Banana and Oat cookies - Simply the best treat for little (and not so little) ones

Ripe banana and rolled oats

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of finding new ways to bake healthy treats for children. How this treat managed to say off my radar for so long is a mystery. Take heart healthy oats, mix with a ripe banana and bake. That's it. You're done. This has quickly become a favorite of mine, my Mom friends and our course our kiddos.

I love baking with bananas. They have such a pure sweetness and with Happy Belly Smash Cakes we use bananas instead of sugar. I save my ripe bananas for baking - once they don their speckles and the flavor becomes rich and floral I know it is time. Not to mention, they are a nutrition powerhouse. Full of potassium, fiber, and B6 they are great for bone and heart health. Oats are another fantastic food, high in fiber and rich in antioxidants they can also can protect against childhood asthma.

For this recipe take your ripe banana, and add in oats until it is about the consistency of oatmeal. Then mix together with a fork. To fuel your creative fire, add in a few more mix ins. I really like a sprinkle of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla. Dried fruits are great and you could add flax meal or fresh fruits too.

This is one large ripe banana with about a 1/2 of oats. 

Once they are mixed spread into small bite shapes on a lined baking sheet. I like parchment paper or you could use a silicon sheet or a greased plain sheet. These are sticky so be generous. Any shape works. If these are for an early eater a finger sized shape is great for easy grabbing.

I got about 6 treats - I flatten them with my fork to encourage even cooking

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 mins. The are done when the oats are golden and soft. Allow to cool completely on the sheet then transfer to an air tight container (or to hungry tummies).

Oats are golden, treats are soft and holding together perfectly.

I just love mason jars. But not in my diaper bag - let's get real this is how I store these treats.

Same treat with dried cherries 

These will last 2 days at room temperature and up to 5 days in the fridge. You can freeze them after baking too - just thaw on a rack at room temperature. Since they are so quick to make I recommend making them in small batches and eating fresh.

Enjoy! Coming up next week is more natural baking tips - I'm tackling all natural food dye!

Banana Oat Treats - yield 6
1 overripe or ripe banana
1/3 cup of oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Optional mix ins - dried fruits, fresh fruits, flax meal - whatever you desire!

Mash banana in a bowl with a fork. Add in oats and mix until combined
Spread into bite size treats onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicon mat.
Bake 15 mins at 350
Store in an airtight container once cool