Some snacks are to tide us over until the next meal. Other times we snack because we’re bored. (Guilty!) Then there are those snacks that are meant to give you the fuel you need to conquer a hike, workout, or maybe even that report you’ve been dreading writing for work. This peanut butter banana oatmeal cookie recipe is perfect for powering you through the day. With a mix of peanut butter, flaxseeds, bananas and some of your favourite trail mix additions, these peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies really do the job. The oats make them fabulously chewy, and also gives them that stick-to-your-ribs staying power we love from a bowl of warm oatmeal (or vegan baked oats). These cookies are filling enough for breakfast, but thanks to the natural sweetness of the banana and some maple syrup, they taste like a treat. Win, win.
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Multitasking cookies. Unlike chai sugar cookies and s’mores cookies, these aren’t just cookies that satisfy a sweet tooth! (Although yes, they do that too.) Have them for breakfast, snacks, or any time of day. Make them your own. Peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies are completely customisable so feel free switch up the ingredients! I really wanted a crunchy, salty, and sweet trail mix vibe, hence the dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, pepitas, and pretzels, but as long as you keep the proportions the same, you can add whatever you like. Easy to make. This is a simple dough to mix up and it makes drop cookies that need no chilling before baking. They’re easy as can be!
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
Old-fashioned oats – Be sure to use gluten-free certified oats if you want to ensure these peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies are gluten-free. Sea salt Baking powder Cinnamon and nutmeg – These give the cookies warm, cozy flavour. Ground flaxseeds – A fantastic binder for vegan cookies, as we know from using flax eggs. Mashed bananas – Mashed banana also works as a vegan egg replacement. It adds sweetness and flavour to these cookies, too. Peanut butter – Or use another nut butter or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. Maple syrup Mix-ins – I use vegan white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, chopped pretzels, and pepitas.
How to Make Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Prepare. Preheat your oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Make the dough. Whisk together the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients. Fold in the mix-ins. Form the cookies. Use 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie and pat them into shape on the prepared pan, leaving some space between them. Bake. Place the pan in the oven on the top rack and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Cool. Let the peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking mat, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Tips for Success
Pat the cookies firmly into shape. Use a bit of pressure to form the cookies so they hold together well. Don’t overbake. To maintain that chewy texture, you don’t want to over-bake these peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies. Keep an eye on them as they near the end of the baking time, especially if your oven tends to run hot. Press the pretzels in just after baking. If you want to add whole pretzel twists to the tops of the cookies like I did, press them in gently as soon as they come out of the oven, while the cookies are still soft and pliable.
More Mix-In Ideas
Chocolate. Try semisweet chocolate chips or a chopped dark chocolate bar. Nuts. Add chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts for extra crunch and flavour. Dried fruit. Swap out the cranberries for raisins, cherries, or chopped dried apricots. Seeds. Sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or hemp seeds are great additions for extra protein and texture. Coconut. Shredded coconut or coconut flakes add a tropical twist to these peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies.
How to Store
Place the cooled peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to a week.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
Set the peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place it in the freezer; once they’re frozen through, transfer them into a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them, allow the cookies to thaw at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds for a warm treat.
More Healthy Snack Recipes
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Enjoy friends! If you make this peanut butter banana oatmeal cookie recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
