Indulging in a warm, freshly baked cookie is like wrapping yourself in a comforting embrace. The aroma wafting from the oven, the perfect balance of sweetness, and the satisfyingly chewy texture—cookies can transport us back to cherished childhood memories or simply brighten our day with a single bite. Among the many cookie varieties that tantalize your taste buds, one combination that stands out as a delightful surprise is banana chocolate chip cookies.
In this post, I will share how to whip up these irresistible vegan-friendly banana chocolate chip cookies.
Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Rest Time
5 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Ingredients
Directions
1. To begin, set your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by covering it with parchment paper.
2. blend the mashed bananas, avocado oil, maple syrup (or agave nectar), and vanilla extract in a spacious mixing bowl. Stir diligently until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
3. combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a different bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended.
4. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Take care not to overmix. Next, fold the dairy-free chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. Using a rounded spoon, place dollops of dough onto the lined baking sheet, leaving approximately 2 inches of space between each one. If desired, gently flatten the cookies using a spoon or your fingertips, as they will not spread significantly while baking.
6. Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn a delightful golden brown. The center might appear slightly soft, but don't worry; it will solidify as the cookies cool.
7. After baking, take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Use dairy-free chocolate chips: To maintain the recipe's vegan nature, choose dairy-free or vegan chocolate chips. Many brands offer chocolate chips made with plant-based ingredients.
Tips & Notes
Use ripe bananas: Ensure that your bananas are ripe, exhibiting brown speckles on their skins. Ripe bananas are sweeter and will add more flavor and moisture to the cookies.
Adjust sweetness: The level of sweetness in the cookies can vary depending on the ripeness of the bananas and your personal preference. Before baking, sample the cookie dough and adjust the quantity of maple syrup or agave nectar to your desired taste.
Don't overmix the dough: Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough cookies. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until they are just blended, making sure there are no pockets of dry flour remaining. This will give you tender and fluffy cookies.
Nutritional Facts
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Calories
71
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1.3g
2%
Saturated Fat 0.6g
3%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 52mg
2%
Total Carbohydrate 14.3g
5%
Dietary Fiber 1.1g
4%
Total Sugars 3.2g
Protein 1.4g
Vitamin D 0mcg
0%
Calcium 14mg
1%
Iron 1mg
5%
Potassium 82mg
2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Use dairy-free chocolate chips: To maintain the vegan nature of the recipe, choose dairy-free or vegan chocolate chips. There are many brands available that offer chocolate chips made with plant-based ingredients.
What are banana chocolate chip cookies?
Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delicious baked treat that combines the flavors of bananas and chocolate chips. These cookies are made by incorporating mashed banana into a cookie dough base, along with chocolate chips. The result is a soft, moist, and flavorful cookie with the added sweetness and hint of tanginess from the bananas, perfectly complemented by the pockets of melted chocolate. It resembles your banana bread; some may call it banana bread cookies!
What You Will Need To Make These Banana Chocolate Chip Cookie
Ripe Bananas
Bananas, the star ingredient of this recipe, impart natural sweetness, moisture, and delicious banana flavor to the cookies. Choose fully ripe bananas with brown speckles on the skin for the best results. Before using, you will want to ensure the overripe bananas have no foul smell or mold.
All-Purpose Flour
The cookie dough is built upon a foundation of all-purpose flour. It contains moderate gluten, which helps structure and hold the cookies together. All-purpose flour provides a neutral taste and a light, tender texture to the cookies.
Chocolate Chips
You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, or semi-sweet chocolate chips in this recipe as long as they are vegan-friendly and dairy-free. Vegan chocolate chips are made without any dairy or animal products, ensuring they align with a vegan or plant-based diet. These chocolate chips melt and create pockets of gooey chocolate throughout the cookies, adding bursts of indulgent sweetness.
If you have no dietary restrictions, choose your favorite chocolate chips.
Maple syrup
If you're monitoring your sugar intake, you can exclude sugar. The bananas and chocolate chips will contribute a certain level of sweetness to the banana chocolate chip cookies. However, if you desire additional sweetness, consider incorporating natural sweeteners like maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut sugar into the recipe.
Coconut sugar is typically less sweet than other sugar types while adding hints of caramel flavor to the recipe. It is slightly healthier than refined sugar but is still sugar and high in calories, so use it accordingly. Coconut sugar is slightly better than brown sugar because it is lower on the glycemic index and lightly processed compared to other sugars like brown sugar. If coconut sugar is available, go with this type of sugar.
Maple syrup or agave nectar are equally fantastic alternatives as well. They provide a touch of sweetness to the banana chocolate chip cookies without overpowering the other flavors. Maple syrup adds a hint of caramel-like flavor, while agave nectar has a milder and more neutral taste.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is a common flavoring used in baking to enhance the overall taste of banana chocolate chip cookies. It adds a warm and aromatic note to the dough, bringing out the sweetness and complementing the banana and chocolate flavors.
Avocado Oil
Using avocado oil in cookies can result in a moist and tender crumb, as the oil effectively coats the flour's proteins, limiting gluten formation. This can be particularly desirable in softer cookie varieties. Alternatively, you can use melted unsalted butter or coconut oil.
Baking Soda
To give these banana chocolate chip cookies their fluffy and soft texture, you need to add a touch of baking soda. This ingredient releases carbon dioxide gas, helping the cookie dough create the desired texture.
If your baking soda is too old, the banana cookies won't appear fluffy and soft. To test it, mix your baking soda with a vinegar or lemon juice splash. If the mixture fizzes heavily, this is a sign that it is still good to use. It has gone bad if it has a slight or not much fizz.
Baking powder
As a leavening agent, baking powder aids in the rise of the cookies, resulting in a light and fluffy texture. It comprises a mixture of baking soda, cream of tartar, and a dry acid. When combined with moisture and heat, it generates carbon dioxide gas bubbles, contributing to the cookies' soft and airy consistency.
Salt
Salt may seem like a small ingredient, but it plays an important role in balancing the flavors in the cookies. It enhances the sweetness of the bananas and chocolate chips, providing a more well-rounded taste. Salt additionally enhances the other flavors, fostering a more intricate and gratifying cookie experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you store chocolate chip banana cookies?
Store the cooled cookies in a container with an airtight seal. This helps to seal in freshness and prevent them from becoming stale. Alternatively, you can use a resealable plastic bag or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies are best stored at room temperature. They will stay fresh and maintain their texture for about 3 to 4 days. Ensure they are stored in a cool and dry location, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
If you live in a warm and humid climate or want to extend the shelf life, you can store the cookies in the refrigerator. Transfer the cookies to an airtight container or freezer bag and enjoy them within a week. You can freeze the cookies for up to 2-3 months for extended storage. Remember to label the container with the date for reference.
If you decide to freeze the cookies, thaw them either at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving. To restore their freshness and crispness, you can also reheat them in a preheated oven at a low temperature for a few minutes.
Can I use frozen bananas instead of ripe bananas?
Frozen bananas can certainly be used in the recipe. Ensure they are fully thawed, and any excess liquid is drained before mashing and adding them to the dough. Note that frozen bananas might have a slightly altered texture compared to fresh ones, but they will still work effectively in the recipe.
Can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it?
Preparing the dough in advance and refrigerating it for up to 24 hours before baking is possible. This practice can intensify the flavors and make the dough firm up slightly, leading to thicker cookies. Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container for storage.
