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Indulge Guilt-Free: The Ultimate Low-Fat Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe

There are few things as comforting as a warm, freshly baked slice of banana bread. But when you introduce the irresistible combination of creamy peanut butter and sweet chocolate chips, you elevate this classic comfort food to an entirely new level. Imagine a loaf that’s not just incredibly flavorful and moist, but also designed to be a healthier, low-fat alternative to traditional cakes and quick breads. This is that recipe! Get ready to savor every bite without the guilt.

The Magic Trio: Banana, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate

If the mere mention of banana, peanut butter, and chocolate in one sentence doesn’t make your mouth water, then perhaps you haven’t experienced the culinary bliss of this iconic flavor combination! For me, this trio has always been a personal favorite – a go-to breakfast on toast, smeared on crackers, or anything I could find for a quick, delightful fix. The rich, earthy notes of peanut butter, the sweet and comforting banana, and the decadent bitterness of chocolate chips create a symphony of flavors that truly satisfies the soul. This recipe perfectly encapsulates that magical balance, delivering a taste experience that will have you coming back for more.

I confess, my love for this combination runs deep. It’s led to a delightful collection of recipes, including Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Brownies, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Crepes, and even Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies. Not to mention the fudgy goodness of other Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread variations and delightful Banana Blondies with their own peanut butter and chocolate chip twists. Yes, I’m an undeniable addict, and this recipe is a testament to that obsession.

Achieving Perfection: Fluffy, Moist, and Low-Fat

This particular banana bread strikes the ideal balance between a fluffy cake and a hearty quick bread, just as I envisioned it. The texture is tender and moist, while the flavors are pronounced without being overwhelming. What makes this recipe truly special and sets it apart is its commitment to being low-fat, containing half the fat of many traditional cake recipes. This means you can indulge in an extra slice (or three!) without a trace of guilt. The secret lies in smart ingredient choices and careful preparation, ensuring that flavor is never compromised for the sake of health.

Adding chocolate chips to anything has a magical way of soothing the soul and simply making everything better. They melt slightly into the warm bread, creating pockets of intense chocolatey goodness that perfectly complement the sweet banana and nutty peanut butter.

A Glimpse Behind the Scenes: From Kitchen to Blog

Sometimes, the journey from kitchen creation to blog post can be quite an adventure! You might have caught a sneak peek of how this particular recipe came to life when my daughter, in a moment of playful curiosity, hit the publish button while I was tending to my son. Ah, the joys and unpredictable moments of family life!

On a slightly different note, I also have a confession to make. For quite some time now, ever since I invested in my Canon 6D, I’ve had a macro lens lying around, untouched. I was admittedly intimidated, sticking to my trusted best friend, the Canon 50mm f/1.4. But today, I decided it was time to be brave and finally try it out. And oh, what a revelation! I’m completely in love. It truly feels like the best gift I’ve ever received – thank you, husband!

For those curious about the specifics, it’s the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens. Taking photos with it is an absolute dream. I mention this because I frequently receive messages on my Instagram page and through this blog, asking about the lenses, cameras, and lighting I use. I wanted to quickly share my setup here before diving deeper into the star of the show – what I believe is the best banana bread recipe you’ll ever try.

A little tip for aspiring food photographers: I exclusively use natural light, typically positioned next to a window. That’s it – no complex lighting setups needed. I find natural light truly brings out the best in food, enhancing its texture and color.

Back to the Bread: Flavor & Texture Unveiled

Now, let’s refocus on this incredible loaf! The peanut butter flavor in this recipe is wonderfully smooth, perfectly integrated, and shines through in just the right amount. It’s present enough to make its mark without overpowering the delicate banana notes.

The subtle sweetness of honey, combined with the deep richness of dark chocolate chips, creates a harmonious blend that’s simply divine. And when you add the luscious chocolate peanut butter topping? It’s utterly ridiculous in the best possible way!

What makes this particular recipe stand out, especially for its low-fat profile, is the inclusion of powdered peanut butter. This ingredient significantly cuts down on the fat and calorie content while still delivering that unmistakable peanut butter taste. However, don’t worry if you don’t have it; you can absolutely make this recipe with regular peanut butter and still achieve fantastic results. The choice is yours!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread

By Karina

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 16

A fluffy and sweet Banana Bread full of peanut butter flavour and chocolate chips! The best combination. With a chocolate peanut butter topping, you’ll be reaching for more than three slices. This low-fat version allows for guilt-free indulgence.

Ingredients

Banana Bread:

▢ 1/2 cup butter softened
▢ 1 cup brown sugar or natural sweetener to reduce calorie amount
▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
▢ 2 large eggs
▢ 3 medium bananas mashed (very ripe for best flavor)
▢ ½ cup powdered peanut butter to keep calories and fat content low, or normal peanut butter
▢ 2 cups light spelt flour or plain/all-purpose flour
▢ 2 teaspoons baking powder
▢ 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
▢ 4 tablespoons honey
▢ 1/2 cup dark/semi sweet chocolate chips

Chocolate Peanut Butter Topping:

▢ 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
▢ 2 tablespoons powdered peanut butter or normal peanut butter
▢ 3 tablespoons sugar of choice or natural sweetener
▢ 6-8 tablespoons warm water (more if you need it)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly grease a loaf cake pan with cooking oil spray, wiping over any excess with a paper towel. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk them together until the mixture is light in color and beautifully creamy. Beat in the eggs, ensuring they are well combined. Next, gently fold in the mashed bananas, powdered (or normal) peanut butter, flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and honey. Stir carefully until the batter is just combined; it’s crucial not to over-beat, as this can lead to a dense bread.
Pour the prepared batter into your greased loaf cake pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the top is firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the banana bread to cool in the baking tin for 15-20 minutes before carefully turning it out onto a wire rack. Let it cool completely before slicing and serving.
To prepare the chocolate peanut butter topping: combine all the topping ingredients in a small bowl. Using warm water can help them blend more smoothly. Mix until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. Add extra water, one tablespoon at a time, if you desire a thinner topping. Drizzle generously over the cooled banana bread.

Notes

Baking Tip: Be sure not to over-beat the batter after adding the dry ingredients. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, which can result in a dense, chewy bread instead of the desired light and fluffy loaf. Mix just until ingredients are combined.
Storage: Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, slices can be individually wrapped and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the microwave.
Serving Suggestion: This low-fat peanut butter chocolate chip banana bread is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea. For an extra decadent treat, warm a slice slightly before serving.

Nutrition

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

Tried this? Share your experience in the comments below!