Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine.

In a small bowl, stir the instant coffee into 1 teaspoon of boiling water until dissolved.

In a separate medium bowl, mix together the mashed banana, oil, brown sugar, milk, coffee mixture, and vanilla until smooth.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Add ½ cup of the chocolate chips and stir until just combined—don’t overmix.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips on top.

Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay, but no wet batter).

Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.