I don’t know about you, but banana bread always reminds me of Saturday mornings at my grandma’s house. She’d whip up a loaf, and the smell alone was enough to pull me out of bed.
These soft banana bread cookies?
They’re my way of bottling up that cozy feeling into a treat that’s just a little lighter but every bit as comforting.
Whether you’re sneaking one with your coffee or handing them out as after-school snacks, they’re a sweet little hug in cookie form.
Chef’s Tips
- Banana ripeness matters: The riper the banana, the sweeter your cookies will taste. Think freckled bananas, not green ones!
- Oat flour trick: Don’t have oat flour? Just blend rolled oats in a food processor until fine.
- Add-ins swap: Dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, or coconut flakes make great substitutes for chocolate chips.
- Make them vegan: Swap honey for maple syrup and use a plant-based nut butter.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies warm with a drizzle of almond butter on top or enjoy them straight out of the fridge for a chewy snack. They’re perfect for brunch platters, lunchbox treats, or a quick dessert.
Healthy Soft Banana Bread Cookies
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A cozy twist on banana bread in cookie form! These gluten-free, lightly sweet treats are perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups gluten-free oat flour
- 1/4 cup almond butter (or any nut butter)
- 1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Optional: 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Stir in almond butter, honey, applesauce, and vanilla extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the oat flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix!
- If you’re feeling fancy, toss in the chocolate chips or nuts.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon; these won’t spread much.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
For a softer texture, underbake slightly and let cool on the tray.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Dessert, Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
