These Healthy Banana Cookies are easy 3-ingredients oatmeal cookies perfect for using your ripe bananas and serving as a healthy snack. They are packed with 3.5 grams of protein for only 72 Calories. It’s a healthy way to enjoy sweet treats in the afternoon and feel full quickly while fueling your body with healthy fats, fibers, and protein.
I have a thing for super-simple cookie recipes, like my 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies, 3-Ingredient Almond Flour Cookies, or 3-Ingredient Thumbprint Cookies. All of these are ridiculously easy to make, but they are treats.
I wanted today to make cookies that are not just treats but are also a good-for-you snack that can help with recovery, post-workout cravings, and boost protein intake. Turns out they are fantastic!
Ingredients and Substitutions
You only need 3 base ingredients to make the cookies, but they are so versatile that you can add many optional ingredients.
- Mashed Banana – Banana acts as a natural sweetener and binder. Use ripe bananas with black spots for the best flavor and texture.
- Peanut Butter – This adds protein, healthy fats, and creaminess. You can also use almond butter, sunflower seed butter (for nut-free), or cashew butter.
- Quick Oats – They provide structure and fiber. You can also old-fashioned oats coarsely pulsed or gluten-free oats for a GF option.
Optional Add-Ins for Flavor:
- Chocolate Chips – For a rich, indulgent twist.
- Dried Fruit – Add dried cranberries or raisins for bursts of natural sweetness.
- Spices & Extracts – Vanilla extract or cinnamon for warm, comforting winter flavors.
- Coconut Sugar – For extra sweetness if needed. Substitute with maple syrup or agave syrup (adjust oats if batter becomes too wet).
- Seeds or Nuts – You can enhance the texture and nutrition of the cookies with chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or chopped nuts.
How to Make Healthy Banana Cookies
This recipe is super simple to make in a few steps. Here’s how in pictures.
Mash the bananas in a mixing bowl.
Add the peanut butter, oats, and any of the optional ingredients.
Stir the batter until sticky and form cookie dough balls with a cookie scoop.
Bake the cookies for 10-13 minutes at 350 °F (180 °C).
Carine’s Baking Tips
I have a few more tips to help you make the best cookies:
- Use the Right Banana Size – Ensure the banana is medium-sized (about 1/2 cup mashed). If it’s larger, the dough may become too wet. Adjust by adding more oats 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Quick Oats Consistency – If using rolled oats, pulse them in a food processor 2-3 times to achieve the right texture.
- Mix Thoroughly – Ensure the banana and peanut butter are well combined for a uniform dough.
- Portion Control – Use a tablespoon to scoop evenly-sized cookies, or even better a cookie scoop. This helps with even baking.
- Adjust Cookie Shape – Flatten for a crispier texture or leave tall for a soft, chewy center.
- Bake on Parchment – Lightly oil the parchment paper to prevent sticking without adding unnecessary fat.
Serving Ideas and Variations
This recipe is amazing because it is very forgiving. You can add many add-ins to the dough and it will still work.
- Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies – Mix in 1/3 cup of dark chocolate chips for a comforting treat.
- Trail Mix Cookies – Add dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped nuts for texture.
- Nut-Free Option – Use sunflower seed butter and toss in seeds or dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Holiday Twist – Add cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice for fall flavors.
- Energy Boost – Mix in chia seeds, flaxseeds, or hemp seeds for a boost of protein and fiber (and vitamins and omega fatty acids).
Nutritional Highlights
This recipe makes cookies that are much better for you than classic Banana Cookies. Here’s why
- High Fiber & Protein – Quick oats and peanut butter deliver fiber and protein for more energy on longer efforts and to help recover from a workout.
- Low-Calorie – Each cookie is a small, satisfying snack at just 72 calories per cookie.
- Naturally Sweetened – Ripe bananas bring sweetness without added sugar.
- Allergy-Friendly – These cookies are really easy to make gluten-free with GF oats or nut-free with sunflower seed butter. And they work just the same!
Meal Prep and Storage
You can store your cookies in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge. They can also be frozen in a single layer in Ziploc bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before eating.
Because of this, it’s one of these recipes where you can make 2 or 3 batches at once and store many cookies. What I like to do is to triple the base recipe and add different add-ins to the dough cut it into 3, and cook them on 3 baking sheets. If you do that, make sure to rotate the sheets in the oven for even baking.
More 3-Ingredient Cookies
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Healthy Banana Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 medium Banana - ripe, black spots on the skin, mashed (note 1)
- ¼ cup Peanut Butter (Unsalted) - (note 2)
- 1 ¼ cup Quick Oats - (note 3)
Optional for flavors
- ⅓ cup Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips - or dried raisins/cranberries for flavor
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Sugar - for sweetness
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F (180 °C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Lightly oil the paper with cooking oil spray. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe banana.
- Stir in peanut butter, quick oats, and the optional ingredients if used. Stir until it forms a sticky cookie dough.
- Scoop one tablespoon of the batter and release it on the prepared cookie sheet, leaving them a thumb apart. Flatten the top with lightly oiled fingers if desired, or keep them tall to keep the cookie's moisture in the center. They won't expand in the oven.
- Bake the cookies for 10-13 minutes at 350 °F (180 °C) until golden brown on the sides.
- Let them cool down on a cookie rack for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack.
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