In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and fine salt until they are well combined and aerated.
In a separate bowl, mix together the buttermilk, lightly beaten egg, mashed bananas, and melted butter/oil. Stir until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Gently stir the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined, being careful not to over-mix. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine.
Gently fold in the chocolate chips to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with additional butter or oil to prevent sticking.
For each pancake, pour approximately 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot skillet. Cook until bubbles begin to form on the surface and the edges start to look set, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
Carefully flip the pancake using a spatula and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the opposite side, or until the pancake is golden brown and cooked through.
Once cooked, remove the pancake from the skillet and keep it warm while you repeat the process with the remaining batter.
Serve the pancakes warm, topped with your choice of syrup, fresh banana slices, and a scatter of additional chocolate chips, if desired.
Notes
Serve warm with syrup and fresh banana slices for a delightful treat.