• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
theveganlunchbox.co.uk
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Meet Jac
  • Packing Lunch
  • Privacy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Packing Lunch
  • Meet Jac
  • Privacy
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Easy Vegan Cakes, Bakes & Desserts » Vegan Chocolate Orange Banana Bread

    Vegan Chocolate Orange Banana Bread

    Published: May 7, 2022 · Modified: May 7, 2022 by Jacqueline Meldrum · 16 Comments

    You can't beat a slice of freshly baked banana bread and this vegan chocolate orange banana bread is rather special. Easy to make too.

    Vegan Chocolate Orange Banana Bread

    You may laugh, but I often buy bananas just to make banana bread.

    I know most people make it to use over-ripe bananas that are ready to be thrown out but we just love banana bread, so I always make sure I have bananas.

    My latest twist to banana bread is this rather gorgeous vegan chocolate orange banana bread.

    It's flavoured with fresh orange and studded with dark chocolate chips.

    Just gorgeous

    Jump to:
    • 🍌 Buying bananas for banana bread
    • 🍊 Fresh oranges
    • 🍫 Buying vegan chocolate chips
    • 🥛 May contain milk
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 What do I need to know when making easy banana bread?
    • 🍞 Now the loaf tin
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍌 More vegan banana bread recipes to try
    • 📋 Want new recipes delivered to your inbox?
    • ⭐ Pin it for later
    • 🥦 Living on the Veg
    • 💭 Storage
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Comments

    🍌 Buying bananas for banana bread

    As I said, I buy bananas specifically for banana bread.

    But how to get them at that optimum stage where they are over-ripe, soft and sweet and perfect for banana bread?

    If you are planning to make the fruity bread right away, then buy bananas that look a bit bashed and starting to blacken.

    You will often find these bananas in the reduced section which is a bonus.

    Or, buy them a week before.

    I do a weekly shop on a Saturday or Sunday. By the following weekend, my bananas are perfect for baking.

    Weekly banana bread is go!

    🍊 Fresh oranges

    Always use fresh oranges in baking, it makes all the difference.

    a grater, orange zest and 3 oranges

    Don't be tempted to buy orange essence or extract, it just won't give you the same fresh, fruity flavour.

    The only extracts I ever buy (you notice I say extract and not essence, as essence is an artificial flavouring and not very nice) are vanilla, almond and peppermint. That's it.

    For maximum flavour when baking you want to use both freshly squeezed lemon juice and finely grated zest.

    The zest gives you most of that orange flavour in the final bake.

    I used blood or ruby oranges, as that's what I had. Boy I love them.

    You can use standard large oranges or blood oranges for this banana bread.

    🍫 Buying vegan chocolate chips

    Unless you are buying chocolate chips that are labelled as dairy-free or vegan, you do need to be careful.

    dark chocolate chips

    You might think dark chocolate chips are suitable for vegans, but not always.

    Manufacturers are sneaky and add in that milk whenever they can.

    I have found a few supermarket brands are ok, but not many and many big brand chocolate chips are not suitable.

    If you are in the UK, Asda own brand choc chips are fine.

    🥛 May contain milk

    Milk may not be in the ingredient list, but underneath the ingredient list it might say that they may contain milk.

    Don't worry, this just means the factory that make these choc chips may also run different product lines that may contain milk.

    It's more to warm people with really severe allergies and to protect themselves.

    👩🏻‍🍳 What do I need to know when making easy banana bread?

    Here are a few tips for making the best banana bread.

    choc orange banana bread on a wooden board
    1. Preheat - Always pre-heat your oven and use a shelf in the middle of the oven.
    2. Line it - Line your loaf tin before you do anything else, you want it handy to use when you are ready to get that cake in the oven.
    3. Liners - Use loaf tin liners. They are so convenient and save on all the faffing about trying to measure and cut baking paper.
    4. Ripe Bananas - Use ripe bananas and mash them well.
    5. Spice - Think about adding spices for extra flavour. Cinnamon, ginger or mixed spice are all good in a loaf of standard banana bread.
    6. Salt - Make sure to add that pinch of salt, it will really help with the flavour.
    7. Be Careful - Don't over mix it. This is the most important tip, as an over-mixed banana bread batter will produce a heavy and often rubbery loaf cake. Just fold all the ingredients in until just combined and don't worry about stray bits of flour.
    8. Crust - I love a crust on banana bread, but if you like a softer top, cover the banana bread with foil for the last 15 minutes.
    9. Leave it - Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before moving to a baking rack to cool completely.
    10. Cool it - You find it hard to resist, but a banana bread will slice better if you let it cool completely, although admittedly it is rather fabulous eaten warm slathered with butter.
    11. Slather it - Yes, slather it with butter, once it is sliced (I use vegan butter or spread), you will thank me!
    12. Toast it - Second and third day, toast it. it's amazing toasted and again, yes you guessed it buttered!

    🍞 Now the loaf tin

    Another important factor when making good vegan banana bread is the tin.

    a lined loaf tin

    You want a 2 lb (900g) loaf tin.

    They can vary a little in size but are usually about 21cm long, 11cm wide and 7cm high (8 x 4 x 3 inches approx).

    I prefer a metal tin, but you can buy soft silicone loaf pans.

    I don't think the silicone pans are as good as they tend to bulge and lose their shape a bit.

    If you do decide to use one, make sure you pop it on an oven tray for support.

    📖 Variations

    I like this dairy-free banana bread just how it is but here are some tweaks you could try.

    • Lemon - you could add lemon zest for extra zing.
    • Deluxe - add chunks of chopped dark chocolate instead of choc chips.
    • Red - when they are in season you could use blood (ruby) oranges for that wonderful colour and flavour.
    • Icing - you could also add a drizzle of icing to the top of the banana bread before serving

    🍌 More vegan banana bread recipes to try

    All my other banana bread recipes, yes I have a few, are on my other blog Tinned Tomatoes.

    overhead shot of banana bread

    Give one or two of these a go too.

    • Chocolate Banana Bread
    • Easy Choc Chip Banana Bread
    • Oat Flour Banana Bread
    • Peanut Butter & Choc Chip Banana Bread

    📋 Want new recipes delivered to your inbox?

    Join our mailing list.
    Be the first to get the new recipes as soon as they are published.
    Thank you for subscribing!

    Also, sign up for my Tinned Tomatoes newsletter for a selection of recipes delivered to your inbox each week or sign up for my email updates and don't miss out on the latest recipe.

    Check your spam folder if they don't arrive, I share a new recipe on each of my blogs every week.

    ⭐ Pin it for later

    Vegan Chocolate Orange Banana Bread Recipe

    Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

    🥦 Living on the Veg

    Once you've signed up for my newsletters and followed me on social media, why not join my Facebook group Living on the Veg?

    Such a friendly community with lots of recipes and chat. I'm in there every day chatting. It's such a nice place to spend time.

    💭 Storage

    Banana bread is always best on the day it is made and then sliced and toasted on subsequent days.

    I just wrap it tightly in baking paper and leave it on the countertop.

    It never lasts long but will keep out for toasting for a few days.

    📖 Recipe

    choc orange banana bread on a wooden board

    Vegan Chocolate Orange Banana Bread

    Jacqueline Meldrum
    You can't beat a slice of freshly baked banana bread and this vegan chocolate orange banana bread is rather special. Easy to make too.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
    Course Easy Vegan Cakes, Bakes & Desserts
    Cuisine British, vegan
    Servings 10 slices
    Calories 299 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 large bananas (ripe)
    • 3 tablespoons orange zest (zest from 3 oranges)
    • 250 ml orange juice (Juice of 3 oranges, then make up the quantity with milk - I used oat milk, but whatever you use)
    • 120 g caster sugar
    • 450 g plain flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 pinch salt
    • 125 g dark chocolate chips

    Instructions
     

    • Line a 2 lb (900g) loaf tin and preheat the oven to 180c/160c fan/350f/gas mark 4.
    • Zest three oranges and add them to a measuring jug. Add the squeezed juice of 3 oranges, then make it up to 250ml with milk.
    • In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas, then add the sugar and the orange juice mix and give a mix, just a quick mix.
    • On top of the wet ingredients add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and chocolate chips. Reserve some choc chips to decorate the top of the banana bread with.
    • Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Don't overmix and don't worry about the odd bit of unmixed flour. All will be well!
    • Pour into the loaf tin, sprinkle over the extra choc chips and bake for an hour.
    • Check after 1 hour with a skewer or toothpick inserted into the centre of the banana bread. It should come out clean, if not give it 5-10 miutes more. If it is quite brown after an hour you can cover with tinfoil to prevent further browning.
    • One it is out of the oven, leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then tip out gently and leave to cool completely on a baing rack.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Storage
    Banana bread is always best when just baked, but it will last for a few days.
    After the first day, I like to slice it and toast it. It's gorgeous toasted and spread with (vegan) butter.
    I keep it wrapped in baking paper, but you can store it in an airtight container.
    Bake time
    Cookers vary and then there is also the shelf placement. You can check on your loaf from about 50 minutes through the bake, but I find mine usually take between and hour and an hour and 10 minutes. 
    I quite like a crisp crust on mine, so don't cover it with foil.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 6gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 61mgPotassium: 327mgFiber: 3gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 85IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword banana bread, fruit bread, vegan banana bread
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Vegan Snickers (TikTok Dates Recipe)
    Easy Pomegranate & Lemon Salad Dressing »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jill

      May 13, 2022 at 11:50 am

      5 stars
      I didn't get an email for this recipe Jac. Did you send one? Jill

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        May 13, 2022 at 11:52 am

        Oh boy I forgot, I didn't even share this one anywhere. I was in the middle of having the bathroom done and completely forgot. No wonder there are no comments, haha.

        Reply
        • Jill

          May 13, 2022 at 1:14 pm

          I hope it all went well with the bathroom. I really need to have mine done too. Oh and the banana bread is in the oven as we speak.

          Reply
          • Jacqueline Meldrum

            May 13, 2022 at 1:15 pm

            Mine was ok, but it was time to have it replaced. It had no been done since we moved in. Enjoy your banana bread and let me know what you think.

            Reply
    2. Dannii

      May 13, 2022 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      Chocolate orange is such a delicious flavour combination and it sounds amazing in this banana bread. Even better that it is vegan too!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        May 13, 2022 at 1:08 pm

        Oh yes the perfect flavour combo. Chocolate and orange works so well together.

        Reply
    3. Tayler Ross

      May 13, 2022 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      The flavors of this banana bread are out of this world incredible! We will definitely be making it again soon!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        May 13, 2022 at 1:08 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed it Tayler. It's a real favourite here.

        Reply
    4. Angela

      May 13, 2022 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      Love the flavor combo from the chocolate and orange! Such a delicious bread to have on hand. Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        May 13, 2022 at 3:13 pm

        I know, I love the combo too, it's always so good.

        Reply
    5. Toni

      May 13, 2022 at 1:24 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fantastic banana bread recipe! This was a huge hit at my house!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        May 13, 2022 at 3:12 pm

        I am so glad you all enjoyed it Toni. We love it too.

        Reply
    6. Tavo

      May 13, 2022 at 1:32 pm

      5 stars
      I totally get you on buying bananas just to make banana bread; I am a fan and always looking for news twists! I loved your version!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        May 13, 2022 at 3:12 pm

        It's a must and you can pretend you are being all healthy too, haha.

        Reply
    7. Beth

      May 13, 2022 at 1:58 pm

      5 stars
      This looks absolutely delicious. It is just CHONKY with chocolate chips. I can't wait to make it.

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Meldrum

        May 13, 2022 at 3:11 pm

        I've never heard of chonky. Is it a Cornwall word? Yes it is gorgeous.

        Reply

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    JACQUELINE MELDRUM

    Welcome to The Vegan Lunchbox.

    If you need tasty lunch inspiration, you've come to the right place. Easy recipes and ideas from my Scottish kitchen. Jac x

    Read more -

    Featured Recipes

    • Dill Potato Salad
    • Vegan Pesto Cheese Swirls
    • Vegan Cheese & Red Pepper Filo Hand Pies
    • Vegan Sesame Bagel Pizza

    Copyright © 2022 theveganlunchbox.co.uk on the Foodie Pro Theme