Chocolate Chip Banana Oat Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 large ripe bananas (or 3 small/medium)
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (I use creamy)
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if desired)
• 2/3 cup vegan chocolate chips (or raisins, dried fruit, etc.)
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. fine grain salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, combine wet ingredients: Mash the bananas. Then add remaining wet ingredients. Stir well to thoroughly combine.

3. 3

   In a separate bowl, add all dry ingredients. Stir.

4. 4

   Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir until combined.

5. 5

   Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop cookie dough by the spoonful on the pan. (I use an ice cream scoop with thumb lever press which yields 12 cookies.)

6. 6

   With a spoon or your scoop, lightly press down on the dough to form a cookie shape. (These cookies do not spread out in the oven, so form them before baking.)

7. 7

   Bake for 22-25 minutes (more or less depending on your oven and size of cookies.) I take them out when the tops are lightly browned.

8. 8

   Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. (They will slightly firm up.)