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Here’s what you need to make these healthy banana oatmeal cookies: - 2 ripe bananas, thoroughly mashed - 1 cup rolled oats - 1/2 cup almond flour - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup - 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt - Optional mix-ins: - 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips - 1/3 cup chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) Each ingredient plays a key role. The ripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture. Rolled oats provide hearty texture, while almond flour adds a nutty flavor. Honey or maple syrup gives extra sweetness. Unsweetened applesauce helps keep the cookies soft. Baking powder helps the cookies rise slightly, and cinnamon adds warmth. The sea salt balances the flavors. Optional mix-ins like dark chocolate chips or nuts bring even more taste and crunch. You can mix and match these ingredients to fit your taste! {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key for even baking. While the oven heats, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes clean-up easy. In a large bowl, mash two ripe bananas until smooth. Then, add 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup for sweetness. Next, mix in 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Use a fork to blend everything well. You want a smooth, creamy mix. In another bowl, stir together 1 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 cup of almond flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt. Mixing these dry ingredients well ensures they spread evenly in the cookie dough. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mixture. Use a spatula to fold them together gently. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough. If you want, fold in 1/3 cup of dark chocolate chips and 1/3 cup of chopped nuts for extra flavor. Take a tablespoon and scoop dough onto the prepared sheet. Space the dough balls about 1 inch apart. To flatten them slightly, press down gently with the back of the spoon. This gives them a nice cookie shape. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Watch closely as they bake. You want the edges to turn a lovely golden brown. When the cookies are done, take them out of the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. After that, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps keep them soft and chewy inside. To make the best banana oatmeal cookies, start with ripe bananas. The riper they are, the sweeter your cookies will taste. Use a fork to mash them until smooth. This helps blend well with other wet ingredients. When mixing, do not overmix the batter. Overmixing can make cookies tough. Aim for a gentle fold when combining wet and dry ingredients. The sweetness of your cookies is easy to change. Use honey, maple syrup, or both. If you prefer less sugar, try cutting the sweetener by a few tablespoons. You can also add extra mashed bananas for natural sweetness. If you like a touch of spice, a bit of extra cinnamon can enhance flavor. Taste your batter before baking for a hint of sweetness. You can swap some ingredients for different flavors. If you need a nut-free option, replace almond flour with oat flour. For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey. Applesauce can also replace oil, making cookies moist without extra fat. You can add dried fruits, seeds, or other nuts if you want something new. This keeps your cookies fun and fresh. Pro Tips Riper Bananas for Sweetness: The riper the bananas, the sweeter your cookies will be. Look for bananas with brown spots for optimal flavor. Oat Variations: Feel free to experiment with different types of oats, such as quick oats or steel-cut oats, to get a different texture in your cookies. Storage Tips: Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for longer-lasting freshness. Mix-Ins for Fun: Customize your cookies by adding dried fruits, seeds, or spices to the batter for an extra flavor kick! {{image_4}} To make vegan banana oatmeal cookies, you only need to swap a few ingredients. Replace honey or maple syrup with agave nectar or another plant-based sweetener. This change keeps the cookies sweet and vegan-friendly. You can also use flaxseed meal mixed with water as an egg substitute. Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for about five minutes to thicken. This mix binds the ingredients well. Your cookies will still taste great! For gluten-free banana oatmeal cookies, simply use certified gluten-free oats and almond flour. These two ingredients provide a nice texture without gluten. You can also try coconut flour as an alternative. Just remember to use less coconut flour, as it absorbs more moisture. Start with 1/4 cup and adjust as needed. This way, you can enjoy delicious cookies while sticking to a gluten-free diet. Adding spices and extracts can make your cookies unique and fun! Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger for extra warmth. You can also mix in a teaspoon of almond or coconut extract for a different flavor twist. If you want a chocolatey kick, use cocoa powder. Start with 2 tablespoons and reduce the almond flour by the same amount. These small changes can create a delightful new cookie that suits your taste! To keep your healthy banana oatmeal cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps keep them soft and tasty. You can place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. These cookies stay fresh for about five days at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Freezing cookies is a great way to save them for later. To freeze, let the cookies cool completely first. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about two hours. After that, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container. This method helps prevent freezer burn. Cookies can last up to three months in the freezer. When you want to enjoy them, just pull them out and let them thaw. Reheating cookies can make them taste fresh again. You can use an oven or microwave for this. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the cookies on a baking sheet and warm them for about five minutes. If you use a microwave, heat them for 10 to 15 seconds. This will help them regain their soft texture. Enjoy your delicious treat warm! Yes, you can use other sweeteners. You can try agave nectar, coconut sugar, or stevia. Each will change the flavor a bit. Just remember to balance the sweetness to your taste. To make these cookies gluten-free, simply use certified gluten-free oats. You can also replace almond flour with a gluten-free flour blend. This keeps the cookies soft and tasty without gluten. If you need a substitute for almond flour, try using oat flour or ground sunflower seeds. Both options work well. They keep the cookies moist and add flavor. These cookies stay fresh for about three days at room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container. You can also store them in the fridge for one week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months. We explored simple ingredients to make delicious banana oatmeal cookies. You learned step-by-step how to create and bake them. Tips showed how to customize sweetness and substitute ingredients. We also discussed variations, like vegan and gluten-free options. Finally, storage tips helped ensure your cookies stay fresh. Remember, these cookies are easy and fun to make. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and sharing them with others!

Deliciously Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies

A delightful and healthy treat made with ripe bananas and oats, perfect for a snack or dessert.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 whole ripe bananas, thoroughly mashed
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 2 cup almond flour
  • 1 4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 3 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1 3 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, honey or maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Mix until well blended and smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the rolled oats, almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Fold in the dark chocolate chips and chopped nuts if using.
  • Using a tablespoon, scoop out spoonfuls of the cookie dough and drop them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each one about 1 inch apart. Press down lightly on each mound of dough.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For an appealing display, arrange the cooled cookies on a vibrant plate and dust with powdered sugar or drizzle melted dark chocolate on top.
Keyword banana, cookies, healthy, oatmeal