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?
Pretty solid recipe! I used quick oats and had to bake like 2-3 minutes longer, but the texture was great. Would definitely make again.
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.
350°F for 15 minutes felt short. I pulled them out when they looked set, but they stayed soft in the middle. Flavor was good, texture was off.
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. 🤷♂️
I followed it exactly and they tasted a little bland to me. Next time I’ll add vanilla or a bit of salt. Also 350F seems fine, but mine needed longer.
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.
My dried cranberries were super sticky so I pressed them in and the cookies kinda clumped. Not pretty, but taste was good and the jar idea is nice.
Hmm, 4 dried cranberries and 4 dried blueberries per cookie sounds like a lot… no wonder it clumps. I’d cut the fruit in half or bake a minute or two longer. Also sticky cranberries usually need less pressing than the recipe says.
That “clumped but tasty” is still a win 😄 I’ve had dried fruit do that when it’s extra sticky—maybe next time toss the cranberries/blueberries in a little oatmeal first so they don’t glue together.
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!
350°F for 15 minutes was a little short for me—top looked set but inside was still soft. I went 3-4 minutes more and they were perfect.
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.
Wow! These cookies taste like healthier dessert. I’m giving this a 5 even though I doubled the walnuts and now I’m basically addicted 😅
Yum! Super easy and great for breakfast on the go!
These are surprisingly good—banana + oats makes them taste like actual cookies, not health food sadness. I added a pinch of salt and they still worked great.
Yes!! The cinnamon + banana vibe is real. I did the pinch of salt too and they came out way more “cookie-like.”
Just made these! My kids loved helping mash the bananas! Fun cooking time!