If there’s a cookie guaranteed to win hearts at every potluck or afternoon coffee break, it’s these Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies. Packed with the sweet, natural flavor of ripe bananas and layered with hearty rolled oats, each cookie is a little bite of nostalgic comfort and blissful texture. Their edges are golden and irresistibly crispy, while the centers remain moist and chewy, creating the perfect treat for any time of day. Whether you stud them with walnuts or toss in a handful of chocolate chips, this recipe never disappoints—and you’re about to discover exactly why it deserves a top spot in your homemade cookie lineup!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies is how the simplest ingredients can transform into something extraordinary. Each component contributes its own magic: banana for moisture and flavor, oats for chew, and just the right amount of richness and sweetness for that comforting, homey feeling.
- Ripe bananas: The riper, the better! They add natural sweetness and ensure extra chewy texture.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create that soft, chewy crumb we all love in cookies.
- Brown sugar: Provides both sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor, lending softness to every bite.
- Large egg: Binds the dough together and adds a subtle richness.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with warmth and depth—don’t skip it!
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: Bring that signature chewy texture and a wholesome, heartier look.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cookies just enough structure to hold everything together.
- Baking soda: Offers a light lift, creating perfectly set yet tender cookies.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a cozy, aromatic spice that blends beautifully with banana.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors, bringing out the sweetness.
- Chopped walnuts (optional): Provide crunch and a nutty accent—perfect for texture lovers.
- Mini chocolate chips (optional): For a melty, chocolatey touch in every bite. Highly recommended!
How to Make Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper so your Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies don’t stick and cleanup is a breeze. This step sets you up for easy, even baking and perfectly golden edges every time.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Brown Sugar
In a big mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or sturdy wooden spoon to beat the softened butter and packed brown sugar together. You want the mixture to become light and fluffy, which takes about two minutes. This aerates the dough, making for softer, chewier cookies.
Step 3: Add Bananas, Egg, and Vanilla
Crack in the egg, spoon in your mashed ripe bananas, and pour the vanilla extract into the creamed mixture. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined. At this point, your kitchen will already start to smell wonderful—promise!
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. This ensures that all the leavening and spices are evenly distributed, so every cookie has that lovely chewy texture and balanced flavor.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring just until everything is evenly moistened. Be careful not to overmix—this keeps your Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies soft and tender, not tough.
Step 6: Fold in the Goodies
Gently fold in chopped walnuts and mini chocolate chips, if you’re using them. You can absolutely get creative here and try different mix-ins, but this classic combo never fails.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are golden and the centers look set but not dry. This helps lock in that irresistibly chewy center.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This gives them a chance to finish setting up, so they hold their shape and texture perfectly.
How to Serve Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Garnishes
While these cookies are absolutely scrumptious straight from the cooling rack, a few thoughtful garnishes can add a little something special. Try dusting them with powdered sugar for a bakery-fresh look, drizzle with a bit of melted chocolate, or simply press a few extra chocolate chips or nuts on top as they cool for extra flair.
Side Dishes
Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a creamy latte. For a fun dessert platter, serve them alongside fresh strawberries or sliced bananas. Kids love them with hot cocoa, and grown-ups might enjoy them paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Creative Ways to Present
When you want to wow guests, try stacking these cookies in a glass jar tied with a ribbon for a homemade gift, or arrange them in a circle on a platter with a bowl of caramel or chocolate dip in the center. For parties, sandwich a layer of soft vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a rustic ice cream sandwich—always a showstopper!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies have fully cooled, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to four days, making them perfect for packing in lunchboxes or enjoying throughout a busy week.
Freezing
These cookies freeze like a dream! Layer them between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. You can freeze them for up to two months, and a quick thaw at room temperature brings them right back to irresistible chewiness.
Reheating
If you love your cookies warm (who doesn’t?), pop one in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds for that just-baked goodness. This trick revives that fresh-from-the-oven aroma and re-melts any chocolate chips—bliss!
FAQs
Can I make Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a measure-for-measure gluten-free blend, and make sure your oats are labeled gluten-free. The cookies will turn out just as chewy and irresistible.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Great news: there’s no need! The dough is ready to bake right after mixing, which means you can go from cravings to cookies in under half an hour.
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?
You can, but the texture will be slightly less chewy. Old-fashioned rolled oats are key for that signature bite, but if you only have quick oats, your Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies will still be delicious.
What’s the best way to ripen bananas quickly?
If your bananas aren’t quite ripe, place them in a paper bag at room temperature for a day or two. For a fast fix, you can bake unpeeled bananas in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 to 15 minutes until the skins blacken—they’ll mash beautifully!
Can I omit the nuts or chocolate chips?
Of course! These add-ins are entirely optional. The cookies taste wonderful either way, so feel free to customize them to your taste or for dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
With their irresistible aroma, pillowy centers, and hearty oats, these Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies have a way of making ordinary days feel extra special. I hope you’ll try them soon—your kitchen will smell incredible, and your friends and family will thank you for every chewy, heartwarming bite!
Print
Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of ripe bananas with the wholesome goodness of oats. Soft and chewy, with a hint of cinnamon and optional add-ins like walnuts and chocolate chips, these cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Add Optional Add-Ins: Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips, if using.
- Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra chewiness, use very ripe bananas.
- You can substitute the walnuts with pecans or omit them entirely for a nut-free version.
- These cookies also freeze well—store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
