Banana Bread Cookies Recipe

The Best Banana Bread Cookies Recipe Ever: Soft & Sweet Treats

Warm banana bread takes an unexpected turn in these delightful cookies that blend comfort with creativity.

Soft crumbs meld with crispy edges, creating a magical texture you’ll adore.

Ripe bananas bring natural sweetness to every bite, making these treats irresistible.

Pantry staples transform into something extraordinary with minimal effort.

Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg dance through the dough, adding depth and warmth.

Mixing happens quickly, letting you enjoy fresh-baked goodness in under an hour.

Bet you can’t stop at just one of these mouthwatering morsels!

Quick Steps To Bake Banana Bread Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper to create a slick surface for your delightful banana cookies.

Step 2: Crush Those Bananas

Grab ripe bananas and mash them into a silky smooth pulp in a roomy mixing bowl, ensuring no stubborn lumps remain.

Step 3: Whip Up Butter And Sugar

Blend softened butter with brown and white sugars until the mixture becomes cloud-like and airy, promising a melt-in-your-mouth cookie experience.

Step 4: Add Liquid Magic

Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar blend, mixing until everything looks perfectly harmonious.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon

This ensures a lump-free and evenly spiced foundation.

Step 6: Merge Wet And Dry

Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough emerges without excessive mixing.

Step 7: Toss In Extra Goodies

If desired, softly fold in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Chopped walnuts

Distribute these tasty morsels evenly throughout the dough.

Step 8: Shape Cookie Rounds

Plop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow spreading.

Step 9: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the sheets into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until cookie edges turn a gorgeous golden brown and centers look just set.

Step 10: Cool And Settle

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Step 11: Indulge And Enjoy

Savor these banana-packed, lightly spiced cookies warm or at room temperature – pure deliciousness awaits!

Tips For The Best Banana Bread Cookies Every Time

  • Measure Precisely: Use level tablespoons for consistent cookie size and even baking results.
  • Ripen Bananas Strategically: Choose overripe, deep-yellow bananas with brown spots for maximum natural sweetness and moisture.
  • Control Mixing Technique: Stir dry ingredients gently to prevent tough cookies, stopping just when ingredients combine completely.
  • Adjust Texture Options: Replace walnuts with pecans or add shredded coconut for different flavor and crunch variations.
  • Store Smartly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain softness.

Easy Twists On Banana Bread Cookies To Try

  • Gluten-Free Banana Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend, ensuring celiac-friendly results without compromising taste.
  • Vegan Banana Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use flax egg instead of regular egg, and select dairy-free chocolate chips for plant-based cookies.
  • Nutty Banana Crunch: Add chopped pecans or almonds instead of walnuts, introducing different textural elements and complementary flavor profiles.
  • Low-Sugar Banana Treat: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of traditional sugars, reducing overall caloric content while maintaining sweetness.

Yummy Pairings With Banana Bread Cookies

  • Pair Warm Chai Tea: Spicy, aromatic chai complements the banana's sweetness and cinnamon notes, creating a harmonious flavor profile that elevates the cookie experience.
  • Serve Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides delightful contrast against the warm, soft cookie, balancing textures and temperatures for a luxurious dessert.
  • Match Caramel Drizzle: Rich, buttery caramel sauce adds depth and complexity, enhancing the banana and brown sugar undertones in the cookies, creating a decadent treat.
  • Accompany Cream Cheese Frosting: Tangy, smooth cream cheese frosting offers a delightful counterpoint to the cookie's sweetness, adding a sophisticated layer of flavor and richness.

How To Store Banana Bread Cookies And Keep Them Soft

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, restoring their soft texture and delicious flavor.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to enjoy that fresh-baked warmth and softness.

Answers To FAQs On Banana Bread Cookies

  • Are bananas really necessary for this recipe?

Yes, ripe bananas are crucial as they provide natural sweetness, moisture, and help bind the ingredients together without requiring additional liquid.

  • Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that has a similar protein content to ensure proper texture and structure.

  • How ripe should the bananas be?

Choose bananas with extensive brown spots or nearly black peels, as these are the sweetest and most soft, which helps create a more flavorful and moist cookie.

  • What if I don't want to use nuts or chocolate chips?

No problem! The base cookie recipe works perfectly without add-ins, so you can skip the chocolate chips and walnuts entirely without compromising the overall taste and texture.

Why Banana Bread Cookies Are A Sweet New Favorite

  • Bake with Minimal Effort: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe requires simple mixing techniques and basic kitchen tools, making it accessible even for beginners.
  • Create Versatile Treats: Adaptable recipe allows customization with chocolate chips, nuts, or other mix-ins, providing endless flavor possibilities for different taste preferences.
  • Rescue Overripe Bananas: Transform browning bananas into delicious cookies, reducing food waste and creating a resourceful, sustainable baking experience that saves money and prevents throwing away ripe fruit.
  • Craft Family-Friendly Dessert: Soft, comforting cookies appeal to both kids and adults, making them an excellent option for family gatherings, school lunches, or casual snacking moments.

Everything In Banana Bread Cookies That Makes Them Special

For the Fruit Base:
  • Ripe Bananas: Provide natural sweetness and moisture to the cookie, creating a soft and tender texture.
For the Fat and Sweeteners:
  • Butter, Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Contribute to the rich, caramelized flavor and help create a soft, chewy cookie consistency.
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic notes.
For the Dry Ingredients and Spices:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base structure of the cookie.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread during baking.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm, spicy undertone that complements the banana flavor.
Optional Add-Ins:
  • Chocolate Chips, Chopped Walnuts: Provide extra texture and flavor complexity to the banana cookies.
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Banana Bread Cookies Recipe

Banana Bread Cookies Recipe


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4.5 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Delightful banana bread cookies blend classic comfort with irresistible cookie charm, bringing nostalgic flavors into a handheld treat. Moist, aromatic, and perfectly balanced, these cookies promise a sweet escape that invites you to savor each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter

Sweeteners:

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Optional Mix-ins:

  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for your cookies.
  2. Mash the ripe bananas thoroughly in a large mixing bowl until they reach a smooth, creamy consistency with minimal lumps.
  3. Cream the softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender cookie texture.
  4. Whisk the egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, ensuring complete integration and a uniform blend.
  5. Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon in a separate bowl to eliminate potential flour clumps and distribute spices evenly.
  6. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
  7. If using, gently fold in chocolate chips and chopped walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the cookie dough.
  8. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cookie edges turn golden brown and centers appear set but slightly soft.
  10. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  11. Enjoy the cookies warm or at room temperature, savoring the banana-infused, lightly spiced treat.

Notes

  • Ensure bananas are extremely ripe with dark brown spots for maximum natural sweetness and deeper banana flavor profile.
  • Experiment with gluten-free flour blend as a direct substitute for all-purpose flour to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets.
  • Consider adding ground nutmeg or cardamom alongside cinnamon for an elevated, more complex spice dimension.
  • Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, more structured cookies.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Olivia Brooks

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

  • Healthy recipe development
  • Plant-based cooking
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food writing and content creation

Education

Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique


Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.

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