Healthy Banana Oatmeal Sponge Cookies for Kids

ludeluh's Note:

I will warn you, most adults will not like these cookies because of the finished texture, which is spongy, but if you are looking for something super healthy for younger kids, this is the recipe for you. You can't get much healthier than these, and the young ones will eat them up!

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 12 cookies

• 1 cup mashed ripe banana
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients until moist.
3. (I use old-fashioned rolled oats, but imagine you could use quick-cook oats instead).
4. Mixture will be gooey and sticky.
5. That is normal.
6. Drop by tablespoonful onto ungreased baking sheet.
7. Flatten to desired thickness and shape, as cookies WILL NOT spread on baking.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
9. Remove to wire rack to cool.

Reviews

[ladypit]

I went into this knowing that they were not going to taste like chocolate chip cookies. But I was looking for a healthy before/active workout snack that was portable and I'm trying to cut down on my refined carbs, so I decided to try this. I left out the raisins. For what it was, I was very happy. Not a cookie texture really, but a nice sweet fruity tasting oatmeal "thing." LOL Don't know what else to call it! The kids didn't love them but they did eat them. Dh did not like the texture at all, but I didn't expect he would. As a portable snack for babies I think this is great. If you don't have an issue with texture and like oatmeal and fruit, this makes a reasonable portable pre & post workout snack as well.

[Ezzie's Mama]

I already reviewed this recipe, but I had to write in again with a helpful hint! I added 1/2 c of peanut butter the second time I made these, and they're WAY better. I also omitted the raisins (personal preference). The protein and fat makes them last longer in my kiddo's tummy. I realize this isn't AS healthy, but still pretty healthy.

[Amber Falula]

Its true, these don't taste like your traditional oatmeal cookie, but they are great as a healthy snack for an active lifestyle. I find them very moist and spongey, not dry at all. I add a little peanutbutter on top for my morning snack at work, its perfect. My roommate, who cannot eat wheat or dairy, also really liked them. She is used to gluten and dairy free cookies being hard and dry, almost stale, these are perfect for both of us! Thank you very much for this recipe, I will pass it on to friends with small children as well! (I also added about 4 drops of stevia, as I imagined they wouldn't be very sweet)