Banana Bread Cookies Recipe

Quick & Tasty Banana Bread Cookies Recipe Everyone Will Love

Crispy edges and soft centers define these magical banana bread cookies that blend two beloved treats into one irresistible snack.

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen swirl through each delectable morsel.

Overripe bananas find new purpose beyond traditional loaves, creating something wonderfully unexpected.

Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg dance across your palate with every bite.

Comfort and nostalgia mingle in this simple yet ingenious recipe that takes classic banana bread to delightful new heights.

Chocolate chips or chopped walnuts can add extra excitement to these crowd-pleasing cookies.

Come bake a batch and watch smiles spread faster than butter on warm bread.

What Makes Banana Bread Cookies Great

  • Customize with Ease: Toss in chocolate chips or nuts to transform these cookies into a personalized treat that matches your taste preferences.
  • Waste-Reducing Dish: Repurpose those overripe bananas into delightful cookies instead of tossing them away, creating a smart and delicious solution.
  • Quick Kitchen Magic: Whip up these cookies in a short time, making them perfect for sudden sweet cravings or unexpected guests without complicated steps.
  • Family-Friendly Delight: Combine the beloved comfort of banana bread with the fun of cookies, creating a crowd-pleasing dessert that appeals to both kids and adults.

Banana Bread Cookies Ingredient Guide

Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: A pantry staple for baking soft cookies.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Bananas: Ripe and mashed for natural sweetness and moisture.
  • Lemon Juice: Prevents banana browning and adds slight tanginess.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, sweet background flavor.
Sweet and Fat Ingredients:
  • Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Creamy base that creates soft cookie texture.
  • Chocolate Chips, Chopped Nuts: Optional mix-ins for extra crunch and flavor.

Step By Step Banana Bread Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Station

Get your oven ready by heating it to 375°F.

Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and cleanup.

Step 2: Create Banana Magic

Grab ripe bananas and mash them up.

Splash in a bit of lemon juice to keep them fresh and add a tangy twist.

Set this fruity mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

Whisk together these key dry ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Make sure everything is well combined and lump-free.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend:
  • Softened butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar

Cream these ingredients until they become light and fluffy, creating a smooth and dreamy base.

Step 5: Add Moisture and Flavor

Incorporate:
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

Mix these into your creamy base until everything is perfectly combined.

Step 6: Merge Wet and Banana Mixture

Slowly add the banana mixture to your wet ingredients.

Stir gently to create a harmonious blend of flavors.

Step 7: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to your wet ingredients.

Mix carefully until just combined.

Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your cookies tough.

Step 8: Optional Flavor Boost

Want extra excitement?

Fold in:
  • Chopped nuts
  • Chocolate chips

This step adds delightful texture and flavor to your cookies.

Step 9: Shape Your Cookies

Use a tablespoon to drop rounded balls of cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheets.

Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.

Step 10: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the baking sheets into the oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 11: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for a few minutes.

Then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

This helps them set and develop their amazing texture.

Top Tips For Banana Bread Cookies

  • Use overripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor in your cookies.
  • Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to help maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
  • Pat mashed bananas dry with paper towels to reduce excess liquid and ensure a perfect cookie texture.
  • Experiment with add-ins like toasted walnuts, dark chocolate chips, or dried coconut to personalize your banana bread cookies.
  • Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and even baking, creating perfectly shaped and consistent cookies every time.

Save And Reheat Banana Bread Cookies

  • Store cooled banana bread cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for 2-3 months for best quality.
  • Remove frozen cookies and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying their soft texture.
  • Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore their fresh-baked warmth.

Pairings That Go With Banana Bread Cookies

  • Savor Creamy Vanilla Latte: This smooth, velvety coffee perfectly complements the sweet banana bread cookie's richness, balancing the dessert's soft texture with warm, comforting caffeine notes.
  • Pair with Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the cookies to enhance their banana and brown sugar undertones, creating a decadent flavor explosion that elevates the simple treat.
  • Serve with Cream Cheese Spread: Whip softened cream cheese with a touch of honey and cinnamon, creating a tangy, spreadable companion that cuts through the cookie's sweetness and adds luxurious depth.
  • Match with Toasted Walnuts: Sprinkle crushed, lightly toasted walnuts alongside the cookies to introduce a crunchy contrast and nutty flavor that harmonizes beautifully with the banana's natural sweetness.

Flavor Spins For Banana Bread Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Banana Bread Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly option that maintains soft texture.
  • Vegan Banana Delight Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil, egg with mashed flaxseed, and use maple syrup instead of granulated sugar for plant-based version.
  • Chocolate Lover's Banana Cookies: Increase chocolate chips quantity, add cocoa powder to dry ingredients, and sprinkle extra dark chocolate chunks on top for intense chocolate experience.
  • Nutty Banana Protein Cookies: Mix in protein powder, add chopped walnuts or pecans, and reduce sugar slightly to create a more nutritious post-workout snack with added crunch.

FAQs

  • Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?

Yes, overripe bananas are perfect for banana bread cookies. They provide more sweetness and a deeper banana flavor, making the cookies more delicious.

  • How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent excessive spreading and maintains the cookies’ shape during baking.

  • Are these cookies soft or crispy?

These banana bread cookies are soft and cake-like, with a tender texture similar to banana bread but in a convenient cookie form. The edges are slightly crisp while the center remains soft.

  • Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Make sure to use a blend that includes xanthan gum for better texture and binding.

Print
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Banana Bread Cookies Recipe

Banana Bread Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet banana bread meets cookie perfection in this irresistible treat, blending nostalgic flavors with crisp edges and chewy centers. Comfort baking reaches new heights as classic ingredients unite, inviting you to savor each delightful, homemade bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 23 medium-sized bananas)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Optional Mix-ins:

  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare a welcoming workspace by heating the oven to a cozy 375°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
  2. Transform ripe bananas into a zesty mixture by mashing them and introducing a splash of lemon juice, which will prevent browning and add a subtle brightness.
  3. Create a powdery foundation by whisking flour, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents.
  4. In a spacious mixing bowl, transform butter and sugars into a creamy, aerated mixture by beating until the texture becomes light and voluminous.
  5. Integrate the egg and vanilla extract, stirring until the wet ingredients form a harmonious blend with a silky consistency.
  6. Gently marry the banana mixture into the creamed ingredients, stirring with a gentle hand to maintain the delicate air pockets.
  7. Gradually introduce the dry ingredients, folding them into the wet mixture with minimal stirring to preserve the cookies’ tender crumb.
  8. For added texture and flavor, consider incorporating chopped nuts or chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
  9. Portion the cookie dough onto prepared sheets using rounded tablespoons, creating uniform mounds with ample spacing to allow for spreading.
  10. Bake the cookies until the edges transform into a gorgeous golden brown, typically requiring 10-12 minutes of oven time.
  11. Allow the cookies to rest momentarily on the baking sheets, then transfer them to wire cooling racks to complete their cooling journey and develop their final texture.

Notes

  • Swap ripe bananas for overripe ones to enhance natural sweetness and moisture in cookies.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
  • Toast nuts briefly before adding to boost their nutty flavor and provide extra crunch to the texture.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend to maintain similar consistency.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 100 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: 20 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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