Go bananas for these tasty cookies! 

Did you know that as bananas ripen, they get sweeter? So sweet, in fact, that with a handful of ingredients from your pantry, you can turn them into soft, healthy banana oatmeal cookies. That's right! These cookies contain no added sugar, and can easily be made gluten-free since there's no flour required. Pop a few in the kids' lunchboxes, grab one for breakfast, or serve them for dessert; they'll satisfy your sweet tooth any time of day.

Directions

1. Add mashed bananas to a medium bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Stir to combine thoroughly.
2. Place batter in the freezer for 15 minutes (set a timer so you don't forget!) and preheat the oven to 375F. Chilling the batter helps it hold together for scooping and portioning.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop and drop tablespoon-size balls of the batter onto the parchment paper. Press slightly to flatten to about 1/2-inch thick.
4. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until cookies are lightly golden brown and firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet.
5. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge or at room temperature. Alternatively, let cool to room temperature, then freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer bag.

Nellie's Notes

Be sure to use very ripe bananas with a lot of brown spots for the best flavor. These cookies don't have any other added sugar, so it's crucial that the bananas are super sweet!

If you'd like to make these cookies a little sweeter, you can add 2 tablespoons brown sugar to the batter.

If you only have old-fashioned rolled oats, you can grind them briefly in the food processor or blender to make quick oats.

Stir 1/4 cup chocolate chips into the batter if desired, especially if your family likes a little extra sweetness!

To make these cookies gluten-free, simply use certified gluten-free rolled oats.

If you want to add icing, you can drizzle cookies with vanilla yogurt by using a zip-top bag with a small corner cut off as a piping bag.