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Delicious and Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies with only Six Ingredients
A Plate of Delicious Oatmeal Banana Cookies!
We are extremely busy in my household which I'm sure is true for most households with multiple children and their various activities. My husband and I have three teenage boys who are all active in sports and other school activities. As well, they have ravenous appetites. It is not unusual for them to come home and make sandwiches or consume a bowl or two of cereal before dinner. If it ruined their appetite I'd be concerned but there are rarely dinner leftovers in our house! Football, horseback riding, working out at the school gym and mandatory community service and tutoring programs for my oldest son mean we are travelling to drop off and or pick up boys at least four night out of every week. Snacks which are healthy and easy to prepare are a priority in our house. These banana oatmeal cookies fit the bill nicely.
Over ripe bananas are not palatable to most but cry out to be used. Yet one over ripe banana is not enough for banana bread. If you want the flavour of delicious banana bread and don't have enough ripe bananas or the time or inclination to bake bread, then try these quick to mix and bake banana cookies. Not only are they easy to make and delicious but read on to see the very real health benefits from eating fresh-baked cookies with oats and banana. But remember, all things are good in moderation only. Make sure to share these delicious cookies with family and friends.
Health Benefits of Eating Oatmeal and Bananas
Even though they are a sweet treat, the oatmeal and banana provide some very real health benefits albeit in a small package.
- The unique fibre in oatmeal (beta-glucan) has a positive impact in lowering blood cholesterol levels; these plant lignins are converted into mammalian lignans by intestinal flora providing protection against heart disease and hormone dependent cancers such as breast cancer.
- The beta-glucan also help neutrophils (white blood cells) travel more quickly to an infection site.
- Oats also contain antioxidants called avenanthramides which help prevent free radicals from damaging LDL's, again reducing the risk of heart disease.
- They are high in vitamin A (important in skin growth) and vitamin B (calms the nervous system).
- They are a natural source of potassium which is important in maintaining normal fluid levels in the body and individual cells; thus, controlling blood pressure.
- They contain protease inhibitors that eliminate stomach bacteria, reducing acidity and, therefore, the likelihood of ulcers.
- They are rich in iron; therefore, they are ideal for those suffering from anemia.
- They contain the amino acid, tryptophan, which relaxes a person when converted to seratonin in the body.
- 3/4 cup white or brown sugar
- 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups white all-purpose flour
- 2 cups quick oats
- 1 cup margarine
- 1 banana, mashed
Steps for Making Banana Oatmeal CookiesClick thumbnail to view full-size
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mash the banana.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl.
- Mix well using your hands.
- Form 24 balls with a tablespoon and slightly flatten them, and place them on a non-stick cookie sheet.
- Bake for 7 to 10 minutes until browned slightly at the edges.
- Allow to cool, then enjoy. To maintain freshness, store in a sealed container.
|Serving size: 1 cookie|
|Calories from Fat||27|
|% Daily Value *|
|Fat 3 g||5%|
|Saturated fat 1 g||5%|
|Unsaturated fat 2 g|
|Carbohydrates 6 g||2%|
|Sugar 3 g|
|Fiber 1 g||4%|
|Protein 2 g||4%|
|Cholesterol 0 mg|
|* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.|