A soft, rich, super moist Chocolate Banana Cranberry Bread that’s Paleo, grain free, gluten free, nut free, and oil free as well. It has the perfect amount of sweetness for a healthy breakfast or snack, so make it ahead of time for a healthy on-the-go treat when life gets busy!
To be totally honest with you and risk looking like a fraud, I have to admit that I don’t actually like eating chocolate for breakfast, um, ever really.
Throw stones. I know, it’s crazy. But then again, if you ever check out Instagram or a WIAW, you might have already known the not-so-secret fact that I’m deeply committed to my beloved savory breakfasts.
But, there are two good reasons why I had to make this rich Chocolate Banana Cranberry Bread, which happens to be awesome to make ahead of time to have for breakfast:
1.) I’m outnumbered with my no-chocolate-for-breakfast preference, in that my kids + Adam are thrilled to eat literally anything chocolate that someone (mommy) considers suitable for breakfast. They will even fight each other for a bigger piece. So, adding chocolate to breakfast food = a happy family and less stress for me in the morning.
2.) Come 3pm snack time, I’m not really wanting my savory go-to’s anymore and would much rather eat something chocolate, that’s also healthy enough to get me through the rest of my day without a crash in energy.
“Crash” is relative, but basically I just need to physically function until the kids’ bedtime without harming anyone. Anyway, my point is that this chocolate banana cranberry bread is not only an awesome breakfast, but perfect for a late afternoon snack, too.
This bread is a bit different from a few of my other quick breads and muffins, in a good way! Since my goal was to make it nut free (that way I can send it to school for snack) I figured I’d use my go-to coconut and tapioca flour combo.
Since there was also cocoa powder involved, I decreased the coconut flour, since the worst thing you can do with coconut flour in my opinion is add too much of it! Instant chalkiness. So, I went a bit under what I’d normally use, omitted oil (coconut milk is used instead) and threw in an extra small banana.
The result was a moist, rich and soft bread that holds together well and isn’t too dense. It sort of has a “melt-in-your-mouth” quality that everyone loved. Did I mention I threw chocolate chips in there as well? So you really have it all, and, you might just want to eat it all after the first bite – this super healthy chocolate banana cranberry bread is also sort of addicting!
Chocolate Banana Cranberry Bread {Paleo & Nut Free
Chocolate Banana Cranberry Bread {Paleo & Nut Free}
Ingredients
- 3 small overripe bananas - or 2 larger ones
- 3 large eggs
- 3 tbsp raw honey
- 1/4 cup full fat canned coconut milk*
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 2 tbsp tapioca flour or arrowroot
- 1/3 cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips dairy and soy free
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a 9 x 5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, mash the bananas very well and whisk with the eggs, honey, and coconut milk
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In a smaller bowl, combine the coconut flour, tapioca flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and baking powder, and salt.
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Stir the dry mixture into the wet until fully combined, then stir in the chocolate chips and dried cranberries
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Carefully transfer the entire mixture to the parchment paper lined loaf pan, scraping the bowl.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the loaf comes out clean.
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Let the loaf sit to cool for 30 minutes before removing from pan, then allow to cool on a wire rack another 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*I typically discard half the water from the can and blend up the rest with an immersion blender for thick creamy coconut milk
Nutrition
Want more nut free Paleo banana bread recipes? Try one of these!
Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Banana Blueberry Breakfast Bread
Are you a chocolate for breakfast lover?
What’s your favorite make-ahead muffin or quick bread for an easy snack?
The Cookie ChRUNicles says
December 15, 2015 at 6:09 amOther than liking cocoa pebbles as kid, I actually don’t eat or want chocolate for breakfast! Isn’t that shocking? I do like sweet but chocolate never happens. This bread looks awesome!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
December 15, 2015 at 6:25 amI don’t typically like really sweet breakfasts, but I do like certain breads especially if I can do that on the side with something more substantial. I definitely like chocolate but I don’t usually crave it in the morning either (although chocolate chips are good in just about anything). I would definitely make this to eat as a snack!
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 10:09 pmDefinitely a great snack – chocolate chips are always welcome 🙂
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
December 15, 2015 at 7:04 amI’m not a big chocolate for breakfast person either unless it’s a special occasion. Gotta have my eggs! I love that they fight with each other for bigger pieces!
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 10:07 pmThey fight over anything and everything involving food and especially if chocolate is involved!
SuzLyfe says
December 15, 2015 at 8:14 amI’m with you: I love chocolate, but I have an m&m or two during breakfast time, I don’t have a double chocolate muffin. It is just too much! This does sound fantastic, though, and would be great for a dessert or a truly decadent snack.
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 10:06 pmTotally agree, perfect snack once I’ve had my savory breakfast 🙂
margaretmolteni says
December 15, 2015 at 8:24 amI’m with you on savory breakfasts, but I live with my sister and brother in law and do all the grocery shopping so I always either make my brother in law sweet breakfasts or buy him bread or pastries from fresh market. I would definitely eat this for snack though or dessert!
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 10:04 pmI might even do breakfast dessert, as in with coffee or something, but need savory first thing!
cottercrunch says
December 15, 2015 at 8:40 ami rarely eat chocolate for breakfast too. Unless it’s like a bite or something. But this… I go slather in BUTTER and make it savory too. YOU ARE GENIUS! i’d also eat for afternoon snack.
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 10:03 pmYum – butter! Thanks Lindsay 🙂
Gretchen | Gretchruns says
December 15, 2015 at 8:54 amThis recipe looks great! I love cranberries lately so I’ll have to give this a go: )
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 10:01 pmEveryone in my house is a little cranberry crazed now – must be the season 🙂
Monica says
November 28, 2016 at 9:49 pmI am baking this right now but I am confused. You list 1 tsp of baking soda in the ingredients but then in step #3 you say to mix all the dry ingredients and you list BOTH baking soda and baking powder. My husband is a baker and he said to use only baking powder for the rise, not baking soda as it causes “spread”. What was your actual intended mix?
Michele says
November 28, 2016 at 11:18 pmThe problem I think is that I changed the recipe to list only baking soda since many people who follow Paleo avoid baking powder due to the cornstarch. I’ve tried it both ways and don’t notice a difference honestly, originally it was 1/2 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp baking powder. Hope that helps! And thanks for the heads up about the recipe error!
Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 9:08 amShame…..I don’t know what to say….
Chocolate and sweeter things are what I need in the early day, by afternoon, that’s when my tastebuds and tummy crave savory food!
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 10:00 pmLol! I used to crave sweet in the morning but over the years it’s changed. I used to make big bowls of cereal with bananas and honey 🙂
fitfoodiemama says
December 15, 2015 at 9:39 amYou seriously come up with the most delicious looking recipes- totally need to make this!
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 9:57 pmThanks! Hope you try 🙂
renaissancerunnergirl says
December 15, 2015 at 9:46 amDefinitely trying this – Paleo and nut free and chocolatey makes for a happy me 🙂 Looks like we were both inspired by banana bread this week!
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 9:56 pmI think the warmer weather left me with more ripe bananas than I planned for! Had to bake with them!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
December 15, 2015 at 9:48 amI wouldn’t necessarily say I’m a chocolate for breakfast -lover,- but I definitely run into the odd day where the craving strikes hardcore. I’m usually more a chocolate at 9am kind of girl though 😆
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 9:54 pmLol I hear you – 9am is when the baking begins!
Morgan @ Managing Mommyhood says
December 15, 2015 at 10:22 amSome of my favorite things all in one – banana breda, chocolate, cranberries – gimme!
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 9:53 pmAll good things! Glad you like 🙂
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says
December 15, 2015 at 10:33 amI’m not much of a chocolate for breakfast person, but I’d totally serve this on the side of eggs and sausage. I do love quickbreads as afternoon snacks as well!
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 9:52 pmEggs and sausage and chocolate! Maybe breakfast dessert 🙂
taramdeal says
December 15, 2015 at 10:49 amThis sounds so amazing and Christmasy!!
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 9:51 pmThanks Tara 🙂
Rachel Pattison (Little Chef Big Appetite) says
December 15, 2015 at 7:43 pmIf this was in front of me right now, I would devour the entire loaf!
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 9:50 pmHaha hope you try!
chasetheredgrape says
December 15, 2015 at 9:45 pmHave you ever made this without the chocolate? What substitutions would you make?
I would eat it as is but I know my family would probably prefer a non choc version! (Odd people…haha!)
Michele says
December 15, 2015 at 9:49 pmI would add some vanilla extract and maybe 2 more tbsp of coconut flour. Haven’t tried it but I think it would work – coconut flour can be though since a little goes a long way!
chasetheredgrape says
December 15, 2015 at 9:54 pmThanks Michele! 🙂
Amy says
December 17, 2015 at 6:08 pmMaking this this weekend! 🙂
Michele says
December 17, 2015 at 6:09 pmHope you like it!
athleticavocado says
December 20, 2015 at 9:33 amcocolate cranberry and banana sound so perfect! Yum!
Michele says
December 20, 2015 at 9:24 pmThanks! Still strong with cranberries 🙂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
December 20, 2015 at 11:45 amI’m right there with you. I’m more of an eggs for breakfast kind of girl. That being said, I had two slices of Spoons’ Double Chocolate Banana Bread for my breakfast this morning. Apparently I’m an oxymoron. Also, I knew the Hubby would love it. He can do chocolate for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Michele says
December 20, 2015 at 9:17 pmHer bread looks so good!
Melissa says
November 13, 2016 at 6:28 pmHey! I tried this recipe with a few tweaks (I’m in Costa Rica so we don’t get lots of ingredients)! But it turned out delicious!!! I can’t stop eating it ???
Thanks!!
Michele says
November 13, 2016 at 10:03 pmYay! So happy to hear you liked it 🙂
Sue says
August 18, 2017 at 5:44 pmOMG I have the oven preheated and have all the ingredients together EXCEPT YHE BAKINGPOWDER which you refer to in the instructions but not in the ingredients. How much baking powder did you use?
Bethany says
December 16, 2017 at 8:21 amLooks like your recipe card has a problem… your affiliate links are showing up in the middle of the ingredients… hard to read the amounts. Just FUI. Love this recipe. Made it last Christmas & making it again this week
Michele says
December 16, 2017 at 10:12 amThanks! It’s an older recipe that never translated to my new plugin – just fixed it 🙂