If you have a soft spot for gooey, sweet treats with a hint of wholesome fruitiness, this Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs. Combining the natural sweetness and moisture of ripe bananas with the rich, melty delight of semi-sweet chocolate chips, these cookies are a perfect balance of comfort and indulgence. Whether you’re craving an afternoon pick-me-up or a delightful snack to share with friends, these cookies promise a tender crumb, a caramelized edge, and a burst of chocolate in every bite that’ll quickly make them a favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is key to nailing the perfect texture and flavor of these cookies. Each ingredient plays an important role, from the tender crumb created by the ripe banana to the warm spice of cinnamon that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the cookies, giving them their classic chewy texture.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft but not cakey.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon: Adds a warm, gentle spiciness that complements the banana beautifully.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Creates richness and helps achieve that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed: Adds moisture and a slightly caramel flavor that pairs perfectly with banana and chocolate.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar: Provides just enough sweetness for a delightful cookie bite.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together for the perfect cookie consistency.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor depth with its sweet, aromatic notes.
- 1 ripe banana, mashed: The star of the show, delivering natural sweetness and moistness, making these cookies irresistibly soft.
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: The chocolatey pockets that make every bite a moment to savor.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Area
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s perfectly hot when your cookies go in. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and to make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This combination creates the foundation for your cookies, building in both flavor and the perfect crumb texture.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy. This process traps air into the batter, which helps make your cookies tender and deliciously soft.
Step 4: Add Your Wet Ingredients
Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until just blended. Then fold in the mashed banana, ensuring it’s evenly mixed throughout the dough—this step adds natural sweetness and moisture that makes these cookies stand out from the rest.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients, Then Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until no streaks remain—overmixing here can make the cookies tough, so be gentle. Finally, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips to disperse those melty pockets of chocolate throughout each cookie.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them roughly 2 inches apart so they have room to spread nicely without sticking together.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, keeping an eye on the edges until they turn a light golden brown. Once out of the oven, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely—this ensures they set perfectly without breaking apart.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top just before baking for a visually enticing presentation. For extra flair, dust your cooled cookies with a tiny pinch of cinnamon or powdered sugar—a simple touch that makes them feel extra special.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. For a brunch or dessert spread, serve alongside fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Tuck these cookies into pretty parchment bags tied with twine as charming gifts. Alternatively, serve them stacked on a rustic wooden tray with small bowls of chocolate chips and sliced bananas for a DIY cookie bar that’s bound to impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and chewy for up to 4 days. If you prefer a crispier edge, leave them uncovered for a bit before serving.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months. Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. This way, you can enjoy freshly baked flavors anytime with minimal effort.
Reheating
To enjoy your cookies warm and melty, reheat them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This brings back that fresh-baked warmth and delightfully soft texture.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are actually perfect because they’re extra sweet and soft, which helps the cookies achieve that moist, tender crumb every time.
Can I substitute the butter with oil or margarine?
Butter provides flavor and structure that’s hard to replace, but softened coconut oil or margarine can work in a pinch. Just expect a slight change in texture and taste.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so they’re not gluten-free as is. However, you can try swapping in a gluten-free baking flour blend for a similar texture, just be sure it contains xanthan gum for structure.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Walnuts, pecans, or shredded coconut would make lovely additions. Just fold them in along with the chocolate chips for an extra flavor dimension.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Look for lightly golden edges with a soft center. The cookies may seem slightly underbaked but will firm up as they cool, preserving their tender texture without being too dry.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am to try this Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe! It’s a wonderfully easy way to transform simple ingredients into a batch of cookies that feel homemade and heartwarming. Once you bake a batch, you’ll see why these cookies quickly become a go-to treat for any occasion. Happy baking and enjoy every delicious bite!
Print
Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously soft and chewy Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies made with ripe bananas and semi-sweet chocolate chips. These cookies offer a wonderful blend of banana sweetness and rich chocolate flavor, perfect for a satisfying treat or snack.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
Add-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a good base for the cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Then stir in the mashed banana until the entire mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Combine & Fold: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough. Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips to distribute them evenly.
- Scoop & Bake: Use a tablespoon to drop evenly sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake & Cool: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to keep cookies tender.
- Cookies may soften further as they cool, so avoid overbaking to keep them chewy.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate based on preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
