If you have a soft spot for the warm, comforting flavors of banana paired with the irresistible decadence of melty chocolate chips, this Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe is about to become your new obsession. These cookies are wonderfully soft, cake-like, and bursting with natural sweetness from ripe bananas, making them an ideal treat any time of day. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, the blend of tender banana goodness and rich chocolate chips in this recipe offers a simple yet extraordinary cookie experience you’ll wish you discovered sooner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its humble, straightforward ingredients that each play a crucial role—from creating a perfect texture to delivering bursts of sweet, chocolatey delight. Here’s everything to gather before you dive in:
- Ripe banana: The star ingredient that adds natural sweetness and a moist, tender crumb to these cookies.
- Unsalted butter: Provides richness and helps achieve that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Brown sugar: Introduces a deep, caramel flavor and enhances moisture retention.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to a slight crispness around the edges.
- Large egg: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds structure.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor profile, adding a warm, inviting aroma.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy backbone of the cookies, creating just the right density.
- Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent to keep cookies tender and light.
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet and savory notes in the batter.
- Ground cinnamon (optional): Adds a cozy, subtly spiced twist that complements banana beautifully.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Scatter these throughout for irresistible chocolate pockets in every bite.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare your baking essentials
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This setup ensures your cookies bake evenly and release effortlessly after baking.
Step 2: Cream the butter and sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter together with the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to creating a tender, beautifully textured cookie.
Step 3: Add wet ingredients
Next, blend in the mashed ripe banana, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is smoothly combined. The banana brings natural moisture and sweetness, which makes these cookies stand out from the usual.
Step 4: Mix dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if you’re using it. This ensures the leavening and flavors are evenly distributed through the dough.
Step 5: Combine wet and dry mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Overmixing here can make the cookies dense, so a light hand is best.
Step 6: Fold in chocolate chips
Finally, fold in the semisweet chocolate chips to infuse every bite with gooey, melty chocolate surprises.
Step 7: Scoop and bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookie edges turn lightly golden and the centers have set but remain soft.
Step 8: Cool the cookies
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps lock in their perfect chewy and tender texture.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies shine on their own, sprinkles of flaky sea salt on top right after baking can highlight the chocolate’s richness and create a delightful sweet-salty harmony. A light dusting of powdered sugar is another charming option for a pretty, café-style touch.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a steaming cup of coffee, chai, or your favorite tea. The creamy drink complements the soft, chocolate-studded cookie perfectly, making any snack moment feel extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
Try sandwiching two cookies together with vanilla ice cream for an irresistible homemade ice cream sandwich. Alternatively, serve them alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream for a simple dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe yields soft cookies best enjoyed fresh, but they stay perfectly moist when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Just keep them away from warm spots to maintain their texture.
Freezing
To enjoy these delicious cookies even later, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. They freeze well for up to 3 months, making it easy to have a batch ready whenever the craving strikes.
Reheating
Warm cookies in a microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or briefly in a preheated oven to soften the chocolate chips and refresh their just-baked softness. This simple step revives that irresistible freshly baked feeling every single time.
FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just thaw them fully and drain any excess liquid before mashing. Using frozen bananas won’t affect the taste and can even enhance the natural sweetness.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
The traditional recipe uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. For a gluten-free option, substitute with your favorite gluten-free flour blend, ensuring it includes xanthan gum for structure.
Can I substitute the butter with oil or another fat?
Butter is best here for flavor and texture, but you can experiment with coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute if needed. Keep in mind that texture might change slightly, becoming a bit denser or less rich.
Will these cookies be crunchy or soft?
They are meant to be soft and cakey with tender centers, thanks to the ripe banana and balanced baking ingredients. If you prefer a crunchier cookie, bake them a minute or two longer, but watch closely.
What’s the best way to make these cookies vegan?
Swap out the butter for a vegan butter substitute, use a flax egg or chia egg in place of the chicken egg, and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free. These swaps keep the cookie’s charm while aligning with vegan diets.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly heartwarming about the combination of bananas and chocolate in these soft, cozy cookies. This Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe is easy to whip up, delightfully delicious, and perfect for any occasion. I encourage you to try baking a batch soon—you’ll be surprised at how quickly these might disappear from your kitchen. Enjoy every warm, chocolaty bite!
Print
Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies 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
Delight in these soft and cake-like Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies, which combine the natural sweetness and moisture of ripe bananas with rich chocolate chips for a comforting and easy-to-make dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Add-ins
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- 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, which builds the cookie’s structure.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the mashed banana, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined, incorporating moisture and flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if using to evenly distribute the leavening agent and spices.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
- Portion Dough: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, helping them firm up and avoid breaking.
Notes
- These cookies are naturally soft and cake-like due to the banana’s moisture.
- For extra texture and flavor, consider adding chopped walnuts or oats to the dough.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for extended freshness.
