Banana Bread Cookies Recipe – Easy and Delicious

Introduction

Banana bread cookies are, without a doubt, one of the most delightful ways to enjoy the comforting flavors of banana bread in a convenient cookie form. Not only do these cookies capture the essence of banana bread, but they also offer the portability and texture of a classic cookie. What’s more, they’re an excellent way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or someone trying your hand at baking for the first time, this recipe is straightforward and highly rewarding. Plus, with the addition of ingredients like chocolate chips or nuts, you can easily put your own spin on it. Without further ado, let’s dive into the world of banana bread cookies and discover how to make these tasty treats step by step.

Ingredients for Banana Bread Cookies

To create banana bread cookies that are soft, flavorful, and simply irresistible, you’ll need a mix of dry and wet ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Let’s break them down step by step.

Essential Dry Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour: First and foremost, flour provides the structure for your cookies, giving them the right amount of chewiness.
Baking Soda: Additionally, this leavening agent ensures your cookies rise just enough, keeping them light and fluffy.
Salt: Believe it or not, a pinch of salt enhances the sweetness of the bananas and balances the overall flavor.
Cinnamon: As a final touch, this warm spice adds depth and complements the natural sweetness of the bananas.

Key Wet Ingredients

Ripe Bananas: Without a doubt, ripe bananas are the star of the show. Their sweetness and moisture are what make these cookies truly special.
Unsalted Butter: Moreover, butter lends richness and softness to the cookies, creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness while contributing to the cookies’ slightly crispy edges.
Brown Sugar: For a deeper flavor profile, brown sugar brings caramel-like notes and keeps the cookies moist.
Egg: The egg serves as a binder, ensuring the cookies hold together and have a slight fluffiness.
Vanilla Extract: Finally, a splash of vanilla ties all the flavors together with a subtle hint of aromatic sweetness.

Optional add-ins, such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even dried fruit, can elevate these cookies into something truly extraordinary. By now, you should have a clear idea of what you’ll need to get started.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making banana bread cookies is both simple and enjoyable, especially when you follow these clear steps. With a few transitions from preparation to baking, you’ll have delicious cookies in no time.

Preparing the Bananas

Choose the Ripest Bananas: To begin with, select bananas that are heavily spotted or fully brown. These provide the natural sweetness and moisture that make your cookies irresistibly soft.
Mash the Bananas: Next, peel the bananas and mash them in a medium-sized bowl using a fork or potato masher. Aim for a mostly smooth consistency, though small lumps are perfectly fine for added texture.

Mixing the Ingredients

Combine Dry Ingredients: Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Set this aside for now.
Cream Butter and Sugars: Meanwhile, in another bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving soft, tender cookies.
Add Wet Ingredients: Gradually mix in the mashed bananas, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is well combined.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies dense.
Fold in Add-Ins (Optional): If you’d like to make banana bread chocolate chip cookies or add nuts, now’s the time to fold in your chosen extras.

Shaping and Baking

Prepare the Baking Sheet: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
Scoop the Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each.
Bake the Cookies: Next, bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown.
Cool the Cookies: After removing the cookies from the oven, allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

With these steps, your banana bread cookies will be baked to perfection, ready to enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Variations and Substitutions

Banana bread cookies are wonderfully versatile, making it easy to customize them to suit your preferences or dietary needs. If you enjoy trying new recipes, you might also love our Ground Beef Bulgogi Recipe, which is another creative and flavorful option to add to your repertoire. Here are some exciting variations and substitutions to try.

Gluten-Free Banana Bread Cookies

If you’re avoiding gluten, don’t worry—you can still enjoy these delicious cookies! Here’s how:

Use Gluten-Free Flour: First and foremost, replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum or another binding agent for the best texture.
Double-Check Ingredients: Additionally, verify that all other ingredients, including baking soda and add-ins like chocolate chips, are certified gluten-free.

With these simple swaps, you’ll bake cookies that are just as soft and flavorful as the original recipe.

Vegan Banana Bread Cookies

Making banana bread cookies vegan is simpler than you might think. By using plant-based alternatives, you can create cookies that are completely free of animal products:

Egg Replacement: Instead of an egg, use a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) or an extra ¼ cup of mashed banana for binding.
Butter Substitution: Replace unsalted butter with vegan butter or coconut oil for richness.
Ensure Sugar is Vegan: Some granulated sugars are processed using animal-derived products, so choose a brand that’s labeled vegan.

These changes will yield cookies that are just as soft, moist, and delectable, without compromising on flavor.

Tips for Perfect Banana Bread Cookies

Crafting the perfect batch of banana bread cookies doesn’t require magic, but it does benefit from a few expert tips. By following these suggestions, you’ll consistently achieve cookies that are soft, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious.

Use Overripe Bananas:
- To begin with, always choose bananas that are heavily spotted or completely brown. They’re naturally sweeter and bring the ideal moisture to the dough. If you don’t have ripe bananas on hand, you can speed up the process by baking them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 15–20 minutes.
Don’t Overmix the Dough:
- Once the wet and dry ingredients are combined, avoid overmixing. Overmixing develops too much gluten, which can make the cookies tough instead of tender. Gently fold the ingredients together until just combined.
Measure Ingredients Accurately:
- To ensure the perfect texture, measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it with a knife. Too much flour can lead to dry cookies.
Chill the Dough (Optional):
- If your dough feels too sticky or you want thicker cookies, refrigerate it for 15–30 minutes before baking. This step can help the cookies hold their shape better in the oven.
Bake at the Right Temperature:
- Make sure your oven is preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking. This ensures even cooking and prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
Add Chocolate Chips Strategically:
- If you’re making banana bread chocolate chip cookies, consider folding the chips into the dough gently but evenly. This way, every bite will have a touch of chocolatey goodness.
Cool Properly:
- After baking, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents them from falling apart and helps maintain their soft texture.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll transform your banana bread cookies into a show-stopping treat every single time.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even the most experienced bakers can encounter a few hiccups when making banana bread cookies. Thankfully, by recognizing these common mistakes and learning how to avoid them, you can ensure your cookies come out perfectly every time. If you’re interested in exploring other creative recipes, check out our guide on Cottage Cheese Recipes for Every Meal.

Using Under-Ripe Bananas
- Mistake: Bananas that aren’t ripe enough can result in bland cookies lacking sweetness and moisture.
- Solution: Always use bananas with brown spots or fully browned skins. If your bananas aren’t ripe, bake them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 15–20 minutes to soften and sweeten them.
Adding Too Much Flour
- Mistake: Overmeasuring flour can lead to dry, crumbly cookies.
- Solution: Use the spoon-and-level method to measure flour. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, which compacts the flour.
Overmixing the Dough
- Mistake: Mixing the dough too much can result in dense, tough cookies.
- Solution: Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Resist the urge to keep stirring after the dough comes together.
Skipping the Baking Soda Check
- Mistake: Using expired or insufficient baking soda can cause your cookies to be flat and dense.
- Solution: Check the freshness of your baking soda by dropping a small amount into vinegar. If it bubbles vigorously, it’s good to use.
Overbaking the Cookies
- Mistake: Leaving the cookies in the oven too long can dry them out and make them too crisp.
- Solution: Remove the cookies when the edges are golden, but the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Skipping the Cooling Step
- Mistake: Moving the cookies too soon from the baking sheet can cause them to break apart.
- Solution: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll have the confidence to bake a flawless batch of banana bread cookies every time.

Storing and Freezing Banana Bread Cookies

Proper storage is essential to keep your banana bread cookies fresh and delicious for days—or even months. Whether you plan to enjoy them immediately or save them for later, these tips will help you maintain their texture and flavor.

Storing Banana Bread Cookies

At Room Temperature:
- Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To keep them soft, place a piece of bread or a slice of apple inside the container. These will release moisture, preventing the cookies from drying out.
In the Refrigerator:
- If you live in a warm or humid climate, you can refrigerate the cookies to extend their freshness.
- Use a sealed container to prevent the cookies from absorbing odors. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Freezing Banana Bread Cookies

Freezing Baked Cookies:
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before freezing.
- Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper.
- Frozen cookies can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm them in the oven for a freshly baked feel.
Freezing Cookie Dough:
- Portion the dough into individual scoops and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze the scoops until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag.
- Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.

Reviving Stale Cookies

If your cookies have started to lose their softness, you can briefly warm them in the microwave for 5–10 seconds or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes. This will restore their chewy texture and make them taste freshly baked.

By following these storage tips, you can enjoy your banana bread cookies at their best, no matter when you choose to indulge.

Nutritional Information

Knowing the nutritional breakdown of your banana bread cookies can help you enjoy them guilt-free while keeping your health goals in mind. Here’s a general estimate for a batch yielding about 24 cookies:

Calories: ~120 kcal
Total Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
Cholesterol: 15 mg
Sodium: 80 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1 g
- Sugars: 10 g
Protein: 2 g

Notes on Adjustments:

Add-Ins: Including chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit will increase the calorie, fat, and sugar content. For example, adding 1 cup of chocolate chips could add around 15 calories per cookie.
Substitutions: Using alternative ingredients, like coconut oil instead of butter or almond flour instead of all-purpose flour, may slightly alter the nutritional values.
Cookie Size: Making larger or smaller cookies will naturally affect the calorie count and nutrient distribution.

While banana bread cookies are a treat, they offer some nutritional benefits too. Thanks to the bananas, you get a boost of potassium and natural sweetness, making these cookies a balanced indulgence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Snoop Dogg cookies?

Snoop Dogg cookies typically refer to a playful nod toward creative and flavorful cookie recipes inspired by the famous rapper Snoop Dogg. These recipes often incorporate unique or indulgent ingredients, such as chocolate, spices, or even cannabis in some cases. While not directly related to banana bread cookies, they share the idea of experimenting with fun and flavorful combinations.

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft?

The secret to soft cookies lies in moisture. Ingredients like ripe bananas, brown sugar, and a touch of cornstarch can help retain moisture in the dough. Additionally, slightly underbaking the cookies and storing them with a piece of bread in an airtight container can maintain their softness for days.

Will too much baking soda ruin banana bread cookies?

Yes, too much baking soda can cause issues in your banana bread cookies. It may lead to an unpleasant metallic taste and overly puffy cookies. Stick to the recipe’s measurements to ensure balanced flavors and proper texture.

What are banana cookies made of?

Banana cookies are primarily made of mashed ripe bananas, flour, sugar (granulated and/or brown), butter or oil, eggs, and baking soda or baking powder. Additional ingredients like vanilla extract, cinnamon, and chocolate chips can be added for extra flavor and variety.

Conclusion

Banana bread cookies combine the comforting flavors of classic banana bread with the satisfying texture of cookies, creating a treat that’s truly irresistible. With simple ingredients, easy steps, and endless customization options, these cookies are perfect for any occasion—whether you’re whipping up a quick snack, sharing with friends, or indulging in a bit of self-care.

By following the tips and avoiding common mistakes outlined here, you’ll consistently bake soft, flavorful, and perfectly golden cookies. And with variations like gluten-free and vegan options, there’s a recipe for everyone to enjoy.

Now that you’ve got all the tools and know-how, it’s time to head to the kitchen and bring your banana bread cookie dreams to life. Happy baking!