Dairy Free Banana Bread (One Bowl!)

This is the best dairy free banana bread ever! It's soft, moist, and loaded with chocolate chips, plus it's super easy - you don't even need a mixer. Your search for the perfect one bowl chocolate chip banana bread ends here!

This recipe was originally published in March, 2021. It has been updated with new detailed instructions and an ingredient photo.

If you've been searching for the perfect dairy free banana bread recipe that doesn't call for sour cream or yogurt, this is IT.

This recipe uses only simply pantry ingredients but is still ULTRA moist and soft - just like banana bread should be!

At the start of every week, I make either a batch of muffins (usually blueberry muffins or banana carrot muffins), or I make a batch of this chocolate chip banana bread.

Now, I know, there are a lot of banana bread recipes out there, but this one is my favorite!

Why This Dairy Free Banana Bread Works

• This is a one bowl chocolate chip banana bread - all you need is a bowl, a whisk, and a few measuring cups!
• This recipe uses melted butter (either regular or dairy free will work), which not only adds flavor, but also makes the banana bread super moist.
• This dairy free banana bread is full of mini chocolate chips for extra chocolatey-ness. You can even add walnuts, cranberries, or other mix-ins to the loaf. Or if you prefer it plain, that will work too!
• This recipe has a mix of both granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Brown sugar is another key to moist banana bread!

Ingredients Needed

• Flour: The recipe calls for all-purpose flour, but you can also use white whole wheat flour, regular whole wheat flour, or a combination.
• Banana: this recipe calls for 2 cups of mashed banana. I like to freeze ripe bananas and keep them in the freezer, then let them thaw a few hours before baking!
• Butter: Dairy free butter gives the banana bread flavor! You can also use an equal amount of neutral oil or unsweetened apple sauce. If you aren't dairy free, you can also use regular butter.
• Chocolate chips: I like to use vegan semisweet mini chocolate chips, but you can also add walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, or other mix-ins!

Step By Step Instructions

Note: Full ingredient quantities and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Step One: Grease and line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper (leave some parchment hanging over the sides - this makes it easier to remove the loaf from the pan later). Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Step Two: Melt the butter in a medium-sized bowl, then whisk in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until combined. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the bowl and whisk until combined.

Step Three: Use a fork to mash up the bananas, then measure out exactly 2 cups. Mix mashed bananas into the bowl with the other wet ingredients.

Step Four: Add in flour, baking soda, and salt then mix together until just combined (do not over-mix). Stir in the chocolate chips.

Step Five: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, then sprinkle more chocolate chips on top if desired. Bake the dairy free banana bread for 55-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

FAQS and Expert Tips

Expert Tips

• Measuring exactly 2 cups of mashed banana is key! 4-5 bananas mashed could be anywhere from 1 ½ cups to 3 cups depending on the size of the bananas. The recipe has been tested with 2 cups of bananas so using more or less will slightly change the texture and moisture of the banana bread.
• For some recipes, I do like to blend the fruit in a food processor or blender but for this one I recommend mashing the bananas with a fork to not make the batter too liquid. The bananas should be ripe enough to be easily mashed.
• Check on the banana bread after around 40 minutes. If the top is starting to look too brown, loosely cover the pan in tinfoil for the remaining baking time.
• Dairy free banana bread takes a while to bake, so be patient! Aways use the toothpick test (insert a toothpick in the centre of the loaf), to make sure the toothpick comes out clean and the banana bread is fully cooked. Check on it often, since you also want to avoid over-baking.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

The dairy free banana bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 4 days in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminium foil.

If you live in a very hot climate, it may not last as long at room temperature, so keep an eye out for any changes in texture or smell. Luckily, it freezes wonderfully!

To freeze, cut the cooled loaf into slices, wrap them individually in tin foil, then place in a Ziploc bag. You can also follow the same steps to freeze the full loaf. Freeze for up to 3 months, and thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.

More Recipes You'll Love

If you make this recipe, let me know how it went in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can check it out!

The calorie information provided for this recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.