Get ready to discover your new favorite treat: the ultimate Banana Oatmeal Cookies. This recipe transforms simple, wholesome ingredients into irresistibly chewy and flavorful cookies that are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a healthy breakfast option, a satisfying afternoon snack, or a simple dessert, these cookies deliver every single time. Forget complicated steps and long ingredient lists; this is the most straightforward and delicious way to use up those ripe bananas on your counter.
We’ve crafted this recipe to be practically foolproof, ensuring you get soft, chewy cookies with wonderfully crisp edges. The natural sweetness from the bananas means you don’t need a mountain of sugar, and the oatmeal provides a fantastic texture and heartiness that will keep you coming back for more. They’re the kind of comforting, homemade goodie that makes your whole kitchen smell amazing.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Incredibly Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you can whip up a batch in no time. It’s the perfect recipe for beginner bakers!
- Wholesome Ingredients: Made with ripe bananas and hearty oats, these cookies are a snack you can feel good about eating.
- Perfectly Chewy Texture: We’ve perfected the balance of ingredients to create a wonderfully soft and chewy cookie that’s simply divine.
- Versatile and Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic base for all sorts of fun add-ins. Think chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit!
- Uses Up Ripe Bananas: It’s the most delicious solution for those spotty bananas you don’t know what to do with.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Cookies
The magic of these Banana Oatmeal Cookies lies in their simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need to bring these delightful treats to life.
For the Cookies:
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our cookies.
- Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: The star of the show, giving the cookies their signature hearty, chewy texture.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread perfectly.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds a touch of warmth and spice that complements the banana beautifully.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture, contributing to that chewy texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps the edges get delightfully crisp.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, holding everything together.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of good quality vanilla enhances all the other flavors.
- Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better! Overripe bananas with lots of brown spots are packed with sweetness and flavor. You’ll want them mashed well.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to bake the most amazing Banana Oatmeal Cookies. This process is straightforward and guarantees delicious results.
1. Preparation
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking. This also makes cleanup a breeze!
2. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set this bowl aside for later. Combining the dry ingredients first ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. This step incorporates air into the dough, which is key to a great cookie texture.
4. Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until they are just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Next, add the mashed ripe bananas and mix until everything is well incorporated. The mixture should be smooth and fragrant.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until they are just combined—be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and nobody wants that. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.
6. Bake to Perfection
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. For a different kind of sweet treat, you might also love this Cookies and Cream Skillet Cookie.
Expert Tips for the Best Cookies
Want to take your Banana Oatmeal Cookies from great to absolutely unforgettable? Here are a few expert tips.
- Use Very Ripe Bananas: The key to incredible banana flavor is using bananas that are heavily speckled with brown or even black spots. They are much sweeter and softer, making them perfect for baking.
- Measure Flour Correctly: To avoid dense cookies, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Don’t scoop directly from the bag!
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher cookies.
- Chill the Dough: If you have the time, chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking can result in thicker, chewier cookies that spread less.
Fun Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a wonderful canvas for your culinary creativity. If you love muffins, consider trying our Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins next!
- Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Cookies: A classic for a reason! Fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough before baking.
- Nutty Delight: Add a delightful crunch by mixing in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Dried Fruit Twist: For extra chewiness and sweetness, add 1/2 cup of raisins or dried cranberries.
- For a Decadent Dessert: If you’re looking for something truly special for dinner, why not try this Blackened Steak and Shrimp Alfredo?
How to Store Your Cookies
To keep your Banana Oatmeal Cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and chewy for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready for a treat.
They can be a healthier cookie option! They contain nutrient-rich oats and naturally sweet bananas, which can reduce the need for added sugars. Our recipe strikes a balance between wholesome and indulgent for the perfect treat.
Absolutely! Adding 1 cup of your favorite chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark) is a delicious and popular variation. Simply fold them into the dough as the last step before baking.
Yes, you can adapt this recipe to be gluten-free. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend and ensure that your rolled oats are certified gluten-free.
The key is to not overbake them. Pull them from the oven when the edges are golden brown, but the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set on the hot baking sheet. Storing them in an airtight container will also keep them soft and chewy.
The riper, the better! For the sweetest flavor and best texture, use bananas that have a lot of brown or black spots on the peel. They are softer and contain more natural sugar, which is ideal for baking.
They can be a healthier cookie option! They contain nutrient-rich oats and naturally sweet bananas, which can reduce the need for added sugars. Our recipe strikes a balance between wholesome and indulgent for the perfect treat.
Absolutely! Adding 1 cup of your favorite chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark) is a delicious and popular variation. Simply fold them into the dough as the last step before baking.
Yes, you can adapt this recipe to be gluten-free. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend and ensure that your rolled oats are certified gluten-free.
The key is to not overbake them. Pull them from the oven when the edges are golden brown, but the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set on the hot baking sheet. Storing them in an airtight container will also keep them soft and chewy.
The riper, the better! For the sweetest flavor and best texture, use bananas that have a lot of brown or black spots on the peel. They are softer and contain more natural sugar, which is ideal for baking.
Share Your Creations!
We are so excited for you to try this amazing Banana Oatmeal Cookies recipe! It’s a true crowd-pleaser that’s sure to become a staple in your baking rotation. If you make them, don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know what you think. And for more delicious recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest! We love seeing your culinary creations.
Banana Oatmeal Cookies: The Ultimate Chewy & Easy Recipe
The best Banana Oatmeal Cookies recipe! These cookies are incredibly soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. Made with ripe bananas and hearty oats, they're the perfect easy-to-make treat for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and both sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Add the mashed bananas and mix until well incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
For the best flavor, use very ripe, heavily speckled bananas.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Banana Oatmeal Cookies: The Ultimate Chewy & Easy Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and both sugars with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined. Add the mashed bananas and mix until well incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
