Healthy No-Sugar, No-Flour Cookies
Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas (mashed)
1 ½ cups rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
¼ cup almond butter (or peanut butter, cashew butter, etc.)
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
¼ cup dark chocolate chips (or raisins or cranberries for a natural sweet touch, optional)
¼ cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc. – optional)
1 tbsp chia seeds or flax seeds (optional, for added nutrition)
A pinch of salt
Instructions:
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
Mash Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, peel the bananas and mash them with a fork until smooth. This will give your cookies the natural sweetness and moisture.
Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the almond butter (or your choice of nut butter) and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir well to combine.
Add Dry Ingredients: To the banana mixture, add the rolled oats, cinnamon (if using), a pinch of salt, and any optional add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or seeds. Stir everything until fully combined.
Shape the Cookies: Scoop out spoonfuls of the dough and place them onto the baking sheet, about 1 ½ tablespoons per cookie. Flatten them slightly with the back of the spoon, as they won’t spread much during baking.
Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. The cookies should be firm when you gently press on them.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will firm up as they cool.
Optional Add-Ins for Extra Flavor or Texture:
Nuts: Chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans add crunch and healthy fats.
Seeds: Add chia seeds, flax seeds, or pumpkin seeds for extra nutrients.
Dried Fruit: Raisins, cranberries, or chopped dried apricots add chewiness and natural sweetness.
Spices: Nutmeg, ginger, or cardamom can give a warm, comforting flavor to your cookies.
Storage:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They can also be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
Why These Cookies Are Healthy:
No refined sugar: The sweetness comes naturally from ripe bananas.
No flour: Rolled oats replace the need for flour, offering more fiber and nutrition.
Nut butter: Provides healthy fats and protein, making these cookies more satisfying.
Customizable: Add seeds, nuts, and dried fruits to boost the nutrient content.
These healthy, flour- and sugar-free cookies are easy to make, delicious, and a great snack option when you want something guilt-free!