Crispy on the edge and soft and fluffy on the inside, these banana nut bread cookies are just like biting into a slice of your favorite banana bread. Simple to make and ready and 30 minutes!
Let me walk you through the steps for the simplest, most delicious cookies you'll ever make!
Why this recipe work
- Taste: The star of this recipe is none other than bananas. It doesn't take much to pack these cookies with flavor. Just half a banana is all you need. But the key is to make sure it is extra ripe with a dark spotty skin.
- Texture: The cookies are soft in the middle. The mashed banana won't allow them to crispen up all the way through. The outside and edges of the cookie are crisp once removed from the oven but will soften as they sit. Crushed banana chips and walnuts are added for a bit of crunch.
- Ease: This recipe couldn't be easier! Mash the banana, mix the ingredeints together, scoop, and bake. They truly take no time at all. They're just as simple as my banana oatmeal cookies which are a reader favorite.
See my other delicious cookie recipes!
About these easy banana cookies
Inspired by my favorite chocolate chip cookies and my love of homemade banana muffins, these banana nut bread cookies are my new favorite cookies. They taste exactly like banana bread but are even easier to make!
I am a sucker for good banana bread. However, for me, good is simply… “Simple”. And by simple I mean, I don’t want the banana flavor to be smothered by spices. I like my banana bread to taste like bananas and nothing else.
So I took this concept and packed it into these little bite-sized banana nut bread cookies.
These banana bread cookies are heavily flavored with banana (even though you only need half of a ripe banana!) and they bake up crisp on the outside edges with soft, fluffy interiors. In each bite, you get little crunchy bits of banana chips and walnuts. They are honestly the best cookie I’ve ever created!
And, my favorite part about these banana cookies is that the dough doesn't require chilling - just whip it up and bake!
What you'll need
You likely have everything you need to make these banana bread cookies in your pantry - which makes them the perfect cookie to whip up any time!
Ingredients
The full recipe with ingredient amounts can be found at the end of this post in a printable recipe card!
- Flour - I highly recommend measuring your flour by weight as using too much will change the texture of the cookies.
- Cornstarch - You can omit this if you don't have it. I like to add it to cookies because it breaks down gluten development resulting in soft cookies with crisp edges.
- Baking powder & baking soda - The use of both leavening agents allows these banana cookies to be light and fluffy.
- Salt
- Light brown sugar - I use all brown sugar instead of a combination of white and brown because it holds more moisture and creates a softer texture.
- Unsalted butter - Butter should be softened but not melted.
- Banana - The banana should be extra ripe, almost to the point you wouldn't eat it besides in bread.
- Vanilla extract
- Egg - One egg helps hold everything together.
- Banana chips - Crushed banana chips add flavor and crunch. Optional but recommended!
- Walnuts - I love the combination of walnuts and banana together!
Recommended tools
- Baking pan - It's best to use two baking sheets (affiliate link) since this recipe makes nearly two dozen cookies.
- Cookie scoop - I find that a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop (affiliate link) works beautifully for portioning the cookies.
- Mixer - I prefer to use a stand mixer (affiliate link) with paddle attachment (affiliate link) but an electric handheld mixer (affiliate link) works great too.
How to make banana nut bread cookies
In addition to being delicious, these banana nut bread cookies are also super easy to make! Just a few steps until you're anxiously waiting for these to be cool enough to enjoy!
- Combine the dry ingredients. Combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Beat the wet ingredients. Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then add in the mashed banana, vanilla extract and egg.
- Add the extras. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture. Crush the banana chips with a rolling pin and fold them into the mixture, along with the walnuts.
- Bake. Drop the cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 10 minutes, until cookies are lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes on the pan before transferring to a wire rack.
Tips for success
- Use a scoop to measure the dough. I like to use a cookie scoop to make sure each cookie is the same size and perfectly round.
- Don't overmix. When you combine the wet and dry ingredients, you should stir just until the flour is moistened. The dough should be thick and sticky.
- Be sure to sure ripe bananas. Ripe bananas, the ones with lots of brown spots on the peel, are essential to this recipe. You will not get the same banana flavor if you try to use a banana without any brown spots.
- Add your favorite add-ins! While I love the crunch and extra banana flavor from the banana chips and the crunch of walnuts, you can easily switch up the add-ins! Chocolate chips or white chocolate chips would definitely work, as well would other types of nuts.
- Prepare the dough in advance. Want to serve these cookies fresh from the oven, without preparing the dough at the same time? You can easily prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. Be sure to let the dough soften at room temperature to make it easier to scoop.
Serving suggestions
You have more self-control than me if you can stop yourself from digging into these cookies before they've cooled completely! I highly recommend enjoying at least the first cookie while still warm from the oven!
But, these will stay soft even after they cool so you can enjoy them with a glass of milk anytime!
How to store
- Store leftover cookies. Banana cookies will last at room temperature for up to a week. Just be sure to keep them in an airtight container or ziploc.
- Can I freeze these? You can freeze banana bread cookies for up to 3 months! Allow them to cool completely then transfer to an airtight container or ziploc bag.
Banana Nut Bread Cookies
Crispy on the edge and soft and fluffy on the inside, these banana nut bread cookies are just like biting into a slice of your favorite banana bread. Simple to make and ready and 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ cups (217 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (210 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup (56 g) mashed ripe banana
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup (80 g) banana chips, crushed
- ½ cup (56 g) chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
- In a large bowl beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the mashed banana, vanilla extract, and egg until well blended.
- Using a silicone spatula, stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until well combined.
- Gently fold in the crushed banana chips and walnuts.
- Using a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop, drop cookies onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool the cookies on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Flour: It's important to measure the flour correctly. Using too much flour can result in thick, dense cookies. Use weight measurements for accuracy.
Cornstarch: You can omit this if you don't have it. I like to add it to cookies because it breaks down gluten development resulting in soft cookies with crisp edges.
Banana: Make sure the banana is extra ripe. Spotty peels contain bananas that are perfect for baking!
Banana chips & walnut: I highly recommend these two ingredients but you can omit them. They add texture to the cookie and the banana chips add extra flavor. Pecans make a great substitute for walnuts if you wish to try that.
Crushing banana chips: Place the banana chips in a small zip-top bag. Lightly crush the chips using a rolling pin or meat mallet.
Make ahead tips
- Cookie dough can be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature and continue bake per recipe instructions.
- Baked cookies will keep for up to 1 week stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 22 Serving Size: 1 cookieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 132Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 122mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 2g
The nutrition information provided is for convenience and as a courtesy only. It is not guaranteed to be accurate because nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator and input the exact ingredients you used in the recipe.
Rachel Young
Friday 28th of June 2019
Awesome cookies, we love them. I will add to my Christmas inventory of goodies
Jen Sobjack
Monday 1st of July 2019
I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the cookies!
NinaW
Saturday 15th of December 2018
Very flavorful. I used pecans rather than walnuts; then toasted them before chopping. I also subbed Trader Joe's Flatten Dried Banana for the banana chips. I diced and lightly floured them before folding into the batter. It gave the cookie a nice chewiness. Overall this is a keeper recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Jen Sobjack
Monday 17th of December 2018
Thanks for sharing your feedback! I'm thrilled you enjoyed the recipe!
Letty
Saturday 23rd of June 2018
Love love your ideas... going to try these as we speak....
Jen Sobjack
Monday 25th of June 2018
I hope you enjoy them!
Rose bross
Tuesday 22nd of May 2018
Do I have to use banana chips
Jen Sobjack
Wednesday 23rd of May 2018
They definitely add tons of flavor but you can omit them if needed.
Jamie
Tuesday 21st of February 2017
I was about to give up completely on baking recipes online or starting to doubt my baking ability. Every recipe I've tried turned out to be a disaster. These cookies turned out amazing. (Little clouds of banana goodness) Just bookmarked your site, thanks Jen!!