Decadent Nutella Banana Bread

Welcome to the world of truly irresistible baking! This **Nutella Banana Bread** is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. Imagine a super moist, incredibly tender banana bread, generously swirled with rich, creamy Nutella® and studded with abundant chocolate chips. It stands as my all-time favorite sweet bread, bursting with flavor and chocolatey goodness that will captivate your senses from the very first bite.

Once you’ve experienced the pure joy of this Nutella-infused delight, you’ll undoubtedly want to explore more incredible quick bread recipes. Be sure to check out our Cinnamon Banana Bread for a warm, spiced variation, our wholesome Zucchini Bread, or our guilt-free Healthy Banana Bread for a lighter option.

Unveiling the Magic of Nutella Swirl Banana Bread

While many banana bread recipes lay a solid foundation, this particular version elevates the classic to extraordinary heights with two simple yet profound additions: a generous, dreamy swirl of Nutella and an abundance of rich chocolate chips. The result is a simple-to-make bread that consistently proves to be an absolute showstopper, guaranteed to delight anyone who takes a bite.

What makes this Nutella Banana Bread truly stand out?

• **Melty Perfection:** Every slice boasts pockets of melted chocolate and tender Nutella, creating a gooey, irresistible texture.
• **Wonderfully Chewy:** The edges offer a satisfying chewiness that complements the soft interior.
• **Incredibly Soft & Tender:** Thanks to perfectly ripe bananas and strategic ingredients, the crumb is exceptionally delicate.
• **Insanely Moist:** This bread holds its moisture beautifully, staying fresh and delicious for days.
• **Intensely Chocolatey:** With chocolate chips throughout and the Nutella swirl, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream.
• **Completely Irresistible:** From its heavenly aroma to its delightful taste, it’s impossible to stop at just one slice!

Is your mouth watering yet? Mine certainly is! The thought of this delightful bread makes me want to bake another batch immediately. Let’s dive into how you can create this masterpiece in your own kitchen!

Mastering Banana Ripeness: Your Key to Delicious Banana Bread

The secret to truly spectacular Nutella Banana Bread lies in the bananas themselves. Super-ripe bananas are non-negotiable for achieving the deepest flavor and an incredibly moist texture. As bananas ripen, their starches convert into natural sugars, making the bread sweeter and more aromatic. The best bananas for this recipe will have peels that are extensively speckled with brown, or even almost entirely brown – a clear sign of peak sweetness and tenderness. You can read more about the best bananas for banana bread here.

Eager to bake this delectable Nutella Banana Bread, but your bananas aren’t quite ready? Don’t fret! There are simple, effective methods to accelerate the ripening process. Here are a couple of popular options to get your bananas perfectly prepared:

• **Oven Method for Quick Ripening:**
  * Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  * Place unpeeled bananas directly onto a baking sheet.
  * Bake for 7-15 minutes, or until the skins turn completely black. Keep a close eye on them, flipping if necessary to ensure even blackening. This process softens the fruit and intensifies its sweetness.
  * Once fully blackened, remove from the oven and let the bananas cool completely. They’ll be soft and ready to mash for your bread.
• **Paper Bag Method for Natural Acceleration:**
  * Place your unripe bananas in a paper bag.
  * Loosely close the bag, allowing some air circulation. The trapped ethylene gas, naturally emitted by the bananas, will speed up ripening.
  * This method typically takes 12-24 hours to achieve the desired ripeness.
  * **Pro Tip:** To further accelerate the process, place a ripe fruit (like an apple or another ripe banana) in the bag with your unripe bananas. Ripe fruit releases more ethylene gas, hastening the ripening of its neighbors.

Effortless Banana Mashing Techniques

Achieving a smooth, consistent banana puree is crucial for an evenly textured banana bread, free from large, unexpected chunks. While a fork works, for truly superior results, consider using a hand mixer or stand mixer. This will ensure your bananas are perfectly incorporated into the batter, distributing their flavor and moisture throughout every bite.

Here’s the simplest way to mash bananas quickly and effectively:

• Peel your perfectly ripe bananas and break them into large, manageable chunks.
• Place the chunks in a large mixing bowl.
• Using your hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the bananas on medium speed until they are thoroughly mashed and smooth. This typically takes just a minute or two.
• Once mashed to perfection, you can proceed to add the rest of your wet ingredients directly to this bowl, saving on cleanup.

**Measuring Ripe Bananas:** For precise results, aim for about 1 cup of thoroughly mashed bananas. This usually translates to 2 large or 3 medium-sized ripe bananas. After mashing, pack the banana puree tightly into a measuring cup to ensure an accurate quantity for your Nutella Banana Bread. This attention to detail will help guarantee the perfect balance of moisture and banana flavor in your finished loaf.

Essential Tips for Perfect Nutella Banana Bread

Creating the best Nutella Banana Bread involves a few key techniques and ingredient choices that can make all the difference. Follow these expert tips for a consistently delicious and perfectly textured loaf:

• **Embrace Flavorful Greek Yogurt:** The type of yogurt you use significantly impacts the final texture and taste. Opt for a high-quality, full-fat Greek yogurt with a good flavor profile. Greek Gods® Honey Vanilla Yogurt is highly recommended for its richness and subtle sweetness that beautifully complements the banana and Nutella. Avoid low-fat or plain (non-Greek) yogurts, as they lack the fat content and thickness needed to achieve the desired moistness and tangy balance. Full-fat Greek yogurt adds a lovely tang and keeps the bread incredibly tender.
• **Room Temperature Ingredients are Key:** This might seem like a small detail, but it’s fundamental for a cohesive batter and even baking. Ensure all your ingredients, especially eggs and yogurt, are at room temperature before you begin mixing. When cold ingredients are added to melted butter and coconut oil, they can cause the fats to seize up and clump, leading to a lumpy batter and a less uniform texture in your final bread. Room temperature ingredients emulsify better, creating a smooth, homogenous batter that bakes beautifully.
• **Do Not Over-mix the Batter:** This is a crucial rule for all quick breads! Over-mixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, resulting in a dense, tough bread with a reduced rise. Instead, mix the wet and dry ingredients just until they are combined. A few small streaks of flour are acceptable and will disappear during baking. The moment you no longer see dry flour, stop mixing.

More Expert Baking and Cooling Tips

Beyond ingredient preparation, proper baking techniques and cooling methods are equally important for achieving the perfect Nutella Banana Bread:

• **Utilize the Correct Loaf Pan Size:** The dimensions of your loaf pan critically affect how your bread bakes. A 9×5-inch loaf pan is ideal for this recipe. Using a pan that is too small can cause the batter to overflow or result in an undercooked center. Conversely, a pan that is too large might lead to a flatter, drier loaf. The right size ensures even heat distribution and a perfect rise.
• **Generously Grease and Flour Your Pan:** Preventing your beautiful loaf from sticking is essential. I highly recommend generously greasing your bread pan with nonstick cooking spray, then lightly dusting it with flour. This creates a non-stick barrier. Alternatively, lining the pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides, makes for an effortless lift-out. Don’t rush or skip this step; a well-prepped pan saves you frustration! Watch a video on how to line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
• **Allow for Crucial Resting Time in the Pan:** Once baked, resist the urge to immediately remove and slice your banana bread. Let the loaf sit in its pan for 10–15 minutes after removing it from the oven. During baking, the bananas and sugars caramelize, creating a deliciously gooey interior. This brief resting period allows for “carry-over cooking,” where the internal temperature continues to cook the bread slightly, firming up the structure and preventing it from being too soft or crumbling when sliced.
• **Always Cool Baked Goods on a Wire Rack:** After the initial resting period in the pan, run a table knife gently along the edges to loosen the loaf, then carefully invert it onto a wire cooling rack. Cooling on a wire rack is vital because it allows air to circulate freely around all sides of the bread. If left to cool on a flat surface, moisture from the residual heat will condense on the bottom of the loaf, making it damp, sticky, and potentially soggy. This ensures an even texture throughout.

Perfectly Baked: Knowing When Your Banana Bread is Ready

Determining the exact moment your quick bread is perfectly baked can sometimes be a bit of an art, as factors like altitude, humidity, individual oven calibration, and even the type of pan used can influence baking times. Here are reliable cues and tips to ensure your Nutella Banana Bread is never under-baked:

• **Preventing Under-baked Bread from the Start:**
  * **Oven Calibration:** Ensure your oven’s temperature is accurate. An uncalibrated oven can lead to inconsistent baking results. You can use an oven thermometer to verify. Learn more about how to tell when banana bread is done.
  * **Preheat Fully:** Always allow your oven to fully preheat to the specified temperature before placing the bread inside.
  * **Center Placement:** Position the loaf pan in the center of the oven rack for even heat exposure.
• **Visual Cues for Doneness:**
  * **Pulling Away from Sides:** The bread will subtly pull away from the edges of the pan as it bakes and sets.
  * **Golden Brown Top:** The crust should develop a deep, inviting golden-brown color, indicating it’s thoroughly baked through.
• **The Reliable Toothpick Test:**
  * Insert a clean wooden toothpick or a thin skewer into the very center of the bread.
  * **Clean or Moist Crumbs:** If the toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist (but not wet or gooey) crumbs attached, your bread is likely done.
  * **Tricky Spots:** Be mindful that the Nutella swirl and melted chocolate chips can mimic raw batter on a toothpick. If you hit a chocolate chip or a Nutella pocket, the toothpick might come out sticky. Try testing a few different spots in the center of the loaf to ensure you’re gauging the actual bread batter, not just the inclusions.

Freezing Nutella Banana Bread for Later Enjoyment

One of the many wonderful qualities of this Nutella Banana Bread is how beautifully it freezes, allowing you to enjoy a freshly baked taste anytime! Proper freezing techniques are key to maintaining its exquisite moisture and flavor. Always freeze the freshest bread possible. If you’ve just baked a loaf, ensure it cools completely to room temperature before freezing; otherwise, trapped moisture can lead to soggy bread or even mold.

**To Freeze Your Banana Bread:**

• **Slice for Convenience:** For easy portioning and thawing, it’s best to slice the cooled loaf before freezing.
• **Individual Wrapping:** Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, ensuring no air exposure. This prevents freezer burn and helps maintain moisture.
• **Protective Layer:** Place the individually wrapped slices into a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. This provides an additional layer of protection against odors and air.
• **Storage Duration:** The bread will keep perfectly in the freezer for up to 3 months. For best quality, try to consume it within this timeframe.

**Thawing and Enjoying:**

• **Room Temperature:** A single slice thaws quickly in about 10-15 minutes at room temperature, making it a perfect spontaneous treat.
• **Refrigerator Thawing:** For a slightly longer thaw, place a slice in the refrigerator for an hour or two.
• **Quick Warm-Up:** For an extra delightful experience, gently warm a thawed slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a toaster oven until just warm and gooey.

Explore More Delicious Banana Treats:

If you love the sweet, comforting flavor of bananas, you’ll adore these other recipes:

• Banana Cupcakes with heavenly cream cheese frosting
• Fluffy Banana Pancakes, perfect with a drizzle of homemade vanilla sauce
• An Immune Boosting Smoothie featuring the goodness of frozen banana
• Elegant Banana Crepes filled with a rich vanilla bean custard
• Our highly-rated Chocolate Banana Muffins – a definite reader favorite!

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Nutella Swirl Banana Bread

By Chelsea Lords

This Nutella Banana Bread is the ultimate treat—incredibly moist, bursting with rich banana flavor, and loaded with generous chocolate chips and decadent swirls of Nutella. Sweet, indulgent, and utterly irresistible, it’s guaranteed to become a family favorite!

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 slices

Video

Equipment

• 9 x 5-inch bread pan
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup overripe banana brown speckled all over, mashed, 3 medium bananas
• ▢ 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• ▢ 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
• ▢ 3/4 cup light brown sugar firmly packed, plus 2 tablespoons for topping if desired
• ▢ 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 1/2 cup honey vanilla Greek yogurt full-fat, I love Greek Gods
• ▢ 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 cup milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet or dark, whichever you prefer
• ▢ 1/3 cup Nutella

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, or generously spraying it with nonstick cooking spray and lightly flouring the interior (see Note 1 for more details). Proper pan preparation is crucial to ensure the bread releases easily after baking.

  Melt the unsalted butter and coconut oil, then set aside to cool completely to room temperature. It’s important they are not hot when added to the other ingredients.

• In a small bowl, mash the overripe bananas until they are very smooth. Measure out exactly 1 leveled, tightly packed cup of mashed banana. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, the cooled melted butter, cooled melted coconut oil, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, large egg, and full-fat honey vanilla Greek yogurt. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. Ensure no hot butter is added, as it can scramble the egg.
• In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 cup of chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark, according to your preference). Stir these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure the leavening agent and chocolate chips are evenly distributed. Add the dry ingredient mixture on top of the wet ingredients in the large bowl. Gently fold the dry into the wet ingredients using a spatula or wooden spoon until they are just combined and no dry streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough loaf.
• Pour just under half of the prepared banana bread batter into the greased and floured (or parchment-lined) loaf pan. In a microwave-safe bowl, gently warm the 1/3 cup of Nutella for about 15 seconds; this will make it easier to swirl. Carefully pour the slightly warmed Nutella over the batter in the pan, then use the back of a spoon to gently spread it into a thin layer. Pour the remaining banana bread batter evenly over the Nutella layer. For an extra touch, dot the top of the bread with a few additional chocolate chips (optional). You can also sprinkle 2 tablespoons of extra brown sugar on top and gently press it in for a slightly caramelized crust.
• Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean or with only a few moist (not wet) crumbs attached. Remember to test a few spots to ensure you’re not just hitting melted chocolate or Nutella. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes. This crucial resting time allows the loaf to set properly and prevents it from crumbling when removed (see Note 2). After 15 minutes, carefully invert the loaf onto a wire cooling rack. Allow the bread to cool for at least 30 minutes, and preferably an hour, on the wire rack before slicing and serving. This ensures it’s fully set and easy to cut.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Importance of Pan Size and Preparation: For optimal results and a perfectly baked loaf, it is essential to use a 9×5-inch bread pan. Smaller pans may cause the batter to overflow or lead to an undercooked center, while larger pans can result in a flatter, drier bread. Ensuring your pan is either thoroughly greased and floured or lined with parchment paper is critical for easy removal and to prevent sticking.

Note 2: The Art of Cooling: Allowing the bread to rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes after baking is a vital step. During this time, the bananas and sugars caramelize further, creating a delicious gooeyness that needs time to firm up. This resting period allows the loaf to continue “baking” with residual heat, setting its structure before it’s moved. Once removed from the pan, always cool the bread completely on a wire rack. This allows for essential air circulation around all sides, preventing moisture from condensing on the bottom, which could make your delicious bread damp and sticky. If you run a knife along the edges before inverting, it helps ensure a clean release onto the rack.

Storage Guidelines: Store any leftover Nutella Banana Bread in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain its freshness and moisture. For the best flavor and texture, it is recommended to enjoy the bread within 3 days of baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 196IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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