Description
These Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies are a delicious and wholesome treat combining the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with hearty oats. Soft and chewy with a hint of cinnamon, these cookies make a perfect snack or dessert, with optional mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts for added flavor and texture.
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 the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream the 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 fully combined, ensuring the mixture is uniform.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- 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.
- Fold in oats and optional add-ins: Gently fold in the old-fashioned oats and any optional add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins for added texture and flavor.
- Shape cookie dough: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden while the centers remain soft and chewy for the perfect texture.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they firm up without losing moisture.
Notes
- For best results, use ripe bananas as they provide more sweetness and moisture.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option, but the texture may be slightly denser.
- Optional mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins add variety and extra flavor to the cookies.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be soft in the center when taken out of the oven as they will continue to cook slightly while cooling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
