When I was a kid, my mom would always make these amazing cookies that were basically like little pouches of happiness. And I loved them. But as I got older, I stopped eating them because I thought they were “too unhealthy.”
Flashforward to a few years ago, when I decided to give them another try. But this time, I made some adjustments to make them a bit healthier- like swapping out the white sugar for maple syrup, and using applesauce in place of butter. The result? Delicious, wholesome cookies that I could feel good about eating.
And let me tell you- they’re SO easy to make. You just need one bowl, and about 10 minutes of prep time. Then all you have to do is pop them in the oven and wait 15 minutes for them to bake.
So if you’re looking for a tasty and healthy cookie recipe, then I highly recommend giving these Banana Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies a try!
Ingredients Overview For Banana Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies
Bananas
- Bananas are a great ingredient for this recipe because they are naturally sweet and provide a lot of moisture. This helps keep the cookies from being too dry or crumbly.
Whole Oats
- Oats are a great source of fiber and they help give the cookies some substance. Plus, they make them nice and chewy!
Applesauce
- This is my substitute for butter or oil in this recipe. It adds moisture and helps bind all the ingredients together. I like to use unsweetened applesauce, but you can use sweetened if that’s what you have on hand.
Mix-ins of Choice
- I like adding things like chopped dates, nuts, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, or dried fruit to my cookies for some added flavor and texture. Feel free to add whatever mix-ins you prefer!
Maple Syrup/ Dry Sweetener (Optional)
I don’t usually include a sweetener in this recipe, since the bananas and applesauce provide enough sweetness. However, if you want your cookies to be a bit sweeter, then feel free to add some maple syrup or dry sweetener of your choice.
Ingredients Measurements
DRY INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups Whole Oats
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1/4-1/2 (total) cup Mix-ins of choice: Chopped Dates, Nuts, Chocolate Chips, Coconut, Dried Fruit, etc.
WET INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup Mashed Bananas, very ripe (about 3 bananas)
- 1/2 cup Applesauce
- 1/4 cup Maple Syrup or Dry Sweetener Optional
Directions For Banana Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176C).
- Mash bananas well in a medium-sized mixing bowl. I like to use a bean masher for this step.
- Mix in applesauce until fully incorporated.
- Stir in oats and cinnamon until combined. If the mixture appears too wet, add more oats until desired consistency is reached.
- Add mix-ins of choice, if using, and optional sweetener (if desired).
- Use a medium-sized cookie scoop to form rounds onto a baking sheet fitted with a nonstick liner. Flatten each round slightly with your dampened hand, to the thickness you prefer (this will help them hold their shape while baking).
- Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
- Remove from oven and let cool on tray for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Ingredients Substitutions
- If you don’t have any applesauce, you can use melted coconut oil or butter as a replacement.
- Other mix-ins that work well in this recipe are nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or chopped dark chocolate. You could also add spices such as ginger or nutmeg for a bit of extra flavor.
- To make these cookies gluten-free, just use certified gluten-free oats and your favorite gluten-free flour instead of the whole oats.
- For added sweetness, feel free to add maple syrup or honey to taste. You could also use coconut sugar if desired! Happy baking! 🙂
Also Read : Overnight Protein Oats Recipe
Storage instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
These delicious and healthy Banana Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. They’re also vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar free. So if you’re looking for a tasty and guilt-free cookie recipe, then be sure to give these a try! 🙂
