This might be the most irresistible loaf you’ll bake this season — rich, buttery, and bursting with comfort flavors. The Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe is my go-to surprise for brunch or an afternoon treat when I want something that feels both cozy and daring.

A loaf cake with two layers is shown on a silver tray over a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a golden-brown bread filled with small dark spots, indicating chocolate chips or small chocolate pieces. The top layer is a thick orange frosting that is spread unevenly and dripping slightly down the side. The frosting is topped with scattered milk chocolate chips and some small red dried pieces, likely dried fruit. To the left and right of the tray are white bowls, one with a few dried pieces and the other filled with chocolate chips. The 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 Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What makes this Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe stand out is that brilliant sweet-and-salty combo. Every bite surprises you—soft, chocolatey banana bread with those unexpected crunchy candied bacon pieces. I still remember the first time I tried it; it changed how I think about banana bread forever!

Flavor Explosion: The mix of chocolate, peanut butter, and candied bacon tickles your taste buds in the best way possible.
Texture Contrast: Soft, moist banana bread punctuated by crunchy, caramelized bacon bits keeps every bite interesting.
Customization Friendly: You can tweak the sweetness, chocolate amount, or even bacon intensity to suit your cravings.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a weekend brunch, coffee break, or an indulgent snack, this bread always hits the spot.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe plays an important role. The ripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture, while peanut butter adds richness. Candied bacon brings a smoky crunch, and chocolate chips melt into pockets of pure joy. Here’s why I love what goes into it:

Flat lay of crispy uncooked bacon slices, a small white bowl of packed light brown sugar, a cluster of shiny dark chocolate chips, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of baking soda powder, a small white bowl of fine salt, three large ripe peeled bananas, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl of vegetable oil, a small white bowl of full-fat sour cream, a small white bowl of creamy peanut butter, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, and a small white bowl of vanilla extract 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

Bananas: Use really ripe, spotted bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
Candied Bacon: Cooking bacon low and slow with brown sugar turns it into sticky, caramelized bites that complement the bread beautifully.
Chocolate Chips: Tossing them with a tablespoon of flour keeps them from sinking to the bottom—a game-changer.
Peanut Butter: Adds a subtle nutty richness that pairs perfectly with banana and chocolate.
Sour Cream: Keeps the bread tender and moist without making it dense.
Flour & Baking Soda: The classic leavening duo ensures fluffy, tender crumb.
Brown & Granulated Sugar: Both contribute to the complex sweetness and help caramelize the bacon.
Eggs: Provide structure and a slight richness.
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors and enhances sweetness naturally.

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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

One of the things I enjoy most about this Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe is how easy it is to adjust to your taste. Personally, I’ve tweaked it to fit mornings when I want a bit less sugar or evenings when I want the bacon to shine extra bright. You can make it truly yours!

Make it Fancier: I sometimes add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for even more texture and nutty flavor.
Go Dairy-Free: Swap sour cream for a non-dairy yogurt or coconut cream, and use a plant-based oil. It turns out beautifully.
Add Spices: For colder months, a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom warms things up and layers the flavor thoughtfully.

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

A slice of brown banana bread with dark chocolate chips mixed inside is placed on a white plate with a fork next to it. The slice has a thick layer of smooth, orange-tan frosting on top, sprinkled with small dark chocolate chips and small bits of candied orange peel. Behind the plate, the rest of the loaf sits on a metal tray, showing the same texture inside and covered with the same frosting and toppings. The background features a white towel with blue stripes, a yellow banana, and small white bowls with chocolate chips and candied orange pieces on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Candied Bacon Magic

Start on the candied bacon since it takes some time to cool. Cook the bacon slowly on low heat to render out the fat—this prevents sogginess later. Drain the grease, then toss the bacon slices back into the pan with brown sugar. Keep tossing for 5-6 minutes until the sugar dissolves and caramelizes, coating the bacon in sticky sweetness. Transfer to a plate and let cool completely. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Mixing the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together 1 ½ cups of flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. This ensures your leavening is evenly distributed and helps your bread rise perfectly.

Step 3: Combining Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix mashed bananas with granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk them until the mixture looks smooth and homogenous—no streaks of sugar or egg whites hanging around.

Step 4: Bringing It Together & Adding Chocolate

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until no flour streaks remain. Toss the chocolate chips with a tablespoon of flour to keep them suspended in the batter, then fold those in gently. This little trick stops all the chips from sinking to the bottom of the loaf.

Step 5: Bake & Cool

Pour the batter into a greased and parchment-lined 9x5 loaf pan. Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes. Start checking at 50 minutes by inserting a toothpick; you want it to come out clean with a few moist crumbs attached. Once done, cool the bread in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Glaze & Assemble

Whisk together peanut butter, honey, and powdered sugar until smooth. Pour this glaze generously over the cooled bread and scatter your candied bacon pieces on top alongside a few extra chocolate chips for that final wow factor. Slice and serve!

Top Tip

From countless loaves (and a few slightly soggy experiments!), here’s what really makes this recipe foolproof and delicious every time.

Low and Slow for Bacon: Cooking bacon slowly renders out fat without burning, which makes the candied bacon crispy without bitterness.
Flour Coat Your Chocolate Chips: It might sound strange, but this simple step prevents the chips from sinking and keeps the bread evenly studded with chocolate.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing eggs and sour cream to room temp helps the batter mix smoothly and bake evenly.
Check The Toothpick Late: Start testing at 50 minutes but let it finish baking if the center is still moist but not wet—will ensure a perfectly tender crumb.

How to Serve Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe

The image shows a single deep rectangular white baking dish filled with light golden batter mixed with small dark chocolate chips scattered throughout. The batter looks smooth with some shiny spots and slight unevenness on the surface, creating gentle waves and texture. The white marbled surface underneath adds contrast to the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping slices with extra candied bacon and a drizzle of peanut butter glaze to amp up the salty-sweet punch. Sometimes, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the glaze just before serving brings out all the flavors wonderfully.

Side Dishes

This bread shines on its own but pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or your favorite nut milk latte. For brunch, I like serving it alongside a fresh fruit salad or scrambled eggs to balance the indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I slice into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a platter with mini dollops of peanut butter glaze and candied bacon on top—perfect for sharing. You could also turn leftover slices into decadent French toast for a weekend breakfast treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap leftover banana bread tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The candied bacon stays delightfully crisp if not refrigerated, which I’ve found keeps the bread tasting fresh.

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully! Just wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer bag. When you want a treat, thaw slices overnight in the fridge or at room temp for a couple hours.

Reheating

When reheating, I like to warm slices gently in a toaster oven or microwave for 20-30 seconds. You just want to warm it enough so the chocolate melts slightly and the glaze softens without drying out the bread.

Chocolate Banana Bread with Candied Bacon Recipe