Peanut Butter Banana Loaf

There are banana breads, and then there are moments—the kind that stop you mid-bite and make you close your eyes. This Peanut Butter Cup Banana Bread Loaf with Chocolate Chips is exactly that kind of moment. Born from the glorious trio of overripe bananas, creamy peanut butter, and melty chocolate chips, this loaf takes everything you love about classic banana bread and layers in the irresistible richness of chopped peanut butter cups. The result is a dense, moist, deeply flavorful bake that sits somewhere between a comfort breakfast and an unapologetically indulgent dessert. Whether you're slicing into it warm from the oven or grabbing a piece cold from the counter the next morning, this loaf delivers every single time.

Save It

The secret to this loaf's depth of flavor lies in the layering. Three very ripe bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture, while a generous half cup of creamy peanut butter weaves a nutty richness through every bite. The combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar creates a caramel-kissed sweetness that perfectly balances the slight bitterness of semisweet chocolate chips. And those chopped peanut butter cups? They melt into soft, gooey pockets throughout the loaf—each one a tiny surprise of chocolate and peanut butter bliss. This is comfort baking at its most rewarding, and the aroma that fills your kitchen while it bakes is reason enough to make it again and again.

Ingredients

• Produce: 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
• Dairy & Eggs: 2 large eggs, room temperature
• Dairy & Eggs: 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• Dairy & Eggs: 1/4 cup (60 ml) whole milk or buttermilk
• Pantry: 1/2 cup (125 g) creamy peanut butter
• Pantry: 3/4 cup (150 g) light brown sugar, packed
• Pantry: 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• Pantry: 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• Pantry: 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pantry: 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Pantry: 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pantry: 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Mix-ins: 3/4 cup (130 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• Mix-ins: 3/4 cup (100 g) chopped peanut butter cups (mini or regular)

Easily spray or drizzle oil for roasting vegetables, air frying, sautéing, and dressing salads with controlled coverage.

Check price on Amazon

Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare your pan and preheat

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch (23x13 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Step 2 – Mix the wet ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, melted butter, sugars, peanut butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Step 3 – Combine the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Step 4 – Bring it together

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined—do not overmix.

Step 5 – Fold in the mix-ins

Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped peanut butter cups, reserving a small handful for topping.

Step 6 – Fill the pan

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips and peanut butter cups on top.

Step 7 – Bake

Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 8 – Cool and slice

Let the loaf cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

Für ein besonders gelungenes Ergebnis sollten die Bananen so reif wie möglich sein—je dunkler die Schale, desto intensiver der Geschmack und desto natürlicher die Süße. Wer den Brotteig noch gehaltvoller möchte, kann 1/2 Tasse gehackte geröstete Erdnüsse direkt in den Teig falten, um eine angenehme Knusprigkeit hinzuzufügen. Achte beim Vermengen von Trocken- und Nass-Zutaten darauf, den Teig wirklich nur so lange zu rühren, bis alles gerade eben verbunden ist—Überrühren führt zu einem zähen, dichten Laib statt zu der gewünschten saftigen, lockeren Textur. Stelle außerdem sicher, dass Eier und Milch Zimmertemperatur haben, damit sie sich gleichmäßig in den Teig einarbeiten.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Dieses Rezept lässt sich wunderbar anpassen: Wer eine andere Nussnote bevorzugt, kann Erdnussbutter durch Mandelbutter ersetzen und erhält so eine subtil süßere, mildere Variante. Für eine etwas leichtere Version kann Buttermilch anstelle von Vollmilch verwendet werden, was dem Laib zusätzlich eine zarte Säure verleiht. Die Chocolate Chips lassen sich auch durch gehackte dunkle Schokolade ersetzen, wenn man eine intensivere Schokoladennote wünscht. Auch die Peanut Butter Cups können durch beliebige andere Schokoriegel oder Nuss-Schokolade-Kombis ausgetauscht werden, je nach persönlichem Geschmack und Verfügbarkeit.

Serviervorschläge

Dieser Laib schmeckt am besten leicht warm, wenn die Schokolade noch weich und cremig ist und das Aroma von Erdnussbutter und Banane voll entfaltet ist. Serviere ihn pur oder mit einer dünnen Schicht Erdnussbutter bestrichen für noch mehr Tiefe. Er passt hervorragend zu einem Glas kalter Milch oder einer Tasse frisch gebrühtem Kaffee. Als Dessert lässt er sich mit einer Kugel Vanilleeis oder einem Klecks leicht gesüßter Schlagsahne zu einem echten Festtagsgenuss aufwerten. Bewahre übrig gebliebene Scheiben in einem luftdichten Behälter bei Raumtemperatur für bis zu 3 Tage auf, oder friere einzelne Scheiben für bis zu 2 Monate ein.

Save It

At its heart, this Peanut Butter Cup Banana Bread is about the joy of taking something familiar and beloved—classic banana bread—and pushing it somewhere extraordinary. It's the kind of bake that brings people together: the loaf that disappears fastest at a brunch table, the treat a friend asks you to make for their birthday, the slice you sneak from the counter at midnight because you simply cannot resist. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes and an easy difficulty level, there is no reason not to bake this today. Once you taste that first slice—moist, peanut-buttery, chocolate-studded, and utterly satisfying—it will earn a permanent spot in your baking rotation. Enjoy every single bite.

Toast bread, bagels, and sourdough evenly for breakfast, sandwiches, and quick meal prep.

Check price on Amazon

Recipe FAQs

→ What bananas work best for this loaf?

Use large ripe bananas, as their natural sweetness and softness enhance moisture and flavor.

→ Can I substitute peanut butter?

Yes, almond butter can be used as a flavorful alternative for a slightly different nutty profile.

→ How do I know when the loaf is done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.

→ Can I add extra crunch to the loaf?

Adding chopped roasted peanuts to the batter adds delightful texture and a nutty crunch.

→ What is the best way to store leftover slices?

Store slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.