This looks like one of those titles that is too good to be true. But, believe me, these Healthy Banana Oat Cookies have just 2 ingredients (and loads of options for a 3rd ingredient to make different flavours), they are nutritious and totally delicious too. Not only will kids love eating these banana oat cookies, but they will have so much fun making them as well. Try making a batch of 2 Ingredient Cookies this week!
Who knew that combining oats and banana could make delicious little healthy cookies? We did! And these are too good not to share with you all. This recipe was born out of some leftover mixture for baked porridge we had and it's an experiment that paid off.
We love a sweet snack for an afternoon pick-me-up and these banana oat totally hit the spot. They are vegan, gluten free (if using GF oats) and nut free. These cookies are a great opportunity to get younger kids involved in the kitchen. They can help with mashing the bananas, stirring in the oats and then also choosing any extra ingredients that you want in the cookies. They will have fun getting messy forming the cookies and adding them to the baking tray too.
Looking for some more recipes with oats? Why not try our No Bake Energy Balls, Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies, Banana Oat Muffins, Easy Baked Oats or Oaty Apple Crumble?
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Why you will love them
- Minimal ingredients - Just 2 ingredients go in to making these banana oat cookies. They are so easy.
- Easy to adapt - There are lots of options for a 3rd ingredient, so you can make different flavoured cookies every time.
- Healthy cookies - Yep, you heard me! Oats and bananas are super nutritious, meaning these cookies are perfect.
Ingredients needed
- Bananas - The key to these cookies being the best that they can be is to use super soft and ripe bananas. To ripen a banana, put it in a paper bag along with a high-ethylene producing fruit such as an apple and fold the bag and let it ripen.
- Oats - We used plain rolled oats for this. If you want these 2 ingredient cookies to be gluten free, then make sure that your oats are gluten free certified.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make banana oat cookies - Step by step
One: In a large bowl, mash up the banana.
Two: Add the oats and any other ingredients that you are using.
Three: Mix well and form into cookie shapes. These won't change shape and spread when cooking, so the shape you put them on the tray is the shape they will stay. Put on a lined baking tray.
Four: Put them in a pre-heated oven at 200°C/400°/Gas 6 for 12-15 minutes. Allow to fully cool before eating.
What are healthy cookies?
We all have different definitions of what a cookie is. Some love crispy cookies, and others love soft and chewy (which is what these are). These banana oat are never going to taste like your favourite sugar packed crispy cookie, but it's a nice lighter alternative for when those cookie cravings hit.
These "cookies" are so nutritious that you can totally eat them for breakfast. Breakfast cookies? What's not to love about that! It's basically just oats and banana, so it's porridge in cookie form.
Variations
So, the basic recipe for these banana oat cookies is just 2 ingredients, but by adding a third (which we did), you can add so much more flavour and the possibilities are endless. Why have 2 when you can have 3?
For me, it's all about the chocolate chips. Banana and dark chocolate chips are such a good combination and you can't go wrong with a chocolate cookie.
If you love peanut butter cookies then stir a couple of spoonfuls of peanut butter in to the mix, or even some Nutella for a nutty chocolate mix. Other great additions are coconut, raisins, dried cherries/cranberries, vanilla or crushed nuts. Make a few different batches with different 3rd ingredients and see which is your favourite.
FAQs
I know not everyone is a fan of banana, but we love it when it comes to baking for giving a natural sweetness. I am not going to lie, these do taste like banana because of how much is used. So, if you or your kids aren't a fan, or someone is allergic, then this isn't a recipe for you. We haven't managed to find anything suitable to replace it with.
You can keep these cookies in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They also freeze well. Put them on a baking tray in a single layer and then once frozen they can be put in to a freezer bag and kept there for up to 3 months.
Extra tips
• Why have 2 ingredients when you can have 3? Get creative an add in some chocolate chips, coconut or chopped nuts for different flavoured cookies.
• Allow to cool before eating.
• These are a great way to get young kids involved in the kitchen. They can mash the bananas and stir in the oats.
• You can also change these up by blending the oats to make a flour and mixing that with the banana. You could also use ground almonds instead of oats.
• An ice cream scoop is the best thing to use to get the right amount of mixture for each cookie.
More dessert recipes
If you’ve tried these healthy cookies, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Healthy Banana Oat Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 Bananas
- 300 g (4 cups) Oats - (rolled oats)
- Milk chocolate chips - (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- In a large bowl, mash up 3 Bananas.
- Add 300 g Oats and any other ingredients that you are using.
- Mix well and form in to cookie shapes. These won't change shape and spread when cooking, so the shape you put them on the tray is the shape they will stay. Put on a lined baking tray.
- Put them into the oven for 12-15 minutes. Allow to fully cool before eating.
Recipe Tips
- Why have 2 ingredients when you can have 3? Get creative an add in some chocolate chips, coconut or chopped nuts for different flavoured cookies.
- Allow to cool before eating.
- These are a great way to get young kids involved in the kitchen. They can mash the bananas and stir in the oats.
- You can also change these up by blending the oats to make a flour and mixing that with the banana. You could also use ground almonds instead of oats.
- An ice cream scoop is the best thing to use to get the right amount of mixture for each cookie.
- To ensure this recipe is definitely gluten free, use oats that are certified gluten free.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Kelly says
Love these healthy cookies Dannii! You can't go wrong with only 2 ingredients - they look fantastic!
Britt@MyOwnBalance says
I love the idea of eating cookies for breakfast! It seems so decadent but these are really healthy! Great idea!
Jayda says
Oh my goodness, I seriously have to try these!! They sound really good, and really easy, which means they're right up my alley :-)
Brittany says
I'm going to make these right now. I'm not even kidding...I brought home two overly ripe bananas today and they need to be used. This is PERFECT!
Matt @ Runner Savvy says
Will have to try this!
Courtney @RunningforCupcakes says
I love this recipe! So easy and it sounds delicious!
Gabby says
I love the sound of these. Who knew that cookies could be healthy :)
Stuart Vettese says
Oh my goodness!! I have to try these - healthy and delicious, I'm sold.
Laura says
Great idea for a healthy cookie Dannii. So simple too!
Jennie says
I love recipes like these! I'm not the best cook so quick healthy recipes are my favourite!
xx
Heather Haigh says
I love simple healthy recipes like this. Fabulous! Thank you for sharing.
Catherine says
I just pulled these out of the oven and ate one whilst it was still warm. SO GOOD! I can't believe that that don't have loads of sugar in them. I will be sharing this with everyone!
Sophia says
I am so excited for healthy cookies. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Breige says
Oh I've heard of these cookies before, I've been meaning to try them!
Breige says
I think I will do so soon! :)
Amy Thames says
I love all your simple recipes. Makes me think I am actually a good cook. Looking forward to trying these already, as I love cookies.