These Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, cake-like cookies that taste like your favorite banana bread in cookie form. They're a perfect way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter.
With a hint of warm cardamom and the crunch of walnuts, they bring back the old-fashioned comfort of homemade baking. This recipe feels like something straight from Grandma's kitchen - simple, cozy, and made with love.
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Why You'll Love Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
Old-fashioned comfort: these cookies are soft, sweet, and full of nostalgic banana bread flavor.
Warm spice twist: the cardamom gives them a special aroma that makes them stand out from classic banana cookies.
Easy to make: no fancy equipment of chilling needed. Just mix, scoop, and bake.
Key Ingredients for Banana Walnut Cookies
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and instructions.
- Ripe bananas: adds natural sweetness and moisture, making the cookies tender and flavorful.
- Light brown sugar: deepens the flavor and gives a softer texture.
- Cardamom: a subtle spice that pairs beautifully with banana and chocolate.
- Chocolate chips: brings in a touch of rich sweetness.
- Walnuts: adds crunch and balances the softness of the cookie.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Pecans can be used instead of walnuts for a milder nut flavor.
- Cinnamon can be used in place of cardamom for a classic banana spice.
- Use dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet for a richer cookie.
Variations on Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Frosted Banana Cookies: add a simple cream cheese frosting on top for extra sweetness.
- Oatmeal Banana Cookies: stir in ½ cup of quick oats for a heartier texture.
- Mini Muffin Bites: bake the dough in mini muffin tins for soft, popable treats.
Tips for the Best Banana Walnut Cookies
- Use very ripe bananas: the darker the peel, the sweeter the flavor.
- Don't overmix: stir until the flour just disappears for soft, tender cookies.
- Cool on the pan: let them sit for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack so they don't crumble.
How to Store
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature.
More Easy Cookie Recipes You'll Love
If you enjoy these cookies, you'll love my Sesame Cardamom Chews, Cashew Caramel Cookies, Glazed Lemon Cookies, and Browned Butter Cookies with Chocolate and Pecans.
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , room temperature
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe banana
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time mixing until well blended after each addition. Mix in bananas and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl combine cardamom, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and flour. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Gently fold in walnuts and chocolate chips. The batter will be some what banana bread like - only a little firmer. Scoop out tablespoons of the batter and space 2 inches apart.
- Bake 10-12 minutes or until no longer wet on top.
Julie says
I've been looking for recipes using cardamom. I will be giving these a try as soon as I get a ripe banana. Also, I've read about freezing the banana and processing for ice cream. YUM and way less calories but can I add chocolate? 🙂
Foodiva says
These are like mini banana cakes, and totally yummier! I love that you added cardamom to the cookies...now I know what to do with my spice stash.
Diane says
I love bananas in bread, this sounds like a delicious twist!
Kristen says
Cardamom and bananas sound so good together. What a tasty cookie!
Katherine Martinelli says
Ooh, I'm always looking for ways to use my overripe bananas (and at least a few always get overripe). These look great! Thanks for stopping by my blog, so glad to have found yours!
masini second says
This is a great and not very hard recipe and for sure it is delicious, so i will give it a try tomorrow. Thanks a lot for sharing with us.
Lisa~~ says
I'm enjoying my first month in the Secret Recipe Club and checking out all the blogs and recipes. Your cookies are all the flavors I love.
Leslie says
These sound sooo good. I love love love banana cookies
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy says
Soft cookies are my favorite, too!
Lisa says
Bananas, cardamom, and chocolate, oh my. Those cookies must have tons of flavor.
Helene says
I usually end up always baking banana bread with bananas. For a change that looks delicious.
Jason | Jason's BBQ Adventures says
Amazing cookies! Great combination of flavors.
Kathleen says
These cookies look really yummy. I love the cardamom.
Sara says
Oooh, I love banana cake - what a great idea to turn them into cookies! 🙂
HoosierHomemade says
What a great recipe! I bet they are super moist.
Stopping by from Secret Recipe Club.
~Liz
Tessa says
It's always great to have lots of banana recipes because mine always seem to go bad so quickly!
Dan says
banana cake is always a big hit at home (without the nuts). I'll need to send this recipe home as well!
Pegasuslegend says
these sound delcious I have been checking back, I saw you post last week and couldnt find the recipe lol! Thanks Shelby nice job~
Ali says
Thank you so much for your write up of my blog Shelby Mae. I think I was perhaps in the midst of posting a back log of drink recipes when you visited, or am I really that boozy? Hah! 😀
I really like the additions you made to this original recipe. I bet the cardamom and walnuts tasted delicious.
Have a wonderful week and thank you again for the kind words. 🙂
marla says
These cookies were a great pick! Loving the cardamom. Fun to be in the Secret Recipe club with you 🙂