These Easy Banana Oatmeal Cookies are perfect for a quick snack, breakfast, or activities like hiking and camping. This recipe only requires one bowl to mix the batter and the cookies can be stored for days or frozen.
I used to be a pretty active backpacker and hope to pick it up again once my son gets a little older. One of my friends gave me the recipe for these Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Banana Cookies for hiking and camping.
Why I Love This Recipe
These cookies are sturdy enough to be in a backpack without getting smashed and stay fresh for days, just like my Dehydrated Pears or Dehydrated Strawberries. They also have oatmeal, banana, and chocolate for a nice energy boost.
But...these aren't just for hiking. I recently made a double batch of these for a campout with 20 adults and 8 kids and they were a hit! We ate them for breakfast, snacks, and dessert for 3 days along with my Kitchen Sink Cookies.
What makes these cookies "healthy"?
Because these have bananas and oatmeal in them they are great for breakfast similar to my Oatmeal Fig Bars with Coconut. And because they are cookies, they also work for a snack or dessert.
This recipe is called "healthy" because it has applesauce instead of oil and natural sugar instead of processed sugar. You can omit the butter and/or the chocolate chips altogether if you are really looking to cut back on calories.
How to Make Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Step 2: Put the butter and applesauce in a stand mixer or large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until mixed together. Don't worry if it looks curdled, it will smooth out as you add additional ingredients.
Step 3: Add the sugar, bananas, vanilla, and eggs and continue to beat at medium speed. Next, add the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and continue beating until just combined.
Step 4: Stir in the oats, chocolate chips, and nuts with a spoon or spatula.
Step 5: Drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet with a cookie scoop or spoon.
Step 6: Bake for 10 to 14 minutes until golden on the edges. Cool on a wire rack.
You Can Also Make Banana Oatmeal Muffins!
This batter is so versatile you can make muffins with it as well! Same oven temperature, just a different pan. I made some super cute mini muffins for my campout and they turned out perfectly.
I may have put a little cream cheese frosting on one of them...don't tell! And just like their cookie counterpart, they are pretty sturdy and made it through car camping chaos.
Super Fast and Easy Cream Cheese Frosting
To make the cream cheese frosting, place 1 cup of softened cream cheese in a stand mixer or mixing bowl and beat at medium speed. Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add 2 cups of confectioners powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, until nice and smooth. Add 1-2 tablespoon heavy cream or milk to get your desired consistency. Frost and enjoy!
Expert Tips For This Recipe
- Make sure you give these cookies plenty of room to spread out on the baking sheet, they like to spread out!
- Store these cookies in an air-tight bag or container. They will stay good for several days.
- You can make these cookies or muffins and freeze them for later. Once they have cooled completely, place them in a sealable bag or container and freeze for up to 6 months.
More Delicious Recipes to Check Out
If you get a chance to make these Banana Oatmeal Cookies, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Equipment
- spatula
- cookie scoop or large spoon
- parchment paper or silicone mat
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temp
- ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 cup raw cane sugar (turbinado)
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (can sub almond flour, see notes)
- 1½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups quick oats
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Put the butter and applesauce in a stand mixer or large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until mixed together. Don't worry if it looks curdled, it will smooth out as you add additional ingredients.
- Add the sugar, bananas, vanilla, and eggs and continue to beat at medium speed. Next, add the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon and continue beating until just combined.
- Stir in the oats, chocolate chips, and nuts with a spoon or spatula.
- Drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet with a cookie scoop or spoon. These will rise and spread so give each one some room.
- Bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Notes
- Make sure you give these cookies plenty of room to spread out on the baking sheet, they like to spread out!
- Store these cookies in an air-tight bag or container. They will stay good for several days.
- You can make these cookies or muffins and freeze them for later. Once they have cooled completely, place them in a sealable bag or container and freeze for up to 6 months.
- You can substitute almond flour for all-purpose flour for these cookies. Just note that they will be slightly more crumbly, but still taste delicious!
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Leslie says
Excellent cookie recipe to try!
Kay says
A great afternoon snack for a boost of energy!
Connie says
Love these guilt-free banana cookies!
jill says
I loved making these for my family and feeling like it was something good for them! Thanks for sharing!
Emily says
That's so great to hear, I love making them for my family as well!
Alexandra says
These make such a great on the go breakfast option! Delicious!
Emily says
They really do!! Such a delicious option.
Amy says
I love oatmeal cookies! Great snack for my daughter to take to school too.
Emily says
Yes, they hold up so well it's perfect for backpacks!
Audrey says
These are so great for kids.
Emily says
They are perfect for kids...and adults too 😉
Sunrita says
Love this as a Sunday breakfast idea! So good and loved by all!
Emily says
Thanks, Sunrita, such a good idea for a Sunday morning!
Sue says
Ok these are a must try! Enough of a cookie to be a treat, and no one needs to know how healthy they are! Pinning!
Emily says
Thanks, Sue, I'll never tell!!