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#### 1. **Preheat the Oven**:
Start by preheating your oven to **350°F (175°C)**. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the cookies from sticking.
#### 2. **Mash the Bananas**:
In a large mixing bowl, peel the **bananas** and mash them with a fork or potato masher until smooth. The riper the bananas, the sweeter your cookies will be, so don’t be afraid to use very ripe bananas.
#### 4. **Add Dry Ingredients**:
Next, add the **rolled oats**, **ground cinnamon**, and a **pinch of salt** to the wet mixture. Stir everything until the oats are fully coated and everything is evenly combined. At this point, if you’re adding **chocolate chips**, **raisins**, or **chopped nuts**, mix them in.
#### 5. **Shape the Cookies**:
Scoop out a tablespoon of the cookie dough and roll it into a ball. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, and lightly press down on them with a spoon to form cookie shapes. These cookies don’t spread much, so shape them before baking.
#### 7. **Cool and Enjoy**:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm, or store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
– **Ripe Bananas**: The key to naturally sweetening these cookies is using very ripe bananas. The riper they are, the more natural sugar they contain, making your cookies perfectly sweet without any added sugars.
– **Adjust the Sweetness**: If you prefer a sweeter cookie, feel free to increase the amount of honey or maple syrup. However, the ripe bananas should provide plenty of sweetness on their own.
– **Vegan Version**: To make this recipe vegan, simply use maple syrup instead of honey and ensure your nut butter is dairy-free.
– **Gluten-Free Option**: Use certified gluten-free oats if you need the cookies to be gluten-free. Double-check that the nut butter you’re using is also gluten-free.
– **Add-Ins**: This recipe is incredibly versatile, so feel free to experiment with different add-ins like coconut flakes, dried fruit, or even a dash of nutmeg or ginger for an extra flavor kick.
– **Nutrient-Rich Snack**: These cookies are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and protein from oats, bananas, and nut butter, making them a satisfying snack to curb cravings and keep you feeling full.
– **Great for Meal Prep**: They make an excellent make-ahead snack for busy days. Prepare a batch over the weekend, and you’ll have a healthy snack ready for the week.
– **Kid-Friendly**: These cookies are a hit with kids, thanks to their natural sweetness and fun texture. Plus, they’re a great way to sneak in some healthy ingredients like oats and bananas!
– **No-Bake Option**: If you prefer not to use the oven, you can chill the cookie dough in the fridge for 30 minutes and then roll it into balls and enjoy them as no-bake bites.
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