Gluten-free Inside-Out Banana Bread Cookies

Name: Inside-Out Banana Bread Cookies
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 1 h 28 min
Ingredients: 1/2 c. mashed banana; 1/2 c. butter (1 stick), room temperature; 1/4 c. cream cheese, room temperature; 1/2 c. sugar; 1/2 c. brown sugar, packed; 2 tsp. vanilla; 1 egg, cold; 2 1/2 c. gluten-free flour blend, spooned and leveled (I use Bob's RedMill 1:1); 2 tsp. cornstarch; 1 tsp. baking soda; 1/2 tsp. salt; 3/4 c. chocolate chips + 1 1/2 c. for outside; 1/2 c. chopped walnuts + 3/4 c. for outside

Desserts

Sep 25

Written By Kali Terry

Banana bread is a beloved classic. The sweet, moist loaf has earned a place in kitchens everywhere, often paired with a hot cup of coffee or enjoyed as a comforting snack. But what if you could take that rich, flavorful treat and transform it into a soft, chewy, indulgent cookie? And what if you could make that cookie gluten-free, stuffed with walnuts and chocolate chips, and packed with all the goodness of a banana bread—only in a form that fits right in the palm of your hand? This is where the magical creation of gluten-free thick inside-out banana bread cookies comes into play.

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Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Inspired by the incredible banana bread cookies from Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs, these cookies are an absolute dream. They’re everything you love about banana bread, but with a twist that makes them even more irresistible. These cookies are fat, soft, and bursting with flavor, making them a treat that’s as comforting as it is satisfying. But let’s dive deeper into what makes these cookies so special.

The Allure of a Banana Bread Cookie

At first glance, these Gluten-Free Inside Out Banana Bread Cookies might seem like your average cookie—but once you take a bite, you quickly realize they're anything but ordinary. The texture is thick and soft, reminiscent of a freshly baked banana bread, only more compact and chewy. They’re sturdy yet tender, with a slight crispness on the outside, giving way to a warm, melt-in-your-mouth interior. Each bite is filled with the deep flavor of ripe bananas, making them the ultimate comfort food for anyone with a soft spot for banana bread. 😍🍌

The beauty of these cookies lies in their texture. They are thick and substantial, offering that hearty, satisfying bite you crave from a loaf of banana bread, but in cookie form. The addition of walnuts and chocolate chips—two classic additions to banana bread—takes these cookies to a whole new level of indulgence. The walnuts provide a perfectly nutty crunch, adding contrast to the soft dough, while the chocolate chips melt into gooey pockets of sweetness. The combination of banana, walnuts, and chocolate is a classic for a reason—it just works.

A Gluten-Free Marvel

Now, what makes these cookies truly special is that they’re gluten-free. Whether you're gluten-sensitive, avoiding gluten for health reasons, or just looking to try something different, these cookies offer all the deliciousness of traditional banana bread cookies without the gluten. The flour blend used in these cookies is designed to mimic the structure and texture of wheat flour, so you won’t miss out on the soft, chewy texture of the cookie. We always use Bob's RedMill 1:1! It always yields better and consistent results when compared to other brands.

Making these cookies gluten-free doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. In fact, they are so delicious, they might just become your new go-to treat. The bananas shine through as the star ingredient, and when paired with the richness of the walnuts and the chocolate chips, they create a cookie that’s deeply flavorful and satisfying without any of the heaviness sometimes associated with gluten-free baked goods.

The Gideon’s Bakehouse Inspiration

Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs has built a cult following for its decadent cookies, and their banana bread cookies have become a fan favorite. These cookies are larger-than-life, with gooey centers and crunchy edges, and they have an unmistakable banana bread flavor that makes them incredibly comforting and nostalgic. It's not hard to see why they have earned a loyal fan base, and they serve as the inspiration behind these gluten-free thick inside-out banana bread cookies.

Inspired by the unique qualities of the Gideon’s banana bread cookies, these gluten-free treats take everything that makes their version so special and put a fresh twist on it. The concept of being "inside-out" comes from the way the banana bread batter is combined with the walnuts and chocolate chips, essentially folding the fillings into the cookie dough and then rolling the cookies in a generous coating of both. This creates an added layer of texture on the outside, as well as a flavor explosion when you take your first bite.

Easy to Make, Even Easier to Eat

One of the best things about these cookies is how easy they are to make. While they’re undeniably indulgent, the process of whipping up a batch is surprisingly simple. All you need is a few ripe bananas, gluten-free flour, a handful of walnuts, chocolate chips, and some essential baking ingredients like sugar and vanilla extract. Once you have everything ready, it’s just a matter of mixing the dough, forming it into balls, and baking them to golden perfection.

Despite the ease of preparation, these cookies look and taste like something you’d find at a high-end bakery. The bananas give them that rich, natural sweetness, while the walnuts add that nutty depth that complements the flavor of the bananas. And then there’s the chocolate, which melts as the cookies bake, creating warm pockets of indulgence in every bite. These cookies are definitely the kind of treat that will have you going back for seconds—and maybe even thirds.

What Are These Cookies Perfect For?

So, when should you make these gluten-free thick inside-out banana bread cookies? The answer is simple: any time you’re in the mood for a warm, comforting, and utterly delicious treat. Here are just a few ideas of when you might want to bake up a batch:

For Afternoon Coffee Breaks: Pair these cookies with your afternoon cup of coffee or tea. The banana flavor and warm, gooey chocolate will make your break feel like an indulgent treat.
For Special Occasions: While they’re perfect for an everyday snack, these cookies also make an excellent treat for special occasions. Birthdays, holidays, or even family gatherings—everyone will love them. They’re also a great dessert option for a gluten-free crowd.
For Gift Giving: Packaged beautifully, these cookies make an excellent gift for friends and family, especially those who follow a gluten-free diet. Imagine giving someone a jar of these cookies, with their thick texture and irresistible flavors, as a thoughtful homemade gift.
For Comfort on Rainy Days: There’s something inherently comforting about banana bread, and when you bake it in cookie form, it becomes the perfect treat for those days when you just want to curl up with something sweet. Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a chilly evening, these cookies are sure to bring some joy to your day.

Let the baking begin!

TIPS AND TRICKS:

- Always preheat your oven.

- All refrigerated ingredients should be room temperature unless stated otherwise.

- Make sure your bananas are overripe.

- The egg can be cold because we're chilling the dough for 45 minutes, but make sure the butter and cream cheese are room temperature so they're easy to mix.

- Don't skip the chill! The dough is very sticky at room temperature.

- Keep the rest of the dough balls in the fridge while one tray is baking because they need to go into the oven cold.