These Banana Oatmeal Cookies are naturally sweetened and easy to prepare. With only two base ingredients and a variety of ways to customise, you can make a version to suit every family member!
I first made these 2 ingredient banana oat cookies when my eldest was a baby, I saw the idea in a baby book (made into bars) and loved how simple they were. They are fantastic for babies but, with a little customisation, they can also be enjoyed by kids (and adults) of all ages.
Why Banana Oat Cookies Rock, Despite Your Age!
- Babies – they are a great teething cookie! Use oat flour for a smoother cookie and add a little spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom) to introduce different flavours. Also a good handheld breakfast option.
- Toddlers – a super easy recipe to make with young kids and with no raw egg, they can taste as much of the mixture as they like!
- School kids – allow your kids to get creative in the kitchen and customise their own cookie for their lunchbox.
- Adults – a healthier version of regular cookies and a great on-the-go breakfast.
- Allergy Friendly – use gluten-free oats and you have yourself a gluten, egg, nut and dairy free cookie!
Just remember that these cookies are made with banana and oats – they are never going to taste like cookies with a ton of sugar and butter!
How To Make Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Mash Banana
- Add Oats and mix
- Add in anything else you like
- Form into Cookies (these cookies aren’t like regular cookies, they will not flatten when you bake them so you need to flatten and shape them before they go into the oven.)
- Bake
It is an ideal recipe to get your kids (of all ages) into the kitchen. Young kids can help with mashing, stirring and forming the cookies. Older kids can develop their own cookie. Baking is usually so precise but this recipe really allows kids to experiment with flavours. They can taste and readjust as they make them.
Customise Your Banana Oatmeal Cookies – Add-In Ideas
The great thing about these cookies is that they are really adaptable. You can add a range of different ingredients to change the flavour profile, to add sweetness, add texture or add a little nutritional boost.
Below are a few add-in suggestions. Experiment and let your kids experiment too, they will love to come up with their own creation!
- Spices (e.g Cinnamon, Cardamom, Vanilla, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, All Spice)
- Citrus (e.g lime / lemon / orange zest and juice)
- Chopped Nuts (e.g peanuts, macadamia, almond, cashew, hazelnut, pecan, walnut)
- Coconut (desiccated, shredded, flakes)
- Seeds (chia, sunflower, flax, pumpkin)
- Raisins/Sultanas (soak them in boiling water first to stop them burning and going bitter)
- Other dried fruit pieces
- Fresh Fruit (e.g Raspberries/cherry/blueberries/ ripe pear/mango/ grated apple)
- Veggies (Grated zucchini, grated carrot)
Here are a few varieties I created with the boys (pictured below).
- Raspberry & Coconut (Crushed raspberries & coconut)
- Zucchini and Chocolate (Vanilla, grated zucchini & choc chips)
- Apple Pie (Cinnamon, ginger, grated apple & raisin)
- Chocolate Orange (Orange zest, orange juice & choc chips)
- Ginger and Nutmeg (Powdered ginger & nutmeg)
- Macadamia & Date (Chopped macadamia and chopped date)
- Cardamom and Vanilla (Cardamom and vanilla extract)
- Carrot Cake (Cinnamon, grated carrot and raisin)
- Chunky Monkey (Chopped Date, choc chips and a banana slice on top)
- Coconut & Lime (Coconut flakes, lime zest, lime juice and vanilla)
- Pepita & Honey (Pepita seeds and honey)
- Cinnamon (Cinnamon)
The Texture of Banana Oat Cookies
These cookies are not the same as regular oatmeal cookies. They are quite crispy on the outside with a soft, chewy inside. The oats provide the chewy texture and the type of oats you use will affect the overall texture. Personally, I prefer the texture of rolled or quick oats, I find the oat flour a little gummy but some kids may prefer the smoother texture.
The add-ins you choose will also affect texture.
Are Banana Oatmeal Cookies Healthy?
The base recipe of this cookie is healthy but how you customise it, will affect the nutritional value. e.g
- You can boost the nutrition by adding grated veg or up the protein and good fats with some crushed nuts.
- You can create a sweeter, more indulgent cookie by adding a lot of dried fruit, chocolate, honey etc.
How To Store Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Store cookies in an airtight container for 1 -2 days.
Freeze – Freeze on a baking tray in a single layer. Once frozen transfer to an airtight container and store for up to 3 months.
Other Banana Oat Cookie Recipes
Some more creations, using the banana oat cookie base recipe.
- Healthy Thumbprint Cookies – Take your banana oat cookie to the next level and fill with Chia Jam.
- Raspberry Banana Oat Cookie – Pink Cookies for the win!
Have you tried this recipe, I love to read your feedback. Please rate and leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @healthylittlefoodies
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Banana and Oat Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 Ripe bananas *NOTE 1
- 165g 1 3/4 cup Oats *NOTE 2 & 3
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 180C / 350F / Gas Mark 4 and line a baking tray/sheet with baking/parchment paper
- In a large mixing bowl mash the bananas really well, until smooth. Add the oats and mix until fully combined.
- Add in any additions to suit taste *NOTE 4
- Form tablespoon sized cookies and place on prepared baking tray. (make sure to form cookie shapes and not balls as these will not spread into shape like normal cookies)
- Bake for approx 15 mins, or until cookies are golden and set.
- Allow to cool before eating.
Recipe Notes
- The riper your bananas the sweeter your cookie will be.
- You can use rolled oats, quick oats or oat flour. I rarely buy quick oats but I usually blitz rolled oats in a blender for a couple of seconds to break them down a bit.
- You need roughly 165g of oats to two large bananas. This roughly equates to 1 3/4 cups rolled oats or 1 1/2 cups quick oats /oat flour.
- Add a range of additional ingredient to change the flavour profile (e.g spices, lime/ orange zest, choc chips, dried fruit etc. See post for a detailed list of suggestions and flavour combinations.)
- Store in an airtight container for 1-2 days or freeze.
I first published this recipe in Nov 2013. I have updated the post to include new photos, recipe information and have altered the recipe. The original recipe included add-ins of ripe pear and flaked almonds. I have changed it to give a base recipe with a range of different add-in options.
Keerthi R says
I enjoyed eating a tasty snack after a looooong time
Amy says
🙂
Stephanie says
Does the rest of the recipe stay the same even if I add in other fruits or veggies?
Amy says
Hi Stephanie, Yes, if you find the mixture a little wet just add some more oats 🙂
Laura says
Just what I needed to calm my pandemic anxiety. I added chocolate chips, pecans, a dash of salt, a quarter tsp baking powder and a tsp of vanilla extract. I’m much more chill now and I’m happy to have found a cookie to turn to without added sugar (beyond that found in the chocolate chips). Thank you so much for posting this recipe.
Amy says
Thanks Laura! 🙂
Zumy says
I assume diabetics can have these as the recipe does not call for sugar?
Amy says
HI Zumy, I’m not qualified to answer this, best to check with your health professional 🙂
Kevin Hulse says
Hi Amy. Nice to join the healthy recipes on your site. I’ve made three of the cookies with a pinch of cinnamon. I’ve made some Apple Rasian and Oat cookies today as well. Even made the apple sause homemade.
Amy says
Sounds great, Kevin, thank you!
Kevin Hulse says
I’m just making them in the bowl. Making about three and added a pinch of cinnamon. I’ve got Apple Raisan and Oat Cookies baking in the oven at the moment
Molly says
Can i replace the bananas with apple puree?
Amy says
Hi Molly, I’m don’t think they will hold together properly but haven’t tried so can’t say for sure, sorry.
Dave Prentice says
Thanks for sharing, it was easy to make and tastes great!
Amy says
Thanks Dave 🙂
Marz says
can this be made with more ingredients like sugar to sweeten the cookie a bit since I Luv sweet food?
Amy says
Hi Marz, of course. You could add sugar, maple syrup or honey 🙂
Mekha Susan says
Hi Amy… Can you also tell me the banana’s quantity in grams… As I have small bananas and not sure how many to take… Thanks.
Amy says
Hi Mekha, I’m sorry I’m not sure of the weight. The recipe is very flexible, if you find it too wet to form cookies then you can add a little more oats. If you think your bananas are on the small side start with a little less oats and add more if needed. Hope you like them 🙂
Ash says
Great recipe my toddler had a great time helping me out and I had all the ingredients just sitting in my cupboard. What sort of consistency would you recommend the cookies be before they go in the oven? I used rolled oats but I’m wondering if perhaps they were too wet when they went in. Would a longer time in the oven help balance this out?
Amy says
Hi Ash, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. How did they turn out? If you find the mixture is too wet to form cookies then you can just add a little more oats.