Banana "Bakies"

I was recently informed that cookies should really be called bakies since, after all, we bake them. How had I not thought of it before?! This realization (and three very ripe bananas) were the inspiration for this recipe.

Only 5 ingredients! You might as well call them Breakfast Bakies because, as always, they are healthy enough to eat for breakfast :) They would also be a good stand in for on-the-go protein bars with a similar nutrient profile as many of those you would find pre-packaged at the store.

Banana "Bakies"

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup nut butter (I used Wild Friends Chocolate Almond Butter, but plain Peanut Butter would be just as good too)
• 2 cups old fashioned oats (use gluten free oats to make recipe gluten free)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder

I love this nut butter from Wild Friends, but any nut butter will do!

Preparation Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mash bananas and mix with nut butter. You may want to heat your nut butter for one minute in the microwave first to help make mixing easier.
3. Stir together oats, cinnamon and baking powder, then mix with bananas and nut butter.
4. Use a 1/4 cup to scoop cookies onto baking sheet. Makes 9 cookies.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes. I baked mine for 18 minutes.

Mash bananas with nut butter.

Mix in dry ingredients.

Scoop into 9 cookies (~1/4 cup per cookie).

Let cool then store in tupperware or plastic baggies.

Fuel Facts

Numbers: 186 calories, 6 g protein, 8 g fat, 26 g carbs, 4 g fiber

**For 1 cookie (recipe makes 9 cookies)

Ingredients Breakdown:

v Bananas – The sweet fruit is well known for its high potassium content, promoting optimal blood pressure and muscle function. The fructooligosaccharides in bananas also qualify them as a prebiotic food. Prebiotics are so named because they allow probiotics (good bacteria) to flourish in the gut. Increased amounts of probiotics in the digestive system leads to increased nutrient absorption from foods. In addition, bananas are very high in fiber, helping to regulate bowel movements.

v Almonds – Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, similar to those found in olive oil, providing heart-healthy benefits. Almonds are also a great source of vitamin E, one of the most important nutrients for preventing oxidative stress. Vitamin E, when applied topically, has also been found to protect the skin against UV damage from the sun. It is believed by some researchers that this same protective effect can be achieved through consumption of foods rich in vitamin E, such as almonds.

v Oats – Oats are known for their heart healthy benefits. They contain beta-glucan, a specific fiber that helps lower cholesterol levels. Studies have shown, in those with high cholesterol levels (over 220 mg/dl), ½ cup of oats or 1 bowl of oatmeal can lower cholesterol by 8-23 percent.

v Cinnamon – Many studies have shown the stabilizing effects of cinnamon on blood sugar. This is beneficial for anyone who wants to keep energy levels constant throughout the day, and especially helpful for diabetics or those who experience hypoglycemia. Cinnamon has also been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory by limiting the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes, a fatty acid that typically causes inflammation.