Chocolate Chip Banana Oat Cookies

Serves 12

Recipe Level: Easy

This is my go to recipe anytime I have old bananas that I need to use up. You want to make sure your bananas are nice and ripe with lots of spots so they will mash up and become these yummy cookies. These cookies are also very versatile. You can easily make them vegan and gluten-free friendly so everyone can enjoy them. And they clock in at only 70 calories each and provide fiber and protein to keep you full. When was the last time a cookie was so good to you?

Banana - 1 medium to large ripe 

Peanut Butter - 2 tbsp.

Apple Sauce - 1/3rd cup

Vanilla Protein Powder - 1 scoop low carb.

Vanilla Extract - 1 tsp.

Old Fashioned Oats - 3/4 cup

Chocolate or Carob Chips - 3 tbsp.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a mixing bowl combine mashed banana, peanut butter, apple sauce and vanilla.

3. Stir in the protein powder. If you are making vegan cookies make sure to use a soy based protein powder or one that does not include any milk products.

4. Add in the old fashioned oats. If you are making this gluten-free make sure you are using gluten-free oats. 

5. Line a baking sheet with a silicon baking pad. This dough is relatively loose and has a tendency to stick if you don't use the silicon. 

6. Portion out the dough in 1 inch balls/globs on the silicon sheet. Like I said, the dough is pretty loose so it isn't going to look perfect. 

7. Add a few chocolate chips to the top of each cookie and press them in. It is easier to stretch the chocolate chips if you add them to the top of each cookie rather than mixing it into the dough. You want them to be the same thickness in the middle so they bake evenly. Don't be afraid to press them down a bit.

8. Bake for 20 minutes. These are great warm right out of the oven or room temperature. They stay nice and soft and will keep for a couple days.

Nutrition Information per serving from Myfitnesspal.com

Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies - 70 Calories, 3g. fat, 9g. carbs, 4g. protein