Banana oatmeal cookies are soft, chewy and full of banana flavor. A family favorite!
We love using bananas in our recipes like banana pudding dip, banana donut holes , and these cookies.
At our house we either seem to never have enough bananas or way too many. The go in waves where they will eat several a day or none at all.
If I find myself having brown bananas that no one wants to eat, these cookies are the first thing I make.
Don’t get me wrong, I love ripe bananas for banana muffins , cake mix banana bread and fried bananas, but these cookies are irresistible. They are soft and chewy, taste like banana bread and easy to make.
What you need
Bananas – Use ripe bananas if you have them. The more ripe they are, the sweeter the taste. This recipe call for 3.
Old fashioned oats – I like using old fashioned oats but you can substitute with quick oats. The difference between them is the way they are cut. Old fashioned oats will give a chewier texture which I prefer in these cookies.
Other standard cookie ingredients – all-purpose flour, sugar, brown sugar, egg, baking soda and cinnamon.
How to make
Scroll the the bottom for full printable recipe, ingredients and video.
- Mix – Cream together brown sugar, sugar and softened butter until well combined. Add egg and vanilla and mix.
- Mash – Mash bananas and add them into sugar mixture. Use a fork or masher to get the right consistency.
- Dry ingredients – Whisk together flour, baking powder and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Add in with sugar mixture and mix until combined.
- Oats – Stir in old fashioned oats.
- Bake – Drop batter on prepared sheet pan about 1-inch apart. Bake for approximately 10 minutes.
- Cool – Cool on a wire rack and serve.
Tips for a great cookie
- Make sure to use softened butter.
- Use a small ice cream scoop for even sized cookies.
- Be sure not to over bake. You want the edges to just start turning light golden brown then they are ready to come out of the oven.
Variations
Try adding in other ingredients to make different versions of this banana oatmeal cookie.
- Chocolate chips
- Butterscotch chips
- Raisins
- Pecans or walnuts
How to soften butter
I try to place butter out an hour before baking but sometimes I just forget.
Some tips for softening quickly:
- Cut the butter into smaller cubes. This helps soften faster.
- Grate it with a cheese grater. The smaller pieces help it soften.
- Soften for a few seconds in the microwave. This would be my last choice because it can melt completely but in a pinch it works.
How to store
They will stay good for 4-5 days if kept in an airtight container at room temperature. They do not need to be refrigerated.
To freeze, let completely cool and place in a freezer safe bag for up to 3-4 months. Thaw at room temperature.
To freeze dough, put scoops of dough on a cookie sheet and freeze solid. Place the frozen scoops in freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw dough before baking.
More cookie recipes you might enjoy
- Soft Ginger Cookies – These are some of my favorite, especially over the holidays. Super soft and chewy.
- Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookies – Chocolate cookies with chocolate chips and Oreo pieces.
- Cherry Bon Bons – Sugar cookie dough wrapped around a cherry and covered in cherry glaze.
- Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies – Chewy cookies filled with cinnamon and oatmeal.
- German chocolate chocolate chip cookies – Chocolate chip cookies topped with a German chocolate cake frosting.
- Butterscotch Cookies – These old fashioned cookies are thin and chewy with great butterscotch flavor.
***If you made this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and rating below.
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed bananas about 3
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together butter, brown sugar and sugar.
- Mix in egg, vanilla and mashed bananas.
- Mix in flour, baking soda and cinnamon until combined. Stir in oats.
- Place spoonfull of mixture on cookie sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake for approximately 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack.
Excellent cookie! Flavor is deep and rich with banana and oats. I added chocolate chips and the flavor changed. I prefer them without the chips, nothing wrong with the chip flavor but I like the banana and oats flavor. I did add sliced almonds on top before baking and that enhanced the flavor but kept it real. The edges are flakey crispy and the inside is just the right amount of soft and chewy goodness. Super easy and quick to make and the ingredients are a staple in my home.
So happy you enjoyed them!
Ok, so all of the comments just said they “looked” delicious? I actually made them tonight. The recipe will need to be altered a bit to be a true cookie. If you are looking for banana bread in the shape of a cookie, then this recipe is for you. They are great for same day serving but not for a bake sale.
I’m scrambling my brain to try to figure out how to keep it soft and chewy, but still stuff like a cookie.
Very glad I gave it a try. I needed to get rid of these old bananas.
Please do not mistake my critique, they are delicious, but they have less structure than a muffin top and therefore cannot be labeled a cookie. More of a baked banana fritter. Which is definitely healthier!
I love oatmeal cookies and your banana oatmeal cookies look divine. I’d love to give it a try!
Banana oatmeal cookies looks delicious kids will love it have some ripe banana in my hand I am going to try it.
I am a big fan of banana flavor! I love how you incorporated healthy ingredients to make these cookies!
A cookie that tastes like banana bread? I’m in. This will probably become one of our family favorites.
These banana oatmeal cookies sound really delicious to me. I bet my kids would love them!
YUM! I think I’ll add some Chocolocate chips as you suggested. Thanks!
These look delicious! I am always up for anything with banana in it! Thanks for the recipe!
I love oatmeal cookies. I should try your recipe with bananas. Looks delicious!
These cookies look so yummy. I can’t wait to make them for my family.
Yum! These cookies look amazing and sound pretty easy to make. Definitely have to try before quarantine is over.
I can never seem to figure out the banana situation at our house, so a lot of times I need to bake something with our brown bananas. I’m excited to make these cookies, I think my family will love them!
You’ve inspired me. Will have to try this now, especially with my very own cookie monster.
Oh man, I bet these cookies are UNREAL!!! YUMMM!
These look amazing. We love our cookies! I don’t think I’ve ever tried any like this, so I’m excited to try them out.
These cookies look amazing! My kids don’t usually like oatmeal cookies, but I think adding the banana will have them reaching for more!
Okay, yep. Definitely baking these the next time we have “brown bananas” (as we like to call them). Might have to try them with chocolate chips as well because I love chocolate+banana combo!
Oh my hubs will love this recipe. I make stuff all the time with bananas and this would be perfect.
Banana is one of my favorite flavors. Can’t wait to make these!
My kids would love these. The chocolate chip oreo ones sounds amazing too!