These cookies were inspired by a variety of Pinterest ideas, since making my banana flax pancakes I've loved the idea of such simple, natural snacks. These cookies are a long way from the chocolate chip cookies in brightly coloured packages you buy in the shops but they are so healthy, satisfying and good for a quick fix. It took me a little while to adjust my untrained palette to appreciate a cookie which isn't filled with sugar but the ripe banana really did add a lovely sweetness and I enjoyed the soft texture.
I decided to try two different flavours, peanut butter and chocolate chip. The chocolate chip recipe is my favourite because it adds some extra sweetness, however the peanut butter is deliciously rich and tastes very indulgent. You could play around with the sweetness by adding maple syrup/ honey, dried fruits or other varieties of chocolate.
I'm really excited by this whole "mashed banana" baking concept, I'd love to try some more recipes like this maybe with seom other fresh fruits added or even some spices like cinnamon and nutmeg!
This week I have officially started a three-week vegan and gluten-free diet plan, I have been following both diets non strictly for a while now but I have never actually done more than a week without sneaking in a weekend breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast or a quick naughty piece of chocolate. I decided ages ago that I wanted to do a three-week stretch and then see how I feel afterwards. I'm excited about it because it has kick started a fresh wave of creativity and made me try fun little recipes such as these cookies!
I'll keep you updated on how it goes over the weeks, I know a lot of my vegan blog friends will be happy I'm giving it a go! :) hopefully I will feel very refreshed and detoxed by the end!
Banana and Oat Cookies
2 Ripe Bananas
1 Cup Gluten Free Oats
1/2 Cup Flax Seeds (optional)
2 tblspn Dark Chocolate Chips (check its vegan) or/and 2 tblspn Chunky Peanut Butter
Mash the bananas in a bowl with a fork then add the oats, flax if using it and either your chocolate chips or peanut butter. Mix everything so completely combined then shape into a cookie and bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 180c.
These are soo simple!! They're delicious fresh out of the oven when the chocolate chips are still melting but they will also store in an air tight container in the fridge for 3 days.
Have you tried any recipes like this before? Do you have any suggestions for other ways to use mashed banana in baking?
