If you are looking for a truly comforting treat that brings together the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and the rich, melty goodness of chocolate, you have to try this Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies are irresistibly soft with just the right amount of chewiness, making them perfect for snacking anytime. Whether you have some overripe bananas waiting to be used or just want a fresh twist on classic chocolate chip cookies, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites to bake and share with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color. From the creamy butter that ensures tenderness to the cinnamon that adds a subtle warmth, you’ll see how simplicity gives way to a delightful cookie experience.
- Ripe banana (mashed): Adds natural sweetness and moisture for a soft, cakey texture.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Provides richness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Brown sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and helps keep cookies moist.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and promotes a slight crispness on the edges.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base, giving cookies their shape and body.
- Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent for lightness and lift.
- Cinnamon: Introduces a gentle spice that pairs wonderfully with banana.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melt into gooey pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie.
How to Make Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Getting this ready first helps keep your workflow smooth.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This creaming step is important because it traps air that will make your cookies soft and tender.
Step 3: Add Banana, Egg, and Vanilla
Next, mix in the mashed banana, egg, and vanilla extract. The banana not only adds moisture and sweetness but also gives the cookies a subtle fruity flavor that complements the chocolate beautifully.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This ensures your leavening and spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough, so every bite has consistent flavor and texture.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so be careful to mix only until everything comes together.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Now, fold in the chocolate chips, making sure they are evenly spread throughout the dough. This is the part that turns good cookies into irresistible ones filled with pockets of melted chocolate.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the centers set but remain soft. This timing is key to achieving that perfect chewy texture.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling step helps them firm up just enough to handle while keeping them soft on the inside.
How to Serve Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of flair, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top of warm cookies right after baking. You can also dust them lightly with powdered sugar or add a pinch of flaky sea salt to highlight the chocolate’s richness.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. For an indulgent experience, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make a quick and easy dessert crostini.
Creative Ways to Present
Use these Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe treats as base components in cookie sandwiches filled with peanut butter or cream cheese frosting. Or break them into chunks and sprinkle over yogurt or ice cream for added texture and flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Keeping them sealed well is essential to maintaining their soft yet slightly chewy texture.
Freezing
If you want to save time later, freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. You can also freeze baked cookies, layered between parchment paper, for up to a month.
Reheating
To enjoy the cookies warm after storage or freezing, microwave them for about 10-15 seconds or warm in a low oven for a few minutes. This refreshes their softness and melts the chocolate chips ever so slightly.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas are even better, as they are sweeter and softer, which enhances both the flavor and texture of the cookies.
Can I substitute the butter with a healthier fat?
While butter adds a rich flavor and texture, you can experiment with coconut oil or vegan butter. Keep in mind that this might slightly change the cookie’s taste and softness.
Is it possible to make these cookies dairy-free?
Yes, by using dairy-free butter alternatives and ensuring your chocolate chips are dairy-free, you can make this recipe vegan and dairy-free friendly.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Look for golden edges while the centers are just set but not dry. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking to keep them soft.
Can I add nuts to the Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts or pecans can be folded in with the chocolate chips for a delightful crunch and complementary flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the way bananas pair with chocolate in cookies, and this Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe nails that combination with ease. It’s simple to make but impressive in flavor, perfect for baking novices and pros alike. I can’t wait for you to give these a try and enjoy every warm, gooey bite.
Print
Banana Chocolate Chip 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
Delightfully soft and cakey banana chocolate chip cookies made with ripe bananas, rich butter, and sweet chocolate chips. These easy-to-make cookies are perfect for using up overripe bananas and offer a delicious twist on the classic cookie, combining the natural sweetness of banana with warm cinnamon and melty chocolate chips.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana (mashed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the 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 light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the mashed banana, egg, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, stirring until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough to evenly distribute the chocolate in every bite.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the cookie centers are set but still soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set perfectly.
Notes
- These cookies have a soft, cakey texture thanks to the mashed banana.
- You can add chopped walnuts for extra crunch.
- Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark or milk chocolate for different flavor profiles.
- Great recipe to use up overripe bananas to reduce food waste.
