Banana dessert recipes always hold a special place in my kitchen, and this chocolate hazelnut banana bread is the one I reach for when I want comfort with a little twist. I grew up with the classic banana bread, but this version takes it up a notch. Imagine the familiar warmth of bananas mingling with chocolate and crunchy hazelnuts—it feels like wrapping yourself in a blanket fresh out of the dryer. This banana bread recipe easy moist style doesn’t ask much from you, but it gives back in spades. The best banana bread recipe moist simple lovers will smile at how forgiving this recipe is. I’ve lost count of the times I tossed overripe bananas into the bowl, stirred in some cocoa, and ended up with a loaf that made the whole house smell like a bakery. The texture? Soft, tender, and dotted with melted chocolate chips that make you pause mid-bite. It’s not just any chocolate banana bread recipe—it’s the one I lean on when I want banana dessert recipes easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for a Sunday brunch. And yes, this chocolate chip banana bread recipe moist enough to impress anyone who thinks you’ve been slaving away for hours. I often bake two loaves using my 4 banana bread recipe easy approach: one for sharing, one for keeping. Let’s be honest, that second loaf rarely makes it past day two.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread Recipe
3) Ingredients for Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread
4) How to Make Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread
5) Tips for Making Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread
6) Making Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread
8) Try these Desserts next!
9) Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This chocolate hazelnut banana bread balances rich chocolate with sweet bananas and crunchy nuts.
It is simple enough for beginners yet rewarding enough for seasoned bakers.
The recipe uses everyday pantry items, but the result feels like a special bakery treat.
Banana dessert recipes like this one are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even gifting.

2) Easy Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread Recipe

I always look forward to banana dessert recipes that deliver comfort and a little flair. This one does both. The bread feels indulgent with its chocolate swirls and crunchy hazelnuts, yet it comes together with minimal fuss. I often find myself baking it when I have bananas past their prime. Instead of letting them go to waste, I turn them into something worth sharing.

When you slice into the loaf, you see specks of melted chocolate and hazelnut pieces tucked into the tender crumb. The flavor brings a balance of earthy nuts, deep cocoa, and sweet fruit. It’s the kind of bread you want nearby with a hot cup of coffee or tea. And the scent that fills the kitchen while it bakes? That’s reason enough to preheat the oven right now.

If you’re new to baking, this recipe will ease you in. If you’ve baked banana bread before, you’ll love how this twist adds something fresh. Either way, you’ll end up with a loaf that feels homemade in the best possible way.

3) Ingredients for Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread

Bananas: Use three ripe bananas, the softer and sweeter the better. They bring natural sweetness and keep the bread tender.

Eggs: Two large eggs give the bread structure and help everything hold together.

Butter: Melted unsalted butter adds richness and gives the loaf its soft crumb.

Granulated Sugar: Three-quarters of a cup of white sugar helps balance the cocoa’s bitterness.

Brown Sugar: A quarter cup adds depth with its subtle molasses flavor.

Vanilla Extract: Just a teaspoon rounds out the flavor and adds warmth.

All-Purpose Flour: One and a half cups form the base of the loaf, providing just enough body without making it heavy.

Cocoa Powder: A third cup gives the bread its chocolatey backbone.

Baking Soda: One teaspoon is enough to help the loaf rise and stay light.

Salt: A half teaspoon sharpens all the flavors so they don’t fall flat.

Chocolate Chips: Half a cup sprinkled throughout adds pockets of melted sweetness.

Hazelnuts: Half a cup, chopped, gives each slice a little crunch and nutty bite.

4) How to Make Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare your loaf pan with parchment paper. This makes removing the bread easier.

Step 2. Mash the bananas in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in the butter, both sugars, eggs, and vanilla. The mixture should look glossy and well combined.

Step 3. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Slowly fold these dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just blended. Overmixing can make the loaf dense.

Step 4. Gently stir in the chocolate chips and hazelnuts. The batter should feel thick but spreadable.

Step 5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake for about an hour, until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs attached.

Step 6. Let the loaf cool for ten minutes in the pan before moving it to a rack. Cooling helps the bread set so it slices cleanly.

5) Tips for Making Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread

Use overripe bananas. Their sweetness and softness make the bread more flavorful. Slightly freckled skins mean they’re perfect. I even freeze bananas when they pass their peak, then thaw them when I’m ready to bake.

Don’t skimp on the hazelnuts. Toasting them lightly before chopping makes their flavor more pronounced. It takes just a few minutes but makes a real difference. And if hazelnuts aren’t your favorite, you can swap them with walnuts or pecans without trouble.

If you want extra richness, add a handful of chocolate chips on top of the batter before baking. They melt into a glossy layer that makes every slice feel more like dessert than breakfast. Little tweaks like this are what keep banana dessert recipes interesting.

6) Making Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread Ahead of Time

This bread keeps its flavor and texture for days, making it a smart recipe to prepare in advance. I often bake it the evening before hosting friends. By the next morning, the flavors have deepened, and the loaf slices even more cleanly.

Wrap the cooled bread in parchment and store it in an airtight container. It will stay soft on the counter for two or three days. If I need it to last longer, I keep it in the fridge, where it holds up for almost a week.

Banana dessert recipes like this one also freeze beautifully. Slice the loaf, wrap each piece, and freeze them in a bag. That way, you can grab one slice at a time when cravings hit.

7) Storing Leftover Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread

Keep leftovers wrapped tightly to maintain freshness. On the counter, the loaf lasts for a few days. In the fridge, it keeps longer, though it might firm up slightly. A quick warm-up in the microwave brings back the tender texture.

If freezing, wrap slices individually. It makes life easier when you just want a single serving. I like to pack mine for work snacks or late-night treats. Defrosting one slice feels less like waiting than thawing an entire loaf.

Chocolate banana bread recipes often taste even better the next day, so don’t be afraid to save some for later. The flavors continue to settle and mingle, creating a richer experience with each bite.

8) Try these Desserts next!

9) Chocolate Hazelnut Banana Bread