Banana cookies are a delicious way to use up ripe bananas while making a treat that feels both comforting and a little healthier than traditional cookies. With their soft texture, warm flavor, and natural sweetness, banana cookies are perfect for breakfast, snack time, or a guilt-free dessert.
The magic of banana cookies starts with overripe bananas. The more brown spots, the better. These bring moisture and natural sweetness, so you can cut back on added sugar. When mixed with ingredients like oats, cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of butter or oil, they create a dough that bakes into soft, chewy cookies with just the right amount of sweetness.
One of the best things about banana cookies is how adaptable they are. You can stir in chocolate chips for a classic treat, add chopped nuts for crunch, or toss in dried fruit like raisins or cranberries. Looking for a healthier option? Use whole wheat flour, swap in maple syrup or honey, or skip the sugar altogether for a more wholesome version.
They also make a great choice for those with dietary restrictions. Many banana cookie recipes can be made gluten-free or dairy-free with a few simple substitutions. You can even make them vegan by replacing eggs with more mashed banana or a flax egg.
Banana cookies are easy to make and bake quickly. There’s no need to chill the dough, and you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen. They store well, stay soft for days, and taste even better the next day.
Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping school snacks, or just craving a cookie that feels a little more nourishing, banana cookies are a go-to. They’re cozy, flavorful, and just the right mix of sweet and satisfying.
This recipe is made by Joeanna A Wilson Harrell.
Ingredients
- 2 bananas (large)
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
- 4 dried cranberries per cookie
- 4 dried blueberries per cookie
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash the 2 large bananas until smooth.
- Add 1 cup of oatmeal and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the mashed bananas. Mix well.
- Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, forming each portion into a rounded cookie shape.
- Place 4 dried cranberries and 4 dried blueberries on each cookie, pressing them slightly into the dough.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Take out and cool and put in a glass jar. Enjoy!
Yummy! The chocolate chips add a nice touch. Will make again for sure.
5 stars! These cookies are just the best, I even shared with my neighbors.
So glad you loved them! Sharing with neighbors is such a nice touch!
These cookies sound good, but I don’t know about the fruits. Are they really necessary?
OMG these taste sooo good! xxx
These cookies are amazing! I love the banana and chocolate combo.
I made these cookies last night and they turned out so good! My kids ate them all! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
They sound good, but I don’t know if bananas and chocolate actually go together. I’m skeptical.
These are kinda bland to me. Maybe needs more spices?
I thought they were pretty good! Just the right amount of sweetness for me. Maybe you can try adding a pinch of nutmeg for extra flavor?
Super easy to make! I just used whatever nuts I had.
I love that you made it with whatever nuts you had! That’s how cooking should be, right? Just use what you got! 😄
I love bananas, but my son hated these! Mixed emotions over here.
Weird recipe. Mixing fruit with breakfast food is like mixing ice cream with soup… not for me.
Yum! I love the combo of flavors in this cookie! Will make again for sure.
These didn’t turn out like cookies for me… more like blobs. 🤷♂️
Yum yum! I added some peanut butter too, thanks for the recipe!
These cookies are delicious! I made them for my kids, and they loved them!
Bananas in cookies? Sounds weird. But I gave it a try. Not bad but not great either.
I thought the same thing at first, but these cookies turned out better than I expected! The banana adds a nice sweetness.
Banana in cookies? Nah, that ain’t normal. I wouldn’t try it.
These are the best cookies ever! Super easy to make. My kids loved them!
Not really a fan of healthy cookies. I like my chocolate chips all gooey.
I dunno, I think oatmeal cookies should have flour. This just seems wrong.
I get where you’re coming from, but these cookies are meant to be a healthier option! Give them a try before knocking it.
I don’t know about the dried fruits, seems weird. Maybe just chocolate chips would be better.
I followed the recipe but they didn’t rise or get crunchy. They’re more like muffins in cookie shape. 🤷♂️
Sorry to hear that! Maybe try adding a bit more oatmeal next time or reduce the banana? They can turn out too mushy if there’s too much banana.
I don’t see how they wouldn’t be crunchy! I think you should’ve baked them longer or at a higher temp. Just my two cents!
I was skeptical about banana cookies, but wow! They turned out better than I expected. Nice texture!
The cranberries and blueberries are a nice touch! Very colorful. 🙂
Colorful? Sure. But bananas and berries? Sounds weird to me. I’m skeptical about this combo.
Totally agree! The berries make it look so appetizing. I can’t wait to try it out!
Not a fan of bananas, but my grandma loved these! She says they’re a healthy choice.
Yum! Super easy and great for breakfast on the go!
Just made these! My kids loved helping mash the bananas! Fun cooking time!
Not bad, but I thought they would taste more like cookies and less like mush. Might just stick to regular cookies.
easy rec? I subbed out the cranberries for raisins like my grandma did. still good!
These cookies are sooo good! I made them for my kids and they devoured them. Will definitely make again.
I’m glad to hear that! They’re a favorite in my house too. Did you add any extra toppings? 🍪
Why do you even put blueberries? Makes no sense. Just banana, chocolate, and oats is enough.
I’m not convinced about the blueberries in cookies. They should be in pancakes.
I get what you mean, but blueberries in cookies give a nice twist! They’re not just for pancakes, you know? Give it a shot!
OMG! 😍
Will they go bad quickly? No preservatives, right?
Yeah, since there’s no preservatives, they might not last long. Best to eat them soon or freeze them!
Used peanut butter instead of walnuts because I’m allergic. Still turned out great!
I used almond butter instead of bananas. Result: disaster!
Almond butter instead of bananas? That’s not gonna work! Stick to the recipe next time.
Cookies that are healthy? I’m in! 🌟 Great recipe, easy peasy.
I tried this recipe and they was mushy. 😞
I’m sorry to hear that! Maybe try baking them a bit longer next time? They can be a bit soft sometimes.
I dunno, they came out kinda mushy. Maybe I did something wrong? I followed the recipe!
These were so good, I might eat all of them in one sitting! 😍
Yum! I added some honey too and it was fabulous. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Bananas are gros. I’m not gonna make these.
These cookies were delicious! I loved the combination of bananas and chocolate chips. Will definitely make them again.
Not what I expected… where did the flour go? 😂
Great way to use overripe bananas! My kids loved them, ate them all!
I can’t cook! But this looks easy enough. I’ll try it with my kids.
Too many ingredients! I just wanted simple banana cookies.
I get what you’re saying, but those ingredients make it really tasty. Kids love them!
Yea, too much stuff! Just bananas and oats would do fine. Keep it simple!
These cookies have too much fruit in them. Not a fan!
I think the fruit makes them more nutritious! But I get it, not everyone’s taste. 🍪
I accidentally put in too much cinnamon and now it’s too spicy. Be careful with that!
Just made them and they were a total flop. Couldn’t get them into cookie shape. Help!
Sorry to hear that! Maybe try mashing the bananas a bit more or adding a little more oatmeal to help with the shape.
I think it’s just the banana thing. Cookies can be tricky! They don’t really hold shape like regular cookies. Don’t give up!
I don’t get why people like these. They taste too banana-y and like soggy oatmeal!
I added peanut butter too, sooo good!
These cookies are AMAZING! I love the combo of bananas and oatmeal. Will make again!
I don’t know, man. Bananas in cookies? Seems weird. I prefer chocolate chip cookies without all the fruit stuff.
I’m so glad you loved them! They are indeed super delicious and healthy. I’ve made them twice this week already!
Shouldn’t there be eggs in cookies? Not sure this is legit.
I can’t believe you can bake cookies with just bananas and oatmeal. Seems too easy, are they really cookies? 🤨
Yum! I added some vanilla extract too. Can’t go wrong with bananas and chocolate!
Cookies??? I thought it was banana bread recipe.
I don’t know about this recipe… I mean, banana cookies? Sounds weird. How can they be good?
Baked these for a potluck, everyone loved them! However, I forget to add walnuts 🤦♂️.
Are the walnuts really necessary? I dont like them. Can I skip it?
Banana cookies = best cookies. Forget the haters! 😄
I dunno… Banana cookies? Seems a bit weird to me. Real cookies need flour, don’t they? 🤔
Yeah, banana cookies are the best! Love how they turn out so soft and yummy! 😍
I didn’t have walnuts, so I used pecans and they were fine. But don’t call them cookies if no flour is involved! It’s more like banana oatmeal blobs.
How long do I bake them for? I’m a little confused with the instructions.
These cookies are amazing! I can’t believe how easy they are to make. My kids loved them!
I tried these but they didnt turn out right. Too mushy for me.
My kids loved them but I think they were too sweet for me. Maybe less chocolate next time.
I found them too sweet with all the cranberries and chocolate.
I thought they were perfect! The sweetness from the cranberries balances it out. Maybe try less chocolate next time?
YUM! Perfect snack for after school. Thanks for sharing!
These sound awesome! Can’t wait to make them with my kids. Thanks for the idea!
Sounds good, but why would you mix fruits? bananas alone are better. Just saying.
Easy and quick! I didn’t have walnuts, so I used almonds instead. Still delicious!
I dunno, cookies made with bananas and oatmeal? Sounds weird. But hey, if you liked it, good for you.
Almonds sound like a great substitute! I’ll try that next time. Glad to hear they turned out good!
I don’t know. I tried it but they came out kinda mushy. Maybe I did something wrong?
Yum! My kids love these, even though they usually hate bananas. Who knew they would eat them in cookie form?
Banana cookie? Sounds like a weird combo. But then again, I tried it and it was tasty!
These cookies are fantastic! My kids loved them!
These cookies are amazing! I used ripe bananas and they turned out super soft! Definitely making these again.
I replaced walnuts with almonds and they turned out fine. Not sure about the cranberries tho.