Name: Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 7 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 small overripe banana, mashed (should measure 1/4 cup); 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter; 1 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1 egg yolk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2/3 cup chocolate chips

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 36 reviews

If you have a soft spot for banana treats and chocolate chip cookies, you’re in for a deliciously satisfying experience with this Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together the natural sweetness and moisture of ripe bananas with the rich, melty goodness of chocolate chips, resulting in a batch of cookies that are irresistibly soft, tender, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re baking for a quick snack or a cozy dessert, this recipe elevates the familiar cookie in a wonderfully comforting way that everyone will love.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A round metal tray holds four chocolate chip cookies on white parchment paper. The cookies are light brown with dark chocolate chips spread evenly across their tops. One cookie has a bite taken out showing soft, melted chocolate inside. The edges of the cookies are slightly darker and crisp, while the middle looks softer and textured. The tray rests on a white marbled surface with a clean and bright background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of this Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is in its straightforward yet thoughtful ingredient list. Each component plays a crucial role in building the cookie’s perfect texture and flavor—from the lush banana moisture to the warm cinnamon spice and sweet chocolate burst.

1 small overripe banana, mashed: This adds natural sweetness and keeps the cookies moist and tender.
1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter: Provides richness and helps create a soft crumb.
1 cup light brown sugar, packed: Enhances sweetness with a hint of molasses for depth.
1 egg yolk: Adds richness without making the dough too cakey.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings out the warm, comforting flavors of the banana and chocolate.
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together with just the right chew.
1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise gently and become fluffy.
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: Adds a cozy warmth that pairs perfectly with banana.
1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
2/3 cup chocolate chips: Melts slightly for pockets of chocolatey delight in every bite.

How to Make Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Start by combining your melted butter or oil, packed brown sugar, and the mashed banana in a large bowl. The banana’s creaminess helps bind the sugar and fat, creating a luscious base that’s bursting with natural flavor.

Step 2: Add the Egg Yolk and Vanilla

Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract thoroughly. This step enriches the dough, making the cookies extra soft without turning them cakey. The vanilla adds that classic depth, elevating the banana and chocolate notes beautifully.

Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Now, fold in the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Stir gently until the flour disappears and the dough looks uniform. The baking soda and cinnamon together give a slight lift and warmth that perfectly complements the banana flavor in these soft and chewy cookies.

Step 4: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Lastly, fold in the chocolate chips carefully to distribute those pockets of melted chocolate throughout the dough evenly. Cover the dough and set it aside for about 15 minutes; this resting time lets the flour hydrate fully, which is key to getting that tender, chewy texture.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350°F. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop roughly one-ounce dough balls onto the sheet, spaced about two inches apart. The dough will feel a little wet, which is exactly right for achieving softness inside. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes until the edges are set and the centers appear slightly underbaked. This ensures the cookies remain moist and chewy when cooled.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool completely before tasting so they set and achieve that perfect soft, chewy bite. Patience here pays off big time with this recipe!

How to Serve Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

A round dark metal tray lined with crumpled white parchment paper holds a stack of seven golden brown chocolate chip cookies with slightly uneven edges and visible chocolate chips and white flakes sprinkled on top; the tray sits on a white marbled surface, with a small white bowl filled with coarse white salt crystals to the lower right and a white cloth to the lower left, some cookie crumbs scattered around; soft natural light brightens the scene, highlighting the textures and warm colors photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

If you want to dress these up a little, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty touch without overwhelming the flavors. A drizzle of melted chocolate or a sprinkle of chopped nuts can bring texture and an extra flavor dimension for special occasions.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of rich coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple yet indulgent dessert. The cool creaminess complements the warm, chewy cookie magnificently.

Creative Ways to Present

Try sandwiching two cookies together with a dollop of peanut butter or cream cheese frosting for an irresistible twist. They also make fantastic topping crumbles on yogurt or even as an unexpected addition to a brunch spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps them soft and moist, just like freshly baked.

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies by layering them between sheets of parchment paper in a sealed container or freezer bag. They keep well for up to three months, making them perfect for baking in advance.

Reheating

To enjoy that freshly baked feel, pop frozen or stored cookies into a warm oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings back their delightful softness and warms the melted chocolate to ooey-gooey perfection.

FAQs

Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar?

While regular white sugar can be used, brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that really enhances the softness and depth of the cookies. For best results, stick with light brown sugar as the recipe suggests.

What if my banana is too big or small?

The recipe calls for exactly 1/4 cup of mashed banana, so if your banana is larger, measure out 1/4 cup and discard the excess. This ensures the right moisture balance in your dough for perfect texture.

Can I substitute the oil with butter?

Absolutely! Melted butter adds a lovely richness and flavor that works wonderfully here. Just be sure to use melted butter rather than cold so it mixes in smoothly with the other ingredients.

Why do the cookies need to rest before baking?

Letting the dough rest for about 15 minutes allows the flour to fully hydrate. This step is key to achieving that soft, chewy texture that makes this Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe stand out from the usual cookie.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

You want the edges to be set and lightly golden while the centers remain slightly underbaked and puffed. This ensures the cookies stay soft and chewy even after cooling.

Final Thoughts

There’s something incredibly satisfying about biting into these Soft and Chewy Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe treats — they feel like a warm hug from the inside out. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing them as much as I do, and that they become a go-to favorite in your kitchen for anytime comfort and sweet delight.