If you thought slow cookers were only for soups or pot roast, think again! You can make desserts and sweet treats in slow cookers too. And yes, I made this soft, tender banana bread in my slow cooker. I adapted an older banana bread recipe of mine for Flour’s Famous Banana Bread, which is a copycat recipe of the famous bakery’s banana bread. And rather than baking it, I made it right in my trusty Crockpot. It couldn’t be any simpler! To jazz things up, I added some pecans and chocolate chips. Nuts in desserts can be a questionable item for some folks so feel free to omit the nuts if you’re not a fan. Or use walnuts rather than pecans if you prefer. But the chocolate chips? Please don’t omit those! Melted chocolate chips nestled in every bite of warm banana bread is the food equivalent of putting on a comfy blanket as you curl up on the couch! It shouldn’t be missed.
Why Make Banana Bread in a Crockpot?
I’ll give you a lot of reasons why you may want to try this unique way to make banana bread:
You have ripe bananas to use! And if that’s the case, make sure to also check out my Six-Banana Banana Bread (which uses 6 bananas), my Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread, and my Best Banana Cake. And just in case you need more ideas, I have 40+ banana bread recipes and banana desserts! It’s hot out and you don’t want to heat up your kitchen so it’s slow cooker to the rescue. I have friends who place their slow cooker on their porch or garage if they’re really serious about things. Your oven is going to be in high demand and you don’t have room. Imagine before the holidays, or a special occasion such as you’re cooking for a family birthday or Sunday dinner, and you need to free up oven space, here you go. A fun “baking” project with the kids of grandkids. They can almost watch the banana bread cook through the glass lid of the slow cooker which is fun for them. You’re curious how this works! This may be the best reason. I make a lot of things out of curiosity and intrigue because I want to see how or if it works. In this case, yes, it does and it’s fun.
Ingredients Needed
To make this easy Crockpot banana bread with nuts and chocolate chips, you’ll need the following very common and easy to find fridge and pantry ingredients including: There’s also Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Swirl Cake with peanut butter cups – super decadent. Slow Cooker Banana Bread Cake with Brown Sugar Sauce is another great banana based recipe. While it’s not a slow cooker, but instead and air fryer, I have this Air Fryer Banana Bread for Two recipe which is super fun and popular.
Large eggs Granulated sugar Canola or vegetable oil Sour cream or Greek yogurt Pure vanilla extract Bananas All-purpose flour Baking soda (note there’s no baking powder in this recipe, just baking soda) Salt Cinnamon, optional Mini chocolate chips, optional but recommended Nuts, optional (walnuts or pecans)
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
A Note About Using Oil Vs. Butter in Banana Bread
I tested this recipe using both a stick of butter (1/2 cup) and using 1/2 cup oil. I used a hand mixer to beat the butter with the sugars and eggs. The butter version cooked through slightly quicker by about 15-20 minutes. Not terribly significant in a recipe that takes about 3 hours to cook. But since I am a stickler for ease, I will always opt for using a whisk like I do when whisking together oil, sugars, and eggs for the oil-based version. To me, this version is moister and lacks for nothing in the flavor department – no ‘missing the butter’ here – so it’s my preferred method!
How to Make Banana Bread in a Crockpot
It doesn’t get any easier than this Crock-Pot banana bread recipe! You don’t even need a mixer. Prep time is no more than 10 mins!
More Easy Banana Bread Recipes:
Love banana recipes? Here are 40+ banana bread recipes and banana desserts to get you started! I also find that one side of mine runs hotter than the other side. Therefore, midway through cooking I rotate the ceramic insert so that things cook more evenly. In the Refrigerator: The only time I keep banana bread in the fridge is if it’s summertime and my kitchen is very warm (or humid) and things are more prone to spoiling. Airtight in the fridge, the banana bread will keep for up to 5-7 days. In the Freezer: This recipe will keep airtight in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. Wrap it in plastic wrap and pop in a large freezer storage bag. Thaw on the counter before serving. Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Slow Cooker Banana Bread Cake with Brown Sugar Sauce — Soft, tender CrockPot banana bread with a caramely, brown sugar sauce that develops while the bread cooks!! If you’ve never made a slow cooker dessert, start with this easy recipe! Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread — This is the BEST homemade banana bread recipe! This banana bread tastes like it has cheesecake baked in! Soft, fluffy, easy and tastes ahhhh-mazing!! Six-Banana Banana Bread — Not sure what to do with overripe bananas you have on hand? Make this Six-Banana Banana Bread! This is the best banana bread recipe EVER — it’s so moist and flavorful! Strawberry Banana Bread — This strawberry bread is packed with fresh, juicy strawberries in every bite! This is an easy, no-mixer quick bread recipe you’re going to love! Carrot Banana Bread — EASY, no-mixer, super soft banana carrot bread that reminds me of carrot cake but healthier!! Great Easter brunch idea or spring baked good! Pumpkin Banana Bread with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Glaze — I’ll never tire of pumpkin recipes and this one pairs pumpkin bread with banana bread for a soft, tender loaf that’s subtly pumpkin and molasses flavored. Brown Sugar Blueberry Banana Bread — Super moist blueberry banana bread made with Greek yogurt and dark brown sugar. Smear some homemade blueberry butter onto a slice of this blueberry brown sugar banana bread and prepare to fall in love! Zucchini Banana Bread — This zucchini banana bread is so soft, tender, uber-moist, dense enough to be satisfying, but still light! Cinnamon Sugar Streusel Banana Bread – Super SOFT tender banana bread that’s impossible to resist!! The crispy, crumbly, streusel topping makes a good thing even BETTER!
