These healthy Banana Maple Cranberry Cookies have a banana base and are packed with oats, flaxseed, applesauce, and dried cranberries. They're quick and easy to make and can double as dessert or breakfast!
(This recipe for Banana Maple Cranberry Cookies was originally published in January 2012, but was updated with new photos in 2019).
You know those commercials for the cookie diet? You see them and you're like "Oh, hell no. There is no way I can eat all cookies all day every day and lose weight. Liars!" So, you laugh at the gimmick and then laugh a little harder when you see the lovely straight-from-Jersey-Shore Snooki promoting the product.
But then, then, you see Snookie again and she's lost like a million pounds and you're like "Huh?! But I thought she was only eating cookies…" And then you maybe start to believe in the cookie diet a little bit. Right? I don't know where I'm going with this because I'm not trying to lose weight. And I'd never buy a cookie diet that has commercials on television that Snooki is promoting.
But I do strongly believe in a world where we can eat as many cookies as we want and not gain one billion pounds. And I'm pretty sure I found it. A world that contains a cookie diet that works.
I spotted a version of these healthy cookies in Shape magazine and was astounded. I mean, there is no flour or granulated sugar in these cookies. No baking soda or baking powder. They're made from bananas. And oats. And applesauce. Basically. I made some changes to this recipe, but followed the banana oats rule and discovered a banana maple cranberry cookie that's actually good for me. Can I get a hallelujah up in here??
BANANA MAPLE CRANBERRY COOKIES RECIPE
The ingredients in these healthy cookies include bananas, oats, ground flax, and dried cranberries. Add in a little unsweetened applesauce and maple syrup and you can eat these all day every day and will probably lose weight. But uh, don't take my word on it. They don't involve kale, after all… But now my mind is working over-time.
Also, this is the easiest recipe ever. I was literally IN BED when I started craving cookies. And I decided to hop out of bed and make these banana cookies. They need to bake for 20 minutes, but they only require about 10 minutes of actual work from me. Easy AND healthy are not two words you hear together very often.
Start by mashing your ripe bananas all together in a bowl with a fork.
Then, mix all the other ingredients together with the banana. The oats, applesauce, maple syrup, flaxseed meal, and dried cranberries.
I've never had flaxseed meal, but found it at Market Basket and thought I'd check it out. Flax is super healthy and filling/satisfying, too, so it helps bulk up these cookies and add some more nutrition.
Drop "dough" on a parchment or Silpat-lined cookie sheet. I use "dough" in quotes because this definitely isn't a traditional dough. Can banana dough be a thing? I dropped the banana dough in balls using abut 1 ½ Tbsp of "dough." The cookies don't flatten very much as they bake so if you want more of a cookie look and less of a "ball" look, definitely flatten the "dough" as you drop it.
Bake the cookies for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before moving to cooling racks to cool completely.
I know, I know. You're probably thinking: THIS IS NOT A COOKIE. This is merely a banana covered in oats and applesauce with some dried cranberries stuck in. Woo hoo. But they're delicious. I promise. They're kind of like a nice and chewy granola bar with nice banana flavor and sweetness added in.
Obviously, you have to like bananas to enjoy these banana cookies because there is a strong banana flavor involved.
But there's also a delicious maple touch and a nice chewy oat texture. I had a few after lunch today and was completely satisfied and happy. And the other day when I was in a rush, I grabbed a few for breakfast and they did just the trick.
Cookies for breakfast? Just call me Snookie. But no, don't actually.
Of course, I couldn't help but wonder what these banana maple cranberry cookies would be like if I added chocolate chips instead of dried cranberries. Because you never know. And coconut maybe?
The add-in options are really endless with this banana base.
And since I rarely post about healthy desserts, I feel like you have to trust me on this one. After all, I'm the first person to down a package of Fudge Stripes or Keebler's Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Soft Batch!), but sometimes I want to feel a little better about my choices. Not often, but sometimes. I do, after all, have to fit into a wedding dress in 4.5 months (eek!). And I'm sure as heck not giving up cookies. Nor do I plan on befriending Snooki.
What's your favorite healthy-ish dessert?
For more healthy-ish treats, check out my Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies or my Mocha Overnight Oats. I also want to try these Healthy Breakfast Cookies from Cake Whiz!
Banana Maple Cranberry Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup ripe mashed bananas (from about 3 bananas)
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 Tbsp real maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat.
- In a large bowl, combine mashed banana with oats, applesauce, maple syrup, flaxseed meal, and dried cranberries.
- Drop 1 ½ Tbsp of dough on prepared baking sheet. If you want more "cookie-like" cookies, flatten dough a bit with the palm of your hand.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before moving to racks to cool completely.
Erica says
Yup... Trying it with chocolate chips!! These look awesome. Favorite healthy dessert? Apple microwaved with cinnamon and toppex with walnuts or a little nut butter
Simply Life says
oh these look like fabulous cookies- what a great idea!
Michelle says
These almost seem like little balls of granola! Interesting cookie recipe.
Mandy says
I've made a recipe similar to this many times from another blog. These have both chocolate chips and coconut. The only sweetener in these is the banana, but they are still just as satisfying as a regular cookie.
kellypea says
I think I need these. But I have to confess I've never heard of the cookie diet and I have no clue who Snooki is. hahah! Dang I'm out of it ! Fave healthy-ish dessert? We're big cereal people when we want a snack late at night. It's Kashi most nights and definitely not every night, but it hits the spot. In fact, it would probably work in these cookies 🙂
Michelle Collins says
Mmm, I love dessert recipes like this - moist and delicious, yet good-for-you (so I never feel bad eating the entire batch).
Shannon says
ha, now you've got my mind contemplating kale cookies. uh oh! these look great though 🙂
Gia Grossman says
PERFECTION! I can eat one million of them!
Susan says
I was thinking about adding in chocolate chips the whole time then you threw it out there too! These look delish and I'm trying them.
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
I love healthy cookies like these! Amazing what a few bananas can do.
sarah k. @ the pajama chef says
oh yum!! i love the chocolate chip idea cause i don't like craisins in cookies (but love 'em in muffins or plain)...but if i tell myself they are granola bites then maybe it'll work 🙂
Betty says
I'm making these for my daughter in law for sure- they sound really good!
Libby says
These look great. I make similar ones with chocolate chips and eat them for breakfast all the time - it is basically fruit and oatmeal (well and some chocolate)! I love that its a great way to use those "softened" bananas that I won't eat otherwise.
Vidya says
Do you think these would work baked in a pan and cut up like granola bars? I'm hunting for a good granola bar recipe that doesn't involve loads of sugary syrup and stays chewy, not crunchy.
joan says
Definitely tring these!
Sliced banana, dash of milk, and a sprinkle of sugar. I have loved this for more years than I want to count. 🙂
Melissa says
Made these and love them! Now I need some more recipes to use the giant bag of ground flaxseed meal that I bought 🙂
Eliana says
I can see myself growing quite addicted to these beauties. They look incredibly delicious.
Sabz says
So far one of the best oat breakfast cookies I've tried. It's a keeper!!! Thank you for the wonderful recipe!