If you love the comforting warmth of banana bread but crave a fun, handheld treat, the Banana Bread Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe is exactly what you need in your baking arsenal. These cookies marry the soft, moist flavors of banana bread with the gooey joy of chocolate chips, creating irresistible bites that feel both nostalgic and fresh. Whether it’s for a cozy afternoon snack, a lunchbox surprise, or a casual dessert, this recipe brings all the best parts of classic banana bread in a perfectly portable, chewy cookie form that’s sure to become a household favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Banana Bread Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe is in the simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create a delightfully soft texture and rich flavor. Each ingredient plays a special role, from the ripe bananas that provide natural sweetness and moisture to the chocolate chips that add bursts of melty indulgence.
- Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming, it adds richness and tenderness to the dough.
- Brown sugar: Offers deep caramel notes and keeps cookies chewy.
- Granulated sugar: Helps balance sweetness and creates a light texture.
- Mature bananas: Mashed for moisture and natural sweetness, the star of the treat.
- Large egg: Binds all ingredients and contributes to a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure to the cookies.
- Baking soda: Provides gentle leavening for a soft, airy bite.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and elevates flavor complexity.
- Ground cinnamon (optional): Adds a subtle hint of warmth and spice.
- Chocolate chips: For gooey pockets of chocolate that complement the banana perfectly.
How to Make Banana Bread Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Step 1: Prepare for Baking
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick and bake evenly, setting the stage for perfect cookies every time.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, giving your cookies a tender lift and wonderfully soft texture.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the mashed bananas, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined. The bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture, while the egg provides structure, and vanilla adds that comforting aroma we all love.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon. This dry mixture brings together the leavening agents and spices, ready to transform your dough into cookie perfection.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture. Once blended, fold in the chocolate chips gently, ensuring each cookie will boast pockets of melty richness.
Step 6: Portion the Dough
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
Step 7: Add Extra Chocolate and Bake
If you’re a chocolate lover, press a few extra chocolate chips on top of each cookie. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers are just set—soft and chewy is the goal here.
Step 8: Cool and Finish
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes so they can firm up slightly, then transfer them to a wire rack. For a gourmet touch, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt on top just before serving to enhance the chocolate and banana flavors.
How to Serve Banana Bread Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your Banana Bread Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe by adding a few thoughtful garnishes. A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a dusting of cinnamon sugar can elevate the flavors. For a fun twist, drizzle melted chocolate or a simple vanilla glaze over the cooled cookies.
Side Dishes
Pair these delectable cookies with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a cozy dessert. They also shine alongside a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk, making snack time feel special.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these banana bread cookies stacked in a rustic wooden tray for a farmhouse vibe or arrange them on a colorful plate with fresh banana slices and extra chocolate chips as garnish. Wrapping a few in parchment paper tied with twine makes for a charming homemade gift your friends will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Banana Bread Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them soft and fresh while maintaining the gooey chocolate chips’ delightful texture.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies easily by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well for up to 3 months, so you can enjoy this treat anytime.
Reheating
To bring your cookies back to that freshly baked warmth, reheat them in a microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them into a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This revives their soft texture and melty chocolate chips beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this Banana Bread Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are perfect for this recipe because they are sweeter and softer, which enhances the flavor and moisture of the cookies.
Is it necessary to use both brown and granulated sugar?
Using both sugars balances the flavor and texture. Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness while granulated sugar lightens the dough for a tender bite.
Can I substitute the chocolate chips with nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Walnuts, pecans, or dried fruit can be great alternatives or additions, giving you the chance to customize the cookies to your preference.
Are these banana bread cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can replace it with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup for cup for a gluten-free version.
How do I make these cookies dairy-free?
Simply swap the unsalted butter for a plant-based margarine or coconut oil to make this Banana Bread Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe dairy-free without compromising taste.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with this Banana Bread Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe—it’s a wonderful way to enjoy the beloved flavors of banana bread in an easy, shareable cookie form. The chewy texture, combined with bursts of chocolate and the natural sweetness of bananas, creates a treat that will quickly become a staple in your baking rotation. So grab those ripe bananas, whip up a batch, and watch these cookies disappear fast!
Print
Banana Bread Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Banana Bread Cookies combine the moist, sweet flavors of classic banana bread with the fun, handheld convenience of cookies. These soft and chewy treats feature ripe bananas, warm cinnamon, and melty chocolate chips baked to perfection, ideal for snacks or dessert.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Add-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Bananas, Egg, and Vanilla: Mix in the mashed ripe bananas, one large egg, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined and uniform in texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon (if using) to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently to combine. Then fold in the chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Form Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Decorate and Bake: Press extra chocolate chips on top of each cookie if desired for added chocolate goodness. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, sprinkle with sea salt for a flavor contrast.
Notes
- Ensure bananas are very ripe for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overbake the cookies to keep them soft and chewy.
- Chocolate chips can be substituted with nuts or dried fruit if preferred.
- Adding sea salt on top enhances the chocolate flavor and balances sweetness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
