Banana Oat Cookies Recipe

Banana Oat Cookies Recipe – Healthy, Easy, and Naturally Sweet

If you’ve got ripe bananas sitting on your counter and a craving for something sweet yet wholesome, these Banana Oat Cookies are about to become your new go-to. They’re soft, naturally sweetened, and packed with hearty oats. The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients and less than 30 minutes to whip them up.

These cookies are perfect for breakfast on-the-go, a healthy snack, or even a guilt-free dessert. Think of them as the perfect balance between a cookie and a granola bar—just enough sweetness to satisfy, but still light enough to enjoy any time of day.

Why You’ll Love Banana Oat Cookies

• Quick and easy: Only a few ingredients and no fancy equipment required.
• Healthy and wholesome: Naturally sweetened with bananas, no refined sugar needed.
• Great for meal prep: Bake a batch and enjoy all week.
• Kid-friendly: A smart way to sneak fruit and whole grains into snacks.
• Customizable: Add nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to make them your own.

Recipe Overview

• Serving Size: About 12 cookies
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 22 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts or dried fruit (optional)

Kitchen Equipment Required

• Mixing bowl
• Fork or potato masher (for bananas)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Wire cooling rack

How to Make Banana Oat Cookies

1. Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mash bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash ripe bananas until smooth.
3. Mix wet ingredients: Stir in peanut butter (or almond butter), honey, vanilla, and cinnamon.
4. Add oats: Fold in oats and salt until combined. Stir in chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit if using.
5. Shape cookies: Scoop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet and flatten slightly with the back of the spoon.
6. Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
7. Cool: Transfer to a wire rack and let cool before serving.

Tips for Success

• Use overripe bananas: The spottier, the better—they’re sweeter and easier to mash.
• Flatten the cookies: Since they don’t spread much while baking, shape them how you want them to look before putting them in the oven.
• Adjust sweetness: If your bananas are very ripe, you may want less honey or syrup.
• For chewier cookies: Use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using underripe bananas: They’re too firm and not sweet enough.
• Skipping parchment paper: The cookies can stick without it.
• Overbaking: These cookies are meant to be soft. Take them out when edges are just turning golden.

Variations and Substitutions

• Nut-free: Swap nut butter for sunflower seed butter.
• Chocolate lovers: Add cocoa powder to the batter for double chocolate banana oat cookies.
• Boost the protein: Stir in a scoop of protein powder.
• Tropical twist: Add shredded coconut and dried pineapple.
• Fall-inspired: Mix in pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon.

How to Store and Meal Prep

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps well for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for 20 seconds.
• Meal prep tip: Double the recipe and freeze half for grab-and-go snacks later.

Serving and Presentation Ideas

• Pair with a cup of coffee for a quick breakfast.
• Crumble over Greek yogurt for a healthy parfait.
• Serve warm with a drizzle of melted peanut butter on top.
• Pack them in lunchboxes as a kid-approved snack.

FAQs

Can I make these without sweetener?
Yes! If your bananas are ripe enough, you can skip the honey or maple syrup.

Do I need eggs for this recipe?
Nope—these cookies are naturally egg-free, thanks to the bananas.

Can I use instant oats?
Yes, but the texture will be softer and less chewy. Old-fashioned oats give the best bite.

Are these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, if you use certified gluten-free oats.

Related Post: Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake

These Banana Oat Cookies are the perfect combination of healthy, simple, and satisfying. With just a few pantry staples and ripe bananas, you can bake a batch of cookies that everyone will love. Keep them on hand for quick breakfasts, after-school snacks, or even a sweet bite after dinner—you’ll find yourself making them again and again.