Peanut Butter Banana Oat Cookies: The Ultimate Healthy Vegan Treat
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Looking for a sweet treat that’s easy to make, tastes amazing, and still keeps things healthy? Look no further! This healthy Peanut Butter Banana Oat Cookies recipe check all the boxes.
They’re vegan, gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and ridiculously simple to whip up. You can make them in under 30 minutes with just five pantry staples. No need to sacrifice flavor when you’re treating yourself to these healthy vegan cookies. Plus, you’ll feel good about indulging in these wholesome bites.
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Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
- Simple and healthy. These cookies are made with just five ingredients, and they’re naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and a touch of maple syrup or brown sugar. You’ll feel great knowing you’re making gluten-free chocolate chip cookies that are delicious without being overly processed.
- Vegan and gluten-free. These cookies fit the bill for various dietary needs. By using gluten-free oats and dairy-free chocolate chips, they easily turn into vegan oat cookies.
- Quick and easy. No need for fancy equipment or complicated steps. This recipe is all about simplicity, making these the perfect flourless peanut butter cookies to whip up when you’re short on time but still craving something sweet.
The Health Benefits of These Peanut Butter Banana Oat Cookies
Sure, they’re cookies, but they’re also packed with healthy ingredients. Here’s why these healthy vegan cookies should be your new go-to treat:
- Bananas are full of potassium and provide natural sweetness, helping you avoid refined sugars.
- Peanut butter is loaded with protein and healthy fats, which will keep you feeling satisfied longer than regular sugary snacks.
- Oats are rich in fiber, keeping your digestion on track and helping to lower cholesterol levels.
- Dairy-free chocolate chips make these cookies fully vegan, and they add that rich, chocolatey goodness we all love.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Banana Oat Cookies
To make these delicious cookies, all you need are a few simple ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats (Use gluten-free oats for gluten-free cookies)
- ½ cup peanut butter (Opt for all-natural peanut butter with no added sugar)
- 1 ¼ cups mashed ripe banana (The riper, the better!)
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar (Or try xylitol for a sugar-free option)
- ½.
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl until smooth, then mix in the peanut butter until well combined.
- Stir in the oats and any sweetener you’re using. Fold in the chocolate chips, saving a few to sprinkle on top if you like.
- Scoop the dough into 12 balls using a cookie scoop and place them on the baking sheet. Press them down into your desired cookie thickness.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes for thinner cookies, or 10-12 minutes for thicker ones. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
- At room temperature: Store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: Keep them fresh for up to a week in the fridge.
- Freezing: These gluten-free chocolate chip cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature before enjoying!
- Nutty addition: Toss in some chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds for added crunch.
- Extra chocolate: Add more dark chocolate chips or even swirl in a tablespoon of cocoa powder to make them extra chocolatey.
- Fruit-filled: Mix in some raisins or dried cranberries for a fruity twist.
- Nut-free version: Swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter to make these cookies completely nut-free.
- Spices: Add a little cinnamon to amp up the flavor!
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- 2 cups rolled oats gluten-free, if needed
- ½ cup peanut butter natural, no added sugar
- 1 ¼ cups mashed ripe banana about 2 large bananas
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar optional, adjust for sweetness
- ½ cup semi-sweet vegan chocolate chips
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
- Add peanut butter to the mashed bananas and mix until well combined.
- Stir in the oats and sweetener (if using) until fully incorporated.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, saving a few to sprinkle on top if desired.
- Scoop the dough into 12 balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten them slightly with your hand. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top if desired.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes for thinner cookies, or 10-12 minutes for thicker ones.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For a nut-free option, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- You can skip the sweetener if your bananas are very ripe, as they will add plenty of natural sweetness.
- Feel free to add mix-ins like chopped nuts, dried fruit, or extra chocolate chips for variation.
- These cookies freeze well! Store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Storing Your Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Oat Cookies
Fun Variations for Your Vegan Oat Cookies
Want to mix it up a bit? Here are a few variations you can try:
FAQs
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes! Quick oats will give you a softer texture, while rolled oats make the cookies chewier. Both options work for this recipe.
Are these cookies freezer-friendly?
Definitely. Just let the vegan oat cookies cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Can I skip the sweetener?
Sure! If your bananas are super ripe, you might find them sweet enough on their own.
Can I substitute almond butter for peanut butter?
Absolutely! Almond butter or cashew butter is a great alternative and will give the cookies a slightly different, more subtle flavor.
Recipe Inspiration
This recipe was inspired by The Baking ChocolaTess. Check out her blog! She has some other vegan recipes and many that can be made vegan with simple adjustments!
The Cookie Conclusion
These healthy Peanut Butter Banana Oat Cookies are the perfect snack or dessert for any occasion. With a combination of oats, peanut butter, bananas, and chocolate, you get a cookie that’s both satisfying and good for you. Plus, the fact that they’re naturally vegan and gluten-free means they’re great for everyone.
So next time you’ve got some ripe bananas hanging around, give these gluten-free chocolate chip cookies a try! Trust me, they’ll quickly become your new favorite treat.