Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas , mashed
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (or almond butter for richness)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
- 1/2 cup nut butter (almond, peanut, or cashew butter work great)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional mix-ins:
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans)
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (use sugar-free if preferred)
- 1/4 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) . Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas , maple syrup (or honey), applesauce (or nut butter), and vanilla extract . Stir until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
- Stir in the rolled oats , cinnamon , and salt until the mixture comes together.
- Fold in any optional mix-ins like nuts , chocolate chips , or dried fruit .
Step 4: Form the Cookies
- Scoop about 1–2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and drop them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Use a fork or your fingers to gently flatten each cookie slightly (they won’t spread much during baking).
Step 5: Bake the Cookies