Say hello to these incredible 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies! Super easy to make using 3 ingredients that you’ll already have in the house. Plus they are ready within 25 minutes and totally gluten-free and vegan!
Recipe Difficulty – Very Easy!
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Why this recipe works
These 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies are going to be a crowd pleaser your family will love! They are totally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and naturally sweetened with the bananas. They are incredible versatile and perfect for a dessert, an on the go snack or even a quick and healthy breakfast!
As my Breakfast Banana Bars were so popular, I was inspired to create another quick and easy recipe, but in a cookie shape. I love peanut butter and it is a firm favourite in our household. If you like peanut butter too, I can guarantee you will love these 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies, give them a try!
Oh and if you have kids, these cookies are child friendly and they totally love making them too! They will also love my 3 ingredient Banana Oat Pancakes recipe.
Ingredients to make Oat Cookies
- Ripe bananas – the riper the banana the better! This is because they mash and become softer more easily!
- Peanut butter – the hero ingredient! I love the texture that crunchy peanut butter offers to these oat cookies, however smooth peanut butter would also work.
- Gluten-free oats – I have used gluten free oats as I am gluten free. However, standard rolled or porridge oats would also work perfectly well in these 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies. If you have some oats spare then try my Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions
- Bananas – If you don’t like bananas or have an allergy to them, you could try substituting them for apple sauce instead.
- Peanut butter – If you have an allergy to peanuts or don’t have any in the cupboard you could substitute this for another nut butter such as almond butter. Alternatively, these 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies would also work if you were to use tahini as well.
- Oats – Oats in this recipe could be substituted for buckwheat flakes. I have used gluten free oats as I am gluten free, but standard rolled oats or porridge oats would also work.
Variations
- Kid-friendly – If you have kids these 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies are the perfect baking recipe for them to make either on their own or with your guidance. This is because they’re so quick, simple and tasty they will absolutely love getting involved.
- Deluxe – As I mentioned earlier, these 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies could also be used as a quick and easy dessert. If you have dinner guests or wanted to make them appear more deluxe, you could serve them warm with a scoop of your favourite ice-cream or add chocolate chunks in them like my 5 Ingredient Chocolate Flapjacks
- Peanut Butter – these 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies are so versatile and can be adapted in so many different ways. If you love peanut butter like me, then definitely check out my 3 ingredient Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls recipe.
How to make Oat Cookies
Step 1: Firstly, preheat your oven until 180C/360F. Then mash ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Then add in your gluten-free oats and peanut butter.
Step 3: Mix together until it’s sticky and well combined.
Step 4: Finally, with your hands, roll into 6 ball shapes and place them onto a lined baking tray. Press the balls down with a fork into cookie shapes. Place into the oven at 180C / 360F for 20 minutes. Allow to cook for 10 minutes before tucking in!
Leftovers
Allow these 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies to cool and store in an air tight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze these to have on another day. Simply bake and then make sure they are cold before placing into an air tight container. Defrost naturally or microwave to defrost for on the go.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, definitely! Simply bake and then allow them to cool before placing in an air tight container in the freezer.
Yes, any nut butter would work in this recipe. If you have an allergy to nuts, you could also try tahini.
Allow the cookies for cool for approximately 10 minutes before tucking in, this allows them to firm up.
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Tried this 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies recipe? Please leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and let me know how you get on. Hearing positive feedback is one of the best parts of creating recipes so please review it below and leave a comment!
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Recipe
3 Ingredient Oat Cookies
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- fork
- Baking tray
- Non-stick baking paper
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- 125 g gluten free oats (rolled or porridge both work) (1 ½ cups)
- 65 g peanut butter, crunchy or smooth (¼ cup)
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 180C (fan oven)
- To a large mixing bowl add the 2 peeled bananas and mash with a fork
- Now add the 125g gluten-free oats and 65g peanut butter and mix together
- Line a baking tray with baking paper and roll into 6 balls placing onto the baking tray
- Lightly press down with a fork into cookie shapes and place in the oven at 180C for 20 minutes
- Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before eating this helps them to firm up more!
Notes
Nutrition
Please note that Nutrition information is a rough estimate
I just discovered your page today and made these. I added chocolate chips, chopped pecans, a dash of salt, and penzeys cake seasoning (cinnamon, clove, cardamom). They are amazing and so easy! I ate several for lunch today, oops. I bet coconut shavings would be good in these. Tonight I am excited to try your tomato, spinach and chickpea curry. Happy to have found you!
Coujd applesauce be subbed for the nut butter??
Do these cookies spread while in the oven
Do these cookies spread while in the oven
How far apart do they need to be placed on the cookie sheet
Hey Louise, no they don’t spread like normal cookies. You will know the space needed once you press them down ready to bake 🙂
Can you recommend what you think is the best peanut butter for taste & nutrition value please
I personally am loving manilife right now 🙂
Can you recommend a substitute for peanut butter so I can make it for my kids’ pack lunch?
Can you use a different nut butter such as almond?
I’ve been making these for a few months now (banana and apple sauce version), since I happily accidentally stumbled across your recipe. I add nuts, seeds, dried fruit, ginger, chocolate chunks, or/and cinnamon in varying combinations depending on what’s in my cupboard at the time and every time they’re a hit! They have quickly established themselves as a favourite treat in my household. If I have a complaint it’s that they have a habit of disappearing ridiculously fast! Thank you for this magic! ❤️
I just made these cookies and they are cooling.
Okay, I tried one while they were still hot and it was pretty good! It definitely has potential, although I think chocolate chips are in order.
I do have to wonder how big cookies are in England because I got 12 cookies out of the batch of dough. I cooked them for 15 minutes at 350F in a convection countertop oven. I think 12 minutes would have done it as they are quite brown.
Thank you for the lovely recipes…I have copied a bunch and will try the mushroom pasta bake tomorrow. Cheers from Canada!
Hi, I just made these cookie. Have never been a huge fan of cookies, too dry, too sweet… but these, these are delicious. Also wanted to let you know that I have tried a few of your recipes, I’m a huge fan 🙂 greetings all the way from Germany.
These are the business! Mmmmm! Love all your recipes, James, for their great (vegan) taste, ease of cooking, and use of unfussy, healthy, basic ingredients. I batch-cook your one-pot meals in particular. Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Lovely cookies. I manage to get more than six per batch though. Being vegan and gluten-free I was surprised my more sceptical friends liked them – but they did!
Pleased you enjoyed them Robina 🙂
These were so easy to make! I used almond butter instead of peanut butter and added a bit of cinnamon powder in too. Thanks for the recipe James, it’s so helpful to have a healthy snack to make so quickly with ingredients you tend to have in your cupboard anyway!
Thanks Melody 🙂 pleased you enjoyed them!
I made these yesterday and I was craving something sweet and easy to make. I always trust James’recipes and have followed him for a long time now. I added in some dairy free chocolate chips which made the cookies amazing! Going to try nuts and chocolate next time super super easy and sorted my craving out
Thanks Aimee 🙂
I made these cookies when I was bored one Sunday morning….and I’m glad I did. They are so easy to make and so tasty and lucky for me I’m the only one in the house who likes peanut butter or can eat peanuts so I will definitely be making lots more of these. I added a little melted chocolate on top as I am a chocolate addict and they were delicious…
I have baked those cookies a couple of times now. Everytime they are amazing!!! My boyfriend loves them. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Thank you Victoria 🙂 so pleased you both love them!
So tasty. As well as this recipe I made an apple & cinnamon version (I whisked 240g stewed apple (instead of the banana) with 1tsp of cinnamon & cashew butter (instead of peanut), then stirred in the oats & a few raisins(optional)).
Sounds delicious Isabel 🙂 glad you enjoyed!
Really enjoyed making these! So easy and quick to do, really impressed with how many cookies you can make!
Thank you Fleur 🙂
Easy and tasty!! What to say thank you so much for your recipes. You are my number one to search recipes!!!
Thank you Mariana 🙂 appreciate the great feedback!
Loved this simple but yummy recipe, James did warn us they wouldn’t last long and between two of us, they were finished within two days of making!
Really enjoyed them and my partner loved them too, definitely going to play around with different nut butter to see which ones our fave and maybe add some pumpkin seeds or chia.
We didn’t have any chocolate so left it out altogether and they were still delicious. Thanks again, James!
Yay glad you enjoyed them Katie 🙂 thanks for sharing your feedback!
Quick and easy! I don’t like banana cooked, so I substituted them with 1/2 cup of applesauce with a teaspoon of vanilla essence. 😀
Thanks James 🙂 glad you enjoyed with applesauce!
Hi James, very easy to make and very delicious …even my son can make it and he is 10 years old …so happy to find a healthy treat for my boy/family.
Did them today and they are soooo goodddd!!!!!
Thank you!!!
Whoop 🙂 pleased you enjoyed them Mariana 🙂
These cookies were really easy to make and my son loved them, success! Very tempting to eat the last one I’ve left for him to have as a snack .
Awesome thank you Zacc 🙂
Great, simple, healthy and yummy idea!
Crunchy and chewy in one!
I’ve used speculus butter instead peanut. And I will defenetly try with almond butter!
Sooo easy and tasty! Will definitely be making these again soon!
Thank you Lisa 🙂 so pleased you enjoyed them!
I really like this cookies. I also tried adding raisins and cinnamon and they were even better. Thanks for all your great recipes
Made these yesterday and they are so quick and easy and so tasty. Added a bit of chocolate on top just for that extra treat. Will definitely be one of my go-to bakes. Yummy
Thank you for the great feedback Helga 🙂
Can you use normal butter instead of peanut butter? As I can’t have any nuts.
Hey Tina, not tried it myself but peanut butter helps to bind the cookies as it’s a little sticky. Give it a try with butter though and let me know how you get on. P.S you can always try tahini instead of nut butter?
I am avoiding bananas at the moment while bringing my blood sugars down. If I softened a pear in a bit of water do you think this would substitute ok?
Hey Catherine, not tried it myself but definitely worth a go! Let me know how you get on 🙂
Simple, quick to make and really really tasty! I love!!
Thank you Tam 🙂
Easy and quick to make. Only had frozen bananas so sliced thinly and mashed when softish. Also lovely with choc chips as not too sweet. Thanks James
Thank you Cathy 🙂 pleased you enjoyed them!
great consistency and taste – goes well with raspberry jam!
Awesome thank you Sophia 🙂
Made these with a one cup apple sauce substitute for the banana. They turned out just as he said they should! Crisp on the outside perfect soft in the inside ! My little sister is picky and LOVED them. I used all natural unsalted peanut butter. After drizzling some on top added a sprinkle of cinnamon and a touch of salt just for a little kick . Will be making these over and over again ! Made them last night and will be enjoying one thats left with my coffee this morning ❤️
Thanks for sharing the 1 cup of apple sauce substitute for bananas Melanie glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Such a quick recipe, I loved it!! I added a little Cashew butter and it came out soo delicious.
Thank you Wiesna 🙂
Really easy! Great recipe thanks James
Thank you Jemma, pleased you enjoyed them 🙂
Absolutely amazing!!!
Sooooo good! Incredibly easy to make and you won’t be spending much money at all. Tasty too with lots of room for a few additional ingredients. I threw in some chia seeds and covered with dark chocolate (woops). Will be making them all the time no doubt, thanks James!
Thank you Stella 🙂 appreciate the review!
Made these this morning, super quick and tasty! Will definitely be making them again when I have ripe bananas to use up. Thank you for sharing the recipe
Yay glad to hear that Kayleigh thanks for sharing 🙂
This simple recipe is a game changer! I honestly didn’t think it would be this simple. For a novice baker like myself this is right up my street. Quick, easy, healthy and tasty…I’m loving all of the recipes James has to offer
Appreciate that Lauren, thanks for the great review!
Quick, easy, healthy, tasty and uses ingredients you are likely to already have!
Thank you Katie 🙂 so pleased you enjoyed them!
Can this be made with almond butter instead of peanut butter? 🙂
Absolutely Jade 🙂 enjoy!