3 Ingredient Oat Cookies (2024)

Published: Nov 21, 2022 · Modified: Jul 20, 2023 by James Wythe · This post may contain affiliate links

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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
Ingredients to make Oat Cookies
Substitutions
Variations
How to make Oat Cookies
Leftovers
Recipe FAQs
Recipe
Reviews

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 banana oat cookies are child friendly and they totally love making them too! They will also love my 3 ingredient Banana Oat Pancakes recipe.

If you’re looking another healthy snack recipe then do check out my Healthy Energy Balls. Or if you want another healthy breakfast for on the go try my Overnight Protein Oats.

I added this recipe into my Best 33 Vegan Desserts and 35 Gluten Free Desserts round up!

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 Banana 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 Banana 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

Can I freeze these 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies

Yes, definitely! Simply bake and then allow them to cool before placing in an air tight container in the freezer.

Could I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?

Yes, any nut butter would work in this recipe. If you have an allergy to nuts, you could also try tahini.

Can I eat these 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies fresh out of the oven?

Allow the cookies for cool for approximately 10 minutes before tucking in, this allows them to firm up.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…

Breakfast Banana Bars
Gluten Free Chocolate Cookies
Healthy Energy Balls
Easy Gluten Free Vegan Banana Bread

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

Super easy 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies, using 3 ingredients you'll already have in the house! Plus they are ready within 25 minutes!

4.93 from 67 votes

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Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: British

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 cookies

Calories: 191kcal

Author: James Wythe

Cost: £2

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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)

Metric – US Customary

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!

Video

Notes

Step-by-Step Photos: My blog post includes helpful step-by-step photos to help guide you through making this recipe.

Substitutions & Variations:I have included a list of these in the post above.

To Store:At room temperature in a sealed container for 2 days.

To Freeze:Simply bake and then allow them to cool before placing in an air tight container in the freezer.

Tip 1: You can use smooth or crunchy peanut butter

Tip 2: Allow the cookies for cool for approximately 10 minutes before tucking in, this allows them to firm up

Tip 3:You can freeze these so batch make them!

Nutrition

Please note that Nutrition information is a rough estimate

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Review

Eric WILLIS says
March 04, 2024 at 3:55 am

Yes, Just what I’m looking for, I didn’t have bananas used some peaches off my Son’s tree, cooked them and mashed them, tossed in a few walnuts and a tbl sp of desiccated coconut!
(Ha! Ha! Sprinkled with icing sugar to make a bit more acceptable to Mother!)
Next time I will allow them to cool longer before we eat them all!
Reply
Vivi. says
December 18, 2023 at 4:32 am

Amazing simple and utterly delicious biscuits, we love them.
Reply
- James Wythe says
  December 18, 2023 at 10:59 am
  Thanks so much 🙂
  Reply
  See Also
  4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Bars — Sammi Brondo | NYC based Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Pecan Pie Energy Bites Vegan Copycat Girl Scout Samoas Traditional Indian Fry Bread
Angela says
April 13, 2023 at 9:54 pm
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!
Reply
LouAnn says
February 19, 2023 at 2:14 pm
Coujd applesauce be subbed for the nut butter??
Reply
L says
February 03, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Do these cookies spread while in the oven
Reply
Louise says
February 03, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Do these cookies spread while in the oven
How far apart do they need to be placed on the cookie sheet
Reply
- James Wythe says
  February 07, 2023 at 10:35 am
  Hey Louise, no they don’t spread like normal cookies. You will know the space needed once you press them down ready to bake 🙂
  Reply
Patricia Robinson says
December 04, 2022 at 5:38 am
Can you recommend what you think is the best peanut butter for taste & nutrition value please
Reply
- James Wythe says
  December 05, 2022 at 3:54 pm
  I personally am loving manilife right now 🙂
  Reply
Sue Tuffnell says
November 24, 2022 at 8:22 pm
Can you recommend a substitute for peanut butter so I can make it for my kids’ pack lunch?
Reply
- James Wythe says
  November 29, 2022 at 11:24 am
  Can you use a different nut butter such as almond?
  Reply
Aoife says
October 30, 2022 at 2:01 pm

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! ❤️
Reply
Carolyn says
June 19, 2022 at 11:18 pm
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!
Reply
Margarita says
September 03, 2020 at 7:36 pm

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.
Reply
Dave B says
June 30, 2020 at 7:24 pm
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!
Reply
Robina says
June 20, 2020 at 5:09 pm
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!
Reply
- James says
  June 22, 2020 at 9:06 am
  Pleased you enjoyed them Robina 🙂
  Reply
Melody says
June 15, 2020 at 11:54 am

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!
Reply
- James says
  June 22, 2020 at 9:11 am
  Thanks Melody 🙂 pleased you enjoyed them!
  Reply
Aimee Hamerston says
June 15, 2020 at 9:47 am
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
Reply
- James says
  June 15, 2020 at 10:03 am
  Thanks Aimee 🙂
  Reply
Helga Clerkin says
June 10, 2020 at 10:40 pm

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…
Reply
Victoria says
June 10, 2020 at 2:42 pm

I have baked those cookies a couple of times now. Everytime they are amazing!!! My boyfriend loves them. Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Reply
- James says
  June 10, 2020 at 3:08 pm
  Thank you Victoria 🙂 so pleased you both love them!
  Reply
Isabel says
June 05, 2020 at 2:45 pm

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)).
Reply
- James says
  See Also
  Granny's Quick Lemon Curd
  June 05, 2020 at 2:56 pm
  Sounds delicious Isabel 🙂 glad you enjoyed!
  Reply
Fleur Ostojak says
May 17, 2020 at 10:12 am

Really enjoyed making these! So easy and quick to do, really impressed with how many cookies you can make!
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 18, 2020 at 8:21 am
  Thank you Fleur 🙂
  Reply
Mariana Sousa says
May 14, 2020 at 9:54 pm

Easy and tasty!! What to say thank you so much for your recipes. You are my number one to search recipes!!!
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 15, 2020 at 8:44 am
  Thank you Mariana 🙂 appreciate the great feedback!
  Reply
Katie says
May 12, 2020 at 11:24 am

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!
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 12, 2020 at 11:25 am
  Yay glad you enjoyed them Katie 🙂 thanks for sharing your feedback!
  Reply
James says
May 12, 2020 at 3:57 am

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. 😀
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 12, 2020 at 9:13 am
  Thanks James 🙂 glad you enjoyed with applesauce!
  Reply
Dasha says
May 11, 2020 at 2:20 pm

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.
Reply
Mariana Sousa says
May 10, 2020 at 3:03 pm

Did them today and they are soooo goodddd!!!!!
Thank you!!!
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 11, 2020 at 8:46 am
  Whoop 🙂 pleased you enjoyed them Mariana 🙂
  Reply
Zacc says
May 09, 2020 at 10:01 am

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 .
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 10, 2020 at 9:33 am
  Awesome thank you Zacc 🙂
  Reply
Aleksandra says
May 07, 2020 at 4:02 pm
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!
Reply
Lisa says
May 06, 2020 at 8:47 pm

Sooo easy and tasty! Will definitely be making these again soon!
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 07, 2020 at 9:32 am
  Thank you Lisa 🙂 so pleased you enjoyed them!
  Reply
Bjarnhildur says
May 05, 2020 at 11:22 pm
I really like this cookies. I also tried adding raisins and cinnamon and they were even better. Thanks for all your great recipes
Reply
Helga says
May 04, 2020 at 3:48 pm
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
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 04, 2020 at 4:42 pm
  Thank you for the great feedback Helga 🙂
  Reply
Tina says
May 03, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Can you use normal butter instead of peanut butter? As I can’t have any nuts.
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 04, 2020 at 8:33 am
  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?
  Reply
Catherine says
May 03, 2020 at 10:51 am
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?
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 04, 2020 at 8:31 am
  Hey Catherine, not tried it myself but definitely worth a go! Let me know how you get on 🙂
  Reply
Tam says
May 02, 2020 at 3:44 pm

Simple, quick to make and really really tasty! I love!!
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 03, 2020 at 9:08 am
  Thank you Tam 🙂
  Reply
Cathy says
May 02, 2020 at 10:18 am

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
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 03, 2020 at 9:09 am
  Thank you Cathy 🙂 pleased you enjoyed them!
  Reply
Sophia says
May 01, 2020 at 7:18 pm

great consistency and taste – goes well with raspberry jam!
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 03, 2020 at 9:09 am
  Awesome thank you Sophia 🙂
  Reply
Melanie says
May 01, 2020 at 4:26 pm

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 ❤️
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 01, 2020 at 5:31 pm
  Thanks for sharing the 1 cup of apple sauce substitute for bananas Melanie glad you enjoyed them 🙂
  Reply
Wiesna says
May 01, 2020 at 4:24 pm

Such a quick recipe, I loved it!! I added a little Cashew butter and it came out soo delicious.
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 01, 2020 at 5:30 pm
  Thank you Wiesna 🙂
  Reply
Jemma says
May 01, 2020 at 3:41 pm

Really easy! Great recipe thanks James
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 01, 2020 at 3:43 pm
  Thank you Jemma, pleased you enjoyed them 🙂
  Reply
Emerald says
May 01, 2020 at 3:56 am
Absolutely amazing!!!
Reply
Stella says
April 30, 2020 at 3:54 pm

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!
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 01, 2020 at 9:24 am
  Thank you Stella 🙂 appreciate the review!
  Reply
Kayleigh says
April 30, 2020 at 3:37 pm

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
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  May 01, 2020 at 9:24 am
  Yay glad to hear that Kayleigh thanks for sharing 🙂
  Reply
Lauren says
April 30, 2020 at 1:19 pm

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
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  April 30, 2020 at 1:21 pm
  Appreciate that Lauren, thanks for the great review!
  Reply
Katie says
April 30, 2020 at 1:16 pm

Quick, easy, healthy, tasty and uses ingredients you are likely to already have!
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  April 30, 2020 at 1:21 pm
  Thank you Katie 🙂 so pleased you enjoyed them!
  Reply
Jade Batchelor says
April 30, 2020 at 12:45 pm
Can this be made with almond butter instead of peanut butter? 🙂
Reply
- Healthy Living James says
  April 30, 2020 at 1:04 pm
  Absolutely Jade 🙂 enjoy!
  Reply