3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies
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Published Sep 21, 2021, Updated Aug 06, 2023
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Banana oatmeal cookies made with just 3 simple ingredients. They’re vegan, gluten-free and perfect for an on-the-go breakfast or healthy treat.
It doesn’t get much better than cookies made with just three ingredients! You likely have everything in your pantry so you can make a batch whenever you need a simple breakfast or a healthy, delicious treat.
This recipe is definitely reminiscent of a bowl of oatmeal… but you’re eating it in cookie form which is pretty fun! Because these have such minimal ingredients, I give them to Liv too. She loves munching on them for breakfast or a snack. If you have older kiddos, this would be the perfect after-school snack for those hungry little bellies!
Healthy Breakfast Cookies
Cookies for breakfast? You better believe it! I refer to these cookies as “breakfast cookies” because they are packed with nutritious ingredients to keep you fueled all morning long. I kept them super simple so you can whip them up the morning of, or you can meal prep them ahead of time for a grab-and-go meal or snack.
What You Need
- bananas – make sure you are using ripe bananas! The riper the bananas the sweeter they’ll be. And you’ll be mashing them so you want them to pretty soft and caramel-y. The banana peels should be speckled with brown spots.
- quick oats – grab gluten-free oats if necessary! Quick oats are pre-cooked, dried, rolled and pressed slightly thinner than rolled oats which make them a great quick-cooking base for these cookies!
- chocolate chips – I recommend Lily’s chocolate chips which are low in sugar and calories. I also like Enjoy Life chocolate chips which are allergen friendly.
- optional add-ins – I kept these cookies super simple with just three ingredients but if you want to take these cookies to the next level, you can add in vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nut butter, sea salt, etc.
How to Make Banana Oatmeal Cookies
I bet you’ll find yourself making these cookies quite often because of how easy they are to make! Here’s how simple they are to make:
Mash: Mash bananas using the back of a fork. You want the bananas to have a fairly smooth consistency, but a few small chunks are okay.
Mix: Add in oats and gently stir until oats and bananas are fully combined and a thick dough forms. Gently stir in chocolate chips.
Scoop: Using a 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop mixture and place on baking sheet about 1 to 2 inches apart. These cookies don’t spread while baking, so make sure to press each ball into a cookie shape. Add a few extra chocolate chips on top if you prefer.
Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 12 – 15 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool a few minutes and enjoy!
Oatmeal Cookies Tips
- Shape the cookies – these cookies won’t spread during baking like traditional cookies do so make sure you shape them into a cookie before baking.
- Use ripe bananas – I mentioned this above but the riper and more brown-speckled your bananas are the better! Also, make sure you’re using fresh, not previously frozen and thawed bananas.
- Have fun with more mix-ins – try adding chopped nuts, dried fruit or other mix-ins of choice! The options are endless!
- Double the recipe – since these cookies freeze so well, I recommend doubling the recipe and storing some of the cookies in the freezer for a later date.
How to Store Leftovers
After allowing these cookies to cool completely, store them in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week or freezer for up to 3 months. If freezing, make sure to thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Try These Breakfast Cookie Recipes
- Sweet Potato Breakfast Cookies
- Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
- No Bake Protein Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Protein Cookies
- Blueberry Sweet Potato Breakfast Cookies
- Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
The Most Popular Cookie Recipes
- Healthy No Bake Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies
- Almond Crescent Cookies
- Cottage Cheese Cookies
- Almond Flour Cookies
- Monster Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, about 1 cup mashed
- 1 cup quick oats
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- Optional add-ins: ¼ tsp vanilla, ½ tsp cinnamon, 1 Tablespoon nut butter, pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Mash bananas using the back of a fork. You want the bananas to have a fairly smooth consistency, but a few small chunks are okay.
- Add in oats and gently stir until oats and bananas are fully combined and a thick dough forms.
- Gently fold in chocolate chips.
- Using a 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop mixture and place on baking sheet about 1 to 2 inches apart. Press each ball into a cookie shape and add a few extra chocolate chips on top if you prefer.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes.
- Remove from oven, let cool and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I truly couldn’t believe how delicious these turned out to be! I did add the cinnamon and salt she suggested as add ins. I also decided to put in 2 Tbsp of peanut butter powder and 1 Tbsp of water. These are more delicious than a traditional cookies, and with no sugar, butter, or flour! I plan on using them for a quick snack on the way to work.
Yay! I am so happy that you have enjoyed this recipe, Sue. Thank you for coming back and leaving your review + star rating, I appreciate it!
Great way to use up those super ripe bananas. (I use a potato masher to mash bananas). Made these using the suggested additions but substituted raisins for the chocolate chips. Taste really good and very easy and quick to make.
Thanks for trying this one out, Kathy! So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for leaving a comment and review, I appreciate it!
This is a great and delicious recipe. My 3 year old made these with me. Fun smashing the bananas, mixing and scooping. Fast, eady, nutritional and yummy! Thank you!
Woo! Love to hear that, Leah! So glad your 3-year-old could help you with these. Thanks for leaving a review and star rating, I appreciate it! 🙂
Can you use old fashioned oats instead?
Hey Sharon – Rolled oats should work just fine, the cookies might just be a bit chewier. Let me know how they turn out if you try them!
Have been waiting to make these with my toddler and finally got to it today. They were SO easy and super yummy. He loved helping and can’t wait to bring them for his snack at school tomorrow 🙂
So easy to make! I love how they are a healthy version of a cookie and help fill a sweet craving.
Yay! So glad you’re loving these cookies, Tia. I appreciate you coming back to leave a review, thank you!
I love how easy these were and that they are naturally sweetened with bananas! Healthy enough to have for breakfast. Will definitely make these again when I have ripe bananas.
Yay! I’m so happy these cookies were a hit for you, Audrey. Thank you so much for leaving a review and star rating, it means so much to me.
Wow, I love these!! I had low expectations because of the minimal ingredients (lol) but am tickled pink with the final result. I made the recipe as written, including add-ins. I would be happy eating these for dessert or potentially for a breakfast option (with an egg or fruit). Super easy to make as well (huge plus). My husband also loves them so I guess our batch won’t last long…thanks so much!!
Woo! Love to hear it, Emily. Than you so much for your review and star rating, I really appreciate it.
Love the simplicity of these! They satisfy my sweet tooth with ingredients that make me feel good! I added 3 tbsp of RX Vanilla Almond Butter and they were great!
Love when simple is still satisfying! Thank you for your review and star rating, Taryn, I really appreciate it!
Simple to make. Already had the ingredients on hand. Great way to use ripe bananas. Very tasty! I’ll try the add in next time. Thanks!
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe, Tami. Thank you for leaving a review and star rating, I really appreciate it 🙂
Our family loved making–and enjoying!–these healthy cookies today! We have made this cookie recipe in the past using just the 3 basic ingredients, and they turned out great! Today we prepared these cookies using ALL of the suggested add-ins (i.e., vanilla, cinnamon, sea salt, and almond butter), and they were fantastic!! We also added chopped walnuts as an extra mix-in. These cookies were just what we needed to satisfy a sweet craving in a healthy way! Thank you!
Yay! I love hearing this, Angela. I’m glad both versions worked out for you, thank you for sharing! I really appreciate your review.