Imagine the comforting aroma of banana bread filling your kitchen, but in a bite-sized, cookie form — that’s exactly what you get with these Banana Bread Cookies. Each cookie delivers the nostalgic, cozy flavor of classic banana bread, yet boasts the soft and chewy texture that cookie-lovers crave. They’re quick to whip up, perfect for sharing, and absolutely impossible to resist with their touches of oats, walnuts, and melty mini chocolate chips. If you adore banana bread, you’re in for a delightful treat that’s just as great for lunchboxes as it is alongside your afternoon coffee.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts about Banana Bread Cookies is how the ingredients are simple, familiar, and each plays an important role in making these cookies so delightful. From the naturally sweet bananas to the hearty oats, every component is there for both flavor and texture.
- Ripe bananas: The secret to deep banana flavor; use those spotty, overripe bananas for the best sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb while allowing you to control the salt.
- Packed brown sugar: Adds caramel-like richness that pairs perfectly with banana.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps give the edges just a touch of crispness.
- Large egg: Acts as a binder, giving your cookies structure without making them heavy.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the cozy flavors and brings them together beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect amount of structure for cookies that are cake-like but not too dense.
- Baking soda: Lifts the dough, keeping the cookies tender and soft.
- Ground cinnamon: Just a hint brings warmth and that classic banana bread vibe.
- Salt: A touch balances all the sweet elements and makes the flavors pop.
- Old-fashioned oats: Give the cookies heartiness and a satisfying chew.
- Chopped walnuts (optional): Add crunch and a nutty note — completely optional but highly recommended.
- Mini chocolate chips (optional): Melty bursts of chocolate make these even more irresistible!
How to Make Banana Bread Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet
Get things started by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) — this ensures the cookies bake evenly right from the get-go. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make clean-up a breeze. This small step is the secret weapon for easy, frustration-free cookie making!
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Cream them together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This process is key, as it introduces air into the dough, resulting in cookies that are beautifully soft.
Step 3: Add Bananas, Egg, and Vanilla
Mix in the mashed ripe bananas, then add the egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until everything’s well combined. Don’t worry if the mixture looks a little curdled at this point — the bananas add lots of moisture, and it will all smooth out once you add the dry ingredients.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This ensures the leavening and spice are distributed evenly, so you get a perfect bite every time. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, stirring until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix: a gentle hand keeps the cookies tender.
Step 5: Add Oats, Nuts, and Chocolate Chips
Stir in the old-fashioned oats until evenly distributed. If you’re using walnuts or mini chocolate chips, now’s the time to fold them in. These add-ins create little surprises in every cookie, from nutty crunch to gooey chocolate.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. The dough is a bit sticky and pillowy — that’s exactly what you want! Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown and the centers are set but still soft. This is what ensures that quintessential banana bread texture.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them finish setting and makes them easy to handle. The only thing left is to resist eating them all before they’re cool!
How to Serve Banana Bread Cookies
Garnishes
While these cookies are perfect on their own, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a dusting of powdered sugar can add a fun finishing touch. A drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a swirl of creamy peanut butter on top also turns ordinary Banana Bread Cookies into something truly special, worthy of a place at any brunch spread or dessert table.
Side Dishes
Pair Banana Bread Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk for a classic treat, or serve them alongside fresh fruit for a more balanced snack. If you’re setting up an afternoon coffee or tea break, these cookies are just right for dunking — they won’t fall apart, and the flavors pair wonderfully with your favorite hot drinks.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack a few cookies and wrap with baker’s twine for a charming homemade gift, or arrange them on a festive platter for easy sharing. You can even sandwich a dollop of creamy vanilla ice cream between two Banana Bread Cookies for a fun twist on the classic ice cream sandwich. Kids love helping assemble them, and adults will be asking for seconds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Banana Bread Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and moist for up to three days — if they last that long! To keep them ultra-fresh, place a piece of bread or a slice of apple in the container to help maintain their signature moisture.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy Banana Bread Cookies over a longer period, freeze them! Place completely cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to an airtight freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to three months. You can also freeze unbaked dough balls, so warm cookies are never far away!
Reheating
To revive that fresh-from-the-oven experience, pop a cookie in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or reheat several at once in a low 300°F oven for 5 minutes. The gentle heat brings back the lovable softness without drying them out, making the banana and chocolate chips taste like they were baked just minutes ago.
FAQs
Can I make Banana Bread Cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour, and make sure your oats are certified gluten-free. The cookies will be just as delicious and soft.
What can I use instead of walnuts or chocolate chips?
Try chopped pecans, dried cranberries, or even butterscotch chips for a fun twist! These cookies are versatile, so feel free to play with your favorite mix-ins or skip them all together for a more classic feel.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The edges should look lightly golden and the centers set but not fully firm (they finish setting as they cool). Overbaking can dry them out, so pull them from the oven when they still look just a little soft in the center.
Can I use banana that isn’t fully ripe?
For the best flavor and texture, stick with very ripe, brown-spotted bananas. They mash easily and bring natural sweetness to the dough. If your bananas aren’t ripe yet, pop them (peels and all) in a low oven until soft and fragrant!
Why did my Banana Bread Cookies turn out flat?
Flat cookies can result from overmixing, too-warm butter, or expired baking soda. Be sure to measure flour correctly, cream butter and sugar thoroughly, and don’t skip the chill if your kitchen is especially warm; a short rest in the fridge will help the cookies hold their shape.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been craving a new way to enjoy that classic banana bread flavor, I can’t recommend these Banana Bread Cookies enough. They’re quick, crowd-pleasing, and so versatile. Give them a try — I think you’ll find this recipe becomes a staple for whenever you have ripe bananas to use up!
Print
Banana Bread Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Banana Bread Cookies are a delightful twist on traditional banana bread, combining the beloved flavors of banana, cinnamon, and oats in a soft, cake-like cookie. Perfect for a sweet treat or a grab-and-go snack!
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Additional Mix-Ins (Optional):
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream wet ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add banana mixture: Mix in mashed bananas, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add dry ingredients to the banana mixture.
- Add mix-ins: Stir in oats, and fold in walnuts and chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden.
- Cool and enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- These cookies have a soft, cake-like texture with a delicious banana bread flavor.
- For a healthier option, consider reducing sugar or using whole wheat flour.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
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