My grandma had a daycare when I and my children were growing up. I remember as a teen, helping grandma in the daycare and smelling the sweet smell of her banana oat cookies. Oh my word, those banana cookies were delicious! The daycare could be bustling with craziness, but the second that first batch of cookies was pulled out of the oven and children caught a whiff of those delightful morsels, everyone was suddenly on their best behavior.
If you’ve been reading my posts, you know I have a crazy sweet tooth. I love any kind of food that is sweet! And grandma’s cookies definitely satisfied that urge. My sweet tooth has been ramping up this last week and my kids just happen to mention grandma’s banana cookies the other day and that’s all it took for my taste buds to whirl into overdrive and team up with my craving for sweets. I’ve been craving these yummy bites ever since. But I’ve been trying to cut down on the processed sugar I eat and focus on eating healthier.
If you read my post about making and using date paste, you know this is a completely viable option for such a craving. There are a lot of recipes out there for banana oat cookies, but none that taste as good as my grandma’s. Even so, I was determined to make a healthier version of them to satisfy both my love for grandma’s banana cookies and my sweet tooth.
I’m excited to report that I not only made a recipe that is almost duplicative of grandma’s banana cookies, I also made one that cuts out processed sugar AND butter! Double WIN!!! I also replaced half of the all purpose flour with garbanzo bean flour, which has been my new favorite protein flour, making these a great treat that is also packed with wholesome goodness and protein. These tasty bites would even be great for a healthy breakfast on the run!!!
If you’re finding yourself curious, I invite you make them. They’re delicious and nutritious!!!
Healthy Banana Oat Cookies
4 bananas, mashed
1 cup date paste
2 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup garbanzo bean flour
2 cups old fashioned oats
Mix everything except the flours and oats in a large bowl. Add the flours and stir well. Add the oats and stir until a semi-thick dough forms. Scoop the dough in dollops onto a greased cookie pan or stone and bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees f.
This recipe makes approximately 3 dozen small cookies that are delightfully tasty and guilt free!
Let me know if you make them and what you think!
Food Crush Cooking Connection 