Ripe for the Picking: 10 Scrumptious Banana Bread Cookies to Devour
Are you tired of throwing away ripe bananas? I know I am! But what if I told you there’s a way to turn those spotty, overripe bananas into something truly magical? Enter: banana bread cookies! These soft, chewy treats are the perfect solution to your banana surplus, and I’m about to share my top 10 favorite recipes with you. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get this banana dessert recipes party started!
1. Classic Banana Bread Cookies
These babies are the real deal – a perfect blend of moist banana flavor and crunchy edges. Why settle for boring old banana bread when you can have banana bread cookies that are just as delicious?
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash those ripe bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
3. Cream together sugar and butter, then add eggs one at a time.
4. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Fold in mashed bananas and walnuts (if using).
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These classic banana bread cookies are a staple for a reason – they’re easy, delicious, and perfect for a quick breakfast or snack. Plus, they’re a great way to use up ripe bananas and reduce food waste.
2. Soft and Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Who says healthy-ish treats can’t be decadent? These banana oatmeal cookies are the perfect combination of wholesome and indulgent.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
3. Mix together oats, sugar, honey, and chopped nuts (if using).
4. Add mashed bananas and cinnamon to the dry ingredients.
5. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These soft breakfast cookies are perfect for a quick morning pick-me-up or as a post-workout snack. The oats add a lovely texture and the bananas keep them moist and delicious.
3. Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
Because who doesn’t love a little chocolate in their life? These banana chocolate chip cookies are the perfect indulgence.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
3. Cream together sugar and butter, then add eggs one at a time.
4. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Fold in mashed bananas and chocolate chips.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These banana bread cookies are a game-changer – the combination of ripe bananas and dark chocolate is absolute perfection. Plus, they’re perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
4. Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
Peanut butter and banana – a match made in heaven! These cookies are creamy, dreamy, and utterly addictive.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
3. Cream together peanut butter and sugar, then add the egg.
4. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Fold in mashed bananas.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These banana dessert recipes are a fun twist on traditional peanut butter cookies – the addition of ripe bananas adds natural sweetness and moisture.
5. Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Cookies
These cookies are like a warm hug in a bowl – comforting, spicy, and utterly delicious.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
3. Cream together sugar and butter, then add eggs one at a time.
4. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Fold in mashed bananas and cinnamon.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These banana bread cookies are perfect for a chilly fall morning – the cinnamon adds a warm, spicy flavor that’s sure to cozy up your day.
6. Banana Nut Cookies with Browned Butter
Browned butter is the secret ingredient that takes these cookies from good to great – trust me, it’s worth the extra step!
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup browned butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
3. Brown the butter in a skillet until it smells nutty and delicious.
4. Cream together sugar and browned butter, then add eggs one at a time.
5. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
6. Fold in mashed bananas and chopped nuts (if using).
7. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These banana bread cookies are a masterclass in texture and flavor – the browned butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the ripe bananas.
7. Gluten-Free Banana Oat Cookies
Gluten-free doesn’t have to mean flavor-free – these cookies are proof that you can have your cake (or cookie) and eat it too!
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup gluten-free oats
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
3. Mix together oats, sugar, honey, and chopped nuts (if using).
4. Add mashed bananas and cinnamon to the dry ingredients.
5. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These soft breakfast cookies are perfect for a quick morning pick-me-up – the gluten-free oats make them a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
8. Banana Pecan Cookies with Sea Salt
The combination of ripe bananas, crunchy pecans, and flaky sea salt is absolute perfection – don’t @ me!
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Flaky sea salt (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
3. Cream together sugar and butter, then add eggs one at a time.
4. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Fold in mashed bananas and chopped pecans.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
8. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (if using).
Why You’ll Love It:
These banana bread cookies are a masterclass in texture and flavor – the combination of crunchy pecans and flaky sea salt adds a lovely depth and complexity.
9. Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies with Espresso
Mocha lovers, rejoice! These cookies are the perfect combination of rich, dark chocolate and bold espresso.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp instant espresso powder
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
3. Cream together sugar and butter, then add eggs one at a time.
4. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Fold in mashed bananas, chocolate chips, and espresso powder.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These banana dessert recipes are perfect for coffee lovers – the addition of espresso powder adds a bold, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the dark chocolate.
10. Caramel Banana Cookies with Pecans
These cookies are like a party in your mouth – the combination of ripe bananas, gooey caramel, and crunchy pecans is absolute perfection.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup caramel bits
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash those bananas in a bowl until they’re smooth.
3. Cream together sugar and butter, then add eggs one at a time.
4. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Fold in mashed bananas, chopped pecans, and caramel bits.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden.
Why You’ll Love It:
These banana bread cookies are a game-changer – the combination of ripe bananas, gooey caramel, and crunchy pecans is absolute perfection. Plus, they’re perfect for a quick dessert or snack.
In conclusion, these banana bread cookies are the perfect solution to your ripe banana problem – they’re easy, delicious, and perfect for a quick breakfast or snack. With these 10 recipes, you’ll never have to throw away a ripe banana again. From classic to creative, these banana dessert recipes are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and become a staple in your household. So go ahead, get baking, and enjoy the soft breakfast cookies that will make your mornings a little brighter!
