If you love that classic banana bread but are looking to kick things up a notch, you’ve got to try this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe. Imagine moist banana bread studded with melty chocolate chips, finished off with the irresistible crunch and sweet-salty punch of homemade candied bacon—it’s seriously a slice of heaven.

The image shows a loaf cake placed on a metal tray. The cake has two visible layers: the bottom layer is dense and moist with a speckled texture of dark chips inside, light brown in color. The top layer is a smooth, thick, shiny orange frosting that drips slightly down the sides. Small dark chocolate chips and thin pieces of dried fruit decorate the frosting unevenly. In the background, there is a white bowl and a white small dish filled with more dark chocolate chips, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of the combo here—the rich chocolate chips melt into the tender banana bread, while the candied bacon adds this amazing caramelized crispness. It’s unique, indulgent, and perfect any time of day.

Sweet & Savory Fusion: The candied bacon adds a mouthwatering salty crunch that pairs beautifully with sweet banana bread.
Moist & Flavorful: Ripe bananas and peanut butter keep the bread super moist with a tender crumb.
Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Chocolate chips generously scattered throughout for gooey, melty bites.
Show-Stopping Presentation: The creamy peanut butter glaze and candied bacon on top make it look (and taste!) extra special.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Shopping for this recipe is fun because it’s all about layering flavors. Using ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots is non-negotiable—they bring natural sweetness and moisture. And yes, the secret to candied bacon magic is simple brown sugar and patience. Let’s talk ingredients before rolling up our sleeves.

Flat lay of a bunch of three large ripe bananas, a small mound of light brown sugar, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small pile of glossy raw bacon slices, a heaping handful of dark chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy peanut butter, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl of full-fat sour cream, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of baking soda, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bacon: Thick-cut works best for caramelizing; it holds up to the sugar coating.
Light brown sugar: Adds deep, molasses notes that make the bacon candy-like and the bread beautifully sweet.
Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate: I toss these in a bit of flour to keep them from sinking to the bottom while baking.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure but not too much—there’s a delicate balance here for softness.
Baking soda: Gives the bread a great rise and tenderness.
Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the other flavors.
Ripe bananas: The star ingredient; about three large bananas mashed up for sweetness and moisture.
Granulated sugar: For balanced sweetness without overpowering the banana flavor.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the bread moist and tender.
Full-fat sour cream: Adds tang and moisture for that creamy texture.
Creamy peanut butter: Blended into the batter and in the glaze, it gives a rich, nutty layer of flavor.
Eggs: Helps bind everything together and add richness.
Vanilla extract: A subtle aroma that rounds out the sweetness.
Honey: Part of the glaze, for natural sweetness and shine.
Powdered sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet peanut butter glaze that sets beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe is just how versatile it can be. Feel free to tweak the flavors and textures to suit your taste buds or dietary needs—it’s your kitchen, your rules!

Vegetarian Variation: While the candied bacon is a star player here, you can easily skip it or substitute with a smoky maple-glazed tempeh or mushroom bacon for a vegetarian-friendly twist. I love this version when hosting friends who prefer to avoid pork but still want that sweet-savory kick.
Nut-Free Option: If peanut butter isn't your thing or if you’re avoiding nuts, try swapping the creamy peanut butter for sunbutter or tahini in both the batter and glaze. The bread remains moist and flavorful—just a different kind of richness.
Seasonal Fruits: For a fresh spin, add chopped apples or pears along with the bananas. The slight tartness balances the chocolate and bacon beautifully, and it’s a fun way to celebrate fall flavors.
Adjusting Sweetness: If you prefer less sugar, you can reduce the granulated and brown sugar a little. I usually stick to the original to keep that perfect balance, but taste as you go for your preference.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe

The image shows a loaf of cake placed on a silver tray, topped with a thick layer of smooth orange frosting sprinkled with small dark chocolate chips and small pieces of candied fruit. In front of the tray is a white plate holding one thick slice of the cake, showing a dense texture with bits of chocolate and fruit inside. The slice has a thin layer of the same orange frosting on top, with some chocolate chips along the edge. A silver fork lies beside the slice on the plate. To the left of the tray, there is a whole yellow banana and a white bowl filled with candied fruit. A white cloth with blue stripes is used as the base, which itself is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Slowly Render and Candy the Bacon

Begin by cooking 9 to 10 slices of bacon in a fry pan over low heat. This slow cooking method allows the fat to render out thoroughly without burning the meat. Once the bacon slices are evenly crisped, carefully drain the bacon grease from the pan. Return all the bacon slices to the pan, sprinkle ½ cup packed light brown sugar over them, and toss so each slice is coated with sugar. Continue cooking on low heat for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar melts and caramelizes into a sticky, glossy coating. Transfer the candied bacon to a plate to cool completely. Once cooled, cut into bite-sized pieces and set aside—they’ll add the perfect sweet and salty crunch later.

Step 2: Preheat Oven and Get Your Loaf Pan Ready

Set your oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9x5 inch loaf pan by greasing it with baking spray to ensure the bread doesn’t stick. Then, line the bottom with parchment paper—this extra step makes removing the loaf a breeze and keeps the edges intact. Set it aside while you mix the batter.

Step 3: Coat the Chocolate Chips

To keep your chocolate chips from sinking to the bottom of the loaf while baking, toss 1 cup of chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour. This little trick helps suspend the chips evenly throughout the bread so every slice has a delightful chocolate surprise.

Step 4: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Make sure these dry ingredients are evenly combined before you add them to the wet mixture. This helps the leavening distribute uniformly for a consistent rise.

Step 5: Mix the Wet Ingredients to Silky Smooth

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 large ripe ones), ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup packed light brown sugar, ½ cup vegetable oil, ½ cup full-fat sour cream (room temperature), ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 lightly beaten large eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and beautifully combined with no sugar lumps. This luscious wet mix is the heart of your bread’s moist texture and rich flavor.

Step 6: Gently Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the dry ingredients gradually into the wet mix, stirring gently until you no longer see any dry flour streaks. Be careful not to overmix here—a few lumps are okay. Overworking the batter can lead to a tougher crumb, and we want this bread to be irresistibly tender.

Step 7: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Using a spatula, carefully fold the flour-coated chocolate chips into the batter. Spread them evenly without breaking them up. This step ensures that each slice gets pockets of melty chocolate balanced with the banana and peanut butter flavors.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top gently. Place it in the oven and bake for 60 minutes. You'll know it's ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The kitchen will start to smell heavenly—rich with chocolate, peanut butter, and that hint of smoky bacon.

Step 9: Cool and Glaze the Bread

Let the bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. This step prevents the glaze from melting and sliding off. When cooled, whisk together ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons honey, and ¼ cup powdered sugar until smooth to make the luscious glaze. Pour this over the top of your banana bread, then sprinkle generously with those crunchy candied bacon pieces and some extra chocolate chips if you like. Slice and enjoy this sweet, salty, and utterly irresistible treat!

Top Tip

These tips come straight from my kitchen to yours, making sure your Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe turns out perfectly every time. Little tricks can make a big difference!

Slow and Low for Candied Bacon: Cooking bacon slowly over low heat lets the fat render out fully, making the sugar caramelize evenly without burning. This creates that perfect sweet-and-salty crunch.
Coat the Chocolate Chips: Tossing chocolate chips with a tablespoon of flour is a game changer—it keeps them from sinking to the bottom of the loaf and ensures every slice has chocolate goodness.
Don’t Overmix: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix just until no flour streaks remain. Overmixing can lead to a dense or tough loaf, and this bread deserves light, tender crumb.
Cool Before Glazing: The peanut butter glaze sets beautifully on completely cooled bread. Glazing too soon will cause the topping to melt and slide off, hiding that gorgeous candied bacon topping.

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe

The image shows a single thick layer of light beige dough with small dark spots spread unevenly in a rectangular white baking dish with colorful flecks. The dough has a smooth but slightly lumpy texture with some visible swirls and ridges across the surface. The dish is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Give your loaf an extra special touch by sprinkling more chocolate chips or chopped nuts on top after glazing. A few fresh banana slices or a light dusting of powdered sugar also add visual appeal and a hint of sweetness. For an adventurous twist, try a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to amplify the salty-sweet balance.

Side Dishes

This bread shines on its own but pairs beautifully with a cup of strong coffee or creamy latte for breakfast. For dessert, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Fresh berry compotes or a simple mixed fruit salad complement the richness nicely and brighten the plate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days this way. If you want to extend its life, refrigerate it for up to 5 days—just be mindful the bread may firm up in the fridge.

Freezing

Freeze slices individually by wrapping them in plastic wrap, then placing them in a zip-top freezer bag. This lets you thaw just what you need. Frozen banana bread remains delicious for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours.

Reheating

Warm slices gently in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or in a toaster oven to bring back that freshly baked feel. If frozen, let slices thaw before reheating for even warming. A light spread of butter or extra peanut butter brings it to the next level!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use less bacon or omit it altogether?

Absolutely! The candied bacon adds a unique salty-sweet crunch, but if you prefer, you can reduce the amount or leave it out altogether for a simpler banana bread version.

What kind of chocolate chips work best?

Semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips work wonderfully to balance the sweetness of the bananas and glaze. You can also use chopped chocolate for a more rustic melt.

Can I substitute peanut butter in the recipe?

Yes! Creamy peanut butter gives a smooth texture and flavor, but you can try almond or cashew butter as a tasty alternative. Just make sure it’s creamy for the best mix-in consistency.

How ripe should the bananas be?

Use bananas that are very ripe with plenty of brown spots—they’re sweeter and moister, which enhances the flavor and texture of the bread.

Final Thoughts

Baking this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe is truly a joyful journey from start to finish. Each slice brings that magical combo of moist, sweet banana goodness, gooey chocolate, and a surprising kick of candied bacon flavor. Whether you’re cozying up with a slice for breakfast or impressing guests with a decadent dessert, this bread welcomes smiles and comfort in every bite. Happy baking!