recipe.

ripe bananas on a kitchen counter ready to be used in recipe for paleo banana bread

Which chocolate chips are the best for healthy baking?

As far as what mini chocolate chips any will work but I like to check my ingredients on these and use “clean” ones. You’d be surprised at how many additives can be thrown into one little chocolate chip.

But the choice is yours and it will be delicious either way. Feel free to sprinkle a few extra on the top as well.

What else… hmm. I’m trying to think but truly this recipe for paleo banana bread is easy. If you can mash, and I believe you all can, you can make this recipe.

Is this a recipe I can bake with my kids?

I’m going to suggest this recipe would be a great recipe to make with the kiddos. And I’m not a fan of cooking with my kids. Is that terrible for a healthy food blown mom to admit? It is. But it’s the truth.

At 5 & 7 they make a huge mess and usually end up arguing about who gets to do what. And I end up with a headache and moment of regret. But this recipe should be ok.

There’s minimal steps and just a couple of “cool” ingredients i.e. chocolate chips and bananas for them to fight over. Personally, I think the New Barn Almondmilk is the coolest ingredient but maybe that’s just me. 😉

Can I Bake Paleo Banana Muffins with this banana bread recipe instead?

 I see no reason why this wouldn’t work! Be sure to line your muffin tin with paper liners and coat them generously with some nonstick spray to prevent sticking.

I suggest you keep the temperature at 350 degrees F and start checking at the 15-minute mark to be extra super safe. Remove the paleo banana muffins as soon as the tops are golden and spring back lightly when touched. 

A toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin should come out clean.

Ok, enough yammering. Onto the recipe for paleo banana bread!

For more paleo baked goods, check out: 

A grain-free Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread from the Whole Smiths brought to you by New Barn Organic Almondmilk. This recipe is sure to become a family favorite around the house! Gluten-Free.

A grain-free Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread from the Whole Smiths brought to you by New Barn Organic Almondmilk. This recipe is sure to become a family favorite around the house! Gluten-Free.
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4.75 from 8 votes

Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread

A grain-free Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread from the Whole Smiths brought to you by New Barn Organic Almondmilk. This recipe is sure to become a family favorite around the house! Gluten-free.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Paleo
Keyword: banana bread with chocolate, healthy banana bread recipe, paleo banana bread recipe
Servings: 4 -6
Author: The Whole Smiths

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 2 tablespoons New Barn Organic Almondmilk
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder baking
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350* F and lightly grease a loaf pan.
  • In a large bowl add the bananas and almond milk and mash them well using a fork until incorporated.
  • Add the almond flour, coconut flour, maple syrup, cocoa powder, eggs, baking powder, vinegar, and vanilla to the bowl and stir to combine thoroughly.
  • Add the chocolate chips to the bowl and stir to combine.
  • Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Let rest 30 minutes prior to serving.

Notes

  • I like to use Grade B maple syrup, which has a more intense flavor. Instead of maple syrup, you can use honey.
  • Paleo-friendly cocoa powder is available in some grocery stores and online. Select a powder that is unsweetened and non-alkaline (NOT processed with alkali and NOT dutch-processed). The only ingredient on the package should be 100% (ideally organic) natural cocoa powder.
  • When using a skewer or toothpick to check for doneness, check in more than one place. If you stick the tester into a chunk of banana rather than the batter, you could get a false reading
did you make this recipe?Tag @thewholesmiths on Instagram

the whole smiths

chocolate banana bread

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26 Comments

  1. I just made this and may I ask what sized bread pan did you use? I used a large, dark pan and my bread looks somewhat like a flat, brown paving stone. The flavor is good though! It’s chocolaty but the banana still comes through. I’m going to try again and hopefully it will look as pretty as yours.

    1. Hmmm, the pan I used was a pretty standard 8-inch x 4[1/2} inch loaf pan, mine was ceramic however. I’m not sure what went wrong with yours!

    2. It was a good thing I paid attention to the smell rather than cooking time because it took about 10 min less than what was suggested. The flavor is good, but not a prominent banana flavor for me. I would increase the number of bananas next time. This was my first attempt at a paleo baked good!

  2. Hey,
    Can I sub my gluten free flour in for your 2 other flours? Mine isn’t grain free just gluten free. Brand is namaste. I just don’t have or want to buy all those other flours/starches. 😉 thanks!

  3. I am allergic to almonds and most other nuts. May I use coconut milk and all coconut flour in this recipe? Thanks!

  4. I made a triple batch yesterday morning because I had a LOT of bananas to use up….and two loafs have already disappeared! Great recipe….thank you!

  5. Can I bake muffins with this recipe instead of the loaf?
    I’m dying to try this recipe but I don’t have a loaf pan 🙂

  6. What are the clean chocolate chips you talked about please? Where can I get them? We try to use all clean products. Thank you for that. I just bought your cookbook for my daughter’s birthday. Gorgeous cover.
    Bless you

  7. These were really great. They did have a faint banana flavor which is not a problem, in my mind. I put in a heaping 2 T of cocoa for some extra chocolate goodness, AND I made these in silicone muffin “tins” and baked for 25 min. Perfect snack size and really yummy. Oh, and I did not have almond milk so just used water to mash with the bananas. Thanks for a great recipe!

  8. The smell of this chocolate banana bread wafting through the kitchen would get me out of bed for sure! Cannot wait to try it!

    Kiki

  9. I made this bread 3 times, I decided it really needs spices. Teaspoon cinnamon,1/4 tsp allspice and 1/4 tsp cardamom. I also sub out 1 tablespoon of monk fruit for maple syrup. Has just enough sweetness and added flavor with addition of the spices.