Banana Bread Cookies: the ultimate cookie recipe for banana lovers

Packed with an irresistible banana flavor and delicious chocolate chips, banana bread cookies are a must-bake for anyone who loves bananas. These delectable cookies are super soft, moist, and a little cakey – perfect for anyone who has been looking for a new, fun way to enjoy banana bread.

These incredible homemade banana bread cookies are a great way to use up any ripe bananas you have lying around and it's a wonderful, simple recipe that you can throw together in less than half an hour. The next time you're in the mood to make banana bread but don't want to spend loads of time in the kitchen, make these easy banana bread cookies instead!

Banana Bread Cookie Ingredients

To make these tasty banana bread cookies, you'll need some ripe bananas, 2 to 3 medium-sized ones should do the trick, chocolate chips, and pantry staples like flour, baking soda, butter, vanilla, eggs, and sugar – the same ingredients you'd need if you were making old school banana bread. If you want to get fancy, you can mix in some additions to your banana bread cookies, but if you have these basics on hand, you're all set to start baking.

How to Make Banana Bread Cookies

As we mentioned before, this banana bread cookie recipe is both fast and easy. Preheat your oven to 350F. While the oven is heating, whisk the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl, then set it to the side. Mash your bananas with a fork until they're relatively smooth, although a few lumps are okay.

Grab another bowl and cream the butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and airy. Beat the eggs in one at a time, making sure they're completely mixed into the batter, then fold in the flour mixture until it's just combined. Don't overmix it! Next, fold in the chocolate chips (plus any other additions).

Spoon the batter onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes. The centers should be set and the edges should be lightly browned and crispy. Pop them on a rack to cool, then dig in!

Banana Bread Cookie Variations

There are so many amazing banana bread cookie variations to try. Add a dollop or two of nut butter (peanut butter and almond butter are great choices) for banana nut cookies, or fold some chopped nuts into the batter. Mix in a little honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness.

You can also add frosting to your banana bread cookies or make sandwich cookies with them. Cream cheese frosting is the classic choice but you could opt for buttercream frosting instead.

Expert Tips for the Best Banana Bread Cookies

To make your banana bread cookies healthier, cut the sugar and use dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs instead of milk chocolate. You can also add some oats to make them even heartier and healthier.

The riper your bananas are, the more intense banana flavor you'll get.

Use milk, dark, or white chocolate, or a combination of your favorites to make these tasty cookies.

The batter for banana bread cookies is fairly wet, however, you can add an extra tablespoon or two to it if you find that the batter is too loose.

To make gluten-free banana bread cookies, use almond flour or coconut flour instead of all-purpose flour. For a vegan version, use coconut yogurt, tofu, applesauce, or a flax egg in place of chicken eggs and oil instead of butter.

For ultra-moist cookies, use oil instead of butter. A neutral oil will work best.

How to Store Banana Bread Cookies

Place your banana bread cookies in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 4 days. For long-term storage, you can place them in a freezer-safe bag and freeze them for up to 3 months.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder together. Whisk to combine.

In a separate bowl, mash the bananas. Set aside.

Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl.

Beat in the vanilla, then beat one egg at a time into the butter mixture. Stir in the bananas.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding them in until nearly combined.

Fold in the chocolate chips.

Drop large spoonfuls of the batter onto the baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes.

Remove from oven and place the cookies on a rack to cool.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients to make your banana bread cookies.