Description
These soft and cake-like Banana Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for breakfast or snacking. Made with ripe bananas, oats, and a hint of cinnamon, they bring natural sweetness and wholesome texture in every bite. Optional additions like walnuts or chocolate chips add extra flavor and crunch, while the recipe can be easily adapted for a healthier twist. Enjoy a comforting American dessert that’s simple to prepare and freezes well for future enjoyment.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup chocolate chips or raisins
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the mashed ripe bananas, the egg, and vanilla extract thoroughly until all wet ingredients are well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the banana mixture, stirring gently to form a consistent dough without overmixing.
- Add Oats and Optional Ingredients: Stir in the old-fashioned oats. If desired, fold in chopped walnuts or pecans and chocolate chips or raisins for extra texture and flavor.
- Form and Arrange Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they firm up without becoming soggy.
Notes
- These cookies have a soft, cake-like texture perfect for breakfast or a wholesome snack.
- For a healthier alternative, replace half the butter with applesauce or use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.
- Cookies freeze well for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
