Brown Butter Caramelized Banana Bread Oatmeal Cookie Skillet
This Brown Butter Caramelized Banana Bread Oatmeal Cookie Skillet is soft and gooey in the middle with perfectly crisp and golden edges. The dough is made with rich brown butter and caramelized bananas for deep banana bread flavor, then studded with melty chocolate chips and more caramelized banana chunks. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of homemade salted caramel, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt for the ultimate skillet cookie indulgence.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
All-purpose flour
Cinnamon
Baking soda
Baking powder
Salt
Salted butter
Brown sugar
Granulated sugar
Mashed ripe bananas
Egg
Vanilla extract
Chocolate chips or chunks of choice
Flaky sea salt, for topping
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Optional Mix-In: Banana, cut into thick coins
Ingredients for the Easy Homemade Salted Caramel (Optional):
Coconut oil
Maple syrup
Why You’ll Love a Brown Butter Caramelized Banana Bread Oatmeal Cookie Skillet:
Soft and Gooey Center: The middle of the skillet cookie stays warm, soft, and gooey—just like a freshly baked banana bread meets an oatmeal cookie.
Crispy, Golden Edges: The cast iron skillet creates perfectly crisp and caramelized edges for the ideal texture contrast in every bite.
Deep Caramelized Banana Flavor: Mashed bananas are caramelized in brown butter, adding rich, sweet, and nutty depth that elevates the flavor beyond your classic banana cookie.
Chunks of Caramelized Banana: Bits of caramelized banana are folded into the dough, giving you extra bursts of caramelized fruit with every bite.
Studded with Melty Chocolate Chips: Melty pockets of chocolate throughout the cookie skillet make every slice extra indulgent.
Elevated with Brown Butter: Brown butter adds a toasty, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet bananas and oatmeal cookie base.
Topped with Ice Cream and Salted Caramel: Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with homemade salted caramel for the ultimate dessert moment.
One Skillet, Easy Prep: No scooping or chilling—just mix, spread in a skillet, and bake. It’s a fuss-free dessert with major wow factor.
Perfect for Sharing: Whether it’s date night or a cozy gathering, this skillet cookie is meant to be enjoyed warm straight from the pan with spoons or slices.
Great Way to Use Up Ripe Bananas: Put those overripe bananas to delicious use in a fun, skillet-style dessert that goes beyond banana bread.
Tips for Making a Brown Butter Caramelized Banana Bread Oatmeal Cookie Skillet:
Caramelize the Bananas in Brown Butter: Once your butter has browned and smells nutty, stir in the mashed bananas along with some of the brown sugar and cook for 2–3 minutes. This step deepens the flavor and infuses the dough with rich, caramelized banana notes.
Use Very Ripe Bananas: Spotty, overripe bananas are ideal for caramelizing. They mash easily, are naturally sweet, and bring out the best flavor in your banana cookie skillet.
Don’t Skip the Brown Butter: Brown butter adds a deep, nutty complexity that pairs perfectly with the caramelized bananas and chocolate. Let it cool slightly before mixing into the dough to avoid scrambling your eggs.
Use a 10-Inch Cast Iron Skillet: A well-seasoned 10" cast iron skillet creates perfectly golden, crispy edges while keeping the center soft and gooey.
Bake at 350°F for 28–32 Minutes: Bake just until the edges are set and golden and the center still looks slightly underbaked. This ensures a gooey middle and that signature skillet cookie texture.
Add Banana Chunks for Extra Caramelized Pockets: Fold in small chunks of caramelized banana along with the chocolate chips to create bursts of caramelized fruit throughout the skillet.
Don’t Over-Mix the Dough: Once the dry ingredients are added, mix only until combined to keep the texture soft and tender.
Serve Warm with Toppings: For the ultimate dessert, top your warm cookie skillet with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a generous drizzle of homemade salted caramel, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Let It Rest Slightly Before Serving: After baking, let the skillet rest for 5–10 minutes. This allows the center to firm up just slightly while keeping that gooey texture.
How to Store a Brown Butter Caramelized Banana Bread Oatmeal Cookie Skillet:
Room Temperature: Store any leftover cookie skillet tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat before serving for the best gooey texture.
Refrigerator: For longer storage, cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in the oven at 325°F until warmed through.
Freezer: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 325°F or microwave straight from frozen.
Reheating for Serving: To recreate that fresh-from-the-oven texture, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or microwave individual portions until warm and gooey. Top with ice cream and caramel after reheating.
Serving Leftovers: Enjoy warm with an extra drizzle of homemade salted caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate treat—even better the next day!
FAQs:
Q: Do I need to caramelize the bananas for the dough?
A: Yes! The mashed bananas are caramelized in the brown butter with a bit of brown sugar at the end of the browning process. This extra step enhances the sweetness, depth, and flavor of the skillet cookie.
Q: What size skillet should I use?
A: This recipe is designed for a 10-inch cast iron skillet. If using a different size, adjust the baking time slightly and keep an eye on doneness.
Q: How do I know when it’s done baking?
A: The edges should be golden and crisp, and the center should be set but still soft and gooey. Bake at 350°F for 28–32 minutes, and start checking around the 28-minute mark.
Q: Can I use regular bananas without caramelizing them?
A: You can, but the flavor won’t be as rich or deep. Caramelizing the mashed bananas in brown butter adds incredible depth that really makes this dessert shine.
Q: What kind of chocolate chips work best?
A: Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips are great for balancing the sweetness, but feel free to use milk chocolate or a chopped chocolate bar for extra gooey pockets.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can bake the skillet cookie ahead and reheat it in the oven before serving. Add the ice cream and salted caramel right before serving for the best texture and presentation.
Q: Do I have to serve it with ice cream and caramel?
A: Not at all—but it’s highly recommended! The warm cookie, melty chocolate, cold ice cream, and drizzle of homemade salted caramel create the ultimate dessert experience.
Q: Can I use a different pan if I don’t have a cast iron skillet?
A: A similarly sized oven-safe skillet or deep-dish pie pan can work in a pinch. Just note that baking times may vary slightly, so check for doneness around the 28-minute mark.
Check out my other cookie recipes on Instagram:
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make this brown butter caramelized banana bread oatmeal cookie skillet. Happy baking!
