{recipe of the week} Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies

To label these "cookies" might be a bit of a stretch... They are definitely not your traditional cookie.  No sugar, no eggs, no flour.  Just a whole lotta healthy yum! (Just ask Hubs -- he polished off almost a half of batch as I'm typing this, lol.)

These are sweet enough to be a light dessert and healthy enough to be a quick snack or even an on-the-go breakfast treat!


Healthy Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped dates or raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup applesauce (no sugar added)
• 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar (I usually leave this out, so only add if you prefer a "sweet" taste)  NOTE:  If adding this, increase the oats by about 1/3 cup as well.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Stir in oats, dates, nuts, applesauce, cinnamon and vanilla. Mix well, and allow to sit for 15 minutes. NOTE:  The batter shouldn't be too sticky - more like a reg. oatmeal cookie batter.  Add a little more oats to make less sticky.
3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly brown.  Makes approx. 3 dozen.

It could not be any easier.  And, now you don't have to feel bad for eating 15 cookies. ;)