Are you craving something sweet but also want to keep things healthy? Look no further than these delightful Banana Bread Cookies! They combine the warm, comforting flavors of banana bread with the convenience and fun of cookies. These soft, chewy treats are not only delicious but also made with wholesome ingredients like oats and peanut butter, making them a great option for a snack or light dessert. Whether you’re looking for a healthier option for your sweet tooth or a fun twist on traditional banana bread, these cookies are the answer.
Why You’ll Love Banana Bread Cookies
Banana Bread Cookies are perfect for anyone who loves the classic banana bread flavor but doesn’t want to commit to a whole loaf. These cookies are incredibly easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients. Plus, they’re customizable! Add chocolate chips for an extra treat, or keep them simple and wholesome. Whether you enjoy them as a post-workout snack, a breakfast treat, or a satisfying dessert, they offer a great balance of nutrients to fuel your day. Plus, the best part is that they only take 17 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients for Banana Bread Cookies
The ingredients for Banana Bread Cookies are simple, nutritious, and easy to find. You’ll need:
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup peanut butter (or any nut butter of your choice)
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips (optional, for those who want a sweeter cookie)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
These ingredients are not only delicious but also provide various health benefits. Bananas are an excellent source of potassium and fiber, while oats offer long-lasting energy and support heart health. Peanut butter adds a dose of healthy fats and protein, and cinnamon gives the cookies a warm, comforting flavor.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Banana Bread Cookies
Preheat the Oven: The First Step to Perfection
Before you start mixing, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating the oven ensures that your cookies will bake evenly and reach the perfect texture. Once your oven is preheated, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Mix the Ingredients: Bringing It All Together
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of mashed ripe bananas, 1 cup of rolled oats, ½ cup of peanut butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This is where the magic happens – the banana, oats, and peanut butter come together to create a dough that’s easy to work with and full of flavor.
If you’re using chocolate chips, fold them in gently at this stage. Chocolate chips are optional, but they add a nice touch of sweetness and a slight indulgence to the cookies. If you’re avoiding sugar or looking for a lower-sugar option, feel free to skip the chocolate chips or use a healthier alternative.
Shape the Cookies: Forming Perfect Cookie Dough
Once your dough is ready, it’s time to form the cookies. Scoop out about 1-2 tablespoons of dough and place it onto the prepared baking sheet. Space the dough balls about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread as they bake.
Using the back of a spoon, gently flatten each dough ball to form cookie shapes. These cookies don’t spread too much during baking, so the shape you form is the shape they’ll stay in. You can make them as thick or thin as you prefer, but we recommend flattening them slightly for a chewy texture.
Bake the Cookies: Achieving Golden Brown Perfection
Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. The baking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your cookies and the oven, so keep an eye on them during the last few minutes.
Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This short resting time allows the cookies to set and firm up before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve and Enjoy: The Final Step
After cooling, the cookies are ready to enjoy! Serve them as a healthy snack, a light dessert, or even as a breakfast treat with a cup of coffee or tea. These cookies are soft and chewy, with a delightful balance of flavors from the banana, peanut butter, and cinnamon. They’re the perfect option for anyone looking for a healthier way to satisfy their sweet cravings.
Nutritional Information for Banana Bread Cookies
Now, let’s talk about the nutritional benefits of these Banana Bread Cookies. Not only are they incredibly delicious, but they’re also a relatively healthy treat, especially when compared to traditional cookies. Here’s an approximate breakdown of the nutritional content per cookie:
- Calories: 100 kcal per cookie
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 6g (from peanut butter)
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 2g (thanks to the oats and banana)
- Sugar: 6g (from the banana and optional chocolate chips)
This makes these cookies a great option if you’re looking for something to fuel you through the day. The combination of fiber, protein, and healthy fats will keep you satisfied for hours, making them an excellent choice for breakfast or a post-workout snack.
Customization Ideas: How to Make These Cookies Your Own
Add More Toppings
While the base recipe is fantastic on its own, you can take these cookies to the next level with a few customizations. Here are some ideas to make them even more delicious:
- Add dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates for a chewy texture and a burst of sweetness.
- Chopped nuts such as walnuts or almonds will add a satisfying crunch and boost the healthy fat content.
- Coconut flakes can add a tropical twist, giving your cookies a more exotic flavor.
Make It Gluten-Free
If you’re following a gluten-free diet, you can easily adapt this recipe by using certified gluten-free oats. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so you don’t need to worry about any hidden gluten sources.
Substitute Peanut Butter
If you have a nut allergy or simply don’t like peanut butter, you can substitute it with other nut butter like almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
Storing Your Banana Bread Cookies
These cookies are perfect for meal prep or a make-ahead snack. Here’s how to store them:
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay fresh and chewy, making them an ideal snack to grab throughout the day.
- Refrigeration: If you want to extend the shelf life, you can store the cookies in the fridge for up to a week. Just make sure they’re in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
- Freezing: These cookies freeze beautifully! Simply place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, just leave them at room temperature for a few hours.
Why You Should Try Banana Bread Cookies
Banana Bread Cookies are the perfect combination of convenience and flavor. They’re a healthier alternative to traditional cookies and offer a wholesome way to satisfy your sweet tooth. The bananas provide natural sweetness, while the oats offer fiber and long-lasting energy. Peanut butter adds protein and healthy fats, making these cookies a well-rounded snack. Whether you’re baking them for a quick treat or meal prep, they’re sure to be a hit in your household.
If you’re looking for more delicious and healthy snack recipes, check out these options:
- Banana Bread Bar Brownies: A Sweet Twist on a Classic Favorite
- Winter Wonderland Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies
- Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies: Irresistibly Gooey
These recipes are perfect companions to your Banana Bread Cookies, offering a variety of delicious options for any occasion!
Print
Banana Bread Cookies – A Healthy and Delicious Snack
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Banana Bread Cookies are the perfect blend of healthy and indulgent! Made with ripe bananas, oats, peanut butter, and a dash of cinnamon, they are soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. Plus, they come together in just 17 minutes, making them an easy and nutritious snack for any time of the day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, rolled oats, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Stir until the mixture is well combined. If using chocolate chips, fold them in gently.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop about 1-2 tablespoons of the dough and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon to form cookie shapes.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Enjoy these soft and chewy Banana Bread Cookies as a healthy snack or dessert. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!
Notes
- For an extra burst of flavor, try adding a handful of walnuts or raisins.
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond or cashew butter for a different taste.
- These cookies freeze well! Store them in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Banana Bread Cookies, Healthy Banana Cookies, Peanut Butter Banana Cookies, Easy Oatmeal Cookies, Soft Banana Cookies, Banana Oatmeal Snack, Quick Healthy Cookies