If you’re anything like me, finding a breakfast that’s both nutritious and delicious can sometimes feel like a tall order. Well, let me introduce you to this Healthy Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe that’s totally changed my morning game. These cookies are packed with wholesome ingredients, naturally sweetened, and perfect for grabbing on the go. I promise, once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever started your day without these little nutrition powerhouses!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Sweet and Healthy: These cookies get their sweetness entirely from ripe bananas and pure maple syrup—no refined sugar in sight.
- Loaded with Good-for-You Ingredients: With oats, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, and hemp hearts, they’re like a nutrition boost in cookie form.
- Perfectly Soft and Chewy: The texture is just right—not too cakey, not too crunchy—and stays tender even after a couple of days.
- Versatile and Easy to Make: Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or have other preferences, it’s easy to tweak this recipe to suit your needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Healthy Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe plays a key role in both flavor and nutrition. Plus, they’re mostly pantry staples that make whipping this up super easy.
- Ripe Bananas: These add natural sweetness and moisture—make sure they’re really ripe for best results.
- Natural Peanut or Almond Butter: Adds healthy fats and creaminess; I stick to natural nut butters without added sugar.
- Pure Maple Syrup: A fantastic natural sweetener that gives these cookies a slight caramel note.
- Egg or Flax Egg: Helps bind the cookie dough; flax egg is a great vegan option.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a hint adds depth and warmth to the flavor.
- Oat Flour: Easily made by blitzing oats in a blender, it keeps things gluten-free if you choose certified gluten-free oats.
- Flaxseed Meal: A powerhouse of omega-3s and fiber, plus it helps with the texture.
- Ground Cinnamon: Brings warmth and a touch of spice—don’t skip it!
- Baking Soda and Kosher Salt: These balance sweetness and help with rising.
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: Adds wholesome chewiness.
- Hemp Hearts and Chia Seeds: Nutritional superheroes that make these cookies extra hearty.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: A little indulgence that makes these feel like a treat.
- Chopped Walnuts (Optional): Adds crunch and a subtle nutty flavor.
- Flaky Sea Salt (For Topping): The finishing touch that balances sweetness perfectly.
Variations
I love making this Healthy Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe my own depending on the season or what I have on hand—you’ll find it’s super forgiving and adaptable, which I adore.
- No-Nut Version: Swap the nut butter for sunflower seed butter and skip walnuts for allergy-friendly cookies—I’ve done this for my niece and it worked beautifully!
- Extra Fruit Boost: Add dried cranberries or chopped dates for a chewy fruit twist—it’s a nice change when I’m craving something a little sweeter.
- Spice It Up: Mix in pumpkin pie spice in place of cinnamon for a cozy fall vibe—my family went crazy for this variation last autumn.
- Vegan Option: Use a flax egg and dairy-free chocolate chips to keep this recipe plant-based without losing any yumminess.
How to Make Healthy Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mash and Mix Your Wet Ingredients
Start off by mashing those ripe bananas really well in a large bowl—you want them almost pudding-like for the best texture. Then add your nut butter, maple syrup, the egg (or flax egg), and vanilla extract. I usually whisk these together until super smooth. This is where your cookie base gets that lovely creamy consistency, so don’t rush it!
Step 2: Stir in the Dry Ingredients
Next, toss in your oat flour, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Stir these so they’re just combined—overmixing can make cookies tough, so a few lumps are totally okay. Then fold in the oats, hemp hearts, chia seeds, chocolate chips, and walnuts if you’re using them. Let the dough rest for about 5 minutes; I discovered this trick helps the oats and seeds soak up moisture and thicken the dough just perfectly.
Step 3: Scoop, Shape, and Bake
Use a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons) to drop dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Give these some breathing space—around 2 inches apart—because they do spread a bit. Top each cookie with a few extra chocolate chips for that irresistible look. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-14 minutes until they’re set but still soft in the center; they might seem a bit underbaked when you take them out, but that’s exactly how you get that chewy texture.
Step 4: Cool and Enjoy!
Once out of the oven, sprinkle the cookies lightly with flaky sea salt—it’s a little flavor bomb that I can’t live without. Let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps them firm up without losing that tenderness.
Pro Tips for Making Healthy Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe
- Use Really Ripe Bananas: I learned the hard way that under-ripe bananas don’t provide enough sweetness or moisture—patience pays off with richer flavor!
- Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Letting the dough sit for a few minutes after mixing helps the oats absorb moisture, resulting in a chewier cookie.
- Watch Your Bake Time Closely: Take cookies out when they’re just set but still soft in the middle—that’s how you keep them tender after cooling.
- Flaky Sea Salt is a Game-Changer: Sprinkling just a touch on top balances the sweetness and really elevates these cookies.
How to Serve Healthy Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I always reach for flaky sea salt on top—it’s simple but brings a great contrast. If I’m feeling fancy, a light drizzle of almond butter or a sprinkle of extra hemp hearts adds a nice visual and flavor boost.
Side Dishes
These cookies are pretty filling on their own, but I love pairing them with a refreshing smoothie or a cup of Greek yogurt topped with fresh berries if I want a more substantial breakfast. It turns simple cookies into a balanced meal you actually look forward to waking up for.
Creative Ways to Present
For brunches or special occasions, I arrange these cookies on a wooden board layered with banana slices, little bowls of nut butter, and fresh fruit. It turns casual cookies into a fun, interactive breakfast spread—my friends always comment on how cute and delicious it looks!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them soft, I sometimes add a slice of bread in the container—it’s an old trick I picked up that actually works wonders.
Freezing
These banana breakfast cookies freeze beautifully! I like to freeze them on a sheet pan first, then transfer into a zip-top bag. When I want one, I just thaw it on the counter for 10-15 minutes or pop it straight into the microwave for a quick breakfast win.
Reheating
To warm up your cookies without drying them out, I heat them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a toaster oven lightly wrapped in foil. This revives their soft, fresh-baked texture every time.
FAQs
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Can I make this Healthy Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just make sure you use certified gluten-free oats and oat flour. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so you’re good to go.
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How do I make these cookies vegan?
Swap the regular egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water, mixed and rested for 5 minutes) and use dairy-free chocolate chips. This keeps the recipe vegan without compromising texture or flavor.
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Can I use other nut butters instead of peanut or almond?
Yes! Sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, or even tahini work well. Just make sure they’re natural and unsweetened for the healthiest results.
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How long will these cookies last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh for about 3 days. Refrigeration can extend their life up to a week but may change texture slightly.
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Can I add protein powder to boost nutrition?
Definitely! Adding a scoop of your preferred protein powder can make these cookies even more filling—just watch the dough’s consistency and add a splash of milk if it feels too thick.
Final Thoughts
This Healthy Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe is one of those rare finds that combines health, flavor, and convenience all in one. I love how easy it is to whip up a batch, and how versatile it is for different dietary needs or tastes. Honestly, these cookies have made my mornings way more enjoyable and stress-free—you’ll love them too. So grab those ripe bananas, and let’s get baking!
Print
Healthy Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-14 minutes
- Total Time: 25-29 minutes
- Yield: 15 cookies
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These delicious breakfast cookies are packed with wholesome ingredients like bananas, oat flour, and seeds, making them a nutritious and satisfying way to start your day. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and enhanced with chocolate chips and nuts, these cookies are easy to prepare and perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large extra ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup (128g) natural peanut butter or almond butter
- ¼ cup (78g) pure maple syrup
- 1 large egg or flax egg* (for vegan option)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (92g) oat flour
- 3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (95g) old fashioned rolled oats
- 2 to 3 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ⅓ cup (60g) semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus extra for on top of cookies
- Optional: ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
Topping
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, natural peanut or almond butter, pure maple syrup, egg (or flax egg for vegan option), and vanilla extract. Mix these thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add oat flour, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking soda, and kosher salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Then, fold in the rolled oats, hemp hearts, chia seeds, chocolate chips, and optional chopped walnuts. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes to allow the ingredients to hydrate properly.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet: Using a large cookie scoop, portion the dough into roughly 3-tablespoon balls and place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Top each with a few extra chocolate chips for garnish.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes or until the cookies are set but remain soft in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your wholesome breakfast cookies!
Notes
- To make these cookies vegan, substitute the regular egg with a flax egg and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Ensure bananas are very ripe for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Optionally, add chopped walnuts for extra texture and flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup to your liking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg