Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delicious twist on a classic treat. These cookies combine the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with gooey chocolate chips, making every bite warm and comforting. Their soft texture and subtle banana flavor make them a fun and tasty snack or dessert.
I love making these cookies because they’re so easy to whip up whenever I have some bananas that are getting too ripe. The bananas keep the cookies moist, so they stay soft even after a day or two. Plus, chocolate chips mixed into the batter add just the right amount of sweetness and melty goodness that everyone enjoys.
My favorite way to enjoy these cookies is fresh from the oven with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of tea. They’re perfect for sharing with friends or packing in lunchboxes. If you want a little extra touch, try adding some chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon to the dough—it’s a simple way to make them uniquely yours!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Bananas: Ripe bananas are a must here, as their natural sweetness and moisture keep the cookies soft. If you don’t have bananas, unsweetened applesauce can work, but the flavor changes slightly.
Butter: Using softened unsalted butter helps with texture and flavor balance. You can swap with margarine or coconut oil for a dairy-free option.
Sugar: The mix of brown and granulated sugar gives these cookies both chewiness and lightness. Brown sugar adds moisture, so try to keep some in the recipe.
Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chips are classic, but feel free to use dark, milk, or white chocolate chips depending on your taste.
Flour & Leavening: All-purpose flour and baking soda help the cookies spread nicely. You can try whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor, but the cookies may be a bit denser.
How Can I Keep These Cookies Soft and Chewy?
Softness is the highlight of these cookies, thanks mainly to the banana and sugar mix. Here’s how to keep them chewy:
- Use very ripe bananas—the riper, the better. They add natural moisture and sweetness.
- Don’t over-mix the dough; stir just until ingredients come together to avoid tough cookies.
- Bake just until the edges start to turn golden. Centers may look slightly underdone but will set as they cool.
- Cool cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a rack. This helps them finish cooking gently.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain moisture and softness for days.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – for combining your wet and dry ingredients easily.
- Hand mixer or wooden spoon – helps blend butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Measuring cups and spoons – to get your ingredient amounts just right.
- Baking sheet – a flat surface for baking your cookies evenly.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – prevents cookies from sticking and makes clean-up quick.
- Cooling rack – lets cookies cool evenly without getting soggy on the bottom.
- Spoon or cookie scoop – for portioning out cookie dough evenly.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Try adding chopped walnuts or pecans for a nice crunch and toasting flavor.
- Swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for white or milk chocolate chips to change the sweetness level.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, cozy twist.
- Mix in shredded coconut for extra texture and a hint of tropical flavor.
Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large ripe banana, mashed (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes to prep and 10-12 minutes to bake. Cooling requires an additional 5 minutes. So in total, you’ll spend around 25-30 minutes from start to finish—quick and easy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping Your Oven and Ingredients:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, so your cookies don’t stick and clean-up is easy.
2. Mixing Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures everything is evenly combined for the perfect cookie texture.
3. Creaming Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, use a mixer or spoon to cream the softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step adds air to your dough for soft cookies.
4. Adding Banana, Egg, and Vanilla:
Stir in the mashed banana, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is fully mixed in. The banana keeps the cookies moist and adds natural sweetness.
5. Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined—over-mixing can make cookies tough.
6. Folding in Chocolate Chips and Nuts:
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and, if you like, the chopped walnuts or pecans. This ensures tasty bits are evenly spread throughout each cookie.
7. Shaping and Baking the Cookies:
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
8. Cooling and Enjoying:
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes—they will firm up a bit during this time. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or store in an airtight container to keep soft for days.
Can I Use Frozen Bananas for These Cookies?
Yes, frozen bananas work great! Just thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing to avoid making the dough too wet.
How Should I Store Leftover Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed bag or container for up to 2 months.
Can I Substitute the All-Purpose Flour?
You can use whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor, but expect slightly denser cookies. Gluten-free flour blends might work too, but check they contain xanthan gum to help with texture.
Is It Okay to Add Nuts or Other Mix-Ins?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even shredded coconut add great texture and flavor. Just fold them in at the same step as the chocolate chips.
