Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Pudding 🍌🍫
This ultra-cozy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Pudding is rich, custardy, and loaded with pockets of melted chocolate and sweet banana flavor. It’s the ultimate comfort dessert — perfect warm out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
💚 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ✅ Easy to make: Uses pantry staples and overripe bananas.
- ✅ Extra cozy: Warm, gooey, and perfect for chilly evenings.
- ✅ Make ahead: Can be prepared in advance for stress-free serving.
🛒 Ingredients
- 4 cups day-old bread, cubed (brioche or challah preferred)
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Butter or spray for greasing the baking dish
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Cube your bread and place it in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the custard over the bread cubes and gently mix until all pieces are soaked.
- Fold in chocolate chips and let sit for 10 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the liquid.
- Transfer to the baking dish and spread evenly.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes or until golden and the center is just set.
- Cool slightly before serving warm with ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel.
💡 Pro Tips & Variations
- ✨ Use rich bread: Brioche, challah, or even croissants add luxurious texture and flavor.
- ✨ Don’t skip the rest time: Letting the bread soak in the custard before baking ensures even moisture throughout.
- ✨ Add texture: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top before baking for crunch.
- ✨ Make it boozy: Add 1 tbsp of bourbon or dark rum to the custard for depth.
- ✨ Dairy-free: Use almond or oat milk and dairy-free chocolate chips for a vegan version (swap eggs for flax eggs too).
🍨 Serving Suggestions
- 🍦 Vanilla ice cream: Classic pairing for warm pudding.
- 🍯 Drizzle of caramel or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
- 🍌 Fresh banana slices: Layer on top before serving.
🥡 Make-Ahead & Storage
- 🕒 Make ahead: Assemble the pudding and refrigerate (covered) overnight. Bake fresh the next day.
- ❄️ Storage: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire dish in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes.
- 🧊 Freeze: Freeze baked bread pudding for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
❓ FAQ
- Can I use fresh bread?
Fresh bread can be used, but day-old or slightly stale bread soaks up the custard better and avoids a mushy texture. - What if my bananas aren’t overripe?
Quick-ripen them by microwaving (unpeeled) for 20–30 seconds or baking at 300°F for 10–15 minutes. - Can I make it in individual ramekins?
Yes! Divide the mixture into greased ramekins and bake for 25–30 minutes until just set.
Warm, Gooey Comfort in Every Bite 🍌🍫
This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Pudding is your go-to cozy dessert for any night of the week. Easy, comforting, and guaranteed to impress—just don’t forget the scoop of vanilla ice cream!
