If you are on the hunt for a delightful, wholesome treat that combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the irresistible charm of rich chocolate, then this Vegan Banana Chocolate Cookies Recipe is just what your kitchen needs. These cookies are not only vegan-friendly but boast a chewy texture and gooey chocolate chunks that make every bite a little celebration. Perfectly balanced flavors and simplicity in ingredients make this recipe a go-to favorite for anyone craving a comforting dessert with a healthy twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this recipe is a breeze because each one has a special role in shaping the perfect cookie. From the mashed banana that imparts moisture and natural sweetness to the vegan butter that adds richness, each element is essential for taste, texture, and that lovely golden color.
- 120 g / ½ cup mashed ripe banana: Use a perfectly ripe banana for the sweetest, most flavorful base.
- 150 g / ¾ cup sugar*: Sweetens the dough and helps achieve that classic cookie caramelization.
- 70 g / 1/3 cup vegan block butter* (melted and cooled): Adds creaminess and ensures a tender crumb.
- 1½ tsp quality vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic touch.
- ¼ tsp fine salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the chocolate notes.
- 1 tsp cinnamon: Brings a hint of cozy spice that complements the banana beautifully.
- ½ tsp baking soda (GF certified if needed): Helps the cookies rise and develop a lighter texture.
- 160 g / 1¼ cups plain all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour mix: Creates structure and the perfect chewiness.
- 80 g / 2¾ oz vegan chocolate* (chopped into small chunks): Delivers those luscious melty chocolate pockets in every cookie.
How to Make Vegan Banana Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mash and Sweeten the Banana
Start by mashing a ripe banana really well using a fork. The creamy, soft consistency of mashed banana is the heart of these cookies, contributing moisture and natural sweetness. Then, work the sugar into the banana until thoroughly combined, ensuring every bite will have that perfect sweet balance.
Step 2: Emulsify with Melted Vegan Butter
Next, add the melted but cooled vegan butter to the banana-sugar mixture. Whisk everything with a fork to emulsify, which means creating a smooth, unified mixture. This step helps the fat evenly distribute, giving your cookies that irresistibly tender texture.
Step 3: Add Flavor and Leavening
Stir in the vanilla extract, fine salt, cinnamon, and baking soda. The vanilla will elevate the sweetness, salt brings a savory balance, cinnamon gives a warm spice note, and baking soda lifts your cookies so they have that light, chewy bite you love.
Step 4: Incorporate the Flour
Gradually add your flour to the wet ingredients and gently fold it in with a spatula until there are no more dry flour pockets. This careful mixing prevents gluten overdevelopment, keeping your cookies tender instead of tough.
Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chunks
Now for the best part—fold in about three-quarters of your chopped vegan chocolate. Leaving some chunks for decoration on top later not only looks inviting but prevents the cookies from becoming too dense and fragile. This ensures each cookie breaks apart with luscious, gooey pockets of melty chocolate.
Step 6: Chill the Dough Overnight
Cover the bowl with an upside-down plate or clingfilm and refrigerate overnight. This simple resting step might feel like a wait, but trust me, it improves the texture tremendously, making the cookies chewier with better flavor depth.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Line two baking trays with baking paper and preheat your oven to 175°C / 350°F. Divide the chilled dough into 12 even portions, roll them into balls, and place six on each tray. Stick a few extra chocolate chunks into each cookie right before baking for that eye-catching appeal. Bake the trays one at a time for 10-12 minutes, depending on if you want your cookies a little underbaked and chewy or fully golden and set.
Step 8: Deflate and Cool
Once out of the oven, very gently bang the baking tray a few times on your countertop to deflate the cookies slightly. This technique is a little secret to achieving that amazing soft and chewy bite. Let the cookies cool on the tray for a bit before transferring to a rack so their delicate bottoms don’t break.
How to Serve Vegan Banana Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra vegan chocolate chunks or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a visually appealing and tasty finish. You could also add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt to amplify the chocolate and banana flavors.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a tall glass of almond milk or your favorite plant-based latte for a cozy snack. They also make a charming dessert accompanied by vegan vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies stacked on a rustic wooden board alongside fresh banana slices and scattered chocolate chunks to highlight their main ingredients. Or, wrap them in parchment paper tied with twine for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to three days. This helps preserve their chewy texture and keeps the chocolate chunks perfectly melty.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or freeze the baked cookies themselves. Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer bag, they’ll maintain their flavor and texture for up to two months.
Reheating
For freshly baked warmth, pop frozen cookies in a preheated oven at 175°C / 350°F for about five minutes, or microwave for 20 seconds. This will revive their soft, gooey goodness, almost like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for this recipe?
Absolutely! This Vegan Banana Chocolate Cookies Recipe works well with plain all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour mix. Just be sure your gluten-free flour contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for the best texture.
How ripe should my bananas be for these cookies?
The riper, the better! Aim for bananas with lots of brown spots and a soft peel. They will have a higher sugar content and boost the natural sweetness and moisture in the cookies.
Is it necessary to refrigerate the dough overnight?
While you can bake immediately, refrigerating the dough overnight improves the cookies’ texture significantly, making them chewier and more flavorful. If you’re in a hurry, chilling for at least an hour still helps.
Can I substitute the vegan butter with oil?
You can use melted coconut oil or another neutral oil, but the texture might be slightly different—oil tends to make cookies more cake-like, whereas vegan butter provides a richer, tender crumb.
What type of vegan chocolate is best for this recipe?
Choose good quality vegan dark chocolate or semi-sweet chips that melt well and bring a rich flavor without overwhelming the banana. Chopping a vegan block into chunks adds a satisfying texture contrast.
Final Thoughts
You’re now equipped to bake a batch of these deliciously chewy, chocolate-studded delights that celebrate the vegan lifestyle in the tastiest way possible. The Vegan Banana Chocolate Cookies Recipe is a winner for any occasion—whether a cozy night in or an impressive treat to share. I encourage you to give these cookies a try and fall in love with their simple yet extraordinary flavor harmony.
PrintVegan Banana Chocolate Cookies Recipe
These vegan banana cookies are a deliciously soft and chewy treat made with ripe bananas, vegan butter, and chunks of vegan chocolate. The dough is refrigerated overnight to enhance the texture, resulting in perfectly baked cookies with a golden finish and a tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per tray
- Total Time: Overnight refrigeration plus 27 minutes active time
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 120 g / ½ cup mashed ripe banana (1 medium)
- 70 g / 1/3 cup vegan block butter (melted and cooled, such as Naturli)
- 1½ tsp quality vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 150 g / ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking soda (GF certified if needed)
- 160 g / 1¼ cups plain all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour mix
Add-ins
- 80 g / 2¾ oz vegan chocolate, chopped into small chunks
Instructions
- Mash Banana: Mash the ripe banana really well using a fork until smooth.
- Combine Sugar and Banana: Using the fork, work the sugar into the mashed banana until the mixture is well combined.
- Add Vegan Butter: Add the melted but cooled vegan butter to the mixture and whisk well with the fork to emulsify the ingredients.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda, mixing thoroughly.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the flour and gently fold it into the wet ingredients with a spatula until no pockets of flour remain.
- Fold in Chocolate Chunks: Fold in about three-quarters (60 g / 2¼ oz) of the chopped vegan chocolate gently to keep the dough balanced; reserve the rest to decorate before baking.
- Refrigerate Dough: Cover the bowl with an inverted plate or clingfilm and refrigerate the dough overnight to improve the cookie texture significantly.
- Prepare for Baking: Line two baking trays with baking paper and preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Shape Cookies: Divide the dough into 12 equal cookies, each about 45 g (1½ oz), roll each between your palms, place 6 on each tray without flattening, and press 1-3 reserved chocolate chunks into each cookie.
- Bake Cookies: Bake one tray at a time for 10-12 minutes; bake for 10 minutes for a chewier texture or 12 minutes for a golden finish.
- Deflate Cookies: Immediately after removing a tray from the oven, bang it against the countertop a few times to deflate the cookies, enhancing their texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the tray until they are firm enough to handle, then transfer gently to a cooling rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Refrigerating the dough overnight significantly improves the texture of the cookies.
- Using quality vegan butter and chocolate enhances flavor and texture.
- If gluten-free is required, ensure baking soda and flour are certified gluten-free.
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake by timing closer to 10 minutes.
- Banging the tray post-baking prevents cookies from puffing too much and improves their softness.
- Handle cookies carefully when warm as their bottoms are fragile.
