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Chunky Monkey Cookies

By Sarah On   |  Updated:

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Jam-packed with toasted walnuts, banana, and gooey chocolate chunks, these chunky monkey cookies are a riff on the classic Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and are sure to become a cookie jar staple!

Jam-packed with toasted walnuts, banana, and gooey chocolate chunks, these chunky monkey cookies are a riff on the classic Ben & Jerry's ice cream and are sure to become a cookie jar staple!

We’re giving the classic Ben & Jerry’s ice cream a serious run for its money today because chunky monkey COOKIES have officially entered the house!

In all their sweet banana, crunchy walnut, and gooey chocolate chunk glory. Take that, ice cream.

Jam-packed with toasted walnuts, banana, and gooey chocolate chunks, these chunky monkey cookies are a riff on the classic Ben & Jerry's ice cream and are sure to become a cookie jar staple!

These aren’t your average batch of cookies, friends, they are SO much more! They boast a very specific texture somewhere between chewy and dense at the same time with tons of banana flavor in every bite.

Lemme tell ya, kids just adore these cookies but I can promise you I adore them even more.

These Chunky Monkey Cookies Feature…

  • A soft and dense texture
  • Sweet banana flavor from both mashed banana and banana chips
  • Gooey chocolate chunks and toasted walnuts
Jam-packed with toasted walnuts, banana, and gooey chocolate chunks, these chunky monkey cookies are a riff on the classic Ben & Jerry's ice cream and are sure to become a cookie jar staple!

Making the Cookies

(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)

Ingredients You Will Need

  • Unsalted butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Kosher salt
  • Banana
  • Banana chips
  • Walnuts
  • Chocolate chunks

Storing Dough

If you would like to make up the dough for these cookies in advance it stores well in refrigerator up to 6 days. Wrap the dough well in plastic wrap before storing and follow recipes instructions for baking cookies.

Storing and Freezing Cookies

Allow cookies to cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days. For best results, reheat cookies 10-15 seconds in microwave to melt the chocolate.

To freeze cookies, allow to cool completely, then wrap well and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw cookies completely at room temperature and store up to 4 days.

Jam-packed with toasted walnuts, banana, and gooey chocolate chunks, these chunky monkey cookies are a riff on the classic Ben & Jerry's ice cream and are sure to become a cookie jar staple!

Tips for Perfect Cookies

  1. Bring butter and egg to room temperature – make sure the butter is softened to room temperature before creaming with the sugar. Likewise, allow the egg to come to room temperature or submerge in hot water for about 2 minutes to quickly warm it so it incorporates easier into the butter.
  2. Use a stand mixer or mix dough by hand – this recipe is both mixer-friendly and old-fashioned-bowl-and-spoon friendly.
  3. Measure flour correctly – I use the spoon-and-level technique for measuring flour as this will prevent over-measuring your flour. Use a spoon to scoop flour into the measuring cup, then level with the back of a knife.
  4. Use ripe banana – choose a banana that’s bright yellow and spotted all over for a strong banana flavor throughout cookies.
  5. Toast walnuts – toss the nuts around in a nonstick pan over medium heat 3-5 minutes until fragrant. Toasting the nuts brings a lot of flavor out and gives them a crunchy texture.
  6. Chill cookie dough – chilling the dough for about 2 hours before baking will prevent the cookies from excessive spreading resulting in a thick and chewy cookie.

Recipe Variations

Try these ideas for a different twist on these cookies.

  • Use another nut – replace the walnuts with pecans or pistachios.
  • Try another chocolate – try dark chocolate or white chocolate.
  • Add spices – add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or allspice.
  • Add dried fruit – try adding 1/2 cup dried cranberries, blueberries, or raisins.
Jam-packed with toasted walnuts, banana, and gooey chocolate chunks, these chunky monkey cookies are a riff on the classic Ben & Jerry's ice cream and are sure to become a cookie jar staple!

These cookies are kinda like a slice of banana bread and a chocolate chunk cookie had a baby and trust me, it is an experience like NO other! One bite into all that gooey dark chocolate, nutty goodness and you’re a goner.

Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.

Jam-packed with toasted walnuts, banana, and gooey chocolate chunks, these chunky monkey cookies are a riff on the classic Ben & Jerry's ice cream and are sure to become a cookie jar staple!

More big loaded cookies you’ll love!

Jam-packed with toasted walnuts, banana, and gooey chocolate chunks, these chunky monkey cookies are a riff on the classic Ben & Jerry's ice cream and are sure to become a cookie jar staple!
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Chunky Monkey Cookies

Jam-packed with toasted walnuts, banana, and gooey chocolate chunks, these chunky monkey cookies are a riff on the classic Ben & Jerry's ice cream and are sure to become a cookie jar staple!

This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings 18 cookies
Calories 177kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place butter and sugar in the bowl of a large stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment OR in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon. Mix on medium speed or by hand until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, beating well until smooth.
  • In a medium separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture along with mashed banana, mixing until dough is just combined. Fold in banana chips, walnuts, and chocolate chunks.
  • Scrape dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate dough 2 hours or up to 6 days.
  • When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Remove dough from refrigerator and scoop dough out into 1-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets and flatten slightly.
  • Bake cookies at 350F 10-12 minutes until edges of cookies are set (middles will be slightly soft). Sprinkle cookies with flaky sea salt if desired and allow cookies to cool on baking sheet 20 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Notes

Storing Instructions
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days. Cookies may also be frozen up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cookie | Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 101mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 182IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below. Feel free to share a picture on Instagram and tag @wholeandheavenlyoven or hashtag it #wholeandheavenlyoven

This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 4/6/26.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    Bigger is definitely better when it comes to cookies! These look amazing, Sarah! I love the peanut butter and banana combo in here. And the fact that these cuties are fluffy and chunky make them even better! Gorgeous pictures, too! Pinned!

    Reply

  7. Rache; @ Bakerita says

    I love these cookies, and I love the name chunky monkey! It’s adorable, not weird at all 🙂 all the things you packed in here sound so so delicious, and these are so right up my alley. Pinned!

    Reply

  9. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

    Chocolate and banana addict over here! These cookies are swoon worthy. and chewy?! ahh! Pinned!

    Reply

  13. Mary Frances says

    Haha fuzzy cookies are my jam girlfriend! As are cookie filled horizons. And weekends. Basically, what is not to love about this post?? Love me all things coconut and chocolate and oatmeal – pinning these!

    Reply
5 from 1 vote

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