If you are looking for a healthy, yummy breakfast for your little one, this one is sure to be a hit! These banana toddler breakfast cookies are full of wholesome ingredients, and can be easily customized to suit your toddler's preferences. Plus, they’re easy enough to make with your child if you want to include them in the kitchen fun!
Healthier Breakfast Cookies
Figuring out what to eat for breakfast can be a struggle, but figuring out what to make your toddler on top of that can be hard! That's why I came up with these banana toddler breakfast cookies that I could make in bulk and store in the fridge for those busy mornings. They are the perfect grab and go breakfast or snack for your littles.
I know you may be shocked at cookie for breakfast, but these are not your traditional cookies. They are not packed with sugar and instead use all natural ingredients and sweeteners, like bananas.
Banana Toddler Breakfast Cookies Ingredients
- Bananas: this is your natural sweetener and main ingredient for your cookies. Use ripe bananas!
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: you can use quick oats as well
- Nut butter: Use your family favorite for this one!
- Unsweetened applesauce: This helps with overall moisture and keeps the recipe low in sugar.
- Ground flaxseed: An optional ingredient that I added for an extra boost of nutrients
- Cinnamon: This lends such a warm flavor to this recipe that your kid will love!
- Vanilla extract: not necessary, but I think it gives the cookies a nice extra flavor
How to Make these Cookies
Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. There can be a few lumps, but try to get it as smooth as possible.
Mix wet ingredients: Add the almond butter, applesauce, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas and stir until combined.
Mix dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, ground flaxseed (if using), baking powder (optional), and salt (if using).
Combine everything: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Add the raisins or dried cranberries (if using) and fold them in. The dough will be sticky and thick.
Scoop the dough: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Use the back of the spoon to flatten each cookie slightly. These cookies won't spread much, so shape them to your desired size.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the tops are set.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips and Variations
Make it Nut-Free: Swap the almond or peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or a nut-free option of your choice.
Add-Ins: Mix in some finely chopped nuts, seeds, or shredded coconut for more texture and nutrition.
Mini Chocolate Chips: If your toddler enjoys chocolate, you can add a few mini chocolate chips as a special treat.
Egg-Free Version: For an extra binding option, you can use 1 tablespoon of chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons of water in place of an egg (this helps with the stickiness if your cookies need a little extra binding).
Why Toddlers Will Love These Cookies
- Naturally Sweet: The bananas and applesauce provide natural sweetness, so there’s no need for added sugar.
- Soft and Chewy: The texture is perfect for little mouths – soft, chewy, and easy to eat.
- Nutritious: Packed with whole grains from the oats, healthy fats from the nut butter, and fiber from the ground flaxseed and fruit.
- Portable: These cookies make a great on-the-go breakfast or snack.
- Customizable: You can easily swap out ingredients like adding different dried fruits, or even a handful of mini chocolate chips for an occasional treat.
If you make these Banana Toddler Breakfast Cookies, I would really appreciate a comment and rating down below, under the recipe card. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me over on Instagram, Tik Tok, or Pinterest. For more ideas, check out my Breakfast Recipes page.
Banana Toddler Breakfast Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed (optional)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. There can be a few lumps, but try to get it as smooth as possible.
- Add the almond butter, applesauce, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas and stir until combined.
- In another bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, ground flaxseed (if using), baking powder (optional), and salt (if using).
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Add the raisins or dried cranberries (if using) and fold them in. The dough will be sticky and thick.
- Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Use the back of the spoon to flatten each cookie slightly. These cookies won't spread much, so shape them to your desired size.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the tops are set.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
