3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies are made with rolled oats, mashed bananas, and chocolate chips. They are quick to make, take just 20 minutes from start to finish, super easy, and absolutely addictive. A naturally gluten-free and vegan cookie recipe that your whole family will love!
If you’ve tried my almond joy breakfast cookies or my pumpkin breakfast cookies, you already know that cookies for breakfast are a very real thing.
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While you’ll often find me opting for high-protein breakfast options like protein pancakes or cottage cheese toast, sometimes it’s just gotta be cookies for breakfast (or as a healthy snack!). Similar to enjoying baked oats or oatmeal pancakes, this is an easy oatmeal recipe that tastes like you’re eating dessert!
Unlike a more traditional oatmeal cookie, this recipe uses just oats, bananas, and chocolate chips. It’s like eating a bowl of oatmeal, only in cookie form (although if you feel like making cookie cookies, these cranberry walnut oatmeal cookies are to die for!).
Why you should make this recipe
- So satisfying: They make the perfect breakfast or power snack throughout the day. They’re filled with healthy carbs, good-for-you grains, and a bit of chocolate just for good measure.
- Super delicious: The only challenge with these banana breakfast cookies is not eating the entire tray! But hey, sometimes a girl needs a few extra cookies (joking, not joking!).
- Quick & easy to make: The other great thing about these healthy breakfast cookies is how fast they come together. They only have three common ingredients and you only need one bowl. Score!
- Perfect for meal prep: I like to make a double batch on Sunday and use these as after-school snacks and for lunch boxes throughout the week.
Ingredients needed
The best part about this healthy oatmeal banana cookie recipe? They’re easy to make, take only 20 minutes, are made in one bowl and you may just have all 3 ingredients in your kitchen! You’ll need:
- Bananas: Use two ripe bananas to get the natural sweetness and true banana flavor in these cookies.
- Oatmeal: For the best texture, be sure to use a combination of rolled oats and quick oats.
- Mini chocolate chips: Adds sweetness and delicious chocolate flavor. We like semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use milk or dark chocolate, if preferred. Feel free to use dairy free chocolate chips.
How to make this recipe
You’ll find yourself making these cookies often. Why? Because they are so easy to make and so yummy. Here’s the simple method:
- Prep & mash bananas: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper or coat with some cooking spray. Using the back of a fork, mash bananas in a medium bowl until they are broken down.
- Mix in oats: Add in oats and gently stir until all of the oats and bananas are mixed together and look like a thick cookie batter.
- Add chocolate: Sprinkle in the chocolate chips and mix until well combined.
- Shape cookies & bake: Scoop one heaping tablespoon of the dough into your hands and form into a cookie. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool and enjoy!
Expert tips
- Use ripe bananas: The riper, the more brown-speckled the banana, the better your cookies will taste. I also recommend using fresh, not previously frozen, thawed bananas.
- Try your favorite mix-ins: dried fruit (raisins and cranberries), chopped nuts (almonds or pecans), or peanut butter chips. You can even add chia seeds or ground flax, a dash of cinnamon, or a bit of vanilla extract.
- You will need to use a combination of quick oats and old-fashioned oats in this recipe. Quick oats are slightly more processed and will soak up more of the wet ingredients, thus creating a better texture. If you don’t have quick oats on hand, no worries! You can make your own (see note at the bottom of the recipe). Another option is to let the mixture sit for about 20 minutes to let the oats absorb the moisture.
- These cookies don’t spread while baking, so form them into a cookie shape before placing them on the sheet pan and baking.
Storage tips
- Storing leftovers: Keep cookies stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Freezing instructions: Cookies can be frozen up to 3 months, then thawed overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes To Enjoy:
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3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies (with chocolate chips!)
Ingredients
- 2 medium bananas
- 1.5 cups oatmeal I used 1/2 cup rolled oats and 1 cup quick oats
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a Silpat mat or coat with some cooking spray. Using the back of a fork, mash bananas in a medium bowl until they are broken down.
- Add in oats and gently stir until all of the oats and bananas are mixed together and look like a thick cookie batter.
- Sprinkle in the chocolate chips and mix until well combined.
- Scoop one heaping tablespoon of the dough into your hands and free form into a cookie*. Place on cookie sheet and continue until you have 12 cookies.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until set through and lightly golden. Cool and enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: Keep cookies stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Freezing Instructions: Cookies can be frozen up to 3 months, then thawed overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
- Oats: Be sure to use a combo of quick and rolled oats in this recipe. Quick oats are more finely ground up whole oats, so they are slightly powdery. They are sold right next to the whole rolled oats. You can also make quick oats at home – simply measure 1 cup of whole oats and pulse in the blender or food processor about 5 times.
- Can I use steel-cut oats? I don’t recommend it. They are too hard and will not soften enough.
- Baking Instructions: These cookies will not spread in the oven, so be sure to form them into a cookie before placing them on a baking sheet.
Comments
Sue says
I absolutely love these! They have been a life saver for me as I’ve had to change my diet. . I have been using all old fashioned oats and adding walnuts. So healthy and yummy!
Dani Spies says
I’m so glad, Sue! And I love the addition of walnuts… yum!
Denise says
Recipe was great. I added a little apple sauce for moisture
Melissa says
How much applesauce did you add by chance?
Becky says
I made these yesterday and they are delicious. My 2 youngest grandboys( 2 & 1 yr old loved them ) Thank you for sharing all of your recipes. I love them
Kathryn Pearson says
What a delicious and healthy treat. I’m enjoying with my Sunday coffee. I can’t emphasize enough how good they taste! These are plenty sweet, you won’t miss the sugar. I added an extra banana. So three banana’s 1.5 cups oats, I just ground old fashioned oats, and a splash of vanilla. I pressed the chocolate chips on the tops of the cookies, so they would have an even distribution of chips.
Kate says
Couldn’t be more simple or delicious!!! Amazing!!
Jess says
On a weekly rotation. Sometimes I add peanut butter. YUM!
Julia Brogan says
Can you use instant oatmeal in place of quick oats?
Dani Spies says
YES!
Sandra Travis says
I LOVE this recipe. I only have old fashioned oats and steel cut. I used the old fashioned the cookies had a thick oatmeal texture.
Dani Spies says
Thanks for the review! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Cara says
Great recipe! My family prefers these cookies instead of granola bars, and I love that they are so simple to make and healthy. We love them as a hiking / camping snack or a quick breakfast.
Christine says
I just made these cookies and I really like them. I used chopped walnuts instead off chips. They are so easy to make. I love the fact the there is NO SUGAR! Next time I make these I am going to add peanut butter. Thank you for this healthy recipe.
M says
What a simple and healthy way to use up my really ripe banana! I halved your recipe since I had only one banana, and its even better refrigerated. Thank you for sharing this surprisingly delicious recipe.
Fern says
I loved this recipe! I recently switched to WFPB eating to conquer heart disease and this one of the first “dessert” recipes I tried. I will subscribe to your videos on UTube.
Becky says
I made these and my family liked them but we used peanut butter like a frosting on them and we thought that was even better. Will make again .
nancy Bynumm says
These turned out GREAT! I love them!
Dani Spies says
I’m so glad they were a hit! Thanks for coming back to let me know.
Melissa says
This may be a silly question, but what brand of “mini” chocolate chips do you use that are “clean?” By clean, I mean no bad oils. Thank you!
Dani Spies says
Hi Melissa! Enjoy life has exactly what you are looking for – > https://amzn.to/3TXArlK
Melissa says
Thank you so much! Can’t wait to make these. ☺️
Jennifer says
Pretty good for the limited ingredients. I love that they are clean cookies. I’ll e having mine for Breakfasts! I added cacao nibs in a few and they are good.
Dani Spies says
Thanks, Jennifer! So glad you enjoyed them and I love the addition of cacao nibs.
Dalton says
I been making these for a few years. 3 naners, 1.5c oats, 1/4c chips,1/4c peanut butter and 1/4 c of blueberries. So amazing. Even my 14 year old daughter has gotten into making them.
Dani Spies says
Oh yum! I just love how versatile this recipe is!Thanks for sharing.
Constantina Zlemaris says
I absolutely love this recipe. Not only is it simple, it’s fast and it’s delicious!! I make them probably every 2nd day or 3 Rd how fast they get eaten up! Thank you so much for this amazing recipe!
Dani Spies says
It’s my ypleasure! I am so glad you are enjoying this recipe – it really is a good one! So easy and so delicious.
Kim says
Hi Dani, I’m always on the hunt for good grab-and-go breakfasts, especially since I’m trying to stop eating processed food like protein bars. These look easy, healthy, and like they’ll keep me going all day long! I can’t wait to try them!
Dani Spies says
Enjoy them, Kim!
Carrie says
These are so good and the add-in possibilities are endless! Thank you!
Dani Spies says
My pleasure! So glad they were a hit, Carrie.
Danita Arnold says
Can i use all quick oats
Dani Spies says
Yes! Quick oats will work for this recipe.
Genevieve C says
While I love the basic recipe, I’ve added to suit my nutritional needs by adding hemp hearts, and chopped, toasted pecans, vanilla and sea salt for added flavor ! I make these at least once a week. They’re a hit with family. Thank you much !!!
lindsay says
perfect recipe. simple, and tasty. thanks!
Sylvia says
Can o use frozen bananas and if so how much? 1 cup of smashed bananas?
Dani Spies says
Yes, frozen bananas would work! The measurements would be the same.