Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

We’re less than one week into the new year, and I’m ready for a cookie, how about you? These Peanut Butter Banana Cookies are ooey-gooey, super chewy, and so choc-a-bloc with peanut butter and chocolate, they’ll melt right in your mouth.

Just like Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies, this easy recipe also happens to be made with no flour, no sugar (the refined kind), and is naturally gluten free.

The only equipment you need to make these peanut butter beauties is one bowl and a whisk. You probably have every ingredient for the recipe in your pantry right now.

If you are looking for a healthy dessert recipe that legitimately satisfies your sweet tooth, these peanut butter banana cookies are it. They are rich.

To be clear: I don’t mean “rich” as in, “if you close your eyes and try to ignore the fact that they are healthy, they taste pretty good.”

I mean RICH—as in, you will need an emergency cold glass of milk to wash them down.

They key to these healthy cookies’ mega goo factor (soft, chewy cookie lovers, this recipe is for you), is the peanut butter itself.

These healthy cookies are loaded with peanut butter. You might even question yourself as you measure it. Carry on! The most peanut buttery of peanut butter cookies will be your reward. (Need more peanut butter in cookies? You’ll love my Monster Cookies.)

Also on scene to give these cookies supreme moisture is mashed ripe banana (it’s delicious in these Banana Bread Brownies too). The banana provides natural sweetness and a soft cookie texture.

From here, we load the cookie dough up with chocolate ♥.

In case this all doesn’t sound good enough to you yet, there’s one final touch: a delicate sprinkle of flaky salt.

The salt balances the sweetness and gives what would otherwise be a pure classic comfort cookie a bit of an edge. It’s a small touch that will elevate your home baking. The salt makes the other flavors pop and—I didn’t think this was possible but it is—it makes them even more addictive.

How to Make The Best Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

A short, sweet ingredient list and minimal prep combines to create some seriously sensational cookies. You’ll forget these are healthy!

The Ingredients

• Coconut Sugar. I like coconut sugar because it is less refined and your body processes it more slowly. Coconut sugar is available at most grocery stores and online here. You can also swap light brown sugar if you prefer.
• Banana. A healthy baking staple, mashed banana makes these cookies extra soft and naturally sweet.
• Egg. Helps bind our cookies together. If you’d like to make the cookies vegan, I have a suggestion for the egg below.
• Pure Vanilla Extract. A cookie ingredient essential.
• Cinnamon. The cinnamon is a perfect match for the peanut butter and chocolate. It gives the cookies an extra dimension of flavor and touch of warmth.
• Peanut Butter. No holding back here! My secret for ultra gooey, soft cookies and rich peanut butter flavor, as Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies proves. I recommend a peanut butter that is stable at room temperature, versus a drippy peanut butter to make sure the cookies bake properly (I used Jif Natural.)
• Dark Chocolate Chips. Chocolate chips take these scrumptious cookies to the next level! Look for 60% cacao here.
  • If you’d prefer these cookies without chocolate chips, you can swap roughly chopped toasted walnuts or pecans.
• Flaky Salt. This is completely optional, but I love adding a sprinkle of flaky salt, such as Maldon or fleur de sel. It gives the cookies serious pop.

The Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together the sugar, egg, banana, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Add the peanut butter, whisking until combined. Stir in the chocolate, then place the dough in the refrigerator to chill. (Yep. Just ONE BOWL!

3. Scoop the dough into mounds, placing them on the baking sheets. They’ll look a little shaggy, but go with it.
4. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees F, until the edges are golden. Let the baking sheet cool on a rack, then transfer the cookies to the rack (no judgment if you sneak one here!). Repeat with any remaining dough. DIG IN!

Recipe Adaptations

• Gluten Free. No changes needed! Since this recipe is made with no flour, it’s gluten free as written.
• No Bake. Looking for a no bake version of peanut butter banana cookies? Check out my Healthy No Bake Cookies, which are also made with no sugar and sweetened with mashed banana.
• Vegan. You can experiment with swapping the egg in this recipe for a flax egg. I haven’t yet tested this version and would love to hear how it goes if you try it. (Or try these Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies instead.)
• Nut Free. Swap the peanut butter for sun butter. Heads up: sun butter will turn the cookies green-ish, but they will still be yummy.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

• To Make Ahead. Prepare the cookie dough ahead of time, and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
• To Store. Store leftover cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• To Freeze. Place cookies in an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More Favorite Healthy Cookie Recipes

• Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
• Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies
• Vegan Cookie Dough Bars
• Almond Flour Cookies
• Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe

• Baking Sheets. I use these multiple times a week!
• Batter Scoop. My secret to perfectly-sized cookies.
• Mixing Bowls. Ideal for mixing together the cookie dough ingredients.

Is dessert a part of your healthy routine? (It certainly is for me!) If yes, I hope these cookies provide you with some seriously sweet satisfaction. I also recommend you give these Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies a try.

If you try the recipe, please let me know how it turns out in the comments section below. I love hearing from you!