Gluten Free Banana Bread Cookie Recipe

You know those bananas sitting on your counter, slowly turning from sunny yellow to a speckled, almost-too-soft brown? Don’t you dare think about tossing them! That, my friend, is the secret start to the most wonderfully soft, cake-like, and downright delicious Gluten Free Banana Bread Cookies. They capture all the cozy, comforting flavor of a loaf of banana bread but in a perfectly portable, ready-in-minutes cookie form. If your week is as busy as mine, you’ll love having this quick-baking solution up your sleeve for breakfast on the run, a lunchbox treat, or that 3 PM cup of coffee that desperately needs a friend.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Gluten Free Banana Bread Cookies

Seriously, what’s not to love? These cookies are here to solve problems and bring joy.

• Super Simple: No fancy techniques or weird ingredients required. It’s a straightforward, mix-and-drop situation.
• Perfect for Picky Eaters: Even those who usually side-eye anything “gluten-free” will be begging for the recipe.
• Wholesome & Satisfying: Made with oat flour and ripe bananas, they feel like a treat but are wholesome enough for a snack you can feel good about.
• Fast & Freezer-Friendly: From bowl to belly in under 30 minutes. And they freeze beautifully for future cookie emergencies.

This recipe has become a staple in my house, especially on those chaotic mornings when a sit-down breakfast just isn’t happening. I vividly remember the first time I whipped up a batch; my kitchen smelled like a cozy bakery, and my daughter declared them “even better than muffin tops!” High praise, indeed.

Gathering Your Ingredients

Let’s talk about what you’ll need. The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. Here’s the lineup:

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• 2 large ripe bananas (the spottier, the better!)
• 2 cups gluten-free oat flour
• 1/2 cup almond butter (creamy works best)
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional, but highly recommended for a little joy)

Your Simple Equipment List

You won’t need any fancy gadgets for this one. Just grab:

• A large mixing bowl
• A fork or potato masher for the bananas
• A baking sheet
• Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat

How to Make Gluten Free Banana Bread Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to bake? Let’s do this. It’s so simple, you might have it memorized after the first time.

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This gives it time to get perfectly hot while you make the dough. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent any sticking.

Step 2: Mash and Mix

In your large bowl, peel those ripe bananas and mash them well with a fork until they’re mostly smooth. A few small lumps are totally fine—they add character! Then, add the almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until it’s beautifully combined.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

To the same bowl, add your gluten-free oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Gently stir until a soft cookie dough forms. It might be a bit sticky, and that’s exactly what you want. Now, fold in those glorious chocolate chips if you’re using them.

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop rounded mounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. You don’t need to flatten them; they’ll spread just a little as they bake. Pop them in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy!

This is the hardest part: let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes. They’ll be very soft right out of the oven and need a moment to set. Then, dig in!

Tips & Tricks for the Best Cookies Ever

A few little nuggets of wisdom to make sure your cookies are perfect every single time:

• Banana Bonus: The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your cookies will be. If your bananas aren’t quite spotty enough, you can roast them in their peels at 300°F for about 20 minutes to caramelize the sugars.
• Flour Power: If you’re new to baking with oat flour, you can easily make your own by grinding gluten-free rolled oats in a blender until they reach a fine, powdery consistency.
• Mix-in Magic: Feel free to get creative! Swap the chocolate chips for walnuts, pecans, or even a handful of dried cranberries. For more gluten-free baking inspiration, check out our guide to simple gluten-free baking swaps.
• Storage Solution: Keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. They’re perfect for meal prep!

The Perfect Way to Serve Them

While these cookies are fantastic all on their own, I love serving them warm with a little pat of butter melting on top for an extra-indulgent treat. They’re also amazing crumbled over a bowl of Greek yogurt for a power-packed breakfast. Pair them with a smoothie, like this Morning Berry Blast Smoothie, for a completely balanced start to your day.

Gluten Free Banana Bread Cookies FAQ

Can I make these cookies nut-free?

Absolutely! To make these nut-free, simply replace the almond butter with an equal amount of sunflower seed butter. Just be aware that sunflower seed butter can sometimes cause baked goods to turn a slight green color (it’s a harmless chemical reaction!), but they’ll still taste delicious.

How should I store leftovers?

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer storage, I highly recommend freezing them. They thaw quickly and taste just as fresh.

Can I use a different type of flour?

I’ve had the best results with oat flour for its texture and mild flavor. While I haven’t tested it extensively, a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend might work, but the texture could be slightly different. I’d stick with oat flour if you can!

My dough is really sticky. Is that normal?

Yes, don’t worry! This is a soft, cake-like cookie dough, and it’s meant to be a bit sticky. Using a cookie scoop or two spoons to drop it onto the baking sheet is the easiest way to handle it. Resist the urge to add more flour, as it could make the cookies dry.

So there you have it—your new favorite way to use up those ripe bananas. These Gluten Free Banana Bread Cookies are proof that the simplest recipes often bring the most happiness. I hope this recipe finds its way into your regular rotation and creates many happy little moments in your kitchen, just like it has in mine. Happy baking!