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    Home » Real Food » Snacks » Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies

    Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies

    By Kristen Chidsey | 35 Comments | Published January 23, 2020 | Updated March 4, 2021 *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Naturally-sweetened, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly, these Banana Oatmeal Cookies satisfy your sweet tooth but are still make a perfectly healthy, balanced snack. In fact, you can even enjoy these cookies for breakfast!

    You won't believe how delicious these Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies are! Made with dates, applesauce, ripe bananas, and oats, these cookies satisfy your sweet tooth yet make a perfectly balanced snack or breakfast. 

    Naturally-sweetened, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly, these Banana Oatmeal Cookies are full of fiber and nutrients and only require 5 ingredients to make.

    3 banana oatmeal cookies stacked on top of each other.

    Why These Cookies are Healthy

    Wouldn't it be nice if we could eat warm cookies out of the oven morning, noon, and night?

    I am right there with you! And that is why I know you will love these Banana Oatmeal Cookies, as they are healthy enough to even enjoy for breakfast!

    These cookies contain no oil, no sugar, no dairy, no nuts, no corn, no gluten, and are made with whole grains and fruit. But do NOT let the list of healthy ingredients scare you off.

    They are still moist, tender, chewy, and perfectly sweet. And while Banana Oat Cookies do not have the traditional buttery richness of a traditional Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, these healthy cookies certainly satisfy your sweet tooth and are a wholesome treat perfect for any time of the day!

    Notes on Ingredients

    • Bananas: The riper the banana, the sweeter the cookie! So this is the time to use up those brown bananas.
    • Dates: Be sure to purchase WHOLE DATES as chopped dates have been coated in cornstarch and sugar. If you can't find dates, feel free to use raisins in their place. The cookies won't be quite as sweet, but still delicious.
    • Applesauce: Be sure to use unsweetened applesauce or homemade applesauce to keep these cookies refined sugar-free.
    • Oats:  You can use quick cook oats or old-fashioned oatmeal for this recipe. Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if you have a gluten sensitivity/allergy.

    Step-By-Step Directions

    These Banana Oatmeal Cookies are incredibly easy to make, in fact, they are one of the first recipes my kids made all on their own.

    • Soak the dates. Dates can be a bit hard when taken out of their packaging, but if you soak in hot water they soften up perfectly and are much easier to blend into the cookie batter. I recommend soaking the dates in hot water for at least 10 minutes. If you soak longer than 30 minutes, the soaking liquid becomes sweet and is a fabulous addition to pancake batter, used to sweeten coffee or oatmeal.
    • Process the batter. Add the oats, bananas, dates, applesauce, vanilla, and cinnamon to a food processor fitted with an s-blade to blend the cookies. This helps give these cookies a more cookie-like consistency.  
    • Portion out an equal amount of dough. It is important that all of your cookies are the same size so that they bake evenly. Use either a small cookie scoop or tablespoon measuring spoon, scoop out cookie dough using the onto a baking sheet. Use your hands to roll into small balls and then slightly flatten. These cookies won't spread, so you don't have to worry about spacing them out far apart.
    Banana Oat Cookies on baking sheet ready for oven.
    • Bake until golden. Bake the cookies in a preheated oven until the tops are nice and golden.
    Oatmeal Date Cookies on bakng sheet from oven.
    • Cool. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack and cool completely before enjoying.
    Top view of banana oatmeal Cookie next to cookie sheet and blue napkin.

    How to Store

    Once your cookies are baked, cool completely, and then place them into an airtight container. You can store these cookies at room temperature for up to 24 hours, after that store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe storage container.

    Recipe Modifications

    • Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a decadent surprise.
    • Sweet Potato Oatmeal Cookies: Add ⅓ cup sweet potato puree, ¼ cup dried cranberries, and a pinch of nutmeg to the batter. No other changes need to be made.
    • Raisin Banana Oat Cookies: Replace 1 cup of the dates with 1 cup of raisins. This variety is also delicious with the addition of ½ cup chopped walnuts.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can you use frozen bananas to make these cookies?

    This is a great recipe to use frozen bananas. Simply microwave 3 frozen bananas until completely defrosted and mash well. There is no need to drain off the sweet liquid that may form after heating the bananas.

    What is the texture of this cookie like?

    Banana Oatmeal Cookies are very chewy and soft. If you would like a more traditional texture, process the cookie dough until the oats and dates are completely broken down and combined into bananas and applesauce.

    Can these be made without a food processor?

    Yes! The cookies will have a bit more texture, but instead of using a food processor, finely chop the dates after soaking and then mix them together with the applesauce, mashed bananas, oats, and cinnamon.

    Do I need to grease the cookie sheet?

    These cookies contain no oil so it is best to bake them on a nonstick pan or a pan lined with parchment paper so they don't stick the pan.

    More Recipes Using Dates

    I often find it is more cost-effective to purchase a large bag of whole dates than it is to buy in smaller amounts. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 6-8 weeks once the package has been opened. While perfect in this recipe for Banana Oatmeal Cookies, they are also fabulous in many other recipes.

    • Homemade Larabars
    • Homemade Granola Bars
    • Bacon-Wrapped Dates
    • No-Bake Apple Pie Granola Bars

    If you gave this Healthy Breakfast Cookie a try, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. 

    3 Banana Oatmeal Cookies Stacked next to cookie sheet.

    Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies

    Naturally-sweetened, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly, these Banana Oatmeal Cookies satisfy your sweet tooth but are still make a perfectly healthy, balanced snack. In fact, you can even enjoy these cookies for breakfast!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 18
    Calories: 61kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup whole, pitted, dried dates
    • 3 ripe bananas mashed well
    • ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • 2 cups oats quick or old fashioned
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Soak dates in 1 cup hot water for at least 10 minutes to soften (and up to 3 hours). Drain dates from soaking liquid. 
    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • In a food processor fitted with a metal s-blade, pulse the bananas, applesauce, dates, and cinnamon together until well combined.  Add in the oats and pulse until just combined. 
    • Drop the cookie batter by rounded tablespoons onto a nonstick or parchment-lined cookie sheet. Roll each cookie into a ball and then gently flatten. Space the cookies out by ½ inch.
    • Bake for 13-15 minutes or until just golden.
    • Remove cookies from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheet on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Remove cookies from the tray and cool completely.

    Equipment Needed

    • Food Processor
    • medium cookie scoop
    • Cookie Sheet

    Notes

    No Food Processor? If you do not have a food processor, chop up the soaked dates, and then mash together with bananas, applesauce, cinnamon, and oats. You will have a chunkier, cookie. 
    Dates: Be sure to use whole, pitted dates that have ave not been coated with sugar.  If you can't find whole dates, raisins will work as well, but the cookies will not be as sweet. 
    Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Cookies: Feel free to stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips to the prepared cookie dough right before baking. 
    Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if you need these cookies to be gluten-free. 
    Cookie Sheet: These cookies contain no oil so it is best to bake them on a nonstick pan or a pan lined with parchment paper so they don't stick the pan.
    Storage: Store at room temperature for 24 hours in an airtight container and up to 5 days refrigerated. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was originally published in 2017 but was updated in 2020 with new tips and a video.

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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tinah

      November 18, 2021 at 12:05 pm

      What is the function of the applesauce? Can I leave it out or substitute?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 18, 2021 at 1:13 pm

        It will help to sweeten and bind the cookies together. You can replace with additional mashed banana.

        Reply
    2. CJ

      November 14, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      Instead of chocolate chips, I'd like to add unsweetened cocoa powder for a little chocolate taste. How much can be added in order not to affect consistency of the batter?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 14, 2020 at 2:24 pm

        I would add no more than 1/4 cup. Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Gargi

      November 05, 2020 at 1:18 pm

      Can I substitute the applesauce with date paste?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 05, 2020 at 2:39 pm

        Hi Gargi! I think the dates may overpower the cookies since they are already one of the main ingredients. Instead, I would suggest using extra bananas.

        Reply
    4. karen a barber

      February 26, 2020 at 6:30 pm

      I will have to make this healthy yummy snack, but for now, I really want to say I love your little girl she is so sweet and confident making this recipe.
      My granddaughter helps me prep, I need to step her up a few notches like your daughter!
      Thanks so much for sharing....Hug that little sweety for me, please!
      Nona

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 27, 2020 at 7:34 am

        You are so sweet!! Thank you! My daughter will love hearing how this inspires you to cook more with your granddaughter!

        Reply
    5. Danielle

      February 25, 2020 at 12:03 pm

      5 stars
      Just stumbled across this recipe while looking to clarify one I had been given shorthand from someone else- I’m loving the simplicity of the recipe and real ness of the ingredients without them being overly .. “crunchy granola mom.” Thanks for helping me find healthy and yummy recipes to feed my kids!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 25, 2020 at 1:58 pm

        Awe, I am so glad you found my site and are so far enjoying my recipes. I hope you find many more here to enjoy.

        Reply
    6. Karen pearce

      January 26, 2020 at 8:46 pm

      I am making these this week. Thinking of adding powdered peanut butter to them. I love PB and banana. Not putting in dates. Wondering how much I should add and how it might effect calories per cookie? Or if you already have a similar recipe?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 27, 2020 at 7:03 am

        Hi Karen, if you aren't using dates, this recipe would work with raisins. But It will not work with these ratios by completely omitting. If you are looking for a more traditional cookie/bar you may want to make my Peanut Butter Banana Bars--they are still a bit healthier, but don't have dates in them 🙂

        Reply
    7. Janelle

      January 20, 2020 at 5:14 pm

      Can you please tell me how long these keep and should they be stored at room temperature or fridge.
      Thanks in advance

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 20, 2020 at 6:32 pm

        Hi Janelle! Banana Breakfast Cookies can be stored at room temperature for 2 days in an airtight container and up to 5 days refrigerated. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. 

        Reply
    8. Taylor

      November 02, 2019 at 9:19 am

      5 stars
      Love that there's no added sweeteners in these cookies! Healthy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 02, 2019 at 11:05 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed this healthier treat Taylor!

        Reply
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