If you have ripe bananas sitting on your counter and a craving for something sweet and comforting, this Banana Cookies Recipe is about to become your new best friend. These cookies are soft, cake-like, and bursting with natural banana flavor, making them the perfect treat for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even dessert. With the warm spices, hearty oats, and optional mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips, every bite feels like a cozy hug. Trust me, once you try this Banana Cookies Recipe, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Banana Cookies Recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one adds a unique touch—ripe bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture, oats add chewiness and texture, and the cinnamon warms things up with a gentle spice. Together, they create a balanced flavor and delightful bite every time.
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas: Use about 2 large bananas that are a bit spotted for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and helps create that tender cookie crumb.
- ¾ cup brown sugar: Provides caramel notes and helps keep the cookies soft and chewy.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to a cakey texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the natural banana flavor with a sweet aroma.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The cookie’s structure—don’t forget to measure it properly!
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Gives the cookies a gentle rise and lightness.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and depth to each bite.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats: Offers heartiness and a lovely chewy texture.
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For a nutty crunch that complements the soft cookies beautifully.
- ½ cup chocolate chips or raisins (optional): A sweet surprise that brings an extra layer of flavor and fun.
How to Make Banana Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help your cookies bake evenly. This simple prep step sets you up for success and easy cleanup later.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process is key to creating a tender and airy cookie texture that melts in your mouth.
Step 3: Mix in Bananas, Egg, and Vanilla
Add the mashed bananas, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Stir well until everything is fully combined. Your cookie dough will start to develop a gentle sweetness and wonderful aroma at this stage.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. This ensures your leavening agent and spices are evenly distributed, so your cookies bake perfectly with consistent flavor.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, stirring just until combined. Over-mixing can toughen your cookies, so mix gently. Then, fold in the oats, and if you’re using, incorporate the nuts and chocolate chips or raisins for added texture and taste.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft. This timing ensures your cookies have that irresistible soft, cakey texture.
Step 7: Cool Before Enjoying
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling helps them set nicely without falling apart the moment you pick one up.
How to Serve Banana Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Though these banana cookies shine on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate can elevate their look and flavor effortlessly. A sprinkle of finely chopped nuts on top adds crunch and a pretty finish.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making them ideal for morning or afternoon breaks. For a nourishing twist, serve with a side of Greek yogurt or a glass of cold milk to round out the snack.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, sandwich two Banana Cookies Recipe cookies together with a layer of peanut butter or cream cheese frosting. You can also crumble them over ice cream or yogurt for a delightful crunch and banana flavor boost.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these banana cookies stay fresh and soft for about 3 to 4 days. Keeping them sealed well helps lock in moisture so you can enjoy that perfect texture every time.
Freezing
You can freeze your Banana Cookies Recipe for up to 2 months. Arrange cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, they won’t stick together, and you’ll have a delicious treat ready whenever you need it.
Reheating
To warm up frozen or stored cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or into a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This will bring back their soft, just-baked goodness in no time.
FAQs
Can I use overripe bananas for this recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas with lots of brown spots are perfect for this Banana Cookies Recipe because they are sweeter and mash easily, giving your cookies the best flavor and moist texture.
Can I substitute the butter with something healthier?
Yes, you can replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce to make these cookies a bit lighter and boost the moisture without sacrificing taste or texture.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free as written. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends to make a gluten-free version, just keep in mind you might need to adjust liquid amounts slightly.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Chilling the dough can even enhance the flavors and help the cookies hold their shape better while baking.
Will these cookies be crunchy or soft?
This Banana Cookies Recipe yields soft and cake-like cookies, not crunchy ones. If you prefer crunchier cookies, baking a couple of minutes longer can help, but be careful not to dry them out.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Cookies Recipe is more than just a simple treat—it’s a little moment of joy in every bite. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, these cookies come together quickly with ingredients you likely already have on hand. I can’t wait for you to try them and discover how effortlessly delicious banana cookies can be. Happy baking!
Print
Banana Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These soft and cake-like banana cookies combine ripe bananas, oats, and a touch of cinnamon for a deliciously wholesome treat. Perfect for breakfast or an anytime snack, these cookies can be customized with nuts and chocolate chips or raisins for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
Optional Add-ins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup chocolate chips or raisins
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer or spoon to cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined, creating a smooth base for the batter.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the mashed bananas, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until the batter is uniform and smooth with no streaks of butter or sugar.
- 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 before adding them to the wet mixture.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, folding them in gently to avoid overmixing while ensuring a smooth, slightly thick dough forms.
- Add Oats and Optional Mix-ins: Stir in the oats thoroughly. If desired, fold in the chopped nuts and chocolate chips or raisins to provide extra texture and flavor.
- Scoop Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for gentle spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden, signaling they are done but still soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for several minutes; this helps them set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely and prevent crumbling.
Notes
- These banana cookies are soft and cake-like, making them perfect for breakfast or snacking.
- For a healthier option, substitute half of the butter with applesauce or try using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- The cookies freeze well, so store them in an airtight container for up to 2 months to enjoy later without losing freshness.
