Food
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are Banana Cookies?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

Banana cookies are baked, individual desserts made with mashed ripe bananas. They are an alternative to banana bread for baking something sweet that also uses up overripe bananas. Most banana cookie recipes call for the batter to be spooned, or dropped from a spoon, onto a baking sheet. These drop cookies often vary in the exact ingredients they contain, but all of them include mashed banana.

Even bananas that have turned very dark brown in color may be used to make these cookies. There should never be any sign of mold though. Overripe bananas add much more flavor to baked goods than just ripened yellow or green-yellow fruit. Some bakers like to add other fruits such as apples or raisins to banana cookies. Dates and dried apricots are other popular fruit additions to banana cookie recipes.

Banana chocolate chip cookies.
Banana chocolate chip cookies.

Like most other types of cookies, those made with mashed bananas require the dry ingredients to initially be kept separate from the rest. Flour, baking soda and salt are among the most common dry ingredients used to make banana cookies. Some recipes use rolled oats rather than flour; after the dry ingredients are well blended in a bowl to be set aside, butter and sugar are then creamed together separately. A sugar-free banana cookie recipe without artificial sweeteners added may call for unsweetened applesauce rather than sugar. Some cookie recipes may use oil rather than butter.

Bunch of bananas.
Bunch of bananas.

Vanilla and beaten eggs are typically stirred into the creamed butter-sugar mixture when making banana cookies. Some bakers like to add a little cinnamon or a small amount of lemon juice at this point in the recipe. If the banana cookie batter is too thick, milk may be used to thin it. Since banana cookies are of the drop variety, the dough has to be of the right consistency to be spooned onto a baking sheet.

Walnuts are a common addition to banana cookies.
Walnuts are a common addition to banana cookies.

Nuts are a popular addition to banana cookie dough. Walnuts, almonds and pecans are common favorites. Lightly toasting these before chopping them to stir into the dough can make the banana cookies even more flavorful and crunchy. For a softer nutty banana cookie, peanut butter may be added instead of chopped nuts.

Chocolate chips or chunks added to the recipe create a popular variation. Many people like the combining flavors of chocolate and banana. Chocolate-banana cookies may use cocoa powder or chocolate chips or chunks. It's also possible to top a banana cookie with chocolate icing or glaze.

Discussion Comments

SarahSon

Whenever I have ripe bananas I need to use up, I have a favorite banana oatmeal cookie recipe that I use. I figure with the combination of bananas and oatmeal they are cookies that at least have some good nutrition in them.

If I have too many bananas that are going to get ripe, my kids also like to have frozen banana pops. You can dip them in melted chocolate and put them in the freezer and they make a great treat.

honeybees

Making banana cookies is one of my favorite ways to use up ripe bananas. When my bananas get too ripe to eat, I will peel them and put them in zip-loc bags in the freezer. That way when I am ready to make some banana cake or cookies, I will already have what I need.

Most kids like the taste of bananas, and you can use them to make so many things including cake, bread, and cookies. Whether they are sitting on the counter or baked in something sweet, they never last long at my house.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Banana chocolate chip cookies.
      Banana chocolate chip cookies.
    • Bunch of bananas.
      Bunch of bananas.
    • Walnuts are a common addition to banana cookies.
      By: dinostock
      Walnuts are a common addition to banana cookies.
    • Other fruits, such as dried apricots, may be added to banana cookies.
      By: Volodymyr Shevchuk
      Other fruits, such as dried apricots, may be added to banana cookies.
    • The dough of banana cookies has to be the right consistency before it can be placed on the baking sheet.
      By: Gajus
      The dough of banana cookies has to be the right consistency before it can be placed on the baking sheet.
    • A sugar-free version of banana cookies can be made by replacing sugar with applesauce.
      By: mitrs3
      A sugar-free version of banana cookies can be made by replacing sugar with applesauce.