If you’re looking to indulge in a delicious treat that boosts your protein without sacrificing flavor, this Protein Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Recipe is absolutely for you! Dense, moist, and naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup, it’s the perfect way to power up your snack or breakfast with a comforting classic—now with a nutritious twist.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Packed with Protein: Thanks to the blend of protein powder and Greek yogurt, this banana bread packs a punch to keep you energized longer.
Moist and Flavorful: The combination of almond and oat flours with ripe bananas delivers wonderful texture and rich taste every bite.
Chocolate Chip Delight: Who says healthy can’t be indulgent? The chocolate chips melt into gooey pockets of sweetness that make every slice feel special.
Simple and Wholesome Ingredients: No artificial sugars or oils—just real, nourishing ingredients you can feel good about eating.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This Protein Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients that come together beautifully. Each one plays a crucial role to create the perfect balance of taste, texture, and nutrition—from the tender flours to the creamy Greek yogurt.
- Oat Flour: Adds lightness and subtle sweetness while keeping the texture tender and crumbly.
- Almond Flour: Provides richness and a slight nuttiness, along with healthy fats.
- Protein Powder: Boosts the protein content—choose your favorite flavor or a neutral one.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These give the bread its rise and fluffiness.
- Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors, especially balancing the sweetness.
- Greek Yogurt: Adds moisture, tang, and creaminess, perfect for keeping the bread soft.
- Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that brings depth and warmth.
- Ripe Bananas: The heart of banana bread, delivering sweetness and moisture.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and help with structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Elevates the flavor with a lovely aromatic note.
- Chocolate Chips: Melty, sweet pockets that make every slice a joy.
How to Make Protein Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then grease your 9×5-inch loaf pan or simply line it with parchment paper to make removing the bread later a breeze. This small step sets you up for an easy bake and perfect loaf shape.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together oat flour, almond flour, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt. Give everything a good mix to ensure the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed, which means your bread will rise beautifully and taste perfectly balanced.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
Take another bowl and stir together your Greek yogurt, maple syrup, mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This blend creates that moist and rich base that makes this bread so irresistible.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and gently stir just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here—overworking the batter can make the bread dense and tough, and we want it tender and soft. Fold in the chocolate chips last to scatter those sweet bursts evenly throughout the loaf.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pour your batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. If you want a little extra chocolate magic, sprinkle a handful more chocolate chips on top. Bake in your preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This slow baking ensures a tender crumb and rich banana flavor.
Step 6: Cooling and Serving
Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes—this short rest helps it set. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully before slicing is the secret to clean cuts and the best texture.
How to Serve Protein Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips or a dusting of powdered sugar on top to make your slices look as good as they taste. For a decadent touch, spread a thin layer of nut butter or a smear of cream cheese on warm slices—it’s heavenly!
Side Dishes
This banana bread pairs wonderfully with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. For a balanced breakfast, serve it alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of Greek yogurt topped with a drizzle of honey.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting thick slices and creating banana bread sandwiches with nut butter and sliced strawberries. Or cube the bread and toast the pieces lightly to serve as a unique breakfast crouton for yogurt parfaits—fun and delicious ways to enjoy this classic recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps it soft and moist, ready for those quick snacks or breakfasts.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully—slice the bread first, then wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. You can keep it frozen for up to 3 months, perfect for batch prep or saving for later.
Reheating
To enjoy your banana bread fresh from the freezer, simply pop a slice in the toaster or microwave for 20-30 seconds. The chocolate chips will soften again and the bread will taste as delightful as when it was freshly baked.
FAQs
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Can I use different flours in this Protein Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Recipe?
Absolutely! While oat and almond flours provide a great texture and flavor, you can substitute with whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour blends if needed. Just be sure to adjust liquid amounts slightly since different flours absorb moisture differently.
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What protein powder works best for this recipe?
Whey protein powder is a popular choice for its smooth texture, but plant-based protein powders such as pea or brown rice work great too. Choose an unflavored or vanilla-flavored powder to complement the banana and chocolate flavors.
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How ripe should the bananas be?
You want bananas that are very ripe with plenty of brown spots—they’re sweeter and mash easily, which adds natural moisture and flavor to the bread.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
To make it vegan, substitute the eggs with flax or chia egg alternatives, use a plant-based yogurt, and be sure your protein powder is vegan. The texture might vary slightly but it will still be delicious!
Final Thoughts
This Protein Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Recipe is truly a crowd-pleaser that combines the comfort of classic banana bread with an energizing protein boost. Whether you’re grabbing a slice for breakfast, a midday snack, or a post-workout treat, it feels like a little hug wrapped in every bite. You’ve got to try it—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Protein Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 10-12 slices) 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Protein Banana Bread is a wholesome and nutrient-packed twist on the classic recipe, combining oat and almond flours with protein powder for a tasty, high-protein treat. Sweetened naturally with ripe bananas and pure maple syrup, it features the rich flavors of Greek yogurt and chocolate chips, making it the perfect snack or breakfast option for those looking to fuel their day deliciously and healthily.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup protein powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup full fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (3 medium bananas)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ⅔ cup chocolate chips plus more for topping
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour, almond flour, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt. Stir well to evenly distribute all the dry components.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, maple syrup, mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla extract until you get a smooth, uniform mixture.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl and stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix, which can make the bread tough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the ⅔ cup of chocolate chips into the batter to evenly distribute them throughout the mixture.
- Fill Pan and Add Topping: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top evenly. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top if desired for extra texture and flavor.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely to prevent sogginess.
- Serve: Once fully cooled, slice the banana bread and serve. Enjoy this nutritious and delicious protein-packed treat!
Notes
- Recipe adapted from Eating Bird Food.
- It’s important to take the bread out of the pan to finish cooling, so it doesn’t get dry.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter, or it can make the bread tough.
- For the best flavor, use pure maple syrup and not pancake syrup.
