Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies Recipe

These banana oat breakfast cookies are a healthy, great way to start your day with a delicious breakfast. They’re easy to make with wholesome, fresh ingredients, and the taste is out of this world! It's like eating a bowl of oatmeal, but in cookie form! Kids love them because they get cookies for breakfast, but adults love them too… well, because we get cookies for breakfast!

Why I Love This Recipe

My boys love when I make breakfast cookies. And I love making them for them because it’s a healthy, quick breakfast that is deceptively delicious. Besides, who’s going to turn down cookies for breakfast?

These healthy banana oat cookies are easy to make with wholesome ingredients like bran flakes and dried oats and they contain no extra added sugar! They’re also easily customizable! Add extras like chocolate chips, fresh berries or ripe peach pieces for extra flavor. 

Make this delicious recipe and watch how excited your own kids get when you tell them they can have cookies for breakfast! And adults get excited for them too because they're a great quick snack for a busy morning!

• Deceptively delicious!
• Tell kids they get to eat cookies for breakfast and they will be so excited.
• Healthy breakfast option to make in advance. Perfect for busy weekday mornings.
• Great for breakfast, snacks or dessert.
• These won’t last long, but if you need to freeze some they do freeze well.
• Both kids and adults love them.

What Are Breakfast Cookies?

Breakfast cookies are healthy “cookies” packed with ingredients such as oats, dried fruit, bran cereal and natural sweeteners. Due to the healthy ingredients used, they are the perfect food to eat to start your day.

Recipe Ingredients

These delicious banana oatmeal breakfast cookies use simple pantry staples for maximum flavor.

Bran flakes - easily crush the bran flakes by placing them in a large ziploc bag and using the back of a wooden spoon to smash them. Measure 3 cups of bran flakes, THEN crush them so it equals 2 cups after crushing.

Oats - Old-fashioned oats work best, but quick oats can be used. Check the label if you want a GF recipe.

Cinnamon - Add extra flavor by using allspice or nutmeg.

Baking soda + baking powder - Use fresh for the best, fluffiest results

Yogurt - I use plain yogurt for this recipe, but feel free to use a flavored variety or Greek yogurt.

Honey - Substitute with maple syrup or agave nectar if desired.

Milk - any variety works. Whole, skim, plant-based, etc.

Vanilla extract - make sure it’s in date for the best flavor

Bananas - use ripe, soft bananas for the best texture

Raisins - Optional, but I love the texture raisins add. You can also use other dried fruit such as cranberries, cherries or blueberries.

How to Make Breakfast Banana Cookies

Follow these simple directions for the perfect cookie.

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside. 

Step 2

In a medium or large bowl, combine bran flakes, oats, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder. Mix the dry ingredients well.

Step 3

Add the yogurt, honey, milk and vanilla and mix these wet ingredients in well. 

Step 4

Add the mashed banana and raisins and stir until just combined.

Step 5

Use a medium cookie scoop (1 1/2 Tbsp) or ice cream scooper to drop the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes until golden brown.

How to Make Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies Ahead of Time

• The best way to prep these ahead is to make the cookies in their entirety and store the baked cookies until ready to serve. 

• You can also make the batter, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, refrigerate overnight, and bake later. Let the chilled batter sit at room temp for 20 minutes first before baking.

Recipe Notes

• Add indulgent mix-ins if you’d like! Chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, natural peanut butter, almond butter, etc.
• 1/2 cup of shredded carrots  added to these cookies taste great.
• Add berries or a mashed ripe peach in place of one of the bananas for added fruit flavor.
• Use old fashioned oats for best results, but quick oats can be used if needed.
• Dark to almost black overripe bananas are perfect for this recipe. They have a great natural sweetness and are soft and blend in great with the batter.
• If you prep the batter ahead and refrigerate it, let it rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes before making the cookies.

Best Substitutes for Mashed Banana in Baking

Unsweetened applesauce, sweet potatoes, pumpkin puree, yogurt, chia seeds, and flax egg are all great subs for bananas in baking

How to Serve These Breakfast Cookies

These breakfast cookies are great on their own as a grab and go breakfast option. But they also are amazing as part of a larger breakfast. Here are a few of my favorite options.

• Alongside a small bowl of fresh fruit or fruit salad.
• Eat them with smoothies or breakfast shakes.
• Serve them with scrambled eggs and bacon.
• Make a breakfast platter with these cookies and some muffins and homemade granola bars. Great option for get-togethers and brunches.

How to Store Banana Oat Cookies

Store cookies in an airtight container or well-sealing plastic bag. 

Air-Tight Container - Stored on the counter, breakfast cookies will be good for 3-4 days. Refrigerated cookies will be at their best for 5-7 days.

Freezer - You can also freeze cookies in a well-sealed freezer bag for up to 2 months. Make a second batch of breakfast cookies to pull out when you’re ready for them. Road trip? Day trip? Weekend fun? These make great snacks!

How to Reheat

It’s not necessary, but I like to warm leftover cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds super soft chewy cookies!

Best Healthy Snack Recipes

Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
Healthy Breakfast Muffins
Healthy Snack Bite Balls
Homemade Crockpot Applesauce
Banana Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies