Sunday, February 24, 2013

Banana Oat Cookies - Healthy Lunchbox Option

I'm still on the look out for really good, healthy lunchbox items for Isabella (now 5 years) that can be made in advance and frozen. I like putting frozen items in her lunch box over summer so that they keep the rest of the contents cool as they defrost. I'm not professing to creating the perfect totally homemade lunchbox, but I do want to try to have the majority of it being really healthy. Luckily I have a little girl who loves fruit and is a reasonably adventurous eater.
I came across this recipe and thought it was well worth a try as the ingredients look pretty healthy and there is no sugar or flour at all in it. The sweetness comes from the bananas.

The final product is not a crunchy cookie, more a cross between a cookie and a cake...kind of soft but in a cookie shape. I really liked them and Bella gobbled a few before I got them to the freezer. The test will be checking out the lunch box next week to see if they have been eaten.

Oh and I almost forgot...they were super easy to make. Especially with a little helper to mash the bananas for me.

Banana Oat Cookies

  • 1/3 c. butter, softened
  • 1/4 c. milk
  • 2 c. oats
  • 1/2 c. raisins (I used chopped dried apricot and cranberries)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl. Let stand for 5-10 minutes allowing the oats to soak up all the milk. Drop by tablespoon full onto a cookie sheet. Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees*. Allow to cool. Makes 2-3 dozen.
*NOTE: I baked the first batch at 350 for 15-20 minutes, but they didn't seem cooked all the way through, but they were getting too dark on the bottom. I did the next 2 batches at 325 for 25 minutes and they were much better. I would suggest this temp, but all ovens vary, so you'll just have to keep an eye them.
These are not your typical "cookies". They don't contain flour or leavening, so they won't rise or spread. They taste very much like banana bread. Even the texture is the same. I was pleasantly surprised by these "healthy" cookies. The family loved them.
Other additions (add 1/4 c of any of these to batter):
  • mini chocolate chips
  • chopped nuts
  • dried chopped fruit (cranberries, apricots, cherries)
  • shredded coconut

No comments:

Post a Comment