Satisfy your cravings with these easy and healthy 4-ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies! These versatile cookies are made with whole-grain oats and naturally sweetened with ripe bananas, they are perfect for a quick breakfast, a wholesome snack, or a guilt-free dessert. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, they’re ideal for clean-eating diets and allergy-friendly baking.
Healthy cookie recipes you can enjoy anytime are a win in my book. These chewy cookies are made with a simple base of bananas and gluten-free oats. The bananas in these gluten-free cookies double as a binder and a natural sweetener.
Cinnamon and vanilla extract give the taste of freshly baked banana bread, and optional mix-ins like walnuts and cacao nibs add crunch, flavor, and additional nutrition. Serve these 4-ingredient banana oatmeal cookies as breakfast cookies, a healthy snack, or dessert!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy recipe
- Simple ingredients (only 4!)
- No added sugar
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete ingredient list and instructions in the recipe card below.
Bananas - Overripe bananas produce the best results. The riper they are, they add more natural sweetness (think: brown bananas). Having bananas in your diet has several health benefits including dietary fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C.
Oats - Opt for certified gluten-free oats to avoid cross-contamination. This recipe uses quick oats but rolled oats (old-fashioned oats) can also be used.
Ground cinnamon - This warm spice adds sweetness and gives these easy 4-ingredient banana oatmeal cookies that have a banana bread flavor.
Vanilla extract - Pure vanilla extract is best for flavor and sweetness.
Optional mix-ins - For extra flavor or crunch in these healthy cookies, fold in cacao nibs, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, or chopped nuts.
Cookie variations
For extra flavor or crunch in these healthy cookies, fold in cacao nibs, semi-sweet or dark dairy-free chocolate chips, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, or chopped nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pecans.
How to make 4-ingredient banana oatmeal cookies
Before you start: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 1: Mash the banana with a fork in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Add oats, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt to the mashed banana. Stir with a rubber spatula until the oats mixture is evenly combined.
Step 3: Using a cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough and form it into a ball. Place the dough ball onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
Recipe tip
Don't have instant oats in the pantry? You can use rolled oats in this by pulsing them a few times in a food processor.
How to store
Store the 4-ingredient oatmeal cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Cookies can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Are you in the mood for some classic banana bread? Check out Brianna's gluten-free banana bread recipe!
More healthy dessert recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
4-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup gluten-free instant oats
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Optional Mix-in's
- 1-2 tablespoons cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup walnut pieces
- 1-2 tablespoons raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mash bananas with a fork. Add oats, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Add additional mix-in's if desired. Stir until oats are coated and mixture is evenly combined.
- Using a #40 cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop the batter and form into ball. Place onto baking sheet in even rows. Flatten each dough ball slightly with the palm of your hand for a slightly flatter cookie.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to sit on cookie sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Joy Follin
4 Ingredient Banana Bread Cookies: I tried making them and theyre great! Put in Carob Chips in place of Chocolate Chips (cant have chocolate) And they taste almost identical to choco chip banana cookies. This recipe is a keeper, I will be making them again. Had to put just a little gluten free baking flour to make dough so cut roll in balls, and thats all I had to do. They are delicious - perfect with coffee milk and juice as a snack : )
Tessa
Thank you, Joy! I appreciate it!!
Jill
So simple and yum. I tried a batch w raisins and a batch with mini chips. Both good. May mix next time. Appreciate that there is no added sugar. Really ripe bananas do the trick. Thanks for sharing.
Can these be frozen and then thawed to eat or heated??
Tessa
Thank you, Jill! Those mix-in's sound great too. I haven't tried freezing them, but if you give it a go, I'd love to hear how it worked out!
Donna
Just made, didn’t like. Doubled raisins & they didn’t seem cooked goin to make a butter icing to try and save.
puja
Drooling..Pinning and making this weekend!!! Thanks for sharing...
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Simple little cookies - so in looove! Easy and healthy - and we're on the same brain wave this week love! xo Beautifully captured Tessa. Hope you're staying warm!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I've got those 4 ingredients at my house all the time! I know what I'll be making!