Healthy Banana Monster Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Healthy Banana Monster Cookies are a delightful blend of wholesome ingredients and fun mix-ins. Packed with oats, whole wheat flour, and natural sweetness from banana and maple syrup, they make a nutritious treat everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (100g) instant oats (gluten-free if necessary and measured like this)
• ¾ cup (90g) whole wheat or gluten-free* flour (measured like this)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp salt
• ¼ cup (63g) mashed banana
• 2 tbsp (32g) homemade easy blender peanut butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120mL) pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp (28g) miniature chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp (28g) miniature M&Ms

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, stir together the mashed banana, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Then stir in the maple syrup.
3. Step 3: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
4. Step 4: Fold in 1 ½ tablespoons of miniature chocolate chips and 1 ½ tablespoons of miniature M&Ms. Let the cookie dough rest for 10 minutes.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
6. Step 6: Using a spoon and spatula, drop the dough into 15 rounded scoops on the prepared sheet. Flatten each cookie to your desired thickness and width.
7. Step 7: Gently press the remaining miniature chocolate chips and M&Ms onto the tops of the cookies.
8. Step 8: Bake at 325°F for 10-12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For a nut-free version, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini.
• Use gluten-free oats and flour to make these cookies suitable for a gluten-free diet.
• Try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the maple syrup slightly.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them longer, refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave if desired before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought peanut butter instead of homemade?

Yes, store-bought peanut butter works well. Choose a natural variety without added sugars or oils for a healthier option.

Can these cookies be made vegan?

Yes, these cookies are already vegan-friendly as they contain no eggs or dairy.

Healthy Banana Monster Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 61 reviews

These Healthy Banana Monster Cookies are a delicious and nutritious treat made with wholesome ingredients like oats, whole wheat flour, mashed banana, and natural sweeteners. Packed with the fun crunch of miniature chocolate chips and M&Ms, these cookies are perfect for a guilt-free snack or dessert that everyone will love.

• Author: Caleb
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 15 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup (100g) instant oats (gluten-free if necessary)
• ¾ cup (90g) whole wheat or gluten-free flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• ¼ cup (63g) mashed banana
• 2 tbsp (32g) homemade easy blender peanut butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120mL) pure maple syrup

Mix-ins

• 2 tbsp (28g) miniature chocolate chips (divided)
• 2 tbsp (28g) miniature M&Ms (divided)

Instructions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the mashed banana, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Then stir in the pure maple syrup to form the wet mixture.
3. Combine Wet and Dry: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and gently stir just until incorporated, being careful not to overmix.
4. Add Mix-ins: Fold in 1 ½ tablespoons each of miniature chocolate chips and miniature M&Ms into the dough. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes to hydrate.
5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
6. Shape Cookies: Using a spoon and spatula, drop the cookie dough into 15 rounded scoops on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each scoop to your desired thickness and width with a spatula.
7. Add Toppings: Gently press the remaining miniature chocolate chips and M&Ms into the tops of each cookie for a colorful and appealing finish.
8. Bake: Bake the cookies at 325°F for 10-12 minutes until set and lightly golden around the edges.
9. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• For gluten-free cookies, ensure to use certified gluten-free oats and flour.
• You can substitute the peanut butter with any other nut or seed butter if desired.
• Make sure not to overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• These cookies freeze well; store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Keywords: Healthy banana cookies, monster cookies, gluten-free cookies, peanut butter cookies, whole wheat cookies, maple syrup sweetened, healthy dessert