Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread

I came up with this Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread quite some time ago, but I wanted to save it for the perfect occasion. Now that we’re well into November, I think it is fair to say that we could all use a little bit of cheering up, right? I know I could! November is my least favourite month of the year by far (April being the second worst). I hate how early it gets dark and the weather is atrocious. It’s not quite winter yet, but it also isn’t really fall anymore; it’s just a gross transition between the seasons. So that’s my rant about November. Gross times of the year such as this make for a perfect opportunity to curl up with a hot cup of tea and a slice of warm, homemade banana bread.

I love the way that this bread looks with the chocolate swirl; it’s so fun! Plus, the walnuts inside add a really nice bit of crunch to the otherwise super moist loaf. So, if you’re feeling the November blues like I am, then try this banana bread on for size and see if it can help brighten your day.

Table of Contents

• Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread Ingredients
• Step 1—Prepare the Banana Bread Batter
• Step 2—Mix the Chocolate Batter
• Step 3—Fold in the Walnuts and Chocolate
• Step 4—Create the Chocolate Swirl in the Batter
• Step 5—Bake the Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread
• More Cozy Loaves

Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened milk of choice
• 2 large eggs
• 450 grams (1½ cups) mashed ripe bananas
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 180 grams (1 cup) light buckwheat flour
• 110 grams (1 cup) almond flour
• 70 grams (1/2 cup) millet flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 25 grams (1/4 cup) cacao powder
• 65 grams (2/3 cup) chopped walnuts
• 50 grams (1/2 cup) chopped dark chocolate

Step 1—Prepare the Banana Bread Batter

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed banana, milk, vanilla, maple syrup, olive oil, and eggs. Whisk until fully incorporated. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold in the wet ingredients using a baking spatula.

Step 2—Mix the Chocolate Batter

Measure out one cup of the batter and add it back to the wet ingredient bowl. Add the cacao powder and mix until fully combined.

Step 3—Fold in the Walnuts and Chocolate

Fold the chopped walnuts and chocolate into the original mixture (not the chocolate one) until evenly distributed.

Step 4—Create the Chocolate Swirl in the Batter

Pour about half the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Add half the chocolate batter on top. Repeat with the remaining plain and chocolate batter. Use a knife to make a swirling pattern with the two batters.

Step 5—Bake the Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread

Pop the pan into the oven and bake for approximately one hour or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Allow the loaf to cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool completely. 

More Cozy Loaves

If you loved this Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread recipe, be sure to try these other cozy loaves:

Pumpkin Bread

Lemon Pistachio Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Ginger Molasses Loaf

Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

If you make this recipe, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! I love to see what you all are making.

Feel free to leave any questions, comments, or reviews below. I love to hear from you!

Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread

Cozy up with this Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread a moist, gluten-free loaf that brings together ripe bananas, rich chocolate chunks, and crunchy walnuts. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or snack time, this recipe delivers the ultimate banana-bread experience with a swirl of chocolate throughout, hearty walnuts in every bite, and a tender crumb that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re looking for a healthy treat or a showstopping loaf to share, this chocolate banana bread offers flavour, texture, and comfort in one slice.

Author: Ashley

No ratings yet

Print Pin It Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Cooling Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 loaf

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

• 8½ x 4½ inch loaf pan
• Parchment paper
• Digital kitchen scale

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened milk of choice
• 2 large eggs
• 450 grams mashed ripe bananas (1½ cups, about 4 bananas)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 180 grams buckwheat flour (1 cup)
• 110 grams almond flour (1 cup)
• 70 grams millet flour (1/2 cup)
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 25 grams cacao powder (1/4 cup)
• 65 grams chopped walnuts (2/3 cup)
• 50 grams chopped dark chocolate (1/2 cup)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper. 
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed banana, milk, vanilla, maple syrup, olive oil, and eggs. Whisk until fully incorporated.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold in the wet ingredients using a baking spatula.
• Measure out one cup of the batter and add it back to the wet ingredient bowl. Add the cacao powder and mix until fully combined.
• Fold the chopped walnuts and chocolate into the original mixture (not the chocolate one). Pour about half the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Add half the chocolate batter on top. Repeat with the remaining plain and chocolate batter. Use a sharp knife to make a swirling pattern with the two batters.
• Pop the pan into the oven and bake for approximately one hour or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Allow the loaf to cool for about 10 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a cooling rack.

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegetarian

Keyword: Almond Flour, Bananas, Buckwheat Flour, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Maple Syrup, Millet Flour, Walnuts