A Healthier Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie

In case you can't tell from previous posts, we love cookies in this house!  John has been practically begging me to make another batch of these delicious Red Velvet Fudge Bars everyday for the past five days.  But unless you are blessed with a fantastic metabolism (and neither of us were) you can't eat those cookie bars on a daily basis.  So I came up with a fun cookie recipe for all those days in between...the days when you want something sweet but don't need the overindulgence!

These cookies are allergy friendly - no peanuts, no tree nuts, no eggs, and no dairy (just make sure to use dairy free chocolate chips)!

Here's What You Need to Make the Healthier Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies:

• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/3 cup raw sugar (you could use brown or white)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

No eggs in this batter!  Let your kids help! 

Now Let's Make the Healthier Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
2. In a small mixing bowl combine the mashed banana, applesauce, sugar, vanilla extract, and extra virgin olive oil.  Set bowl aside.
3. In a medium mixing bowl combine whole wheat flour, rolled oats, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon (use a whisk to combine evenly)
4. Pour your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients and mix well with a large spoon
5. Fold in the chocolate chips
6. Use a cookie scoop to drop batter onto prepared sheet (16 medium sized cookies)
   
7. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes
8. Allow to cool on sheet for a few minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely
9. Store in an airtight container for up to five days

Enjoy!  You will love these cookies!  More importantly, your kiddos will love these cookies (and you can feel good about giving them one...or two)!

A few tools that I use to make these cookies: