Dark Chocolate Chip-Walnut Banana Bread

Dark Chocolate Chip-Walnut Banana Bread is easy to make~ no mixer required and makes the kitchen smell wonderful while baking too!

I had a bag of Nestle Toll House Dark Chocolate Chip Morsels in the pantry left over from my  Smorgasbord Cookies. The morsels are a little larger than standard chocolate chips and add a little indulgence, but you can use the chips you prefer; bittersweet or semi sweet chocolate chips will work fine.

The walnuts in this banana bread add a little texture and a satisfying crunch. If you’re not a nut fan, omit them or substitute pecans if you prefer. If you love nuts in your banana bread, you may want to double the amount. Toasting the nuts first releases their oils and boosts the flavor.

To toast nuts: Spread nuts out in an even layer on a sheet pan in a 350° oven for 6-8 minutes or until fragrant. Your nose knows ;) when they’re done. Remove from oven and allow them to cool.

For easy removal, I like to line my pan with parchment paper. Spray your pan and then line your pan with parchment paper that hangs over the edge of your pan. The spray will keep your paper in place and from slipping so no batter gets underneath the paper. Parchment is nonstick and you can lift the bread out of the pan using the ends of the paper. Parchment paper also helps regulate the temperature and can neutralize hot spots as a barrier between the pan and your batter.

 I always get comments about baking times varying when I share recipes. Oven temperatures vary, depending on brand, age, whether electric or gas and it’s not unusual for an oven to run 5 or 10 degrees hotter or colder. Also, make sure you preheat your oven long enough, at least 20 minutes. If you’re not familiar with your oven, invest in an inexpensive  oven thermometer  to monitor the temperature.

A note about pans: Pans affect baking times too. To prevent your banana bread from overbrowning, avoid glass plans. Glass is an insulator will often burn bread. Use a light-colored metal pan. Dark pans absorb the heat and can also cause overbrowning. If your pan is dark, wrap the outside with heavy duty aluminum foil before baking.

Looking for a banana bread recipe without chocolate chips? You might like Streusel-Topped (and Healthier!) Banana Walnut Bread.