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Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies

When life hands you ripe bananas, why settle for ordinary banana bread when you can turn them into irresistible chocolate chip banana cookies? These delicious treats combine the sweetness of ripe bananas with the rich indulgence of chocolate chips, creating the perfect combination for satisfying your sweet cravings.

Banana chocolate chip cookies on a white dish.


 

When we have too many ripe bananas not only do we love making these Banana Cookies but also this Tasty Banana Cake.

It’s been awhile since I made cookies, so when I found this old recipe of my Mom’s that would use up some of my very ripe bananas I decided to give it a try. Through the years I have shared quite a few of my Mom’s cookie recipes from Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies to a delicious classic Chocolate Chip Cookie!

Recipe Ingredients

  • Flour – all purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Butter – if you use unsalted then add a bit more salt
  • Brown sugar – packed light brown also known as golden brown sugar
  • Sugar – granulated sugar
  • Egg – large room temperature egg
  • Banana – very ripe bananas
  • Vanilla – vanilla extract
  • Chocolate chips – mini or regular semi sweet chocolate chips
  • Nuts – I like to add some chopped nuts but it is optional

How to Ripen Bananas

These cookies are made with ripe bananas, but if your bananas are not quite ripe, the easiest way to ripen them is to place the bananas in a paper or plastic bag together with an unpeeled, uncut apple, pear, or even a tomato.

If you don’t have one of these then another banana will work also. Leave them to ripen at room temperature, not in the refrigerator. It will take a green banana approximately 4 days to ripen, if the bananas are already slightly yellow than 1-2 days should be enough.

Ingredients for the recipe.

For room temperature ingredients remove them from the fridge approximately 45-60 minutes before needing.

How to make Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and baking powder.

Whisking the dry ingredients in a glass bowl.

In a large bowl beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, then add the egg, banana and vanilla beat to combine.

Beating the wet ingredients in a silver bowl.

Add the whisked flour mixture a little at a time and combine with a wooden spoon or spatula. Then stir in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts.

Adding in the flour and the chopped nuts and chips.

Drop by spoonfuls on the prepared cookie sheet.

The unbaked cookies on the baking sheet.

Bake until done and golden brown.

The baked cookies on the baking sheet.

What are the best nuts to mix with Bananas?

I added nuts to mine but you can leave them out if you wish. I prefer to mix pecans or walnuts with bananas but you can also use peanuts, macadamia nuts, almonds, cashews or even hazelnuts.

What Are Drop Cookies

These cookies are called this because they are formed by dropping spoonfuls of dough or batter onto a cookie sheet. They tend to be moister and more cake like then regular rolled out cookies.

How To Tell When The Cookies Are Done

The cookies are done when the edges are set and lightly browned; the center will still be soft but will set as they cool.

Recipe FAQs

How ripe should the bananas be?

The bananas should be very ripe, with a lot of brown spots, for the best flavor and sweetness.

Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar?

Brown sugar is recommended for its moisture and flavor, but you can substitute an equal amount of granulated sugar, although the cookies may be crisper and less flavorful.

Is it necessary to use ripe bananas?

Yes, ripe bananas are essential as they are sweeter and mash easily, contributing to the moistness and flavor of the cookies.

Can I omit the nuts?

Yes, nuts can be omitted if you prefer or have allergies, without significantly affecting the texture of the cookies.

How to store the Banana Cookies

The cookies should be stored in an airtight container. They can be left out at room temperature (if it isn’t too warm) over night. Longer than that they should be stored in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to a week.

Or freeze the completely cooled cookies on a cookie sheet for about 1-2 hours until firm then place in a freezer safe container or bag. They will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw the cookies at room temperature.

More Banana Recipes

Cookies on a white plate.

So if you have any leftover Bananas and you want something different other than Banana Bread or Banana Cake I hope you give these Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies a try! Enjoy.

Cookies stacked on top of each other.

Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies

Rosemary Molloy
Too many ripe Bananas? Why not make these soft Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies. Easy to make drop cookies will become everyone’s new favourite! 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course cookies, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 15 cookies
Calories 153 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • cup butter (softened)
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • ½ cup mashed banana (about 1 1/2 medium bananas very ripe)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • cup semi sweet chocolate chips (mini or regular)
  • cup chopped nuts optional (pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts)

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C), lightly grease a cookie sheet.
  • In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and baking powder.
  • In a large bowl beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy approximately 5 minutes, then add the egg, banana and vanilla beat to combine. Add the whisked flour mixture a little at a time and combine with a wooden spoon or spatula. Then stir in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
  • Drop by spoonfuls on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes. Enjoy!

Notes

If you wish you could use a stand mixer with the flat beater attachment, just be sure to combine the flour, chocolate chips and nuts on low speed and do not over mix. 
The cookies should be stored in an airtight container. They can be left out at room temperature (if it isn’t too warm) over night. Longer than that they should be stored in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to a week.
Or freeze the completely cooled cookies on a cookie sheet for about 1-2 hours until firm then place in a freezer safe container or bag. They will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw the cookies at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 40mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

Updated April 23, 2019

4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    It just happened that my daughter in law had ripe bananas and all the ingredients. My grandson loved the cookies, in fact the whole family loved them!! Quick and easy to make! Thanks Rosemary👏👏

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