These Banana Chocolate Chip Scones are a morning game-changer! Imagine the comforting flavors of banana bread transformed into a buttery, flaky scone studded with melty chocolate chips and topped with a cinnamon-spiced glaze. Ready in just 30 minutes, these scones are perfect for busy mornings when you want something special without the fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Simple: From mixing bowl to table in just 30 minutes – perfect for those mornings when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of ripe banana pairs beautifully with rich chocolate chips, while the cinnamon adds warmth and depth.
Impressive Results: These scones look like they came from a fancy bakery, but they’re incredibly forgiving and easy to make, even for beginners.
Versatile: Wonderful for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea – they’re even delicious enough to serve as dessert!

Ingredients You’ll Need

All-purpose flour: The foundation of our scones, providing structure and that tender crumb we’re looking for.
Baking powder: Our leavening agent – it helps the scones rise and become light rather than dense.
Kosher salt: Just a touch enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper, caramel-like sweetness that complements the banana perfectly.
Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and that classic banana bread flavor that pairs so well with chocolate.
Cold butter: The secret to flaky scones! Those cold butter pieces create steam pockets during baking, resulting in irresistible layers.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Choose good quality chips that will melt beautifully – they create pockets of chocolatey goodness throughout.
Heavy cream: Creates richness and moisture in the dough, while brushing the tops with cream before baking gives a beautiful golden color.
Banana: Use a nicely ripe banana with some brown spots for the best flavor – it adds natural sweetness and that unmistakable banana taste.
Turbinado sugar: This coarse sugar creates a delightful crunch on top and a sparkly appearance.
Icing ingredients: Melted butter, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and milk combine to make a drizzle-worthy topping that sets into a perfect glaze.

Variations

Make these scones your own with these tasty twists:

Nutty Addition: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture and flavor.
Spice It Up: Add 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg or cardamom along with the cinnamon for a more complex flavor profile.
White Chocolate Twist: Substitute white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier alternative to semi-sweet.
Tropical Version: Add 1/4 cup of toasted coconut flakes to the dough for a tropical banana flavor combination.

How to Make Banana Chocolate Chip Scones

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Having everything ready makes assembly quick and easy.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening and spices.

Step 3: Cut in the Butter

Using a pastry cutter or fork, work the cold cubed butter into the dry ingredients. The mixture should look like coarse sand with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining – these are crucial for creating flaky layers!

Step 4: Add Chocolate Chips

Stir the chocolate chips into your flour-butter mixture, distributing them evenly throughout.

Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix the mashed banana with 1/2 cup of heavy cream until well combined.

Step 6: Form the Dough

Create a well in your dry ingredients, pour in the banana-cream mixture, and gently mix just until the dough comes together. The key is not to overwork the dough – a slightly shaggy texture is perfect.

Step 7: Shape and Cut

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a disk about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. Cut into 6 wedges using a knife or pizza cutter.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Transfer the wedges to your prepared baking sheet, brush with the remaining heavy cream, and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.

Step 9: Prepare the Icing

While the scones cool slightly, whisk together the melted butter, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and milk until smooth.

Step 10: Finish with Glaze

Drizzle the icing over the slightly cooled scones and allow it to set before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Keep Everything Cold: For the flakiest texture, use cold butter straight from the refrigerator and work quickly to keep it from warming up.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix just until combined – overworking develops gluten and results in tough scones.
Even Sizing: Try to make your scones uniform in size so they bake evenly.
Proper Spacing: Leave about an inch between scones on the baking sheet to allow for spreading.
Check for Doneness: Look for golden brown edges and a firm center that springs back when lightly touched.

How to Serve

These banana chocolate chip scones are versatile enough to enjoy in multiple ways:

Breakfast Pairing

Serve warm with a cup of coffee or tea for a perfect morning treat. They’re substantial enough to be a complete breakfast on busy mornings.

Brunch Star

Include these scones on your brunch spread alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, and savory options for a well-rounded meal.

Dessert Option

Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an unexpected but delightful dessert that balances warm and cold elements beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The texture is best on the day they’re baked, but they remain delicious the next day too.

Freezing

These scones freeze beautifully! Freeze unbaked scone wedges on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. Bake straight from frozen, adding 3-5 minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

Warm room temperature scones in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds for that fresh-baked taste. Be careful not to overheat or they’ll dry out.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Absolutely! Thaw frozen bananas completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. They’ll be soft and perfect for incorporating into the dough. In fact, using bananas that were frozen when very ripe can add extra sweetness and banana flavor.

Why did my scones spread too much while baking?
This typically happens when the butter gets too warm before baking. Make sure to use cold butter and work quickly when forming the dough. If your kitchen is warm, you can even chill the shaped scones for 15 minutes before baking to help them maintain their shape.

Can I make these scones gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Look for one that contains xanthan gum for best results. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious. You may need to add an extra tablespoon of cream if the dough seems too dry.

How ripe should my banana be for this recipe?
The best bananas for baking have yellow peels with plenty of brown spots – what some might consider “overripe” for eating. These bananas are sweeter and have a stronger flavor that really comes through in the finished scones. Avoid green or barely yellow bananas as they won’t provide enough sweetness or banana flavor.

Final Thoughts

These Banana Chocolate Chip Scones bring together the comfort of banana bread and the elegance of scones in one irresistible package. Whether you’re treating yourself to a special breakfast, impressing weekend guests, or just satisfying a sweet craving, these scones deliver satisfaction in every bite. With their crisp exterior, tender inside, pockets of melted chocolate, and sweet cinnamon glaze, they’re bound to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. Give them a try – your kitchen will smell amazing and your taste buds will thank you!

Banana Chocolate Chip Scones Recipe