Tuck into this Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread made with a simple dairy-free and egg-free batter swirled together into a beautiful marbled pattern. Topped with plenty of vegan chocolate chips this loaf makes for a decadent sweet breakfast treat! Oil-free option included. Jump to Recipe
If you like Banana Bread in general and the chocolatey kind in particular, then I have a treat for you today! Marbled Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread, ladies and gents! Doesn’t marbling just make everything look better? And honestly, the looks DO matter, especially when we’re talking sweet and decadent vegan treats! This gorgeous Chocolate Banana Loaf combines the goodness of dark chocolate and ripe bananas to form a loaf of sliceable banana bliss.
This Marbled Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread is so rich and decadent. Despite the fancy marbled swirl design, it’s actually quite easy to make. I am not a fan of making intricate, layered cakes and fancy desserts – I am not a pastry chef and my time is limited and I am pretty sure some of you can identify here! But I still want my baked goods to look pretty and this vegan chocolate banana bread is the kind of minimum-effort -> maximum-effect recipe I LOVE.
So how do I turn this humble vegan banana bread in a fancy marbled loaf? Well, you simply layer the dark and bright batter in your loaf pan, drag around a toothpick in the batter, and it will bake up into something gorgeous and coffee shop-worthy.
This vegan chocolate banana bread recipe seriously feels like you’re eating an actual slice of cake, it’s that moist and decadent.
Despite being fluffy and moist, baking this dairy-free chocolate banana bread doesn’t require opening a jar of applesauce that will then be forgotten in the back of the fridge for weeks. Also – no flax eggs needed!
Ingredients for making Vegan Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread:
- mashed banana – we use it both for flavor and sweetness so the bananas should be ripe. Use 2 large or 3 medium ones. They are great egg replacers so for this recipe, there’s no need for adding flax eggs.
- additional sweetness is added by mixing in either 1/3 cup of light brown sugar or coconut sugar as well as 1/4 cup of maple syrup.
- For some extra flavor, I like adding vanilla extract and cinnamon or both. You could also add some nutmeg or chai spice.
- Adding 2 tbsp of oil to the batter makes for additional moisture.
- We are using 1/3 cup almond milk and 1 tsp vinegar instead of cow milk or buttermilk! You’ll see it works like a charm.
- I use a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat or spelt flour to make this loaf a bit more wholesome and add 1/4 cup of almond flour for additional moistness
- The gorgeous rise in this vegan banana bread is achieved by mixing baking powder and baking soda
- To achieve that gorgeous marbled effect, we “dye” part of the vegan banana bread batter with cocoa powder. I use unsweetened all-natural cocoa powder for this recipe to make this loaf extra chocolatey.
Tips for making this recipe:
- To make this refined sugar-free, use coconut sugar.
- Want to make this loaf oil-free? You can omit the oil and add a tbsp of unsweetened shredded coconut instead.
- This loaf makes a great gift, and leftover slices can also be frozen for a rainy day when you need something sweet.
- I decided to add some vegan chocolate chips to the top both for presentation and because in my book there’s absolutely no such thing as too much chocolate. Feel free to skip them. You can also use chopped up bars of vegan chocolate instead of chocolate chips.
- To make this banana chocolate loaf extra fancy, you could frost it with vegan chocolate frosting like a cake, or serve it with jam or vegan butter. If you frost it, you can skip the chocolate chips.
How to make Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread:
Preheat the oven to 365F (185 C) and line 9×5 inch pan with parchment. In a bowl mix all the wet ingredients until well combined
In another bowl mix the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well. Add 1 3/4 cup of the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredient bowl and mix in, making sure not to overmix. Add the rest of the dry flour mix 1 tbsp at a time, until batter is stiff like a muffin batter.
Divide the batter into two bowls.
For the chocolate layer, mix the cocoa in a small bowl with 3 tbsp of boiling water, mix this into the first bowl.
In the second bowl, add 1-2 tbsp of boiling water and mix in so that mixture is not that thick.
Now you can assemble the loaf as you like with whatever pattern. I usually alternate the batters and spread them out for a marble effect.
Once all of the batter is finished, top with the mini chocolate chips.
Bake for 55-60 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of the loaf. Cool the chocolate banana loaf for 10 minutes before taking it out of the pan, cool completely before slicing.
How to store Vegan Banana Bread:
You can store this vegan chocolate banana bread on the counter for a day in a covered container or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Single slices can be frozen.
More Vegan Breakfast Bakes from the blog
- Banana Walnut Breakfast Loaf. Gluten-free
- Banana Oat Quinoa Quick Bread bar.
- One bowl Pumpkin Bread
- Turmeric Pumpkin Chocolate Marble Loaf.
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Vegan Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread
Ingredients
Wet ingredients:
- 1 scant cup (150 g) mashed banana Use scant cup, 2 large or 3 medium (if your bread tends to bake gummy use 3/4 cup)
- 1/3 cup (66.67 g) sugar such as light brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup (59.15 ml) maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1/2 tsp cinnamon or both
- 2 tbsp oil omit to make oil-free, add a tbsp of shredded coconut for additional moisture
- 1/3 cup (78.86 ml) almond milk or use other non dairy milk such as light coconut or soy
- 1 tsp vinegar
Dry ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (218.75 g) all-purpose flour I usually use 1 1/2 all-purpose and 1/4 cup of whole wheat or spelt or all 1 3/4 cup all purpose
- 1/4 cup (28 g) almond flour , or use more flour for Nutfree
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup (78.86 ml) boiling water
Topping
- 1/4 cups (135 g) vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 365F (185 C) and line 9x5 inch pan with parchment.
- In a bowl mix all the wet ingredients until well combined
- In another bowl mix the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
- Add 1 3/4 cup of the dry mixture to the wet ingredient bowl and mix it in. Add the rest of the dry flour mix 1 tbsp at a time, until batter is stiff like a muffin batter.
- Divide the batter into two bowls.
- For the chocolate layer, mix the cocoa in a small bowl with 3 tbsp of boiling water, mix this into the first bowl.
- In the second bowl, add 1-2 tbsp of boiling water and mix in so that mixture is not that thick.
- Now you can assemble the loaf as you like with whatever pattern. I usually alternate the batters and spread them out for a marble effect. Once all of the batter is finished, top with the mini chocolate chips.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes. Check with a toothpick from the center of the loaf
- Cool the loaf for 10 minutes before taking it out of the pan, cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- To make this refined sugar-free, use coconut sugar.
- Want to make this loaf oil-free? You can omit the oil and add a tbsp of unsweetened shredded coconut instead.
- This loaf makes a great gift, and leftover slices can also be frozen for a rainy day when you need something sweet.
- I decided to add some vegan chocolate chips to the top both for presentation and because in my book there’s absolutely no such thing as too much chocolate. Feel free to skip them. You can also use chopped up bars of vegan chocolate instead of chocolate chips. Or walnuts.
- To make this banana chocolate loaf extra fancy, you could frost it with vegan chocolate frosting like a cake, or serve it with jam or vegan butter. If you frost it, you can skip the chocolate chips.
- muffins: bake for 25-30 mins
- Glutenfree: try these Glutenfree banana breads from the blog.
Or use this blend and bake into marbles muffins for 25 mins. Mix 3/4 cup white rice flour, 1 1/4 cup almond flour, 1/3 cup potato starch, 1/2 tsp citric acid and 1 tbsp chia seeds/flax seed meal. Use 1 3/4 cup of the flour mix and add more as needed.
- another reason for banana breads not rising or being too dense is baking powder. Old baking powders tend to not be able to help the bread rise enough.
- ovens also differ in their heating so if the bread is gummy at the bottom, it might have needed extra bake time.
Kheelna says
April 19, 2020 at 1:13 pmHi Richa, this looks amazing! Is there a replacement for vinegar?
Vegan Richa Support says
April 19, 2020 at 7:26 pmHi Kheelna, yes you can use lemon juice, homemade nut cream, vegan sour cream/yogurt, tofu, or cream of tartar. if you choose cream of tartar just mix it with the dry ingredients instead of the almond milk to prevent clumping.
Jill says
April 19, 2020 at 4:33 pmThis sounds great! Can I use a 1:1 gluten free flour instead?
Richa says
April 19, 2020 at 7:34 pmMost gf blends are rice based and I haven’t good luck baking with them. See my gf blend in notes
Jill Ackiron-Moses says
April 22, 2020 at 9:08 pmOkay, thanks!
Allison says
April 19, 2020 at 4:54 pmThis was great! Used whole wheat flour and it wasn’t too heavy. Looks beautiful, and is sweet enough but not overly sweet like a lot of banana bread recipes.
Vegan Richa Support says
April 24, 2020 at 11:25 amGlad you enjoyed it.
Ryan Matzen says
April 19, 2020 at 4:55 pmI really wish I had all the needed ingredients at my disposal! I guess I’ll have to be patient! Looks fantastic!
trish says
April 19, 2020 at 8:33 pmOMG!!!! This looks amazing! Shared immediately…..the recipe not the loaf 🙂
Vinitha says
April 19, 2020 at 11:15 pmThis looks so beautiful. Can’t wait to try it. Is it ok if I use dairy milk and vinegar or only buttermilk instead of almond milk?
kay says
April 20, 2020 at 8:35 amHi! love love your recipes! Thank you for all your work!
Is there a way to replace/omit the sugar and maple syrup? Totally understand that it wouldn’t be as sweet. I only use mashed up dates (or apple sauce and bananas) as sweetner in dishes.
Also, most desserts I can’t make because I only use date paste. If possible could you write a post discussing replacing sugars/ developing recipes with date paste, apple sauce and bananas (instead of maple syrup, sugar substitutes, sugar, etc…)?
Vegan Richa Support says
April 24, 2020 at 12:12 pmPureed dates will work as a sugar/maple syrup sub.
Jenn says
April 20, 2020 at 1:05 pmAmazing! I successfully used all whole wheat flour, as well as 1/2 c date paste since I am out of maple syrup. Oh, and I had to bake it in a 9×9 cause I forgot my loaf pans were in use elsewhere 😂 But it turned into a deliciously moist and guilt free treat! Thank you!
Andrew says
April 21, 2020 at 9:20 amCouldn’t even wait the 10 minutes to cool to get it out of the pan. Flipped it out and took me a slice. It is very nice! Thank you.
Donna says
April 21, 2020 at 11:04 amI just made this banana bread. It looks lovely (have not indulged yet). The recipe calls for a 9″x5″ loaf pan to bake it in. Are you measuring the pan from the bottom? or the opening on top? The pan I used had the measurements printed on the bottom as 9 x 5 (which was the base measurement). The bread did not come out as tall looking as yours and was done baking after 45 minutes.
Lucky says
April 21, 2020 at 3:56 pmThis looks yum 😋 can I use oat flour and almond flour instead?
Vegan Richa Support says
April 24, 2020 at 11:01 amYes.
Jocelyn says
April 21, 2020 at 6:48 pmIf I don’t have almond flour can I use only all-purpose flour??
Vegan Richa Support says
April 24, 2020 at 11:00 amYes.
Rubina Ramchandani says
April 22, 2020 at 1:17 amcan i use another baking pan? i have an 8 inch round. can i still get the marble effect?
Vegan Richa Support says
April 24, 2020 at 10:57 amYes.
Annie says
April 22, 2020 at 9:50 amHey Richa, this recipe looks very tasty and healthy. One question is there any alternative to coconut sugar?
Vegan Richa Support says
April 24, 2020 at 10:50 amYou can use brown sugar or date sugar/syrup.
Nidhi says
April 22, 2020 at 4:21 pmI just baked this without the cocoa powder or chocolate chips and added some walnuts to the batter and it turned out super amazing! Your recipes are now my go-to for vegan baking!! Thanks:)
Vegan Richa Support says
April 24, 2020 at 10:47 amSounds delish!
Penny Misale says
April 24, 2020 at 9:09 amSomething about this didn’t work for me 🙁 I feel like there was to much banana and it didn’t rise.
Richa says
April 24, 2020 at 9:29 amDid you change anything and did you measure out the banana? Several people have already made this bread without a problem. Too much banana will also mean too much moisture and hence it won’t rise. It’s either that or baking powder is old. If it didn’t rise it will also taste extra bananaey
Rinah says
April 27, 2020 at 5:56 pmDelicious and easy! Thank you.
Vegan Richa Support says
April 27, 2020 at 7:28 pmSo glad you enjoyed it, thanks for stopping by!
Button Curry says
April 28, 2020 at 11:40 pmThis is vegan delight. will try this recipe out.
Vegan Richa Support says
April 29, 2020 at 2:58 pmThank you kindly! I hope that you enjoy!
Alissa says
April 30, 2020 at 8:10 amMy 11 year old son wanted to make this. It was easy to make and turned out to be delicious! Its also beautiful 😍 Thanks for sharing this!
Vegan Richa Support says
April 30, 2020 at 10:59 amSo glad you enjoyed it!
Suzanne says
April 30, 2020 at 1:10 pmOnly had whole wheat flour and made it with that. Came out delicious. Added walnuts and chocolate chips. Love the marble idea, looks great and tastes great too!
Vegan Richa Support says
April 30, 2020 at 1:17 pmPleased to hear the whole wheat flour worked out well!!
Aurore says
May 1, 2020 at 6:24 amAbsolutely love the recipe ! But … my bad I only put baking soda and forgot the baking powder so it didn’t rise much. Still delicious though 😉
Vegan Richa Support says
May 1, 2020 at 10:43 amOops! Glad you enjoyed it!
Luisa Stanescu says
May 2, 2020 at 2:12 pmFollowed exactly other than using soy milk instead of almond. Outside was kind of hard and dry and inside gummy and not
Moist. Not sure what happened.
Richa says
May 2, 2020 at 2:31 pmIf it didn’t rise much at all then the baking powder was probably old. Or the batter needed more flour(flour measuring errors or type of flour might not absorb as much moisture).
Rubina Ramchandani says
May 4, 2020 at 10:54 amWhat can i use if i don’t have all purpose flour at home? I have whole wheat atta / oats / almond meal / Pancake mix? Would any of these work? and how?
Vegan Richa Support says
May 4, 2020 at 11:18 amYou could use oat flour but only in addition to all purpose or whole wheat. Atta has too high of a gluten content and would work better in a traditional bread recipe. Almond meal would work but as a component – not on its own. Pancake mix is very sweet and wouldn’t work because it would change all of the amounts of the wet ingredients and sweeteners in this recipe.
sanjana says
May 6, 2020 at 1:42 amThis looks so delicious, cant wait to try it.
Vegan Richa Support says
May 6, 2020 at 11:23 amthanks!! it definitely is delicious
HP says
May 6, 2020 at 9:44 pmIs there a replacement to baking powder? I only have baking soda!
Vegan Richa Support says
May 7, 2020 at 4:16 pmbaker’s yeast
Maneesha says
May 10, 2020 at 2:21 pmDelicious recipe! Not to mention beautiful also because of the marble appearance! I made this yesterday and took it for my niece’s birthday, and she literally stuffed her face with this banana bread!
Richa says
May 10, 2020 at 3:24 pmThat’s awesome!
Anne says
May 19, 2020 at 4:28 pmI really enjoyed making this marble loaf cake. Although it didn’t rise exactly as shown in the picture, I still liked it. My baking soda and powder were new. There was a problem with the cocoa. It tasted bitter no taste. What brand do you recommend? I will try again but next time instead of cocoa, I’ll add melted chocolate.
Vegan Richa Support says
May 20, 2020 at 1:32 pmCocoa powder does have bitterness, Did you top with the chocolate chips or the frosting ? I reccommend using brands such as Equal Exchange or Chatfield’s or switch to a dutch process for a sweeter style.