I’m so excited to share this Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe with you! It’s one of my favorite ways to kickstart a busy morning without sacrificing taste or nutrition. These cookies are perfectly soft, lightly sweetened with honey and ripe bananas, and packed with wholesome oats and nuts to keep you energized till lunchtime.
What makes this Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe really stand out is how quick and easy it is to throw together, especially when you’re juggling a morning routine. They bake up beautifully with a gentle cinnamon touch and just the right amount of chocolate chips (or raisins) to satisfy your sweet tooth without being overwhelming. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to keep a batch ready in your fridge or freezer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Convenient: These cookies are ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy mornings or snack time.
- Wholesome Ingredients: Made with oats, bananas, and nuts—no refined sugar or artificial stuff here.
- Kid-Approved: My family goes crazy for these, and they’re a sneaky way to sneak some fruit and fiber into their day.
- Customizable Flavor: Swap the nuts or sweeteners to suit your taste or dietary needs easily.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I’ve found that the magic of this Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe comes from using just ripe bananas and a mix of oats and nut butter. Each ingredient plays a role in creating moist, flavorful cookies that hold together without added flour.
- Quick oats: These help keep the cookies chewy with a lovely texture—you want quick oats, not instant or steel-cut.
- Cinnamon: Just a pinch enhances the natural sweetness and adds warmth to the flavor.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These work together to give a gentle lift—don’t skip either!
- Salt: Balances sweetness and deepens flavor.
- Mashed bananas: Ripe and even overripe bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture that bind everything perfectly.
- Peanut butter: Your go-to nut butter works great here—adds protein and richness. Almond or sunflower seed butter are good alternatives if you need a swap.
- Honey: A touch of natural sweetness that keeps these cookies wholesome.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor with a mellow sweetness and extra depth.
- Chopped pecans: For crunch and nuttiness—you can switch to walnuts, almonds, or skip if you prefer.
- Chocolate chips or raisins (optional): I love chocolate chips, but raisins also make a nice chewy surprise.
Variations
One of the things I love most about the Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. A few swaps here and there can make it fit any dietary preference or mood perfectly.
- Add-ins Galore: I sometimes toss in shredded coconut or swap pecans for walnuts just to keep things interesting.
- Nut-Free Version: If nuts aren’t your thing, try using sunflower seed butter and swap chopped seeds for nuts.
- Sweetener Swap: When I want a different sweetness level, maple syrup works wonderfully instead of honey.
- Boost the Protein: Adding a scoop of your favorite protein powder leads to an even more filling breakfast cookie.
How to Make Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until everything’s well combined. This helps the leaveners distribute evenly and prevents clumps in your cookies.
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
In with your mashed bananas, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. I usually mash the bananas super well so they mix smoothly. Stir everything together until you get a sticky, uniform dough that’s ready for the next step. The dough will feel thick but not dry—if it’s too wet, just add a few more oats.
Step 3: Fold in Nuts and Chocolate Chips
Fold in the chopped pecans and chocolate chips (or raisins) gently to spread those tasty bits evenly throughout the dough. This is where the cookies get their fun mix of textures and little bursts of flavor in every bite.
Step 4: Shape and Bake
Using a scant ¼-cup measuring cup, scoop twelve dollops of dough onto your baking sheet. Flatten each cookie gently with your hand or the back of a spoon — this helps them bake evenly and get that perfect chewy texture. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes until edges look set but cookies still feel soft to the touch. Let them cool fully on the sheet before moving them to a container to keep that moisture locked in.
Pro Tips for Making Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe
- Perfect Banana Ripeness: Use bananas that are heavily spotted or even just turning brown for the best sweetness and moisture.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir just until combined to keep the cookies tender, overmixing can make them dense.
- Flatten Evenly: Flattening the dough balls ensures they bake uniformly and have a lovely chewy texture.
- Cool Completely Before Storage: This step helps prevent sogginess inside your container and keeps cookies fresh.
How to Serve Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top right when the cookies come out of the oven—it’s an unexpected little boost that makes the sweetness pop even more. Sometimes I add a few extra chocolate chips on top before baking for a pretty, melty finish.
Side Dishes
Pairing these with a hot cup of coffee or your favorite tea makes mornings feel luxurious. For a more filling breakfast, add a Greek yogurt or a piece of fresh fruit alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
For weekend brunch or special occasions, I like stacking these cookies on a platter with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey on top. They also make fantastic grab-and-go breakfast gifts wrapped in parchment and tied with twine.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep mine in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, but honestly, they rarely last that long! For longer storage, the fridge works well too, just remember to warm them slightly before enjoying.
Freezing
Freezing is a game changer for Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe. I freeze mine in a single layer on a tray first, then transfer them to a zip-top bag so they don’t stick together. They thaw quickly at room temperature or you can microwave for about 15 seconds to warm up.
Reheating
To reheat leftover cookies, I recommend 10-15 seconds in the microwave or pop them in a toaster oven for a few minutes. They come out soft and chewy again, just like fresh from the oven.
FAQs
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Can I use old bananas for this Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Overripe bananas with dark spots or even fully brown skins work best—they’re sweeter and easier to mash, which helps make the cookies moist and sweet naturally.
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Are these cookies gluten-free?
They can be if you use certified gluten-free oats. Just make sure all your other ingredients, like baking powder, are also gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
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Can I substitute peanut butter with another nut or seed butter?
Yes! Almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter all work great. Just use jarred or homemade nut butter that’s smooth for the best texture.
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How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container, they keep fresh for about 3 days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated. Freezing extends freshness up to 3 months.
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Can I make these in advance for meal prep?
Definitely! This Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe is perfect for prepping ahead. Bake a batch and freeze what you don’t eat to quickly grab in the mornings.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how these Banana Breakfast Cookies Recipe come together—simple, wholesome ingredients that taste delicious and keep me full all morning. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how satisfying a cookie could be for breakfast! If you’re looking for an easy, tasty option to kick off your day or fuel an afternoon break, I highly recommend giving these a try. You’ll have a new favorite that’s as versatile as it is delicious.
PrintBanana Breakfast Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Banana Breakfast Cookies are a quick and wholesome treat perfect for a nutritious start to your day. Made with mashed bananas, oats, nut butter, and a touch of honey, they are naturally sweetened and loaded with fiber and protein. With optional chocolate chips or raisins, these cookies offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures, baked to a soft and chewy perfection.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups quick oats
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed banana (from approximately 2 large or 3 medium overripe bananas)
- ½ cup peanut butter (or your favorite nut or non-nut butter, like almond butter or sunflower seed butter)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ½ cup chopped pecans (or your favorite nut)
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (or raisins, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the quick oats, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Wet Ingredients and Add-ins: Stir in the mashed banana, peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, chopped pecans, and chocolate chips until all ingredients are well incorporated into a sticky dough.
- Form Cookies: Using a scant ¼-cup measuring cup, scoop out dough portions onto the prepared baking sheet, forming 12 cookies. Flatten the tops of each cookie gently with the back of a spoon or your fingers to ensure even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 14 to 16 minutes, until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges.
- Cool Completely: Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool fully on the baking sheet to firm up before transferring them to an airtight container for storage.
Notes
- You can substitute the peanut butter with almond butter or sunflower seed butter for different flavors or to accommodate allergies.
- For a vegan version, replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Feel free to omit nuts and chocolate chips if you want a nut-free or simpler cookie.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Use overripe bananas as they provide the best natural sweetness and moisture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg