These 3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies prove that simple ingredients can create the most satisfying treats. With just ripe bananas, oats, and a pinch of salt, you'll have warm, chewy cookies that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen!
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🍪This recipe eliminates the guesswork from cookie baking with just three pantry staples!
My 2 Best Tips For 3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Banana Ripeness: Choose bananas with plenty of brown spots and soft flesh for the best results. Overripe bananas mash easily and provide maximum sweetness, reducing the need for added sugars. If your bananas aren't quite ripe enough, you can speed up the process by placing them in a paper bag overnight or microwaving them for 30 seconds to soften.
Baking Technique: These cookies won't spread much during baking, so shape them how you want them to look when finished. Press each cookie down gently to about ¼ inch thickness for even baking. Watch carefully during the last few minutes of baking—the edges should be golden brown but the centers should still look slightly underdone for the perfect chewy texture.
I intentionally leave small, pea-sized banana lumps when mashing for the perfect cookie texture. These little chunks create delightful pockets of concentrated sweetness and moisture that burst with flavor as you bite into the finished cookies.
I try not to overmix the batter once the oats are added, as this can make the cookies tough. Stir just until the oats are evenly coated with mashed banana and no dry spots remain, keeping the mixture rustic and chunky rather than perfectly smooth.
You can eat these cookies straight from the cooling rack as a wholesome breakfast or afternoon treat! I love pairing them with some Greek yogurt and fresh berries, or spreading a bit of almond butter on top for extra protein and richness.
🩷 Melissa
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3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup oats (either quick or rolled oats)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, peel the bananas and mash them thoroughly with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth with a few small lumps remaining.
- Add the oatmeal and salt to the mashed bananas. Stir the mixture well until all ingredients are fully combined and the oatmeal is evenly coated with the mashed bananas.
- Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart. Once placed, flatten each cookie slightly using the back of the spoon or your fingers, until they're about ¼ inch thick.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown and they are firm to the touch.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
How To Make Gluten Free Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or light greasing.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, mash 2 ripe bananas until mostly smooth.Add oats and salt to the bananas, mixing well.
Step 3: Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart, and flatten slightly.
Step 4: Bake for 15 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and cookies are firm.
Step 5: Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, enjoy your banana oatmeal cookies!
Recipe FAQs
Look for golden-brown edges and a firm texture when gently pressed with your finger. The cookies should no longer look wet or shiny on top. They'll continue to firm up as they cool.
Yes, thaw frozen bananas completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. Frozen bananas are often even sweeter and easier to mash than fresh ones, making them perfect for this recipe.
Make sure your bananas are ripe enough to mash completely smooth. Underripe bananas won't bind the oats together properly. Also, let the cookies cool completely before removing them from the baking sheet.
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Jill
Great grab and go snack. Great grab and go breakfast. I'll sometimes throw in a handful of nuts or chocolate chips.