Make Delicious Cookies With Just Bananas And 2 Pantry Staples

Cookies come in all shapes and sizes, and can be made with ingredients beyond the traditional recipes. Chocolate chip, sugar, and oatmeal are all classic cookie recipes that even beginners can follow, but there are easier options out there that require even less effort. If you don't have all the ingredients for cookies in your pantry, such as flour, eggs, or sugar, there's no need to worry — all you need to make a delicious batch is bananas, oats, and chocolate chips. 

A three-ingredient cookie recipe may sound too good to be true, but it proves that a delicious dessert doesn't have to be a ton of work. Even with no sugar or egg, these cookies will still come out sweet and moist. That's because the ripe bananas add sweetness, while their mushy texture incorporates moisture, softens the oats, and helps them bind together — bananas are even a known egg substitute, after all. Meanwhile, the oats provide structure to the cookies, and the chocolate chips bring more sweetness. 

To make these treats, simply mash up a few ripe bananas and fold in your oats (you'll need about 1½ cups of oats for every two medium-sized bananas) and chocolate chips. Roll them into individual cookies and bake in the oven. They only take 12 to 15 minutes, and you'll have the tastiest low-effort cookies after. 

While three ingredients are enough for these flavorful cookies, there are plenty of ways to make them even tastier. For a bit more crunch and earthy flavor, you can substitute the chocolate chips for nuts. Or, you could skip the the chocolate chips and swap the bananas with applesauce for an even simpler two-ingredient oatmeal cookie. Peanut butter and jelly are another great flavor combination to try. Just add the peanut butter to your batter and top off your cookies with a scoop of jelly once they're out of the oven. You can also add a bit of cinnamon or sea salt on top of your cookies for a nice finishing touch. Whichever way you choose to tweak the recipe and make it your own, stick to old-fashioned or quick oats. There are best for a chewy texture as they absorb moisture better than steel-cut oats. 

These cookies are best stored in the fridge for up to five days (if they aren't already gone by then). You can enjoy any leftovers cold, but heating them up in the microwave for a few seconds will make them soft and gooey. Whether you enjoy these cookies as a nightly dessert or a midday snack, they are delicious at any time of the day. If you were looking for a quick sweet treat to add to your rotation, these cookies can be the answer.