Bananas + Oats: Meet The Easiest Cookies You’ll Ever Make

Bananas. They’re one of those foods that we often take for granted, always there in the fruit bowl next to the apples, turning brown more quickly than I would prefer. Perfect in their portability, bananas are actually a rather unexpected powerhouse of nutrients. Most commonly praised for their high potassium content, which helps to regulate blood pressure – which in turn keeps your heart functioning normally – bananas are high in fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, and manganese. Bananas also help to relieve stress and keep you happy, thanks to their high levels of tryptophan, which converts to serotonin (the feel-good hormone) when released into the bloodstream. All pretty solid reasons to enjoy one every now and then, no? Typically I’ll add a banana to my morning smoothie or throw one in my gym bag to eat before a workout, but lately I’ve been experimenting more with this surprisingly versatile fruit (or, if you want to get technical bout it, berry).

Which is where these cookies come in. There’s not much to say about them, except that they’re easy, they’re versatile, and they’re great to grab as a quick breakfast when you’re running out the door in the morning. Oh yeah, and in their most basic form, they only have two ingredients: bananas and oats. Check out the recipe below, along with a few mix-in options, because as usual, I couldn’t leave well enough alone.

BananaCookies

Banana + Oat Cookies
Makes approx. 18 cookies after mix-ins

3 very ripe medium bananas (the bananas I used were completely brown)

1.5 cups gluten-free oats

BananaCookies

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (this is a must). Mash the bananas and oats together in a large mixing bowl using a fork. The end result should be about the same consistency of normal cookie dough. If the mix is too dry, add more banana, if it’s too wet, add more oats.

BananaCookies

Optional mix-ins:

1 tsp each vanilla, powdered ginger, cinnamon

Gluten-free chocolate chips & unsweetened coconut

Cacao nibs & chopped raw hazelnuts

Raisins & unsweetened cocoa powder

You can keep the banana and oat mixture as-is, or add in extra flavor by mixing in 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp powdered ginger, and 1 tsp cinnamon, along with any combination of the suggested pairings above (I used a small handful of each).

BananaCookies

Once you’ve added in everything you want, place tablespoon-sized scoops of the dough about 1-inch apart on the parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, until golden-brown.

BananaCookies

After you’ve eaten a few warm from the oven, allow what’s left to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

BananaCookies

Cacao nibs & hazelnuts

BananaCookies

Chocolate chip & coconut

BananaCookies

Cocoa & raisins

BananaCookies

Enjoy!

More recipe posts from the BLDG 25 blog.

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9 years ago

I LOVE making these cookies. They make for such a simple and delicious breakfast!

Brigette
9 years ago

What. This is amazing.

Laurabonny
9 years ago

This. Is. Amazing!

9 years ago

I just found my evening activity!

9 years ago

I am saving this recipe and making it as soon as I get bananas. Love love love its simplicity :)

Thank you for sharing!

http://aniqadreams.blogspot.com

9 years ago

Yummy! I’m looking forward to making these – awesome prep time.

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

Bethany
9 years ago

Look delish! How long do they keep for?

Liz
9 years ago

OH my god these look amazing, will definitely try!
http://fleurs-de-liz.blogspot.ca

9 years ago

Are these chewy or crunchy? They look so good!

9 years ago

sounds so yummy!

– christina http://www.cityloveee.blogspot.com

9 years ago

These look severely awesome. Perfect for my dietary needs and go-go life!
Thanks! xxo

http://loveyenrose.blogspot.com

9 years ago

These look amazing! I am going to be making them tonight! As a quick question does anyone know or guestimate how many calories a cookie would be?

Thanks!

9 years ago

This is the best

9 years ago

I used to make oat cookies with white choc chip and cranberries, but this alternative option with banana sounds much healthier…definitely going to have to give it a try! They are beautifully presented too :)
xxx

http://grandiosedays.blogspot.co.uk

9 years ago

I am so going to make these. I love oatmeal cookies but the traditional recipe is loaded with sugar and fat. I wonder how long they will keep

http://hazeysfinds.blogspot.com/

9 years ago

I just made these for all of my roommates and they’re OBSESSED! So yummy with peanut butter and honey :)

Maria
9 years ago

Thank you SO MUCH for this recipe. I work in a shelter for migrants and all of the food we get is donated, so we don’t have the more expensive or exotic ingredients that are often listed in recipes on this site. Moreover, the cooking we have here is often really greasy and unhealthy, because that’s what a tight budget can afford! Thanks for providing something delicious AND cheap — I made them for the house and everyone loved them! Please post more recipes like this!