If you have a soft spot for cookies that are irresistibly moist, bursting with warm cinnamon, and studded with gooey chocolate chips, then this Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe will quickly become your new favorite. Combining the natural sweetness and tender texture of overripe bananas with the rich decadence of chocolate, these cookies bring a delightful twist to classic treats. They’re simple to whip up, perfect for satisfying those sweet cravings, and come together in just a little over twenty minutes. Trust me, once you try this Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe, you’ll be reaching for it again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients that blend perfectly to create a moist, flavorful cookie. Each component plays its own role, whether it’s adding moisture, sweetness, or that lovely soft texture.
- 1 small overripe banana, mashed: Using a ripe banana ensures natural sweetness and a tender crumb, with the perfect amount being about 1/4 cup.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter: Provides richness and moisture; butter lends a buttery depth, while oil keeps cookies soft.
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed: Adds caramel undertones and moisture, helping keep cookies soft and chewy.
- 1 egg yolk: Enriches the dough and provides binding without making cookies cakey.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and adds warmth to the flavor profile.
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie structure for just the right tenderness.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps cookies puff up lightly while keeping them tender.
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: Brings that cozy, spiced note that complements banana beautifully.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips: The star ingredient, adding melty bursts of chocolate in every bite.
How to Make Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Start by combining your melted butter (or oil), packed light brown sugar, and the mashed overripe banana in a large bowl. Stir these ingredients together until they are smooth and well blended. The banana contributes natural sweetness and moisture, creating a wonderfully soft cookie base.
Step 2: Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla
Next, add the egg yolk and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mixing these in adds richness and depth of flavor, rounding out the cookie’s taste. Make sure everything is fully combined before moving on.
Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
In a separate step, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture. Stir just until you no longer see streaks of flour, careful not to overmix, which keeps the cookies tender.
Step 4: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips. This step ensures that every cookie will have delicious pockets of melty chocolate to enjoy. Once folded, cover the dough and let it rest while the oven preheats, about 15 minutes, which allows the flour to hydrate and develop a better texture.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 350°F. Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop or spoon, drop dough balls about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. The dough will be slightly wet—this is normal and signals a moist cookie to come. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the cookies have puffed up but the centers are still slightly underbaked for a soft finish.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, allow your cookies to cool completely on the cookie sheet. Cooling is key to letting them firm up just enough while preserving that soft, irresistible texture. Then dive in and enjoy the comfort of this amazing Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.
How to Serve Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a few extra chocolate chips melted on top right after baking can add a lovely touch. For a little crunch, you can toast chopped walnuts or pecans and scatter a few on your cookies before serving.
Side Dishes
These cookies are wonderful with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. For an indulgent dessert, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for a decadent treat loved by all ages.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe into ice cream sandwich delights by layering your cookies with banana-flavored or chocolate ice cream. Alternatively, stack them on a pretty plate with fresh banana slices and chocolate drizzle for a charming dessert board that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep their soft texture for up to 3 days, which means you can enjoy this lovely Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe well after baking.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies as well as unbaked dough balls. For baked cookies, wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. To freeze dough, scoop portions onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To refresh frozen or leftover cookies, warm them briefly in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This helps the chocolate melt slightly again and revives the soft, fresh-from-the-oven feel that makes this Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe so special.
FAQs
Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar?
While you can use regular granulated sugar, brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that’s important for the cookie’s chewy texture and depth of taste.
What if I don’t have a ripe banana?
The overripe banana is key because it’s naturally sweeter and softer, which impacts the cookie’s texture. If your banana isn’t ripe enough, consider letting it sit a day or two until it develops brown spots.
Can I substitute the oil or butter with coconut oil?
Yes, coconut oil is a great alternative that will add a slight coconut flavor and keep the cookies moist. Just make sure to use melted coconut oil for easy mixing.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as written. However, you could try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend, though the texture may vary slightly.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts or pecans make delicious additions, adding crunch and complementing the sweetness perfectly. Fold them in along with the chocolate chips for extra texture.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is such a delightful way to put those overripe bananas to excellent use while creating a cookie that’s tender, flavorful, and full of melty chocolate goodness. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, these cookies bring comfort and smiles with every bite. Give them a try—you might just find yourself baking them again and again!
PrintBanana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Delight in these soft and chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies, made with a ripe banana, warm cinnamon, and melty chocolate chips. Perfectly moist and flavorful, they combine the natural sweetness of banana with rich chocolate in a simple cookie recipe ideal for a quick homemade treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 small overripe banana, mashed (about 1/4 cup)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
Add-ins
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter (or vegetable oil), packed brown sugar, and mashed banana. Stir together until well blended for a smooth base.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg yolk and vanilla extract into the mixture, mixing thoroughly to ensure an even consistency.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate step, add the flour, salt, baking soda, and ground cinnamon to the wet mixture. Stir gently until no streaks of flour remain, forming a cohesive dough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips to evenly distribute them throughout the dough. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for about 15 minutes while the oven preheats, allowing the flour to hydrate fully.
- Prepare for Baking: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop out dough balls using a 1-ounce cookie scoop or spoon, spacing them about 2 inches apart on the prepared sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 10 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are set and cookies have puffed, while the centers remain slightly underbaked for softness. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.
Notes
- Use a ripe banana for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with melted butter for richer flavor.
- The dough will be slightly wet; this is normal for a soft cookie texture.
- Letting the dough rest before baking helps achieve a tender cookie by hydrating the flour.
- Be careful not to overbake to keep the centers soft and chewy.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days for optimal freshness.