Robby's Baking Therapy

Original Author  Listotic

  The “baking therapy” discussed on this blog refers to my personal experience using baking as a self-help and relaxation tool.”

Jump to Recipe | Print Recipe

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links for Amazon, Benable, and Walmart. I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Robby’s Baking Therapy.

Hey, everybirdy! Today we are making another incredibly easy cookie that is perfect for when your pantry is looking a little bare. I found myself running low on flour and was in desperate need of something fast and sweet, which is how I found these Banana Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies.

If you have ripe bananas sitting on your counter (or frozen in your freezer!), you have almost everything you need for this bake. These are chewy, chocolatey, and naturally sweet!

📋 Baking Therapy: Sweet Simplicity

There is a specific kind of relief in finding a recipe that uses exactly what you already have. When I was low on ingredients, this recipe felt like a little gift. Mashing those ripe bananas and watching them transform into a dough with just oats and cocoa is so satisfying. It’s a great reminder that you don’t need a full pantry to create something that brings a little sweetness to your day.

💡 Robby’s Quick Tips

• The Freeze Trick: Don’t throw away ripe bananas! Toss them in the freezer. Ripe bananas are extremely sweet and easy to work with once thawed, making them perfect for this recipe.
• Trust the Mix: The mixture will look dry at first. Don’t panic! Keep mixing with your spoon for a few minutes; as the oats soak up the banana moisture, it will turn into a perfect cookie dough consistency.
• Molding is Must: These cookies will not spread or change shape at all while baking. You have to flatten and mold them into “cookie” shapes with your hands before they go into the oven.
• Bottom Check: I usually bake mine for about 8 minutes, or until the bottoms look slightly glossy.

🛒 The Essentials (What You’ll Need)

• Cost per Batch: ~$1.50
• Cost per Serving: ~$0.10 per cookie (makes about 15 cookies)
• 2 Very Ripe Large Bananas (Mashed)
• 1 Cup Quick Oats
• 2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• Optional Mix-ins: I added a little bit of sugar, but you can use chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins!

Visit my Patreon for a free post featuring the full Walmart price breakdown for this budget-friendly bake!

👩‍🍳 How to Make It

1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick spray.
2. Mash: In a medium bowl, mash your bananas until smooth. (If using frozen, let them warm up slightly first!)
3. Combine: Mix in the cocoa powder and the quick oats. Start with 3/4 cup of oats and add the rest as needed until it reaches a dough-like consistency.
4. Fold: Stir in your sugar or any other mix-ins you want to add.
5. Shape: Scoop tablespoon-sized clumps onto the sheet. Flatten and mold them into circles with your hands.
6. Bake: Bake for 10-15 minutes (or follow my 8-minute check!).

💬 Q&R: Questions & Robby

Q: Can I use old-fashioned rolled oats?

Robby: You can, but the texture will be much “chunkier.” Quick oats help the cookies hold together better and give them a softer, more traditional cookie feel.

Q: Do these need to be refrigerated?

Robby: Since they are made with fresh fruit, I recommend keeping them in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh for a few days.

💬 Join the Conversation

These are so fast and healthy, they almost feel like a breakfast cookie!

• The Banana Stash: Do you keep a stash of frozen bananas in your freezer, or do you use them as soon as they get spotty?
• Mix-in Ideas: What would you add to these to make them your own? I’m thinking peanut butter chips next time!

Final Thoughts

I was honestly surprised by how good these were, especially since I was so low on supplies. It’s the perfect “end of the week” recipe. I hope you guys like this one as much as I did!

Stay safe and enjoy every bite! Happy baking!