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    Susan Brings Dessert » Recipes » Loaves

    Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Banana Bread

    Published: Aug 25, 2022 · Modified: Sep 27, 2024 by Susan Gravatt · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    67 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Jumpstart a perfect morning with a cozy drink like hot coffee or tea and a bite of this moist oatmeal chocolate chip banana bread. It's a comforting breakfast food that is packed with flavor and chocolate chips in each bite. This loaf is also easy to make in advance, freeze, and slowly enjoy over weeks or months. It's an ideal make-ahead situation that you'll probably want to just eat all in one sitting or two. 🙂

    A loaf of chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread from its side as it sittings on a pan, surrounded by mini chocolate chips and bananas in the background.
    Jump to:
    • 🍌 Why You'll Love this Recipe
    • 📋 Key Ingredients
    • Best Results: Baking in Grams
    • Recipe Substitutions and Variations
    • 📖 Prep and Baking Instructions
    • 💡 Pro Tip for this Oatmeal Banana Bread
    • ❓ Recipe FAQ and Troubleshooting
    • How to Store, Refrigerate, and Freeze
    • 🎉 Brunch Party Suggestions
    • More Baking Tips
    • Related Recipes
    • Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Banana Bread

    🍌 Like my easy recipe for banana cake with chocolate frosting, this loaf here is yet another great recipe for using overripe bananas that might otherwise go to waste.

    🌅 If you're in search of morning treats like this one (especially ones that have chocolate), you'll love my:

    • Small batch chocolate chip muffins
    • Blueberry chocolate chip muffins (Why choose blueberry or chocolate when your muffins can have both?!)

    And while no chocolate is involved, don't sleep on these mini apple Bundt cakes or mini pumpkin muffins! They're so, so good and cozy.

    Last but not least, if you love oats in desserts as much as I love them, you need to try these oat flour chocolate chip cookies. 🍪

    🍌 Why You'll Love this Recipe

    • Rolled oats - This loaf maintains its delicious flavor while also packing in nutrients from rolled oats. You'll use them to create oat flour, which is simply ground oats. They add texture and nutrients to this breakfast treat.
    • Easy to meal prep and freeze - Make this loaf today and freeze it to enjoy in the coming weeks and months. It's a great option to have on-hand at the ready when you are craving something sweet yet filling for breakfast.
    • Did I mention chocolate? - While I don't need an excuse to have chocolate any time, it's an added bonus when chocolate finds its way into my morning routine! And this loaf has *just* the right amount of sweet chocolate without going overboard
    • Filling and wholesome - While I definitely wouldn't describe this loaf as a "healthy" breakfast option, it is healthier than other loafs and more filling, due to the rolled oats in it. A slice of this keeps me full for hours longer compared to other breakfast treats.
    • Versatile and adaptable - But if you're less into chocolate, that's okay! You could sub in ingredients like chopped nuts or dried fruit for a different take on this yummy breakfast option.
    An overhead shot of chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread and two slices.

    📋 Key Ingredients

    Ingredients on a pan for oatmeal chocolate chip banana bread.

    This easy banana bread recipe gets its texture and delicious banana flavor from simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Here I'm calling your attention to a few MVPs from the recipe card.

    • Rolled Oats as Oat Flour - I'm a fan of oats, and this loaf is full of them. You can read up on the nutritional value of them in this article from Healthline on the benefits of eating oats. Just a cup of oats contains 13 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. The recipe contains about two and a third cups of oats. That means oats add about 30 grams of protein and nearly 20 grams of fiber to this recipe. Not too shabby for a tasty breakfast treat! And it's easy to make your own oat flour by simply grinding rolled oats in a blender or food processor. Voila!
    • Bananas - Brown bananas provide sweetness and moisture as well as some nutritional value. Here they contribute a couple more grams of protein, fiber, and close to 1000 milligrams of potassium.
    • Greek Yogurt - Greek yogurt makes the loaf more moist and also gives it some added protein.
    • Brown Sugar - One of my favorite ingredients in baked goods, brown sugar adds a depth of flavor and moisture to this loaf.
    • Semi-sweet or Dark Chocolate Chips - I used a combo of mini and regular-sized chocolate chips in this recipe. The small chips distribute throughout the batter more than larger ones do, meaning you get more chocolate in each bite. Who would be mad about that?! But regular-sized chips work great, too, if that's all you have on hand.

    Best Results: Baking in Grams

    If you’re not already, use a kitchen scale for accuracy in baking.

    While I include cups and grams in my recipe cards, weighing your ingredients and writing or following a recipe using a standard metric like grams ensures consistency.

    I highly recommend investing $30 or less in a kitchen scale.

    Recipe Substitutions and Variations

    Feel free to adapt this banana oat bread to your liking with various swaps and tweaks like the ones below:

    • Dried Fruit: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips with an equal amount of dried fruit like raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots. These will add a chewy texture and bursts of sweetness that pair well with the bananas.
    • Different Chocolates - Instead of dark, you could add white chocolate or milk chocolate chips to the oatmeal banana bread batter.
    • Nut Butter Options: For a flavor variation, experiment with replacing some of the butter with almond butter or peanut butter. I suggest starting with a 75/25 split (so using a quarter of the nut butter alongside three-quarters of the unsalted butter) to maintain the balance of moisture. Nut butters are denser than butter and can alter the texture slightly, making the bread a bit heavier. I haven’t tested this version, so proceed with caution, but I'd love to hear about your end results!
    • Sweeteners: You can replace the brown sugar with coconut sugar for a refined sugar-free option. This substitution shouldn't affect the texture much, but it will add a subtle caramel flavor. This may also darken the bread's color.
    • Other Add-ins: Feel free to add in up to ½ cup of nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or seeds (like chia or flaxseeds) for extra crunch. This won't significantly alter the outcome but will add more texture and nutrition.

    If you make any other changes to the recipe and they turn out well, I'd love to get feedback to share those ideas with other readers!

    Landscape view of a loaf of chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread, surrounded by mini chocolate chips and a banana on each corner.

    📖 Prep and Baking Instructions

    About an hour before beginning this recipe, place your large eggs, butter, and full-fat Greek yogurt on your kitchen counter so they warm to room temperature.

    Preheat your oven to 350°F.

    A prepared loaf pan, greased and ready for batter.

    1. Prep the pan: Grease and flour an 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inch loaf pan, or use baking spray. Alternatively, line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

    Oat flour in a mixing bowl.

    2. Make oat flour: If you don’t have oat flour, pulse old-fashioned oats in a food processor or blender, leaving some texture for added bite in the loaf.

    Oats and spices in a silver mixing bowl.

    3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine oat flour, baking soda, nutmeg, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

    Creamed butters and sugar in a mixing bowl.

    4. Cream butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the melted butter, vanilla extract, and brown sugar for 5 minutes on medium-high, scraping the bowl halfway.

    Mushed bananas in a mixing bowl.

    5. Add yogurt and banana: Mix in Greek yogurt and mashed banana for 2 minutes on medium speed.

    Wet ingredients for oatmeal chocolate chip banana bread, combined in a mixing bowl.

    6. Incorporate eggs: Add eggs one at a time, mixing the first before adding the next. Mix on medium-high for 2 minutes.

    Bowl of banana bread batter in a mixing bowl.

    7. Combine dry and wet: Scrape the sides of the bowl, then add the dry ingredients. Mix for 15 seconds on medium-high.

    A variety of small and larger chocolate chips in a mixing bowl full of batter.

    8. Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold mini chocolate chips into the batter with a spatula to avoid over-mixing.

    A baked loaf of oatmeal chocolate chip banana bread, sitting on a cooling rack while still in the pan.

    9. Bake: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 45-50 minutes, until the loaf pulls away from the sides. Let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan before inverting onto a cooling rack.

    💡 Pro Tip for this Oatmeal Banana Bread

    Hold off from cutting into this loaf immediately after baking!

    I know it's tempting! But when you cut into a freshly baked loaf, you’re releasing the steam. That steam is key in giving you nice, moist banana bread.

    For best flavor and results, let loaf fully cool (or even rest overnight - next-day banana bread is my favorite!) before slicing.

    ❓ Recipe FAQ and Troubleshooting

    Is oatmeal banana bread healthy?

    This chocolate oatmeal banana bread can be a healthier breakfast option than your typical banana bread recipes. It uses ground oats instead of all-purpose flour so it includes more fiber. It also contains less sugar than your average loaf of banana bread.

    The secret to the sweetness and moisture of this loaf is that the bananas were very ripe (see the photos above). This made them easier to mush and incorporate into the batter. They also released more natural sugars in the baking process as a result of their ripeness.

    Can I add oats to my banana bread?

    While I love oats in banana bread, I don't recommend adding them to just any banana bread recipe. If a recipe isn't explicitly written to account for the use of old-fashioned oats instead of flour, your loaf may not bake correctly. Use a recipe like this one for incorporating oats into your loaf.

    Why did the center of my oat flour banana bread fall?

    If you don't keep your loaf in your oven long enough to finish baking, the center may be too wet and sink as it cools.

    Excess amounts of leavening agents can also cause the bread to rise too quickly and then collapse in the middle. Measure carefully.

    Also, if you often have issues with baked goods falling, this may mean your oven temperature is inaccurate. Use an oven thermometer to double-check.

    It's worth noting that with this recipe, your loaf may sink just a touch after baking. It is a wetter batter, but that's what gives it nice moisture, too. Once you've flipped your loaf onto the cooling rack, it will literally fall back into place.

    An up-close look at a slice of banana bread made from oatmeal and containing chocolate chips.

    How to Store, Refrigerate, and Freeze

    Room temperature - If you'll be eating this loaf in the next 2-3 days, it'll remain flavorful and safe to eat if you wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. Leave it on your counter between servings.

    Refrigerating - Want to eat it throughout the week? Store the loaf in your refrigerator in an airtight container. When ready to serve, warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power.

    Freezing - Freezing is a great option, too. Keep in an airtight container, or wrap this loaf well in wax or parchment paper before placing in the freezer. It'll be freshest within two months, but I have definitely stretched that timeline by a week or two.

    To enjoy, let. the loaf come to room temperature before serving. You may also gently warm slices for a few seconds on low speed in the microwave. 

    If you aren't sure if your container is airtight, cover it snugly in plastic wrap for added moisture lock.

    🎉 Brunch Party Suggestions

    Making brunch and planning to have a fun, dessert-y spread?

    If you're serving this chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread among friends and family for a breakfast or brunch gathering:

    Check out this blueberry pear crumble or white chocolate raspberry loaf cake!

    More Baking Tips

    Below are some general tips to keep in mind when baking recipe and any recipe, really:

    1. Periodically check the freshness of your leavening agents. Mix a pinch of baking powder with hot water to see if it reacts. For baking soda, you can mix a pinch of it with a few drops of something acidic, like vinegar or lemon juice. If your leavening agents have no reaction (i.e. you see no fizzing or bubbling), it means they also won’t help your ingredients rise during the baking process. 
    2. Before diving into the recipe, clear your workspace and set out all your ingredients in front of you. This will make it less likely that you’ll forget to leave something important out of your mixing bowl! 
    A loaf of oatmeal banana bread from the front with a slice cut, showing the inside.

    Subscribe to receive more recipes like this one in your inbox!

    Related Recipes

    If you liked this loaf cake, you may also want to try these homemade funfetti muffins! They're as tasty as they are cute and colorful.

    And if you're more into lemon than chocolate, I recommend checking out these very cute mini lemon Bundt cakes. They're great for sharing with a crowd, and everyone gets to enjoy his or her own mini cake!

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    Print

    Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Banana Bread

    A loaf of chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread from its side as it sittings on a pan, surrounded by mini chocolate chips and bananas in the background.
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    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 2 reviews

    This chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread is filling and tasty, thanks especially to the Greek yogurt, chocolate, oats, and banana inside.

    • Author: Susan Gravatt
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 50 minutes
    • Total Time: 1 hour
    • Yield: 1 loaf of banana bread 1x
    • Category: Dessert

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 cups (195 grams) old fashioned oats (you’ll grind this amount into oat flour)
    • 1 tsp baking soda
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 1 stick (114 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
    • ⅓ cup (65 grams) tightly packed light or dark brown sugar
    • 2 large eggs, room temperature
    • 2 large ripened (brown on the outside) bananas, mashed
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 tsp nutmeg
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • ¼ cup (65 grams) of whole milk, full-fat Greek yogurt, room temperature
    • ⅔ cup (120 grams) chocolate chips

    Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
    2. Generously butter and flour your 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inch aluminum loaf pan or coat it with baking release spray like Baker’s Joy or homemade equivalent. Alternatively, you may line a straight-sided loaf pan with parchment paper for easier removal.
    3. In a food processor or blender, pulse your old fashioned oats until finely ground. Alternatively, hold back on grinding them completely if you want a bit of texture for your loaf.
    4. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine oat flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
    5. Using a hand mixer or electric mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter, vanilla extract, and brown sugar together for 5 minutes on medium-high. Scrape down bowl halfway to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
    6. Into your bowl of wet ingredients, add Greek yogurt and mashed bananas. Mix for another 2 minutes on medium speed.
    7. Pour your eggs into the bowl one at a time, mixing the first one before adding the next. Mix on medium-high speed for two minutes.
    8. Scrape the sides of your bowl, and add your dry ingredients to it, mixing together with the hand or stand mixer for about 15 seconds on medium high. Fold in your mini chocolate chips, and finish incorporating all ingredients manually with a spatula to avoid over-mixing.
    9. Pour batter into pan. Bake for 45 – 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and loaf is beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool loaf in pan for 10 minutes before inverting on a cooling rack.

    Notes

    • While freshly baked banana bread is delicious to eat, this kind of loaf is noticeably more flavorful the following day. If you can, I recommend preparing it an evening or day before you actually plan to eat it. Allowing the flavors time to meld together in an uncut loaf makes the taste ultimately a stronger one.
    • Relatedly, hold off from cutting into this loaf immediately after baking. When you do, you’re releasing the steam in the loaf, which keeps it moist and delicious.
    • This recipe makes about 3.25 cups of batter (900 grams).

    Please note that the nutritional information is an estimate and based on one slice of this loaf, which would yield approximately 10 servings. 

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 slice
    • Calories: 281 kcal
    • Sugar: 16.4 grams
    • Sodium: 168 mg
    • Fat: 12.4 grams
    • Saturated Fat: 7.8 grams
    • Unsaturated Fat: 4 grams
    • Carbohydrates: 32.1 grams
    • Fiber: 2.19 grams
    • Protein: 5.08 grams
    • Cholesterol: 67.8 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @susanbringsdessert — would love to see your creations!

    More Loaves

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    About Susan Gravatt

    Susan is a recipe developer and food photographer. She specializes in sharing original dessert recipes and unique buttercream cake designs and tutorials. Her goal is to help readers feel kitchen-confident when they're baking desserts and decorating cakes at home.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bradly

      August 16, 2022 at 4:07 pm

      Perfect for breakfast! Making it tomorrow

      Reply
      • Susan

        August 16, 2022 at 7:44 pm

        Your day is going to be off to a great start then. Hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Aditi B.

      May 22, 2023 at 2:33 pm

      Banana oh nah nah! Love this take on the classic banana bread. My heart is in Banana!

      Reply
      • Susan

        May 24, 2023 at 9:48 am

        Yes to banana bread! I'm a big fan too - glad you liked!

        Reply

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