If you adore the cozy flavors of banana bread but crave a fun, bite-sized twist, this Banana Bread Cookies Recipe is your next kitchen adventure. Imagine the warmth of cinnamon, the sweet richness of ripe bananas, and the delightful chewiness of oats all packed into a crunchy yet tender cookie. These cookies capture everything you love about classic banana bread but with a perfect little crunch, making them ideal for snack time, lunchboxes, or just savoring with a cup of tea. Trust me, once you try this recipe, these Banana Bread Cookies will quickly become a household favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this recipe is a breeze, and each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the soft butter that brings richness to the spice-kissed flour mixture to the oats that add hearty chew, every component shines in these Banana Bread Cookies.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and a tender crumb.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough and creates that light texture.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm, cozy spice that complements the bananas beautifully.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Brings richness and helps achieve that lovely cookie softness.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps in creating a slight crunch.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor, deepening the taste.
- Large egg: Binds ingredients together and adds to the cookie’s chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a delicate, fragrant warmth into the dough.
- Mashed ripe bananas: The star of the show, providing natural sweetness and moisture.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: Add heartiness and chew, giving these cookies their signature texture.
- Chopped walnuts (optional): Bring a toasty crunch and deeper flavor contrast.
- Chocolate chips (optional): Give a melty burst of chocolate that pairs perfectly with banana.
How to Make Banana Bread Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first, heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. This setup makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your cookies looking flawless.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This ensures the leavening and spices are evenly distributed, giving each cookie a consistent flavor and texture.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Take your softened butter and beat it with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is key to cookies that rise properly and have that slightly crispy edge with a tender middle.
Step 4: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Banana
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Then fold in the mashed ripe bananas, letting their natural sweetness and moisture enrich the dough.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, so a light hand here yields tender results.
Step 6: Stir in Oats and Optional Mix-ins
Fold in the old-fashioned rolled oats, followed by your choice of chopped walnuts or chocolate chips if you want to treat yourself with extra texture and flavor complexity.
Step 7: Scoop and Space
Drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This gives each cookie room to spread without sticking together.
Step 8: Bake Until Golden
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn a lovely light golden color. The centers should still be slightly soft; they’ll firm up as they cool.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Cooling entirely allows them to set perfectly, ensuring the signature chewy texture of this Banana Bread Cookies Recipe.
How to Serve Banana Bread Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
You can keep it simple by dusting your cookies with a little powdered sugar or dip one side in melted chocolate for an extra special touch. Fresh banana slices on the side create a lovely, fresh contrast that echoes the banana flavor inside.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair amazingly well with a hot cup of coffee, chai tea, or a cold glass of milk. For a brunch spread, serve them alongside yogurt parfaits or fresh fruit salad to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider stacking these Banana Bread Cookies with layers of whipped cream and sliced bananas for a playful dessert tower. Or place a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a delightful banana bread-inspired ice cream sandwich that will wow any guest.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully cooled, store your Banana Bread Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days, making them perfect for meal prep or easy grab-and-go snacks.
Freezing
If you want to keep these cookies longer, freeze them in a sealed freezer bag or container. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Frozen, they maintain their flavor and texture for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To warm the cookies, simply microwave for 10-15 seconds or reheat in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. This brings back the freshly baked warmth and enhances the comforting banana aroma wonderfully.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are perfect because they are sweeter and softer, making your Banana Bread Cookies moister and more flavorful.
Do I have to include walnuts or chocolate chips?
Nope! Both are optional and you can leave them out or substitute with your favorite nuts, dried fruit, or even coconut flakes to customize your cookie experience.
What is the texture of these cookies?
They have a wonderful chewy texture from the oats combined with a slight crispness around the edges, capturing the ideal balance of bite and softness.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
You sure can! The dough can be stored refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking, which helps deepen the flavors even more.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as written. However, you can experiment with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup for flour to suit your needs.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Banana Bread Cookies Recipe feels like passing along a little bit of happiness from my kitchen to yours. It’s such a delight to enjoy all the charm of banana bread in this fun, handheld cookie form. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or simply treating yourself, these cookies are sure to become a beloved staple. So why wait? Grab those bananas and bake a batch – your taste buds will thank you!
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
Delicious Banana Bread Cookies combine the classic flavors of banana bread with the convenience of cookies. These soft and chewy treats feature ripe bananas, cinnamon, oats, and optional walnuts or chocolate chips, making them perfect for a quick snack or dessert that everyone’s sure to love.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup mashed ripe bananas (about 1 medium banana)
Mix-ins
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg, Vanilla, and Banana: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until just incorporated, then fold in the mashed ripe banana to infuse the dough with moistness and natural sweetness.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make cookies tough.
- Fold in Oats and Optional Mix-ins: Carefully fold in the old-fashioned rolled oats followed by the chopped walnuts and/or chocolate chips if using, distributing them evenly through the dough.
- Form Cookies: Drop spoonfuls (about 1 tablespoon each) of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating the cookies are done but still soft inside.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, helping them set properly.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts.
- Replace chocolate chips with raisins or dried cranberries for a different flavor.
- Ensure bananas are very ripe for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
