📖 Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a standard loaf pan (approximately 9x5 inches). Or line with parchment paper for easy removal – trust me, less mess!
2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth, some lumps are okay. I once tried to use unripe bananas... big mistake! The texture was awful.
3. Add the melted coconut oil, honey (or maple syrup), eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk until well combined. This smells amazing already!
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, chia seeds, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Make sure everything is evenly distributed for a consistent bake.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – a few streaks of flour are fine. Overmixing leads to tough bread, and nobody wants that.
6. If you’re adding walnuts or chocolate chips (and you should!), gently fold them into the batter. I am using chocolate chips.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. If desired, sprinkle extra chia seeds or chopped walnuts on top for added texture and visual appeal.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Every oven is different so check regularly after 50 minutes!
9. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents it from getting soggy.
10. Slice and serve! This bread is delicious on its own, toasted with butter, or even with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey. The variations are limitless – get creative!