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Banana Snack Cake with Chocolate Chips & Crumble Topping

April 17, 2026 by Gina +

There is something so satisfying about turning a few overripe bananas into a recipe everyone gets excited about. And while banana bread will always have its place, this banana snack cake feels a little more fun, a little more bakery-style, and honestly even easier to slice, serve, and snack on throughout the week.

This cake is soft, moist, packed with banana flavor, and topped with a buttery cinnamon crumble that takes it over the top. I love it as an afternoon snack with coffee, packed in lunches, or warmed up for dessert. If you have three ripe bananas sitting on the counter, this is the recipe to make next.

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Banana Snack Cake

  • Uses 3 very ripe bananas
  • Softer and fluffier than banana bread
  • Easy one-bowl style recipe
  • Perfect for snacks, dessert, or breakfast
  • Family-friendly and freezer friendly
  • Crumble topping + chocolate chips = so good

Ingredients

For the Banana Snack Cake

  • 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1/3 cup melted butter or neutral oil
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

For the Crumble Topping

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons melted butter
  • Pinch of salt

Main Ingredient Breakdown

Bananas

The star of the recipe. Very ripe bananas bring natural sweetness, moisture, and the best banana flavor.

Greek Yogurt

Adds richness and moisture while keeping the cake tender. Sour cream also works well.

Chocolate Chips

Mini chocolate chips give you chocolate in every bite without overpowering the banana flavor.

Crumble Topping

A simple mix that bakes into a sweet buttery layer with the perfect little crunch.

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF. Grease and line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the crumble topping ingredients until sandy clumps form. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, eggs, Greek yogurt, melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
  6. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the top.
  7. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
  8. Let cool before slicing and serving.

Tips for the Best Banana Snack Cake

  • Use bananas with lots of brown spots for the sweetest flavor.
  • Do not overmix the batter or the cake can become dense.
  • Tent loosely with foil near the end if the top browns too quickly.
  • Let it cool before slicing so the texture sets properly.
  • Warm leftovers for 10 seconds in the microwave for an extra cozy treat.

FAQ

Can I make this without chocolate chips?

Yes. You can leave them out or swap for chopped nuts.

Can I freeze the banana snack cake?

Absolutely. Slice first, wrap well, and freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I use whole wheat flour?

You can substitute part of the flour, but all-purpose gives the softest texture.

How should I store it?

Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I make this in a loaf pan?

Yes, but the bake time will be longer and the texture will be more like banana bread.


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Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: banana, cake, chocolate chips, snack

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Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken breast, finely shredded
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 small apple, finely chopped
1/4 dried cranberry 
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 
salt and pepper to taste
Optional 1/4 cup chopped walnuts for crunch.

Instructions:
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Use sourdough or whatever bread you love, and make extra caramelized onions โ€” youโ€™ll want them again tomorrow.
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Another winner from @TestKitchen, where every recipe is tested to make sure it works at home. And at under 45 minutes, this one is definitely going into my weeknight rotation.
 
Want to try it? Comment RECIPE and Iโ€™ll send you a link to trial Americaโ€™s Test Kitchen and get the recipe. You can also find the link in my bio.

And be sure to give @TestKitchen a follow for more tested, reliable recipes!
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Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken breast, finely shredded
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 small apple, finely chopped
1/4 dried cranberry 
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 
salt and pepper to taste
Optional 1/4 cup chopped walnuts for crunch.

Instructions:
Finely shred or mash the cooked chicken breast to your preferred texture. In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice, mixing until smooth. Add the chicken, apple, celery, red onion, and parsley, and stir until everything is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper, and mix in the walnuts if using. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors meld, then serve chilled on lettuce, in a wrap, or with crackers.
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Comment โ€œAPPLEโ€ and Iโ€™ll send you the full recipe!
A dinner you donโ€™t want to miss. I cut a hole st A dinner you donโ€™t want to miss. 

I cut a hole straight into savory Hawaiian rolls and dropped a protein-packed meatball right in โ€”  meatballs made extra tender (and boosted with protein) thanks to a little cottage cheese blended into the mix. Load with marinara, mozzarella, bake until bubbly, and pull apart to serve.

Comment โ€œMEATBALLโ€ and Iโ€™ll send you the full recipe!
Instead of stacking a fried egg onto a bagel, you Instead of stacking a fried egg onto a bagel, you cook the egg thin in the pan and let the bagel halves press right into it โ€” no sliding eggs, no mess. 

Lightly toast the bagel. Whisk the eggs with a little salt and pour into a nonstick pan, spreading it thin. When the egg is almost cooked through, place the two bagel halves on top, pressing gently โ€” this holds the egg in place and keeps it from sliding out. Flip the pan so the bagel side is down and the egg side is up onto a plate. Add your toppings, fold any extra egg over the top, and close the sandwich.

Use a low carb or regular bagel, both work great. I love bagels from @westernbagel
Save this sandwich โ€” your fall grilled cheese. Bu Save this sandwich โ€” your fall grilled cheese.

Buttery, golden sourdough stuffed with melty brie, sharp white cheddar, jammy caramelized onions, and crisp apple slices. Itโ€™s creamy, sweet, tangy, and toasted to perfection.

Use sourdough or whatever bread you love, and make extra caramelized onions โ€” youโ€™ll want them again tomorrow.
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan #ad This is exactly th Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan #ad

This is exactly the kind of dinner I want during the weekโ€”crispy chicken, plenty of sauce, and melted cheese, without making dinner more complicated than it needs to be.

Another winner from @TestKitchen, where every recipe is tested to make sure it works at home. And at under 45 minutes, this one is definitely going into my weeknight rotation.
 
Want to try it? Comment RECIPE and Iโ€™ll send you a link to trial Americaโ€™s Test Kitchen and get the recipe. You can also find the link in my bio.

And be sure to give @TestKitchen a follow for more tested, reliable recipes!
This Harvest Chicken Salad is one of my favorite w This Harvest Chicken Salad is one of my favorite ways to switch up lunch this time of year. Sweet apple, crunchy celery, and a lightened-up dressing come together for something thatโ€™s fresh, filling, and way better than the usual mayo-heavy version. Serve it on a bed of lettuce, in a wrap, or with crackers. Make sure youโ€™re following @gina_gibson_cooks for more recipes. 

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken breast, finely shredded
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 small apple, finely chopped
1/4 dried cranberry 
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 
salt and pepper to taste
Optional 1/4 cup chopped walnuts for crunch.

Instructions:
Finely shred or mash the cooked chicken breast to your preferred texture. In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice, mixing until smooth. Add the chicken, apple, celery, red onion, and parsley, and stir until everything is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper, and mix in the walnuts if using. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors meld, then serve chilled on lettuce, in a wrap, or with crackers.

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