Today I have a very simple yet super delicious base recipe for healthy sugar-free cookies for you: banana-oat cookies! They contain no refined sugar and are sweetened only with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas.
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if the recipe might be too simple, but I decided to share it anyway. In today’s busy life, the quicker and easier recipes are, the better—especially if they’re also healthy. With work, family, and hobbies, there often isn’t much time to spend in the kitchen, yet we still worry we want a healthy treat now and then. That’s why sugar-free cookies are perfect—and great for kids, too!
What’s special about this recipe is that it uses only two ingredients, but of course you can customize it however you like. You’ll find some ideas a bit further down.
This recipe is also perfect for using up ripe bananas you need to get rid of.
These Banana Oat Cookies Are…
- Delicious—obviously!
- Healthy & wholesome
- Everyday practical
- Quick & easy to make
- Versatile
- Sugar-free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Lactose-free
- Nut-free
- Great for prep ahead
Ingredients Overview
For this recipe, you only need oats and ripe bananas:
Oats
Oats are incredibly healthy. Of all grains, they contain the highest amount of Vitamin B1 and B6—vitamins the body can’t store in large amounts. They’re packed with key minerals, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, and are relatively high in protein. Oats are a valuable source of plant-based iron. Their soluble fiber (beta-glucan) supports gut health, and helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol. Oats also contain polyphenols and antioxidants that support blood pressure regulation and protect cells from oxidative stress. Oat cytokines (a type of protein) help regulate cell growth and may reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis.
Bananas
Bananas are an excellent energy source and packed with nutrients. Though they contain natural fruit sugar, they also provide plenty of potassium, magnesium, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. They contain water-soluble fiber like pectin, which supports digestion and gut health. Ripe bananas are easy to digest. Their combination of fiber and resistant starch helps regulate blood sugar and hunger. The high potassium content supports heart and kidney health, while magnesium supports the heart, nervous system, and muscles.
But first, here’s the recipe for these tasty banana oat cookies without any refined sugar:
Banana Oat Cookies (Only 2 Ingredients & No Added Sugar)
A healthy cookie idea: only 2 ingredients, delicious, flexible, practical, and quick to prepare.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Category: Desserts, Muffins, Brownies & Baked Goods
Tags: Lactose-free, Nut-free, Phase 2 (Sugar-Free Challenge), Vegan, Vegetarian, Sugar-Free
Yields: 6 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 100 g fine oats (Feinblatt-Haferflocken)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 175 °C (top/bottom heat).
- Peel and mash the bananas in a bowl using a fork. Stir in the oats until combined.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using clean hands, shape cookie-sized portions and place on the sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes in the center of the preheated oven. Let cool afterward.
Variations & Creative Twists
This recipe is highly adaptable. Try mixing in some chopped dried plums and Ceylon cinnamon for extra flavor. You can also add vanilla, chopped walnuts, sliced almonds, coconut flakes, or dried fruit like chopped apricots. Apple-cinnamon cookies are another delicious variation! Feel free to get creative and experiment with different combos.
Storage Tips & Shelf Life
These sugar-free cookies stay soft after baking—they don’t crisp up. If you’d like them crispier, try baking them a little longer.
Store these healthy sugar-free cookies in an airtight container—preferably glass—not plastic. Refrigerated, they’ll last about 2–3 days. You can also freeze them and defrost as needed.
Because they contain no added sugar, these cookies won’t stay fresh as long as traditional cookies with sugar.