This might be the most surprising and delicious twist on an old favorite you've ever had. The sweet meets savory explosion does wonders in this Banana Bread with Candied Bacon and Chocolate Recipe, making it utterly unforgettable—and I can't wait for you to try it!

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 Banana Bread with Candied Bacon and Chocolate Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Banana Bread with Candied Bacon and Chocolate Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I discovered this recipe on a chilly Sunday when I wanted something cozy but exciting. Combining luscious banana bread with the unexpected crunch and caramelized goodness of candied bacon and melty chocolate took it over the top. Every bite feels like a celebration of flavor, texture, and a little bit of indulgence.

Sweet and Savory Harmony: The candied bacon adds a beautiful salty crunch that complements the moist banana bread and chocolate perfectly.
Comfort Food Elevated: Traditional banana bread gets a sophisticated upgrade with peanut butter glaze and chocolate that you'll crave again and again.
Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: You might already have everything in your pantry, making it easy to whip up any time with no complicated steps.
Perfect for Sharing: Whether at brunch, with coffee, or as a sweet snack, this recipe brings smiles and requests for seconds.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe balances rich, creamy, tangy, sweet, and salty notes—all from simple, everyday ingredients that come together amazingly. Here’s why each one shines in the Banana Bread with Candied Bacon and Chocolate Recipe.

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

Bacon slices: Low and slow cooking lets the bacon fat render out perfectly before caramelizing with brown sugar for that crunchy, sweet-savory bite.
Light brown sugar: Adds a deep molasses flavor that enhances both the bacon candying and the banana bread’s sweetness.
Mashed bananas: The base of moisture and natural sweetness that makes the bread tender and flavorful.
Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate: Tossed in a bit of flour to prevent sinking, they give melty pockets of richness inside the bread.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure—using a bit for the chocolate chips helps them stay suspended which is a neat little baking trick.
Baking soda: The magic that lifts and lightens the banana bread to a soft crumb.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors overall.
Granulated sugar & light brown sugar: Together they create a nuanced sweetness with slight caramel undertones.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the bread moist without the heaviness butter might add.
Full-fat sour cream: Adds tang and richness, improving crumb texture.
Creamy peanut butter: Used both in the batter and glaze for a luscious, nutty depth.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add richness.
Vanilla extract: A little vanilla goes a long way boosting all the other flavors.
Honey & powdered sugar (for the glaze): Smooths out the peanut butter glaze, adding just the right touch of sweetness and shine.

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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

The fun part about this Banana Bread with Candied Bacon and Chocolate Recipe is how forgiving and versatile it is. I’ve played around with the chocolates and nuts depending on the season, and each variation felt just as special.

Variation: I sometimes swap peanut butter for almond butter in the glaze if I want a slightly different nutty flavor. It still pairs beautifully with the bacon’s crunch.
Dietary swap: For a dairy-free version, using coconut yogurt instead of sour cream keeps the moisture and tang without losing richness.
Seasonal twist: Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin spice in the batter can make this banana bread perfect for autumn vibes.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Banana Bread with Candied Bacon and Chocolate 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: Candy That Bacon to Golden Perfection

Start by cooking the bacon slowly over low heat—trust me, patience here pays off. Render out as much fat as you can; it helps the bacon crisp without burning. When done, drain the bacon grease, then toss in the brown sugar, stirring gently until it melts and caramelizes, coating each slice shiny and crisp. Let them cool completely while you prep the bread. Pro tip: cut into bite-sized chunks once cooled to get perfect dollops throughout your slice.

Step 2: Prep Your Batter Like a Pro

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5 loaf pan—lining it with parchment paper makes for a smoother release later. Toss the chocolate chips with a tablespoon of flour to keep them from sinking (this little trick has saved many a loaf!). In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

In another bowl, mix your mashed bananas, sugars, oil, sour cream, creamy peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Incorporate the dry ingredients gently, stirring just until you see no flour streaks. Finally, fold in your coated chocolate chips and set the batter aside.

Step 3: Bake and Cool for Best Texture

Pour your batter into the loaf pan and pop it in the oven for 50–60 minutes. I recommend checking at 50 minutes with a toothpick; it should come out clean with a few moist crumbs—that's your cue to pull it out before it dries. Let the bread rest five minutes in the pan before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling is key so the glaze and toppings don’t melt away.

Step 4: Whip Up the Peanut Butter Glaze and Assemble

While the bread cools, mix your peanut butter, honey, and powdered sugar for the glaze until smooth and shiny. Drizzle it over the cooled loaf, then top generously with your candied bacon pieces and extra chocolate for that irresistible finishing touch. Slice it up and get ready for compliments.

Top Tip

In my experience, these small details make all the difference in nailing this Banana Bread with Candied Bacon and Chocolate Recipe every single time.

Low & slow bacon: Cooking bacon on low heat lets it render more fat and caramelize better with brown sugar without burning.
Flour-coating chocolate chips: Tossing chocolate in flour before mixing prevents sinking and ensures even distribution.
Don’t overmix batter: Mixing until just combined keeps the bread tender rather than tough.
Cool completely before glazing: Glaze melts away if the bread is still warm—patience here preserves that silky, glossy finish.

How to Serve Banana Bread with Candied Bacon and Chocolate 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 garnishing with a few extra candied bacon bits and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to amplify the sweet-salty contrast. Adding a few more chocolate shards on top before serving makes the presentation irresistible and adds little pockets of melty richness with each bite.

Side Dishes

This bread pairs beautifully with a simple cup of hot coffee or black tea to balance the sweetness. For brunch, I like serving it alongside fresh fruit and a light yogurt parfait to add freshness and variety.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve turned this banana bread into a dessert centerpiece by serving slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzling extra peanut butter glaze artistically on the plate. It looks fancy but is so easy to prepare!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover banana bread tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps it moist and flavorful without drying out.

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully — I slice it first, then wrap the slices individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. When I’m ready for a treat, I pull out a slice or two and thaw them on the counter or gently warm them in the microwave.

Reheating

A quick zap in the microwave for 20-30 seconds revives the warm, gooey chocolate and soft bread texture perfectly. If you prefer, warming slices in a toaster oven keeps the candied bacon crispy and the bread just right.

Banana Bread with Candied Bacon and Chocolate Recipe