Description
Delicious and nutritious cookies that taste like carrot cake, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or lunchboxes, sweetened naturally with banana and applesauce.
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats (old-fashioned or quick oats)
- 1 cup grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
- 1/2 cup mashed bananas (about 1 medium ripe banana)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey (maple for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine the oats and grated carrots. Stir to distribute evenly.
- Add the mashed banana, applesauce, and maple syrup (or honey). Mix until the mixture is uniformly moistened.
- Sprinkle in the cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Stir again until well combined.
- Fold in the chopped nuts and raisins if you’re using them.
- Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Gently press each mound into a slightly flattened round.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3–5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free oats. Adjust sweetness by reducing maple syrup/honey to 3 tablespoons and adding more applesauce. Enjoy warm with cream cheese or Greek yogurt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American