These banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are super soft, chewy, and absolutely delicious. The perfect way to use up those overripe bananas!
Table of Contents
Easy Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Are you tired of making banana bread or easy banana pancakes with your old bananas? You can use overripe bananas in bars, muffins, and my newest obsession…these banana oat chocolate chip cookies.
They have the same soft and chewy texture as a traditional oatmeal cookie but have a subtle sweet banana flavor. And they’re filled with bites of gooey chocolate chips throughout, just like your favorite chocolate chip cookies.
The best part about these cookies is that they use less butter and sugar than the classic oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. It’s a healthier version that tastes just as delicious!
Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Bananas: Not only a key flavor for these cookies, but ripe bananas also provide a nice sweetness, as well.
- Oats: Old-fashioned oats provide a chewy, nutty texture and flavor.
- Butter: When creamed with the sugars, the butter gives a lighter texture to the cookies.
- Sugars: Brown and granulated sugars add sweetness and depth to the flavor, and are an important ingredient when creaming the butter to create a lighter texture.
- Dry ingredients: Flour, baking soda and salt help the dough come together nicely.
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet, milk chocolate chips, or dark chocolate perfectly balances the sweetness of the banana flavor.
How to Make Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
It doesn’t take long to make these easy banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! The ingredients create a soft and chewy base loaded with a chocolate flavor in each bite!
- Mix ingredients. In a large mixing bowl cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric stand mixer. Then mix in egg and vanilla and stir until combined. Stir in bananas.
- Dry ingredients. In the same bowl, add the dry ingredient mixture. Mix just enough that it is combined but do not over-mix.
- Chocolate chips. Using a spatula fold in chocolate chips to the dough.
- Bake cookies. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes or until the bottoms and edges become golden brown.
Tips for the Best Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Follow these helpful tips to make perfect banana chocolate chip oatmeal cookies! They are made with ripe bananas, and a certain type of oats, with the help of salt, and chilling before baking. The best banana oatmeal cookie recipe!
- Ripe bananas. Look for bananas that are covered in brown spots. The browner the banana, the sweeter the flavor. If the color is still yellow or green, it’s not ripe enough to use.
- Type of oats. Old-fashioned oats are the best type to use in this recipe. These oats are whole in size, contributing to a chewier texture. You could also use quick oats, although they will give your cookies a finer consistency that’s more soft and less chewy. They might also bake a little faster, so be sure to keep an eye on them.
- Chill the dough. If you have the time, refrigerate the dough for about 15 to 30 minutes prior to baking. It helps make the cookies extra thick and chewy for this cookie recipe.
Variations
Create the best banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies your way! Add in or substitute the ingredients that you love to make perfect homemade cookies every time!
- Lighter swap. For a healthier cooking substitution, use applesauce in place of butter.
- Chocolate chips. I typically use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but dark or milk chocolate chips work. Try a mix of both like in this chocolate chip cookie recipe with pudding!
- Nuts. Add chopped walnuts like in Levain cookies or pecans for crunch and flavor.
- Raisins. Use raisins in place of chocolate chips if preferred.
- Spices. Add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a fun seasonal twist.
Recipe FAQs
I don’t typically like using quick oats because they don’t provide the same structure as old-fashioned oats and your cookies won’t be quite as chewy or hearty.
If your bananas aren’t quite ripe and you don’t want to wait to bake these banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, simply poke the peel with a sharp knife, wrap it in a paper towel, and cook in the microwave for 30 seconds on low.
If your cookies aren’t holding their structure, it may be that your oven is too hot. If this is the case, the butter will melt too quickly, spreading out and creating a flatter cookie. Use a separate thermometer to make sure the internal temperature is in sync with the temperature you are setting it to.
Yes, if you need to you can use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour. Use the same measurements below.
Yes! This may alter the taste and texture of the cookies. You can use maple syrup or honey to substitute for brown sugar. They both have a sweetness as well as a soft and silky texture.
We love using oatmeal in our recipes and have found it can be used as a savory or sweet ingredient! Try this oatmeal pancake or my popular 3 ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls for more oatmeal recipe ideas.
5 star review
“I made these today. They have terrific flavour and are very easy to make. I added just a little bit more cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg and if you like a spiced banana flavour, you’ll love this recipe!”
-Karen C.
Storing + Freezing
Storing these banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies ensures a longer shelf life. Make these ahead of time or hand them out at a neighborhood get-together. Get ready to have rave reviews from these delicious banana cookies!
- Storing – These cookies are best if stored in an airtight container at room temperature and will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- Freezing – They also hold up great in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply heat in the microwave or oven until warm or let thaw on the counter until no longer frozen.
More Ways to Use Ripe Bananas
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Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter , softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar , packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ripe bananas , about 1 cup mashed
- 2 cups all-purpose flour , plus more if needed
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 to 1 ½ cups chocolate chips , I prefer semi-sweet
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts, Flake sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or baking mat.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer. Mix in the egg and vanilla and stir until combined. Mix in bananas.
- Mix in the flour, oats, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon until combined. Be careful not to over-mix. If the dough appears too sticky, add 1 to 2 Tablespoons (up to 1/4 cup) of flour.
- Fold in chocolate chips and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Using a medium cookie scoop (or 1 1/2 Tablespoons), scoop cookie dough about 2 inches apart onto a baking sheet. Press in a few chocolate chips to the tops of the cookies. if desired. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown.
- Let cool on pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Sprinkle with flake sea salt, if desired. Serve warm or cool.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
These cookies are delicious! Everyone that tried them loved them. Great combination of banana, oats, chocolate chips & a dash of cinnamon. They are very easy to make and stay very fresh & moist in a storage container. Will definitely make again in the future & share this recipe.
That makes me so happy to hear! So glad your family enjoyed the banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!
These were delicious! I even got my boyfriend to eat them. Will be printing sand saving this recipe.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! My son and I love them! Thoughts on storing them as raw cookie dough balls in the freezer? I’ve done that with regular chocolate chip cookies but never with bananas in it. Just wondering if it will hold up in the freezer.
Glad you loved the banana cookies! Yes, you can freeze them. Just roll the balls and freeze right away (not letting them sit at room temperature too long).
I made these today. They have terrific flavour and are very easy to make. I added just a little bit more cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg and if you like a spiced banana flavour, you’ll love this recipe!
Perfectly said! Thanks for commenting and letting everyone know about these delicious banana chocolate chip cookies!
How many cookies does one recipe make?
Thank you!
These make 36 cookies. Enjoy!
How would the recipe need to be adjusted if I only have 1 banana? Thank you in advance1
You can use the servings slider above and change to 18 servings (that will adjust the recipe for 1 banana).
The cookies had really good flavor but turned out a lot cakier than the description led me to believe.
I’m glad you enjoyed the flavor. Typically they should not come out cakey. The batter could have been over-mixed.
These cookies were delightful! My whole family gave them two thumbs up!
So glad your family enjoyed them :)
these cookies are amazing, my friends and I love them! thank you for sharing this recipe!
Glad to hear they were a hit! :)
Really great recipe, this is very helpful because it is so easy to make! Highly recommended! Super loved the flavor as well!
So happy to hear you loved them, Allyssa :)
These taste amazing! I doubled the recipe and they turned out perfect. My kids were happy to help and did most of the work. I will definitely make these again!
That’s great! Love to hear your kids are helping out in the kitchen :)
I always have left over ripe bananas so I decided to make these today! Sooooo glad I did they’re So very good!!! I made a few adjustments. Used Bob’s red mill egg replacer (to make them vegan) applesauce instead of butter, and added 1/4 cup of pb2. I split into 3 batches. 1 batch as is, 1 with crushed walnuts and 1 with a mix of dark chocolate chunks and PB chips. My daughter was loving them!! Will deff make again
That sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing your tips and review! ❤️
Delicious! I made this recipe to donate to a local Feed Thy Neighbor group which feeds displaced persons/families.
So thoughtful of you! I’m glad you liked them :)
I absolutely love this recipe and so does my guys work. I have shared it 3 times already….and he took them last night. I did substitute butterscotch chips instead of the chocolate. I loved it so much I am going to have to try the chocolate next
So happy to hear you love it so much! Butterscotch chips sound like a delicious substitution :)
This recipe is a favorite of my family! Every time I make them everyone gets so excited. It’s definitely a must try! The simplicity of this recipe makes it even better too!
So happy to hear the recipe was such a success with your family! Thanks for your comment and review, Sami :)