Sometimes you just want a sweet treat. Part of eating a healthy, balanced diet is finding space for high-quality treats so you don’t feel deprived and end up binging on Oreos. These cookies are the perfect solution! They are made of real foods without any refined sugar, but still taste delicious and satisfy that sweet craving.
- 3 mashed bananas (the riper the better)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup nut milk of choice
- 4 heaping spoonfuls peanut butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. salt
- 2 cups whole rolled oats
- ½ cup chocolate chips (or raisins)
- Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
- Mash the bananas with a fork and mix in the apple sauce.
- Add milk, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and mix well.
- Fold in rolled oats and chocolate chips.
- Spoon onto greased cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
These cookies are a great example of cooking with real foods. All of the ingredients are nutritious and offer something of value to the body. OK, we might be stretching it a bit to say that about chocolate chips, but if you get the high-quality dark chocolate variety they really are pretty good. There are also lots of nice vegan chocolate chips available if that’s your jam.
Using whole rolled oats instead of flour makes these cookies complex carbohydrates, meaning your body takes more time breaking down the fiber and starches so you avoid the sugar high. And adding peanut butter also gives them a nice boost of protein (as well as making them delicious!). As you know, I’m all about maple syrup as my sweetener of choice – especially at this time of year when it’s being made fresh all over New England. It is rich in minerals, naturally processed, and makes literally anything taste better.
So enjoy these cookies and the guilt-free high that comes from eating real food!
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