Chocolate banana macaroons are a fun and fruity take on classic coconut macaroons. One ripe banana and a few tablespoons of mini chocolate chips help add the perfect amount of sweetness to these cookies.
The first of undoubtedly many humbling homeowner experiences happened recently. Up until this past weekend, I thought Sherwin-Williams was called Sherman-Williams. Maybe that tells you a little bit about my (not-so) extensive painting experience. Eeesh!
From starting out thinking we were just painting the kitchen/dining room, it turned into also painting the living room to the master bedroom to the hallway to the whole house. Trim and all. And maybe the bathroom cabinets (but my husband doesn't know about that one yet). 😉
Thankfully he's the opposite of me when it comes to tedious projects. He's all about researching the best paint brushes and perfecting his spackling technique while my attention span maxed out at five minutes and I've moved on to baking a batch of cookies. And in this instance the cookies in question are chocolate banana macaroons.
Macaroons are one of my favorite cookies to make, and they're my go-to even when I'm not making something sweet for the blog. They're incredibly easy, come together in the food processor, and only require six ingredients.
Recipe ingredients
Sweetened coconut flakes are the shining star in this recipe. Besides coconut being a critical flavor in macaroon cookies, they provide nearly all of the requisite sweetness as there isn't any additional sugar added. One ripe banana provides the rest of the sweetness and the important banana flavor.
Egg whites provide the binding structure here, with vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and mini chocolate chips rounding out this simple ingredients list.
While lots of my recipes have wiggle room to zhush the ingredients to how you like them, this one is fairly rigid. I don't recommend subbing in unsweetened coconut as we need the sweetness here. You could technically omit the chocolate chips if you want, but where's the fun in that??
Simple steps
These chocolate banana macaroons begin by whizzing the flaked coconut in the food processor until it's in small pieces. This will help the mixture stick together better than it would leaving it in longer shreds.
Then to the bowl of the food processor add (most of) the rest of the ingredients: the banana, egg white, vanilla extract, and salt. Pulse and process until everything is combined, then carefully remove the food processor blade before stirring in the chocolate chips.
Densely pack the mixture into a cookie scoop and arrange macaroons on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 21-24 minutes, or until the edges and tops are looking golden brown and toasty.
Related recipes
I cannot get enough of the chai flavoring in these vanilla chai macaroons. This version leaves the coconut shreds long with vanilla bean flecks throughout. These warmly-spiced cookies are on my Christmas dessert list.
And for a coconut cookie in a slightly different way, these toasted coconut cookies come together in one bowl for an easy and super chewy cookie recipe. I love the touch of almond flavoring here.
Recipe notes
- Be sure to use sweetened flaked coconut (sometimes called "snowflake" coconut) and not unsweetened coconut as it provides nearly all of the sweetness here.
Chocolate Banana Macaroons
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 medium-sized banana ripe
- Whites of one large egg
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add flaked coconut to the bowl of a food processor. Process until the flakes are in small, fine pieces. Add banana, egg whites, vanilla extract, and salt and process again until all ingredients are well-combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Remove the blade from the food processor and stir in mini chocolate chips.
- Using a 1 ½-tablespoon capacity cookie scoop (or a spoon), pack mixture into scoop and scoop cookies, placing them evenly-spaced on prepared baking sheet. The macaroons won't spread much at all, so they can be placed relatively close together.
- Bake for 21-24 minutes, or until the bottom edges and outsides of macaroons are golden-brown and macaroons are set.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer
Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Ha ha yes, I am with you: macarons: pretty and never gonna happen in my kitchen. Macaroons: much more do-able. These look delicious!! And so exciting about your new house! I want to see some pics!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
i love macaroons! i think i love that coconutt-y flavour and texture the best. such a unique idea to make a chocolate and banana version. another classic and delicious flavour combination!
Alyssa says
Thanks Thalia! Macaroon flavors are so fun to play around with. I foresee a bunch more in my future. 🙂
Danielle says
We painted every wall in our entire house too, I feel your pain! But it is nice once it's all finished, it definitely will make it feel more like home. Plus, these little macaroons look like a good way to destress and relax! Yum!
Alyssa says
Oh it will be so worth it!! But gosh, I kind of wish we can speed up time until that day comes. Thanks Danielle!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss says
Oh painting!! We swore we would never do it again after painting our townhouse in DC ... but of course we did when we moved 🙂 haha Ah well!
These macaroons sound delicious - you had me once you said banana bread!!
Alyssa says
Haha oh it was needed. Lots of burnt orange/mustard colors that need to go! But geez so much work.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ah! I just made my first macaroons last week...I'm pretty obsessed!
The banana sounds like a fabulous addition :O
Alyssa says
I just love macaroons! So fun to play around with flavors. Thanks Rebecca!