Baby banana cookies are just 5 wholesome ingredients and come out so soft and perfectly sweet (with no added sweeteners). A great healthy snack and finger food for toddlers and kids!
You can give definitely cookies to a baby or toddler when they are as easy and innocent as this recipe.
They are just 5 simple, wholesome ingredients.
And no added sweeteners! No sugar and no honey (which isn't safe for babies under 1).
But they do have whole grains, fruits and peanut butter for a good source of fat and protein.
Peanut butter has been given the OK for babies under 1 by the American Academy of Pediatrics, but talk to your doctor if you have concerns or a history of food allergies. In fact, talk to your doctor in general about introducing foods.
And then whip up these super soft, nutritious cookies for your little one!
Feel free to snag one for yourself, too. They are tasty and you deserve a little treat and energy boost. It’s hard work being a mom of a little one!
Wholesome, delicious and easy to make too! Just mix up the batter, drop it on the cookie sheet and bake.
These are also naturally gluten-free (make sure you use certified gluten-free oats if that's a concern), dairy free and vegan.
Ingredient Notes:
- Oats: I use old fashioned rolled oats for this recipe. Quick cook oats would be fine here too, but I don't recommend using steel cut oats.
- Bananas: The riper your bananas, the better, since that is the only sweetener in this recipe. Wait for them to get nice and brown.
- Peanut butter: You can certainly switch out the peanut butter and use almond butter or another nut butter in its place if you'd like or if you need this to be peanut-free.
And the best part of making homemade baby cookies is knowing exactly what you're giving your little one. You control the ingredients.
These baby cookies freeze great, too, so you can store any extras for a rainy day. Or a no-nap day. Or a cranky day. You just never know when you might need them!
(In fact, might be a good idea to double the recipe. )
I made these baby cookies for both of my children and have continued making them well into the toddler years. They work as a snack and even as a fun breakfast. I find myself reaching for one at ALL times of day.
(They're also a great finger food for little ones.)
Baby’s first cookie. ❤️ Go on, take a picture to document the occasion!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. Looking for more baby food ideas?
Check out my other baby food recipes as well as my complete list of baby food resources, with links to all of my homemade baby food round-ups, tips and recommendations.
And don't miss my favorite baby and toddler finger foods. These baby cookies are definitely on the list!
Baby Banana Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- sprinkle of cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat mat.
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix very well.
- Drop large spoonfuls onto baking tray.
- Bake at 350 for 35 minutes, until golden brown and set.
- Once cooled, store in the fridge.
Rachell
For how long are these cookies good?
Kathryn
Hi Rachell! These cookies should keep for up to 5 or so days in a container in the fridge. (You can also freeze some for later.) Hope you enjoy them!
murlene
Can I use natural peanut butter?
Kathryn
Yes! I use a natural, no sugar-added peanut butter as well so that should be fine. Hope you enjoy them!
Vanessa Radley
Can anytime be substituted for peanut butter that isn't a nut butter? Bananas? Apple sauce?
Kathryn
Hi Vanessa! I think for the consistency and the binding, you'd need something thicker than extra applesauce or mashed banana. You could try sunflower seed butter, which has a similar consistency. I hope that helps!
melanie
I have made these with sunbutter.
Kathryn Doherty
That's great to know, thanks Melanie!
Becca
Would you freeze before or after baking?
Kathryn
Hi Becca, I freeze them after they are baked and cooled. Hope that helps!
Natasha
Just made these today and they turned out amazing! I love them and I'm sure my little guy will too.
One question what are your thoughts on adding flax or hemp seed to boost the protein? Would that greatly affect the consistency?
Kathryn
I'm so happy you enjoyed them Natasha! Yes, I think you could add flax or hemp seed to these cookies. I think 1-2 tablespoons wouldn't affect the consistency too much but if you're worried, or want to add more, just add a little extra applesauce to increase the liquid ingredients. Hope that helps - and would love to hear if you try it!
Amanda
Do these have to be refrigerated? I thought my husband put them away but he left the Tupperware on the counter overnight.
Kathryn
Hi Amanda! They are OK at room temperature for 1-2 days but I like to refrigerate any baked goods that use banana after that because they can start to turn. They're good for another 3-4 days in the fridge and can also be frozen. Hope that helps!
Sheli
These sound great!
Do you think it's ok to use instant oats instead of old-fashioned?
Kathryn Doherty
Yes, you can definitely substitute quick-cook oats for these cookies. Hope that helps and hope you try them!
Sheli
Thank you!
They turned out great! My 11-month-old loved them, and so did I. So easy to make and so healthy, I will definitely be making this cookies again!
Kathryn Doherty
Yay, I'm so happy you both enjoyed them! 😊
Halie
I am going to try these, adding an egg & maybe some pumpkin! Should I alter the amount of oats to make up for a runnier dough?
Kathryn Doherty
Yes, you'll need to increase the oats to account for the extra wet ingredients. You can also check out my pumpkin banana oatmeal cookies if you'd like to try those: https://www.familyfoodonthetable.com/pumpkin-banana-oatmeal-cookies/ Hope that helps!
DS
Do these really pack 131 calories per cookie??? You'd be my new favourite person if they did!!
Kathryn Doherty
I just updated the recipe card with my new nutrition software calculator and each cookie is in fact 84 calories! (That's if you get 12 cookies out of the recipe. It'll be a little more if you only get 10 or 11.) Happy to be your favorite person! 😂❤️ Enjoy!
Tia
Just made these for my 5 month old son . he loves bananas 🙂
Kathryn Doherty
Mine were big banana lovers too! These cookies are meant as a finger food for older babies, so I'm not sure if a 5-month-old would be ready for them, texture-wise, but babies certainly develop at different paces, so if you think he is ready, I hope he enjoys them!
Sarah
Can I substitute homemade pear sauce for the apple sauce?
Kathryn Doherty
Hi Sarah, sure, I think that would work just fine. Would love to hear how it goes!
Sarah
Hi Kathryn,
Thank you for your reply. I substituted pear sauce for the apple sauce and it turned out aaamazjng. I never thought I could make cookies without butter and sugar and still taste delicious. My husband and I have been eating these bad boys. My son, so far had one. Lol. I baked them in my airfryer at 300F for 15mins. Thank you for the recipe.
Kathryn Doherty
Woo hoo, I'm so glad they turned out well! 😊
Lata
Hi, I do not have applesauce. Can I do the recipe without it or need to substantiate with something else? Thank you
Kathryn Doherty
Hi there! You cannot just skip the applesauce, it's needed for the liquid in this recipe and to help hold the cookies together. Another reader has substituted pear sauce and found that worked well. Hope that helps!
Rhonda H
I used almond butter and they were amazing. My 12 mo granddaughter hasn’t had many sweetened foods (to ruin her tastebuds) and she eats these like they’re Oreos! 🙂 We all love them. Thanks!!
Kathryn Doherty
Yay, I'm so happy to hear that Rhonda! 😊 And totally with you on holding off on any sugars/sweeteners - they just don't need it that early!
Vanessa Di Tullio
Can I use large flake oats instead? Thanks
Kathryn Doherty
I think large flake oats are the same as old-fashioned rolled oats, aren't they? If so, yes, you can use them. And if you mean quick-cook oats, those should work in this recipe as well. Hope that helps!
CT
I have been making these for my son since he first started solids. They are fantastic!!! He loves them! Thank you so much for providing a HEALTHY cookie recipe with real ingredients. I even love to eat them, and they're only 1 point on WW.
Kathryn Doherty
Oh, I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for sharing! 😊 And yes, I totally eat these myself, too!
Dee Wells
Hi!!
After freezing, what's the best way to prepare the cookies? Should they be thawed or put in the oven?
Kathryn Doherty
Hi there! I've only ever frozen these cookies after they baked. I bake the whole batch and freeze the extras. Then just defrost and eat cold or warm in the microwave. You could try baking the raw cookie dough as well but I'm not sure whether there will be any textural changes. If it's thawed, it should work the same as written. If it's frozen, you'll need to add a few minutes to the bake time. Hope that helps!
Erica
Can I use frozen bananas? Any time we have super super ripe (very brown) bananas, we throw them in the freezer. Wondering if could use those somehow….
Kathryn Doherty
Yes you can! Just make sure to thaw them completely and then drain any excess liquid before using them for this recipe. Hope that helps!