Description
These Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies are a delightful treat combining the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with wholesome oats. Perfectly soft and chewy with a hint of cinnamon, these cookies can be customized with chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins for extra flavor and texture. Ideal for a healthy snack or dessert, they are easy to make and sure to satisfy your cookie cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 medium banana)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or raisins
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy, which helps create a light texture.
- Add Egg, Vanilla, and Banana: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and mashed banana until all are fully combined, incorporating moisture and flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening and spice.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Incorporate Oats and Optional Add-ins: Fold in the old-fashioned oats along with any optional chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins for added texture and taste.
- Shape Cookies: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading while baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers remain soft and chewy for that perfect bite.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set properly.
Notes
- You can substitute old-fashioned oats with quick oats if needed, but the texture will be slightly different.
- For a vegan version, replace butter with coconut oil and egg with a flax egg.
- Adding nuts or chocolate chips enhances flavor but can be omitted for a simple version.
- Store cookies in an airtight container: they stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature or can be frozen for longer storage.
