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4 ingredient oatmeal cookies that you can feel good about! These easy oatmeal cookies with few ingredients are flourless and totally gluten-free. Even your kids will love these flourless oatmeal cookies!
*Please note* this post has been updated as of 2021. The post and recipe remains the same, but a few of the photos have been updated.
The last time we talked, I was about to embark on a 4 hour drive with my two littles, by myself. WELL I’m happy to say that the boys did great! There was not enough sleeping, but only a bit of crying, so overall I can’t complain. We made it safe and sound, and in good time! My trail mix popcorn was definitely the perfect sustenance to have within arm’s reach!
We were staying with a couple other moms and their respective kiddos in beautiful Kimberly, BC. Bike rides, pillow forts, and playing in the rain. What more can a group of almost 3 year olds want?
As much fun as we all had, it was wonderful to get home and be surrounded by my creature comforts. I spent Friday unwinding and doing absolutely nothing productive. We all need days like that, right?
So, we’re starting another week, and I’ve got some more travel news for you.
On Saturday, we dropped Etienne off at the airport for a flight to Amsterdam. Work is sending him there to….check out some engines? Please don’t quote me on that! Anyway, I am going to fly out on Wednesday and meet him in Portugal! The boys will stay with Etienne’s parents. I’m experiencing a wide range of emotions. I’m SO excited to visit what I fully expect to be a beautiful country, but I’m struggling with leaving my littles for so long. I’m going to miss them soooo much. SO much. (SO MUCH). I know they’re in good hands, so I’m hoping I can just relax and enjoy myself. Eeek!
Now, where do these 4 ingredient oatmeal cookies fit in? Well, I made these healthier cookies this weekend with the idea that I’ll send them along with the boys for the week I’m away. My dear friend Leah told me about this recipe a couple of weeks back, and I fell in love with them the second I tried them.
What makes these healthier oatmeal cookies?
I’m usually pretty skeptical when it comes to “healthy” cookies. Note, I’ve called these “healthIER” cookies rather then “healthy”, because really, anything with chocolate chips probably can’t be called healthy!
Anyway, these cookies are similar to my baby-and-me breakfast cookies, combing peanut butter with bananas and oats. Except – that’s where the ingredient list ends. Peanut butter, bananas, and oats! Oh and chocolate chips. How could I forget!? There is literally only 4 ingredients in these cookies. FOUR!!! They’re flourless, gluten-free and super easy.
How do you make sugar-free oatmeal cookies from scratch?
This 4 ingredient oatmeal cookie recipe is as easy as mixing 4 ingredients together with a big spoon. You’ll need:
- very ripe bananas (3)
- peanut butter
- rolled oats
- chocolate chips
I’ve used peanut butter in these cookies, but almond butter also works. There is 3 whole bananas in these babies, and trust me, it definitely provides enough sweetness to forego any other added sugar. The chocolate chips are also totally optional, but they’re a good way to encourage your kids to eat them!
The cookies only need about 15 minutes to bake. That’s 5 minutes to mix, 15 minutes to bake, 20 minutes total! Score!
So, I know what you’re probably thinking – they’re not going to taste good. They’re “healthy”. But seriously, everyone needs these cookies in their life. They’re no caramel-stuffed cookie, but I promise you!! You’ll love them. They’re slightly crispy, slightly chewy, and have just the right amount of sweetness.
The next time you have a few ripe bananas lying around, give these guys a go. Happy Monday! XO
You’ll love some of my other “healthier” cookie recipes:
- banana oatmeal breakfast cookies
- skillet blueberry breakfast cookie
- gluten-free almond butter cookies
4 Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 45 small cookies 1x
Description
4 ingredient oatmeal cookies that you can feel good about! These easy oatmeal cookies with few ingredients are flourless and totally gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter*
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, or by hand, combine the bananas and peanut butter until fully incorporated. Add in the oats, and stir to combine. If using chocolate chips, add and stir in.
- Using 1 tablespoon at a time, drop cookies onto the cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart, flattening slightly. Cookies do not spread much.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes; or until just beginning to brown around the edges. Mine were perfect at 14 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes in the pan before removing and cooling completely on a wire rack.
Cookies will store at room temperature, in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Â I use all-natural peanut butter in my recipe, but you could definitely use whatever nut butter you prefer!
- My cookies were fairly small. If you’d like larger cookies, use 1.5 tbsp per cookie and increase cook time to about 16-18 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: cookies
- Method: oven bake
- Cuisine: american
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I’m so glad your trip went well! It sounds like a great time; I love pillow forts :). And OMG I’m so jealous that you’re heading to Portugal! Portuguese is my favorite language and I’ve had traveling there on my list forever. You’ll have to tell me all the good places to go. It can’t be easy leaving your babies though :(. These COOKIES! Four of my favorite ingredients combined into one delicious cookie! Loving it. Have a great week, Katherine!
Thank you so much Kelsie!! I do love me a good pillow fort as well 😉 Aaah – how cool – I will take so many photos so you can live vicariously through me for now! I will definitely let you know what the hot spots are!! Hope you’re having a great week as well my friend! XO
I have a feeling you love chocolate chips…in every recipe!! These do look very good and I will be making them for us. Glad your trip to B.C. was good. Wow, good for you going to Portugal! Lucky you. When are you going? It will be tough being away from the boys. But enjoy yourself. And you are right they will be in good hands with their Grandma! Cindy and I are going to Italy on July 5 – 22. We will be both doing trips this summer💞.
How did you know!? Hah I LOVE chocolate chips. Well, just chocolate in general. Thank you!! We leave on Wednesday. I’m going to miss them an incredible amount, but I’m sure we will have a good time!! I’m so jealous of your Italy trip – somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. How lovely that you get to go with Cindy 🙂 We will have to share stories and pictures!!
Sounds like you and the boys had a great time! Loving these chocolatey healthy cookies and can’t believe they are made with only 4 ingredients! I need a cookie like this right now because trying to eat healthier. Pinning so I can make them this week.
Have a safe and fun trip to Portugal and eat lots of good food for me please 😉
We had a great time!! I know – 4 ingredients is unreal! I hope you get a chance to make them! I’ve been eating them non-stop. Thank you SO much Karrie!! I will certainly eat ALL the food!!! XOXO
This is a recipe I will keep and bake for the little guys. I think I will try adding raisins instead of chocolate chips.
Yes! They love it, although I pick out the chocolate chips for Wally so putting raisins in is brilliant!! I’ll do that next time. (Why didn’t I think of that)?! Haha
Glad your trip went well and how lucky to travel to another country, like Portugal! I am living through you vicariously now!! ha! Since the cookies are healthy, I will eat more. Yay! I love all 4 ingredients, so we are good for sure! Pinning for later! 🙂
Hah, I will be sure to take and share many pictures Kim!! It’s so true – I remind myself how healthy they are when I’m eating my 6th one in a row, haha!! Thanks for the pin!! Take care!
Never ever healthy cookies have looked so delicious, Katherine! They say that a moderate amount of good chocolate is healthy too, so don’t be shy to call these cookies healthy. Oats, peanut butter, bananas, and chocolate – all my favorite things together. I think the most challenging thing about these healthy cookies would be to limit yourself to a healthy amount of them (Read: almost impossible) 🙂
You are TOO kind Ben. Thank you!! And I so like the way you think. A moderate amount of chocolate is totally healthy! I think “almost impossible” is fairly accurate, as I’ve found myself eating them all day long!! Cheers, friend!
pillow forts sound good to me, too (sometimes i wish i was an almost 3 year old lol). and ahhh have an amazing time in portugal!! i’m sure you’ll miss your kids, but also make sure to eat lots of good food (;
Oh my gosh, me too! My son is really showing me how fun life can be!! Thank you!!! I will eat ALL the food 😉
A healthy cookie! And tasty too 🙂 And just 4 ingredients 😀 I have to try that soon!! Have a safe trip Katherine.. Don’t worry about the boys so much 🙂 Everyone needs a break from the routine once in a while… Don’t feel guilty at all 🙂
You definitely have to give it a try!! Ah, thank you. I am struggling with this guilt but I’m sure we’ll end up having a lovely time. Thanks Deepika!! XO
Sounds like the road trip was a success! I can’t wait to hear about Portugal! These cookies look yummy. I love that it’s only 4 ingredients and “healthier.” Pinning to make later for sure! Xoxo
Thank you Kelly!! I am so very nervous, but I’m sure it’ll be great. I hope you get a chance to try these! They’re great!! XOXO
Oh my goodness! I’m so excited for your trip! It’s going to be amaaaazing, I’m sure and really looking forward to hearing about all the good eats your going to have (I’m all about the food when travelling, lol).
Love your ‘healthier’ cookies and just because they are that I know that I can eat, like, 3, no 6, right 😉 ?? I’ll just go ahead and assume you said yes 🙂
Have a fun and safe trip!! xo
Thank you for your excitement Dawn!! I’m so all about the travel eats too haha – I’m already dreaming of the fresh seafood that I’m going to eat!! You can eat like, at least 10 of these cookies and not feel too bad. Cheers, friend!!