Description
Delicious and soft Banana Oatmeal Cookies made with ripe bananas, rolled oats, and a hint of cinnamon. These cookies are easy to prepare, perfect for a healthy snack or a sweet dessert, and offer a comforting homemade taste with optional chocolate chips or walnuts for extra flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a mixer or spoon until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the mashed bananas, egg, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture and mix well until fully combined, giving the batter moisture and sweetness from the bananas.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices throughout the cookies.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture, stirring gently just until combined to avoid overmixing, which could make the cookies tough.
- Fold in Optional Add-ins: If using, fold in chocolate chips or chopped walnuts to add extra flavor and texture.
- Shape Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to prevent sticking as they expand while baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn golden brown, indicating they are cooked through and crisp at the edges.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet to set properly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they finish firming up without becoming soggy.
Notes
- For a healthier alternative, substitute the butter with coconut oil and replace sugars with honey or maple syrup to reduce refined sugar content.
- Add raisins, shredded coconut, or flaxseed for additional texture, flavor, and nutritional benefits.
- Make sure bananas are very ripe for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cookies soft and tender.
