Ingredients:

• 2 large ripe bananas

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts or raisins (optional for added texture and flavor)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

2. Prepare the Mixture:

   • Mash the Bananas: In a mixing bowl, peel and mash the bananas until smooth. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cookies will be.

   • Mix Ingredients: Add the rolled oats to the mashed bananas. If you’re using nuts or raisins, toss them into the mixture now for some added crunch and flavor.

3. Shape the Cookies:

   • Scoop about a tablespoon of the mixture and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each scoop with the back of a spoon or your fingers to form a cookie shape.

   • The mixture should yield about 12 cookies, depending on the size.

4. Bake:

   • Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden and firm.

5. Cool and Enjoy:

   • Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

   • These cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.

Serving Suggestions: Enjoy these Banana Oatmeal Cookies as a healthy snack during the day or as a quick breakfast option. They’re naturally sweetened with bananas and offer a good source of fiber from the oats.

This recipe is not only incredibly easy to make but also customizable. Feel free to experiment by adding cinnamon, vanilla extract, or even a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor. These cookies are a testament to the beauty of simplicity in baking—delicious, nutritious, and straightforward!