Abstract The aim of this work was to develop bioactive chitosan scaffolds reinforced with monetite‐containing whisker‐like fibers. The fibers synthesized by homogeneous precipitation were characterized as monetite/hydroxyapatite short fibers ( MAF s), using XRD , FTIR and SEM . The pure chitosan and MAF s/chitosan composite scaffolds were produced by freeze‐drying, and characterized with respect to porosity, pore size, swelling behavior, compressive strength and modulus, and in vitro bioactivity. The incorporation of MAF s in chitosan matrices led to increase the pore size, according to the evaluation by FE ‐ SEM , and decrease the porosity of composite scaffolds. The swelling ratio decreased as MAF s content of scaffolds increased. The compressive strength and modulus of scaffolds were improved by an increase in MAF s content. The noncross‐linked scaffolds with a chitosan: MAF s weight ratio of 1:1 ( CW 3) showed a porosity of 75.5%, and the strength and modulus of 259 kP a and 2.8 MP a in dry state, respectively. The crosslinking by glutaraldehyde resulted in improved mechanical properties. The strength and modulus of cross‐linked CW 3 scaffolds in wet state reached to 345 kP a and 1.8 MP a, respectively. The in vitro bioactivity of the reinforced scaffolds, evaluated by FE ‐ SEM / EDS , XRD , and ATR ‐ FTIR , was confirmed by the formation of a carbonated apatite layer on their surfaces when they soaked in simulated body fluid ( SBF ). The results of this initial study indicate that the monetite‐containing whisker‐like fibers may be an appropriate reinforcement of chitosan scaffolds.