Grandma’s 3‑Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Cookies (5‑minute mix)

Full Ingredients:

– 2 large ripe bananas, mashed

– 1½ cups rolled oats

– ½ cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions:

1. *Preheat* oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. *Mix* mashed bananas, peanut butter, and oats in a large bowl until fully combined into a thick dough.

3. *Scoop* tablespoon‑size balls onto the baking sheet, flattening each slightly with the back of a spoon (cookies don’t spread much).

4. *Bake* for 12‑15 minutes, until edges are golden and cookies are set.

5. *Cool* on the sheet 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Tips & Variations:

– Use crunchy peanut butter for extra texture.

– Add optional mix‑ins like chocolate chips or chopped nuts (1/4 cup) for flavor boost.

– Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days; they can be frozen for longer shelf life.

❓ Q1: Do I need sugar or honey in this recipe?

A: No. Ripe bananas provide natural sweetness. The riper (brown-spotted) the bananas, the sweeter the cookies.

❓ Q2: Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

A: Yes. Quick oats work and make softer cookies. Rolled oats give a chewier, more rustic texture.

❓ Q3: Why didn’t my cookies spread?

A: This is normal. These cookies don’t spread much because there’s no flour or butter. Flatten them slightly before baking.

❓ Q4: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

A: Yes. Just be sure your oats are certified gluten-free.

❓ Q5: Can I make them vegan?

A: They already are 100% vegan—no eggs, dairy, or butter needed.

❓ Q6: My cookies turned out too soft. What went wrong?

They may need 2–3 extra minutes in the oven
Or your bananas were very large and watery
✔ Next time, add 1–2 tablespoons extra oats

❓ Q7: Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?

A: Yes! Add ¼ cup of:

Chocolate chips
Chopped walnuts or peanuts
Raisins or coconut flakes

❓ Q8: Can I make these without peanut butter?

A: Yes. Substitute with:

Almond butter
Cashew butter
Sunflower seed butter (nut-free option)

❓ Q9: How do I store these cookies?

Room temperature: 3 days (airtight container)
Fridge: 5–6 days
Freezer: Up to 2 months

❓ Q10: Are these cookies healthy?

A: Yes 👍

No refined sugar
No flour
High fiber from oats
Healthy fats from peanut butter
Perfect for kids, weight-watchers, and clean eating.

❓ Q11: Can I make them crispier?

A: Yes. Flatten thinner and bake 15–17 minutes, flipping once halfway.

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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.