Optional add-ins:
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (for warmth and blood sugar regulation)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (if you prefer extra sweetness)
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips (70%+ cacao for antioxidant benefits)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds or ground flaxseed (for omega-3 boost)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for enhanced flavor profile)
Timing
- Prep Time: 5 minutes (just mash and mix!)
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes (compared to traditional cookies that often require chilling dough for hours)
- Yield: 12 cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The parchment prevents sticking without needing to add oils or fats.
Step 2: Mash The Bananas
In a medium bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth with minimal lumps. Pro tip: Use overripe bananas for maximum natural sweetness and easier mashing.
Step 3: Mix In Peanut Butter
Add the natural peanut butter to your mashed bananas and stir until well combined. The mixture should be thick and somewhat sticky. For easier mixing, warm your peanut butter slightly if it’s been refrigerated.
Step 4: Incorporate Oats And Optional Add-ins
Fold in the rolled oats and any optional ingredients you’ve chosen. The healthy banana peanut butter oatmeal cookies mixture should hold together well but still be somewhat soft.
Step 5: Form And Bake
Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of mixture per cookie onto your prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten each cookie with the back of a spoon (they won’t spread much during baking). Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
Step 6: Cool And Enjoy
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.