Heart-Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread

Indulge in the rich, chocolatey goodness of Heart-Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread—a guilt-free twist on a classic treat that's as nutritious as it is delicious. Bursting with natural sweetness from ripe bananas, unsweetened applesauce, and pure maple syrup, this banana bread is made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour and almond milk, delivering a moist and tender crumb without any refined sugars. A touch of unsweetened cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips adds a decadent layer of flavor, while chopped walnuts provide a delightful crunch. Perfect for a quick breakfast or a satisfying snack, this easy-to-make recipe is packed with heart-smart ingredients, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious bakers. Ready in just over an hour, it’s the perfect blend of comfort food and healthy living.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:55 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 large ripe bananas
• 0.5 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 0.25 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1.5 cups whole wheat flour
• 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.25 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 0.5 cup dark chocolate chips
• 0.5 cup walnuts
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until they achieve a smooth consistency.

Step 3

Stir in the unsweetened applesauce, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, and the large egg. Mix well until combined.

Step 4

In another bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined.

Step 6

Pour in the unsweetened almond milk and mix until the batter is smooth but do not over-mix.

Step 7

Fold in the dark chocolate chips and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.

Step 8

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10

Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.

Step 11

Transfer the banana bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1138.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2395.3

Total Fat 96.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 30.5g
Cholesterol 219.5mg	0%
Sodium 2607.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 388.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 67.5g	0%
Total Sugars 149.6g
Protein 64.7g	0%

Vitamin D 75.7IU	0%
Calcium 469.1mg	0%
Iron 29.2mg	0%
Potassium 4315.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.4%

Protein: 9.7%

Carbs: 57.9%