Hello… I MADE YOU COOKIES that taste like BANANA BREAD and that are gluten free, grain free and paleo friendly. They’re incredibly delicious straight outta the freezer too; since they have a soft texture they end up being fudgy and dense when eaten frozen.
I originally posted these healthy banana cookies as I was prepping for my first maternity leave with Sidney and you guys fell in LOVE just like me. They’re like that wonderful Lofthouse softness but are naturally sweetened and seriously addicting.
OH and they only require one ripe banana, so if you have one of those lurking on your counter it’s time to put it to good use. I’m almost convinced I should have called them freezer banana fudge cookies, but I’ll let you decide! Bake up a batch or two this week and watch them disappear.
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What’s in these healthy banana cookies?
These deliciously soft banana bread cookies are made with a few simple ingredients to keep them gluten & grain free. Check out the notes section for any additional swaps to make them dairy free, paleo or vegan! Here are the basics you’ll need:
- Almond & coconut flour: both flours are gluten free, grain free, lower in carbohydrates and higher in fiber compared to regular flour. They also have a nice sweetness to them, meaning we don’t have to use as much sweetener. I always recommend using fine blanched almond flour in baking because it bakes up perfectly and has a texture similar to regular flour. Make sure you pack your almond flour when you measure it out for these cookies (no need to pack the coconut flour).
- Coconut oil: I like using coconut oil in baked goods like this because it adds a delicious flavor. You can also use butter or vegan butter to get the right moisture we’re going for.
- Banana: the most important part of the banana bread cookies! Make sure to use a ripe banana to get the natural sweetness and true banana flavor in these cookies. You will also need to measure out the mashed banana to ensure that it’s the proper amount.
- Organic cane or coconut sugar: I prefer to use organic cane sugar in these cookies to make them truly sugar cookie-like, but coconut sugar will work well, too. The coconut sugar will just bake up a bit darker.
- Egg: be sure to use a room temperature egg in this recipe so that it doesn’t cause the coconut oil to harden. I like to do this by running it under warm water for 1 minute.
- Cinnamon: the hint of cinnamon adds that warm, banana bread flavor to these cookies.
- Powdered sugar: this is the base of the easy cream cheese frosting. Feel free to try using my paleo powdered sugar, too!
- Cream cheese: to make the frosting nice and thick and easy to spread. You can also use a vegan cream cheese to keep the frosting dairy free.
- Butter: a little bit of butter makes the frosting extra creamy and delicious. Feel free to swap to vegan butter as well.
- Toasted walnuts or pecans: I love love the sprinkle of toasted nuts on top of the cream cheese frosting. It reminds me of a true banana walnut bread. Optional, but amazing!
How to make these banana cookies dairy free
These grain free banana cookies can easily be made dairy free by just swapping in vegan cream cheese & vegan butter, and the cookies themselves are delicious even without the frosting (though the frosting takes these the next level).
Can I make them vegan?
I haven’t tested this, but I think a flax egg would work well in this recipe (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water). Use a vegan cream cheese like Kite Hill and a vegan butter like Earth Balance as well.
Choose your frosting or mix-ins
Feel free to customize these healthy banana cookies with a buttercream frosting or by mixing in chocolate chips!
- If you prefer to make a vanilla buttercream instead of a cream cheese frosting, simply eliminate the cream cheese and replace it with 2 tablespoons of softened butter instead. Vegan butter will work here too!
- If you don’t want to do a frosting, feel free to stir in ½ cup chocolate chips (dairy free if desired) into the batter.
Don’t forget these tips
- Do not use substitutes. Almond flour should not be replaced with any other flour, nor should you attempt to replace the coconut flour. The cookies are perfect as-is! I do have dairy free & vegan options to try substituting above and in the notes section.
- Pack your almond flour. You can pack the almond flour just like you would with brown sugar. It makes all the difference! No need to pack the coconut flour though.
- Measure out the mashed banana. You’ll need 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana.
- Store these in the freezer after a day for even more deliciousness. These cookies get softer as the days go on so I recommend keeping them in the freezer. I know this seems weird, but I froze a bunch of these cookies, then tried one straight from the freezer and they were incredible! Tasted like a banana bread fudge.
Can you freeze these banana bread cookies?
These healthy banana bread cookies can easily be frozen with or without the frosting on them so that you can enjoy them whenever you’re looking for a sweet treat. Trust me, they taste just like banana bread fudge when eaten straight from the freezer.
- To store: feel free to keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day, then transfer to the fridge or freezer. I recommend freezer.
- To freeze: make sure the cookies are completely cooled, and then transfer them to an airtight container lined with wax or parchment paper or freezer-safe bag before storing them in the freezer for up to 2 months. I like to place them in a single layer to avoid any cookies breaking. Once ready to eat, simply thaw out at room temperature and enjoy!
More healthy cookie recipes
- Blow Ya Mind Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies (gluten free, too!)
- Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting
- Flourless Monster Cookies
- Flourless Paleo Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies
- Damn Good Paleo Chocolate Chunk Tahini Cookies
Get all of our delicious, healthy cookie recipes here!
I hope you love these healthy banana cookies as much as we do. If you make them, be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe below! xo.
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Healthy Soft Banana Bread Cookies
Ingredients
- Wet Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons melted and cooled coconut oil (or sub melted butter or vegan butter)
- ½ cup mashed ripe banana (from 1 medium ripe banana)
- ¼ cup (50g) organic cane sugar (or coconut sugar*)
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups (140g) packed fine blanched almond flour (do not use almond meal)
- ¼ cup (28g) coconut flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the cream cheese frosting:
- ½ cup (57g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese or vegan cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons butter or vegan butter, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond milk, if necessary, to thin out frosting
- For the topping:
- ¼ cup (28g) chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the melted and cooled coconut oil, mashed banana, sugar, egg and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined and smooth. Next add in almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms. Allow dough to chill in the fridge for 5 minutes while you preheat the oven.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Use your hands to roll dough into golf sized balls (it will be a softer dough but that’s okay.) Place on prepared cookie sheet then flatten each dough ball with the palm of your hand, but still keep the cookies nice and round. They should be about 1/4 inch thick before baking because we still want them to be nice, thick and fluffy. Bake for 9-12 minutes.
- Remove from oven, allow cookies to firm up on baking sheet for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and allow cookies to cool completely before frosting. Makes about 12-14 cookies.
- For the frosting: In a medium bowl or bowl of an electric mixer, mix together the powdered sugar, cream cheese, softened butter and vanilla extract. If frosting is too thick, you can add a teaspoon of milk to make it spreadable. Frost each cookie then top with chopped walnuts or pecans. Sprinkle top of frosting with a little cinnamon for a gorgeous look. Cookies will get softer each day. Cookies can be stored in a container at room temp for a day or two, then I recommend storing them in the fridge for up to a week or freezer for up to 2 months. Makes 12 cookies.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
I have been making these for a few years, they have been my son’s favorite since he was around 10- he’s 15 now and he still begs for them. They are incredible! Not too sweet, great texture, and the frosting is to die for. We even eat them straight out of the freezer. They are a little messy to store because of the frosting, but who am I kidding- they don’t last that long anyway:) Highly recommend.
So happy to hear that!!
Could I substitute the coconut flour for oat or a gf AP? I have the almond flour.
I think oat flour should work!
Could this be modified for no nuts? Allergy. They sounds so good though!
I haven’t tested a flour alternative for these so I’m not sure – sorry!
Oh my!! These are the yummiest, fluffiest, most amazing cookies. I am a big fan of banana bread and I love this cookie’s flavor, texture, and lightness. Oooh I may have had more than I should have had at one go ❣️thanks, Monique!
This is the best cookie recipe I have ever used. The flavor and texture are on point. The only change I did was use almond extract instead of vanilla in the frosting.
Love that!!
Oh my gosh these completely exceeded my expectations. I had one ripe banana that I wasn’t sure what to do with, and I came across this recipe! I figured they would be good but probably not really do the trick for an indulgent dessert. WRONG. These are buttery, chewy, perfection. I added choco chips and was too lazy to melt my butter so I used softened and they still turned out delicious. I didn’t have cream cheese so I opted for the classic buttercream and added extra cinnamon to that. These are a PERFECT fall treat. Thank you Monique for finding a way to make unique and delicious recipes.
Amazing!! So glad you found these!
I just wanted to say I love all the receipes I have tried from your site and I for one love all the gluten ones. I’m not celiac and I don’t need to eat gluten free but I choose to do so. After I had cancer 11 years ago, I decided to change the way I eat. I feel it has made a huge difference in my health.
Thanks for giving us variety in our choices. I really appreciate that.
I’m so glad you’re finding nutritious recipes here that you love! Thrilled to hear that they’ve been nourishing you all of these years ❤️
I made this with AP flour replacing almond flour! It turned out beautifully! I hope to try it with another nut flour too. Almond flour just makes me feel nauseous when i eat it, so i had to try this amazing recipe as best as i could at 10pm! Haha. Thank you!
I’m glad that worked out well! Perfect treat 🙂
Hi! I want to try this recipe, but was wondering if I could substitute some other kind of flour for the coconut flour? I had a bag that was not being used, and so recently finished it and do not want to buy another unless absolutely necessary.
Hi! Hmmm I’ve only tested these using coconut flour so I’m not 100% sure how another flour will turn out texture-wise. You could maybe try oat flour!
These were delish!
I make these on the regular for me and my toddlers, always without the frosting. They are a huge win in our household! Absolutely delicious!
Love that! One of our fav easy treats, too 🙂
I have been making these cookies for a few years now. They are my absolute favorite! My family requests them all the time! I also get compliments every time I bring them to a gathering. I especially love them because they are gluten free. Wonderful gluten free cookie!
Amazing! The gluten free flour makes them so soft and delicious 🙂
Hi. Just wondering how you create your frosting more on the paler side. I follow your recipes exact but my end results always look so different to your frosting colour. Mine is more brown tan from butter and/or maple syrup. Is there a secret to not having this happen? Thank you very 🦢
Hi Angela – There is no maple syrup in the frosting for this recipe, so that might be the problem you are running in to. Hope this helps!
I find the cookies too dry, not my favorite at all.
Love these! Thinking of adding cocoa (without frosting) for a chocolate version. Any tips on how much cocoa to add, and how to adjust the recipe to the extra cocoa?
I have not tested this recipe with adding cocoa so I am not sure how much you would want to add. I would be cautious not to add too much because you don’t want these to dry out. If you give this a try with the cocoa powder, let me know how it works out.
The BEST healthy cookies! I bring them to work frequently and they are always gone before lunch. I’ve recently started leaving out some of the almond flour and adding protein powder in its place (usually 1-2 scoops) and you can’t tell at all. I’ve shared this recipe with so many coworkers. These cookies are so so SO GOOD – a must try.
I’m so glad you love them, and great to hear that the protein powder works well!
The cookies are made with mostly healthy ingredients. However, the frosting, weather cream cheese or butter creme, defeats the purpose of a healthy breakfast cookie. I am making a 60%cacao topping to keep with the health recipe.
Everyone’s definition of “healthy” is specific to them, so feel free to adapt the recipe as you like! 🙂
My five year old helped make these and claimed ” these are amazing and so delicious!” They’re so good. We skipped the nuts because I didn’t have any on hand, but I imagine they would add a nice texture.
Aw I love that!! So fun that you made them together 🙂 Glad you both enjoyed them!
These are super soft and delicious! If you are a banana bread lover like me, you will adore these. Also very quick and easy to make.
These are ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! The recipe is so easy to follow and the ingredients are wholesome and nutritious. I personally topped mine with pecans and it was out of this world! The texture is so decadent, especially after taking out of the freezer and letting sit for a few minutes. They are the perfect treat and I am so glad to have found this recipe. I brought these to work and they were a huge hit!
SO happy you loved them, Mariana! Thank you!
Made these in my 40th week of pregnancy! Super easy and delicious! The cream cheese frosting is a nice balance with just the right amount of sweetness. I baked for ten minutes and maybe could have gone a tad longer but still love the fluffy soft yummy cookies!!!
Ahh congrats, mama! So excited for you! I’m so happy you loved these 🥰
These are so delicious!!!! They really taste like banana bread but in a soft cookie. I didn’t have coconut flour so I used 3/4 cup of rice flour instead and they turned out perfectly. Definitely making another batch…tomorrow…!
Oh, so glad to hear the rice flour worked well and that you loved them, Karen! Woohoo!
I just finished making these and all I can say WOW! These are amazing! the only thing I changed is, I used Swerve powdered sugar substitute in the frosting. You’d never know it’s not the real thing. This look like they are so much more work than they are; just a sweet simple cookie!
Ambitious kitchen has been my go -to for recipes, for a while now, and this recipe did not disappoint!
Clearly, I was too excited to proof read my comment! LOL
Hahaha all good, I’m so happy you fell in love with these!!
Delicious cookies! I ate one before I frosted them and it was good, but the frosting really took it to another level. I appreciate that the desserts on this site have just the right amount of sweetness. My cookies came out thick and chewy and not too crumbly (sometimes GF baked goods seem to fall apart as I’m eating them, but not these!). I also added some cinnamon baking chips that gave these a nice bit of texture and extra cinnamon flavor. Thanks for the recipe!
Yay!! I’m so happy you loved these, Chris. Isn’t the frosting delish?! And good call on the cinnamon chips 🙂
I just bought some spotty bananas on the cheap and was looking for a banana cookie that fits the breakfast/snack bill. I love that these use almond (or other nut flour) and coconut flour, and have eggs for some protein. Also wanted to add, my Mum loves eating (healthy) sweet foods (cake, cookies) straight from the freezer lol. Me – I prefer chilled for a similar flavour but nicer texture. When I mismeasured my flours and got a savoury chocolate cake instead of sweet, the fridge freezer (and a sweet almond butter topping) was my saviour for making it edible lol! Can’t wait to make these!
I’m so excited for you to try these, too! Enjoy!!
it was a great recipe
Yay! So happy you loved them!
Oh my fabulous. These are definitely going on the rotate list. These taste so similar to something from my childhood I cannot put my finger on it but these are homey, nourishing, sweet in just the right kind of way, and so easy.
Yay!! I’m so glad to hear you loved them and that they felt nostalgic 🥰
These are soooo delicious! Do yourself a favor and make them, please! I love that they’re made with healthy ingredients too. I will definitely be making these regularly. Thank you, Monique for always sharing great recipes!
Aw you’re so welcome! Glad to hear that you’re enjoying them. Thanks for the review 🙂
Made this on Monday night after seeing the recipe on Instagram. I had a ripe banana I’m so happy I got to use. Love all your recipes and I hope you do a cookbook one day because you’ve quickly become my favorite source for recipes!!
So glad you tried these, Katelyn! And will keep you updated if I ever come out with a cookbook, I’m so happy you love the recipes! 🙂
Delicious. I went with butter instead of coconut oil. It’s a new family favorite!
Awesome, so happy to hear you guys love these!!
Not only were these easy to make, they were absolutely incredible! Tasted just like soft, delicious banana bread. We ate them so fast, half of them didn’t get frosted 😂 I have a feeling I’ll be making these weekly. Thank you AK, I’m so happy I tried these!
Omg amazing!! So happy you loved these so much!
These are soooooo yummy! Our new fav! Wish I could post a pic bc they turned out so great!
Oh yay!! So happy you guys loved them.
Hi! We LOVE these cookies! They came out perfect and were exactly what my kiddos and I needed tonight! I am just wondering, do you know the calories for an unfrosted cookie? I used the coconut oil and coconut sugar in mine. Thank you!!
Love these cookies! I am gluten free and these are perfect for dessert. I make them without the frosting and they are delicious!
These sound amazing! Can I sub oat flour for almond? I can’t do almonds but am never sure if it’s a 1:1 sub. Thank you!
Lol I just read where you said not to sub the flour. Poop
Haha yes sorry! Just not sure anything else would work well in here.
This soft cookie is a banana pillow! It only made 11 good-sized cookies but they were tasty. Skipped nuts and sprinkled frosting with cinnamon. Plan on having these for breakfast!
I’m so happy you loved them, Martha! And yes, these are SO GOOD for breakfast 🙂
I like to get my bananas ripe and then peel and freeze them….. will it alter the recipe if I use frozen/defrosted bananas? Thank You LOVE, LOVE your recipes!!
I do the same! I think it should work fine, just drain off any excess liquid after defrosting the bananas so that it’s not too wet 🙂
Wow! These are amazing. Didn’t make the frosting. The cookies on their own are delicious!
So happy you loved them, Noémie!! Great to hear that they were yummy without the frosting 🙂
MMMM! Delicious!!
So glad you love them!
These were so tasty! I am technically dairy-free but ended up hating the vegan cream cheese I bought. I made the regular vanilla buttercream and it was worth it. Will definitely make again.
So happy you enjoyed them, Shelby!
I’ve made these 3 times in the past year. This recipe is a winner and the cookies come out beautiful. I’ve used walnuts and pecans. Both work great.
So happy to hear that!!
These turn out amazing every time. The kids love them and it’s a great way to use up our ripe bananas.
So happy to hear that!
I made one of your cookie recipes with Collagen peptides which were amazing. Could i add that to this recipe? if so, should i adjust any of the other ingredients?
Sure, you could likely add a scoop of collagen!
Unreal!!! Such perfect and delicious cookies. Couldn’t get enough of these. Would totally still be amazing without the frosting but do yourself a favor and frost these cookies because it makes them so next level!
So glad you loved them!!
these really blew my mind! so, so easy and delicious. they are amazing plain but the frosting truly take them to the next level! definitely will be a go-to cookie recipe!
So happy to hear that!