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    Home » Desserts » Cakes & Pies » Gluten-Free Banana Cake with Chocolate Chips

    Gluten-Free Banana Cake with Chocolate Chips

    May 30, 2025 · by Valentina · 43 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Banana Cake with chocolate chips is one of the most unique and best cakes ever. And it's THE best gluten-free banana cake, for sure. Delicious for any occasion, it's rich, unbelievably moist, and subtly spiced.

    Close up, cross section of a loaf of banana cake with chocolate chips.

    What can you make with overripe bananas besides banana bread? Cake, of course. 😉

    A lot of people who try this gluten-free banana cake put it right up there with their favorite cakes. Not necessarily in the gluten-free category either. In other words, it's right up there with all cakes.

    This is a moist, somewhat dense cake with banana and chocolate chunks in every bite!

    The Key Ingredients

    Ingredients for gluten-free banana cake including brown and white sugar, bananas, spices, sour cream, eggs, oil and vanilla - on a beautiful mixed wood cutting board.

    Don't be deterred by the lengthy ingredient list -- this cake is very easy to make, and it's this combination of ingredients that makes it so good.

    • brown sugar and granulated sugar - The combination of both sugars adds moisture, structure and flavor to the banana cake. I don't recommend using just one of them.
    • avocado oil - Oil typically will give you the best results for a moist cake. You can use any neutral oil, though I prefer avocado oil because it's healthier than others.
    • unsalted butter - I use butter in addition to the oil to add its delicious flavor.
    • banana - Bananas are used two ways in this recipe. We use mashed overripe bananas and ripe diced bananas. The banana pieces, along with the chocolate pieces are dreamy!
    • eggs - Eggs help the cake rise and add more moisture and structure. I always try to buy pasture raised eggs. You can learn about pasture-raised eggs in this article.
    • sour cream - Sour cream contributes to the moist texture in the cake and it also adds a very subtle tangy flavor.
    • vanilla extract - Use your favorite. I use this pure vanilla extract.
    • cinnamon and allspice - This spice blend is lovely with the banana flavor. If you want to use one or the other that's okay. If you do this, do not double the amounts: for the cinnamon, use 2 teaspoons, and for the allspice, use 1 ½ teaspoons.
    • Kosher salt - I bake (and cook) with Kosher salt because I like its larger flake size and it usually doesn't contain additives. Use half the amount if you use table salt.
    • Cup4Cup Gluten-Free flour - This is my favorite gluten-free flour as it behaves very much like a non gluten-free all purpose flour. Do not try to substitute this with other gluten-free flours like almond or coconut. They absorb liquid differently and the cake won't rise properly.
    • baking soda - This helps the cake rise.
    • chocolate chips - I use semisweet chocolate chips in this recipe. You can substitute with a darker chocolate if your prefer. It's a pretty sweet cake, so milk chocolate might be too sweet a choice.

    How to Make Gluten-Free Banana Cake

    (More detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.)

    - Mash the banana in a large bowl. Then add both sugars, the oil, softened butter, sour cream, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Mix until smooth. Add the eggs and continue to mix until they're fully incorporated.

    Recipe tip: I find a hand mixer is ideal for mixing this batter up to this step.

    Mashed banana in stainless steel bowl with a fork.
    Gluten-free banana cake batter halfway made with wooden spoon holding some of it out of the bowl.

    - In another bowl, toss diced banana and chocolate chips with ¼ cup of the gluten-free flour. Then fold it into the batter with the remaining 1 ½ cups of flour and baking soda.

    Recipe Tip: Don't skip mixing some of the flour with the chocolate chips and banana pieces. This will help them from falling to the bottom of the cake while it's baking.

    Small glass bowl filled with flour mixed with chocolate chips and diced banana.
    Bowl filled with chocolate chip banana cake batter and a wooden spoon.

    - Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans, and bake in a 350°F preheated oven until the cakes are golden brown along the edges, and are beginning to crack on top.

    Two loaf pans lined with parchment paper.
    Two loaf pans lined with parchment paper and filled with gluten-free chocolate chip banana cake.

    - Let the cakes cool for at least 1 hour in the pans before removing and slicing them.

    Baked, golden brown banana cake in a loaf pan.
    Sliced banana cake on a white plate.

    This may look more like banana bread than banana cake, but that's simply because of its loaf shape. One bite in, and you'll know there's a whole lot more going on here.

    Variations

    • Change the shape. I like the way this gluten-free banana cake bakes in the loaf pans, but you can also use a round cake pan or a bundt pan. (All of the batter should fit into a standard-sized bundt pan, and two 9-inch cake pans.)
    • Add nuts. Feel free to add nuts -- walnuts or pecans would be great. You can substitute them for the chocolate chips, or use a combination of both to equal 1 ¾ cups.
    • To frost or not to frost? I don't think this cake needs any frosting. It's so decadent as it is that frosting might even take away from it.
    • Non gluten-free version. Use regular all-purpose flour.

    Why This Gluten-Free Banana Cake Stands Out

    • There are bananas two ways: mashed and chopped. There are overripe bananas in the batter, and there are also small bites of ripe banana throughout the cake. The mashed bananas add sweetness, flavor and moisture, and the bites add another dimension to the texture.
    • Both oil and butter are used in this recipe. Cakes are typically more moist when oil is used, but by using both, we also get the delicious butter flavor.
    • The final texture is absolutely dreamy! I think it's what makes this cake stand out from all others.
    • You would never know this cake is gluten-free.

    More Gluten-Free Treats with Banana

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      Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins
    • Tall stack of coconut flour pancakes on a whitle place iwth mango on top
      Coconut Flour Pancakes with Banana

    Making it Ahead and Storing it

    You can make gluten-free banana cake ahead of time.

    • Freezer. Wrapped tightly, you can store it for about a month in the freezer. Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator the day before you want to serve it.
    • Room temperature. In a tightly sealed container, the bread can be kept at room temperature for about two days.
    • Refrigerator. In a tightly sealed container, the cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. (Note that it will not be as moist when stored in the fridge.)
    Top view of 3 slices of banana cake with chocolate chips.

    I'm telling you, if you ever need to make a gluten-free dessert for someone, they'll love you forever if it's this gluten-free banana cake!

    Close up, cross section of a loaf of banana cake with chocolate chips.

    Gluten-Free Banana Cake Recipe

    Valentina K. Wein
    This Banana Cake with chocolate chips is one of the best cakes ever. And it's THE best gluten-free banana cake, for sure. Delicious for any occasion, it's rich, unbelievably moist, and subtly spiced.
    Makes 2 (8½-inch) loaf cakes
    5 from 16 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 50 minutes mins
    Cooling Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16
    Calories 379 kcal

    Equipment

    • loaf pan
    • parchment paper
    • electric hand mixer
    • sheet pans

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¾ cup golden brown sugar
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup avocado oil (or other neutral oil, like vegetable)
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
    • 2 cups banana, mashed (from about 3 to 4 bananas)
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    • 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon allspice
    • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (if you're using table salt, use half the amount)
    • 4 large eggs
    • 1¾ cups Cup4Cup gluten-free all-purpose flour, divided
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • 1¾ cup banana, diced (from about 2 bananas)
    • 1¾ cups semisweet chocolate chips

    Instructions
     

    • Set oven and prepare pans. Preheat the oven to 350°F, and line 2 approximately 8½-inch loaf pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • Make the batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine both sugars with the oil and butter. Then mix in the mashed banana, sour cream, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Use an electric mixer to blend until it's as smooth as possible. Add the eggs, and continue to mix until they're fully incorporated.
      Now mix in 1½ cups of the gluten-free flour with the baking soda, just until you no longer see dry spots.
      In another bowl, gently toss the diced banana and chocolate chips with the remaining ¼ cup gluten-free flour. Then fold this into the batter. (This can help prevent them from falling to the bottom.)
    • Bake. Evenly divide the batter between the two parchment-lined pans, and place them both on a baking sheet. Bake in the 350°F preheated oven until the cakes are golden brown along the edges, and are beginning to crack -- about 50 minutes.
    • Cool. Let the cakes cool for at least 1 hour in the pans before removing and slicing.

    NOTES

    Nutritional information is automatically calculated, so it should only be used as an estimate.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 278mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 301IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg
    Keywords cake for breakfast, gluten-free cakes
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

    Cooking On The Weekends is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. angiesrecipes

      March 08, 2019 at 1:56 am

      The cake looks phenomenal!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 08, 2019 at 9:16 pm

        Thank you, Angie. 🙂

        Reply
    2. David

      March 09, 2019 at 8:54 am

      Valentina - another of my blog friends just posted a chocolate-banana bread, and I had to admit to her that I really dislike banana bread, especially banana-not bread. However, as odd as it may seem, I absolutely love chocolate-banana bread! Thanks for this recipe – it looks scrumptious! I have saved to my gluten-free recipe file, which is growing by leaps and bounds thanks to you! Happy weekend…

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 10, 2019 at 8:57 pm

        My gluten-free baking is all thanks to my son with Celiac. If not for him, I don't think I would have come so far with it. It makes me so happy when the GF baked good just taste like "regular" baked goods. 🙂 Enjoy and thank you!

        Reply
      • David Scott Allen

        June 02, 2025 at 4:19 am

        5 stars
        I still love this! It is so incredibly moist — and addictive! Oh, and that photo of the ingredients? So beautiful — love the spoons cross-crossing!

        Reply
        • Valentina

          June 02, 2025 at 3:26 pm

          Thank you, David! I really appreciate the photo compliment, as I've felt a bit out of the game since the fire. Hope you love the banana cake! 🙂 ~Valentina

          Reply
    3. Diana

      March 09, 2019 at 4:14 pm

      5 stars
      That looks incredibly moist and dense, which I like in a banana bread/cake. I like the idea to experiment with a bundt pan!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 10, 2019 at 8:54 pm

        Me too. Hope you give it a try. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Monica

      March 09, 2019 at 5:46 pm

      5 stars
      This cake has the absolute most perfect texture - so moist and dense, just what you want in a banana bread! And of course the chocolate chips are always the answer. Perfection!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 10, 2019 at 8:54 pm

        Thanks, Monica. I'm with you on the chocolate chips.

        Reply
    5. Natalie

      March 09, 2019 at 9:39 pm

      5 stars
      Looks so delicious and perfect for the weekend!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 10, 2019 at 8:53 pm

        Yes! Thank you.

        Reply
    6. Jere Cassidy

      March 09, 2019 at 9:42 pm

      5 stars
      I love seeing the banana pieces in this and it looks so moist.

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 10, 2019 at 8:53 pm

        Thanks so much. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Jeff the Chef

      March 09, 2019 at 10:37 pm

      This definitely lookslike one of those I-don't-care-if-it's-gluten-free recipes. It just plain looks delicious!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 10, 2019 at 8:52 pm

        It is!!! Thank you. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Kelly

      March 10, 2019 at 3:26 am

      5 stars
      Valentina, this cake was perfect to fuel my chocolate and banana obsession! I can love getting a bite with a little chocolate and a little chunk of banana - heavenly flavor explosion!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 10, 2019 at 8:52 pm

        Thanks so much, Kelly! Yes, the banana chunks are key. 🙂

        Reply
    9. Bintu

      March 10, 2019 at 3:44 am

      5 stars
      We love using up our bananas in banana bread and this banana chocolate chip loaf cake looks so moist and delicious. Even better, my husband can enjoy it too because it is gluten free!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 10, 2019 at 8:52 pm

        Yay!Thank you. I think he will love it!

        Reply
    10. James

      March 10, 2019 at 8:02 am

      5 stars
      Just a perfect looking moist cake. Overripe bananas are perfect in these types of cakes!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 10, 2019 at 8:51 pm

        Thanks, James. Good thing there's a home from overripe bananas -- we always have too many of them. 🙂

        Reply
    11. Nancy

      March 10, 2019 at 1:24 pm

      5 stars
      I honestly wanted to reach through the screen and snatch a piece of this cake! Growing up, we always had a "bread" around - banana bread, zucchini bread, apricot bread, you name it! But we DID NOT have this one.... and I'm still not sure if that was a good or bad thing since I know I wouldn't have been able to keep my hands off it!!!!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 10, 2019 at 8:50 pm

        Thanks so much, Nancy! It's my favorite! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

      March 11, 2019 at 4:33 am

      5 stars
      Oh so good, Valentina! Super rich, banana-ey and chocolate-ey.....just what I want! I can imagine how good this is with a big ol' cuppa coffee. Happy Monday to ya 🙂

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 12, 2019 at 12:56 pm

        Yes! Love my coffee! Hope you try it. Enjoy and hope you're having a great week. 🙂

        Reply
    13. David

      March 11, 2019 at 5:14 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love banana bread! It's one of my favorite childhood memories as I feel like the kitchen always smelled like fresh banana bread. I can't wait to give your gluten-free version a try, Valentina.

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 12, 2019 at 12:55 pm

        Thanks so much, David. I love childhood food memories (when they're delicious). 😉

        Reply
    14. Ron

      March 11, 2019 at 6:08 am

      5 stars
      Your timing is impeccable Valentina as we're having a birthday gathering next weekend and we have one that can't do gluten and one that can't eat nuts. So your yummy looking chocolate chip banana cake will be made. Of course, we'll have the tradition Prinsesstarta (Princess Cake) for those who don't have gluten and nut issues. Question please; we don't get chocolate chips here, can I sub with a good 70% Swedish chocolate that's chopped up?

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 11, 2019 at 12:41 pm

        Of course! Who doesn't love Swedish chocolate!? Right? I know I do.:-) Sounds perfect. The smaller the chunks, the less likely they'll fall to the bottom. I hope you love it -- and that your GF and nut free friends do too! Thanks for visiting, as always, and enjoy!

        Reply
    15. Balvinder

      March 11, 2019 at 5:43 pm

      This is calling out to me, but how do i get to it? It looks so delicious and moist. I can almost feel it in my mouth.

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 12, 2019 at 12:54 pm

        Ha! I guess you'll have to bake it. 🙂 Thanks!

        Reply
    16. Kathryn

      March 14, 2019 at 12:38 am

      5 stars
      Lovely...thanks Valentina, my celiac friend loves it....😊

      Reply
    17. Dimana

      December 06, 2019 at 10:31 am

      Hi,
      I'm going to make the recipe, but I'm not using US measurements, so i find it veery hard to convert to Metric units.
      Can you tell me the 1 3/4 cups of choc chips how much is it in grams if you know?
      Thank you for the recipe, it really looks delicious and I cannot wait to try it 😉
      x

      Reply
      • valentina

        December 06, 2019 at 4:52 pm

        Hi Dimana, Thanks for writing in. I believe 1 3/4 cup of chocolate would be about 308 grams. I hope you love this cake! 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
        • Dimana

          December 12, 2019 at 4:22 am

          5 stars
          I not only loved it, but I am absolutely obsessed with it! My husband even loved it and he's not the type that eats cakes :)) Thank you! x

          Reply
          • valentina

            December 12, 2019 at 9:01 am

            Hi Dimana, You've made my day! I'm so happy you loved this cake. And it's always the best compliment when someone likes something they typically wouldn't, so I'm thrilled your husband loved it, too. 🙂 ~Valentina

            Reply
    18. Sharon

      March 15, 2022 at 3:20 am

      5 stars
      This cake does not taste like it is gluten free. It’s delicious! I have gone through my fair share of unsuccessful gluten free baking, so I am so happy I have stumbled upon this recipe. My son said the banana chunks taste fudgy, definite stamp of approval.

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 15, 2022 at 8:19 pm

        Hi Sharon. Thanks so much for writing in. I'm so happy you and your son loved this cake. I make it practically every time I have a lot of bananas. It's funny, my older son can't eat gluten (Celiac), so it's one of the recipes I initially created for him -- he likes it a lot, but my younger son, who can eat gluten, says it's his favorite cake ever. Thank you again, and I hope you have a great week. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply
    19. Joanne

      February 24, 2024 at 1:54 pm

      What happened to the recipe for Olive Oil chocolate chip banana bread?

      Reply
      • Valentina

        February 24, 2024 at 4:00 pm

        Hi Joanne, I just sent you the Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Banana Bread to your email address (with an explanation). Enjoy! ~Valentina

        Reply
    20. Ben | Havocinthekitchen

      June 01, 2025 at 3:23 pm

      5 stars
      What a beautiful and delicious looking cake - so tempting to grab a slice (or five). And I'm not even a big banana bread fan due to its peculiar texture, but you've managed to create something wonderful and inviting 🙂

      Reply
      • Valentina

        June 02, 2025 at 3:25 pm

        Hi Ben! So happy my recipe is luring you in. 🙂 ~Valentina

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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