Chocolate Chip Banana Bread without Baking Soda

This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is moist, chocolaty, and delicious. Made without baking soda, this banana bread is healthier than traditional recipes due to the lack of dairy, this recipe is allergy-friendly and simple, and easy to make.

*Originally published June 25, 2021 and updated with new copy and photos 2/12/22.

Do you ever have a go-to recipe that you make all the time? This banana bread recipe is that recipe for me. Whenever I need a portable, quick dish to bring to a party or event, I always go with this banana bread recipe. I even brought this banana bread recipe when I met my husband's mom for the first time! She loved it and now we are married so that should act as a testament to this recipe. This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread without baking soda is moist and loaded with banana flavor. This recipe makes two loaves of bread so plenty to share with others! Side note, did you know that Banana Bread is the most searched recipe of all time? 

For some other delicious recipes, check out this Vegan and Gluten-Free Pound Cake, this Banana Pudding Lasagna, these Vegan Lemon Cookies, this Vegan Lemon Bars with a Graham Cracker Crust, this Sugar-Free Apple Crisp, The Best Blackberry Lemon Bread or this Red Wine Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake.

What Makes this The Best Banana Bread?

• Baking-Soda Free- If you don't have baking soda on hand, no need to worry! This recipe uses baking powder as the leavener.
• Makes Two Loaves- This is the perfect shareable recipe because it makes two loaves of banana bread! You can share with a friend or freeze one loaf for later!
• Egg and Dairy-Free- This recipe is perfect for those with allergies as it is egg-free, and dairy-free!

Ingredient Notes

• Bananas- For this recipe, you will want to use very ripe bananas. You know the kind, the ones that you question if they can make it another day or not. The longer a banana ripens, the sweeter it gets. Don't try and make this banana bread with green bananas!
• Flax Eggs- The flax eggs take the place of the regular eggs in this recipe. Check out how to make the flax eggs here.
• Almond Milk and Vinegar- To keep this recipe vegan, we are making our own vegan buttermilk. Buttermilk helps to make the banana bread super fluffy. This vegan version works just as well! The vinegar helps to curdle the almond milk just like regular buttermilk.
• Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips- You can't forget the dairy-free chocolate chips in this recipe! I love to use this brand of chocolate chips.

See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities.

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Make the vegan buttermilk and the flax eggs while the oven is preheating. Let the flax eggs and the buttermilk sit for 10 minutes.
• Mash the bananas
• Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, add the vegan butter and brown sugar and mix until fully combined.

• Add the flax eggs and the vanilla and mix until everything is incorporated.
• Add ⅓ of the flour mixture, ⅓ of buttermilk, and ⅓ of the mashed bananas. Repeat until you use all the flour, buttermilk, and bananas, lastly stir in the chocolate chips.
• Add the batter to two greased loaf pans
• Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, let cool, and enjoy!

Substitutions

• Refined Sugar-Free- Make this banana bread refined sugar-free by using coconut sugar in place of the brown sugar. Also make sure to use refined sugar-free chocolate. This is my favorite brand.
• Low-Fat- Swap the vegan butter with applesauce if you want to lower the amount of fat in this recipe.

Variations

• Banana Bread Muffins- Scoop ¼ cup of batter into muffin tins and bake for 40 minutes or until a knife comes out clean when inserted.
• Whole Wheat- Make this banana bread with whole wheat flour if you prefer a nuttier flavor.
• Frosted- Feel free to top with a cream cheese frosting to sweeten this banana bread up!
• Nuts- Feel free to add some walnuts to this recipe to give it a crunchy bite!

FAQ's

Equipment

Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. See below for the equipment you will need to make this recipe.

• Glass Mixing Bowls
• Masher
• Spatula
• Loaf Pan

Storage

Store at room temperature covered with plastic wrap or sealed in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag.

Top Tips

• If your bananas are not ripe enough yet, you can easily ripen them by baking them in the oven for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Set the bananas on a baking sheet, do not peel them. Bake for 30 minutes, let cool, peel, and mash as directed.
• This banana bread recipe makes two loaves, you can freeze the second loaf if you wish, just wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw completely on the counter overnight before enjoying.
• To keep the banana bread from drying out, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it on the counter. This will help to keep the banana bread moist and delicious!

Other Great Sweets You Will Love

• Italian Chocolate Ball Cookies
• Vegan Butterhorn Cookies
• 5 Minute Vegan Microwave Fudge
• Chewy Chocolate Molasses Cookies
• The Best Vegan Cannolis
• 4 Ingredient Banana Bread

CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD WITHOUT BAKING SODA

kaydimaggio

This Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bread without baking soda is moist, chocolaty, and delicious. Healthier than traditional recipes due to the lack of dairy, this recipe is allergy-friendly and simple, and easy to make.

5 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 3 hrs 5 mins

Total Time 3 hrs 5 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 2 loaves

Calories 361 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup vegan butter
• 2 ½ cups brown sugar
• 4 flax eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 4 very ripe bananas mushed
• 2 cup dairy free chocolate chips

Instructions

 

• Start by making your "buttermilk" and your flax eggs. To make a vegan version of buttermilk, combine 1 cup of almond milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Once you combine the vinegar with the almond milk, set it aside.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and in one bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, add the vegan butter and brown sugar and mix until fully combined.
• Gradually add your flax eggs and the vanilla and mix until everything is incorporated.
• Add ⅓ of the flour mixture, ⅓ of almond milk, and ⅓ of bananas. Repeat until you use all the flour, buttermilk, and bananas, lastly stir in the chocolate chips.
• Grease two loaf pans and fill each pan about halfway. The bread will rise so you don't want to overflow it.
• Bake in the oven for one hour and ten minutes and let cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing. 
•  

Notes

• If your bananas are not ripe enough yet, you can easily ripen them by baking them in the oven for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Set the bananas on a baking sheet, do not peel them. Bake for 30 minutes, let cool, peel, and mash as directed.
• This banana bread recipe makes two loaves, you can freeze the second loaf if you wish, just wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw completely on the counter overnight before enjoying.
• To keep the banana bread from drying out, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it on the counter. This will help to keep the banana bread moist and delicious!

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 361kcalCarbohydrates: 51.4gProtein: 4.4gFat: 15.8gSaturated Fat: 8.2gSodium: 251mgFiber: 2.4gSugar: 29.7g

Keyword bread, dessert, Vegan

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Food Safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.