Marble Banana Bread

There is something incredibly satisfying about slicing into a loaf of banana bread and seeing a swirl of chocolate running through it! This marble banana bread is moist, rich, and just the right balance of banana sweetness and cocoa depth. It is naturally gluten-free using a 1 to 1 flour blend, but you would never guess from the texture.

Whether you are baking for a cozy breakfast, a snack, or just trying to use up overripe bananas, this is the recipe to keep in your back pocket.

Why You’ll Love This Marble Banana Bread Recipe

• Soft and moist every time
• Chocolatey without being too rich
• Naturally gluten-free and dairy-optional
• One bowl with easy clean-up
• Pretty marbled pattern with minimal effort
• Check out this Cookie Dough Banana Bread or this Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bread for another fun recipe!

Ingredients

Makes one 8×4 inch loaf (8 to 10 slices)

• 1 ¾ cups mashed bananas (about 3 medium very ripe bananas)
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup melted coconut oil or melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups gluten-free 1 to 1 flour blend
• ¾ cup coconut sugar or regular granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of sea salt
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips (optional topping)

Use King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1 to 1 flour for best results. Regular all-purpose flour also works.

How to Make Marble Banana Bread

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Add eggs, melted coconut oil or butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
3. Add flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until everything is blended. Do not overmix.
4. Transfer half of the batter to a separate bowl. Stir in the cocoa powder to make the chocolate swirl batter.
5. Alternate spoonful of plain and chocolate batter into your prepared pan. Once all batter is in, gently swirl a knife or skewer through the loaf 3 to 5 times.
6. Sprinkle the top with chocolate chips if using.
7. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Then lift it out and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Helpful Tips

Use ripe bananas
The darker the peel, the sweeter the flavor. Avoid green or just-yellow bananas.

Match the batter textures
If the chocolate batter seems thicker than the plain batter, stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons of milk or water to even it out.

Do not over-swirl
Too much swirling blends the colors instead of creating a distinct marble effect.

Cool before slicing
If you cut too soon, the loaf may crumble or feel gummy in the middle.

Common Marble Banana Bread Mistakes and Fixes

Loaf is dense or underbaked
You may have used too much banana or not enough flour. Always level your flour and use ripe but not overripe bananas. Check for doneness with a toothpick.

Top browns too fast
Tent the loaf with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent burning while the center finishes baking.

Swirl is muddy or unclear
Keep your swirling minimal. Also make sure the two batters are similar in thickness before combining.

Variations

• Add a crumb topping made from butter, flour, sugar, and oats before baking
• Swirl in peanut butter or tahini for extra richness
• Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the banana or chocolate batter
• Stir in a few spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a cozy twist
• Use flax eggs and plant-based butter to make it fully vegan

Serving Ideas

This marble banana bread is delicious all on its own, but you can also:

• Toast it and spread with butter or nut butter
• Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream as dessert
• Pair with coffee or hot cocoa
• Add yogurt and fruit on the side for breakfast

Storage and Freezing

Room temperature
Keep this marble banana bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Refrigerator
Store wrapped for up to 5 days.

Freezer
Wrap the whole loaf or individual slices and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the oven or microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You May Also Like

• Chocolate Banana Bread
• Sourdough Banana Bread
• Pumpkin Banana Bread
• Cream Cheese Banana Bread
• Protein Banana Bread

This marble banana bread is everything you love about banana bread with a beautiful chocolate twist. It is easy to make, naturally gluten-free, and perfect for any time of day. Whether you keep it simple or play around with add-ins and swirls, this is the kind of loaf that disappears fast.

If you make this gluten free cookie dough banana bread recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Join my exclusive Facebook Group for a behind the scenes look. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, check out these Breakfast Recipes.