In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and fine sea salt. Whisk together until the mixture is well blended and free of lumps.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk, thoroughly mashed ripe banana, lightly beaten egg, melted butter, and pure vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Gradually pour the wet banana mixture into the dry flour mix. Stir gently using a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. It’s important to stop mixing when you see a few lumps; overmixing can lead to dense pancakes.
Carefully fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the pancake batter.
Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Once heated, add a small pat of unsalted butter to coat the surface.
Pour approximately 1/4 cup of pancake batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles start to form on the surface (around 2-3 minutes). Flip the pancake gently and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the underside is a beautiful golden brown.
Continue with the remaining batter, adding more butter to the skillet as necessary to prevent sticking.
Stack the freshly cooked pancakes on a warm plate and serve immediately. Elevate your dish with optional toppings such as slices of fresh banana, a dollop of whipped cream, or a generous drizzle of maple syrup.