Banana Baby Cookies
These basic banana oat baby cookies are such a simple recipe, with no added sugar they are the perfect first cookie for babies.
Why This Recipe Works
- Free From: Eggs, Dairy, Nuts and refined sugar
- My kids have been offered these baby cookies from around six months of age, the age they started solids and they have remained a firm favourite.
- A simple snack made from basic ingredients
- The ingredients in this recipe are sources of vitamins and minerals including fibre, iron, and protein
Ingredients you will need
To make my banana baby cookies recipe you will need:
- chia seeds
- water
- banana
- extract vanilla
- rolled oats
- plain flour
Ingredients Notes & Substitutions
- Chia seeds: This recipe will work without the chia seeds, so these can be left out if desired. I tend to use white chia seeds when I make this recipe as they just look a little nicer in the cookie batter.
- Banana: the mashed banana can be substituted for unsweetened apple sauce or sweet potato puree
- Vanilla extract: Cinnamon can be used as an alternative flavoring for these cookies
- Oats. Any oats can be used, I blitz my oats into an oat flour in a food processor for a smoother softer cookie. These cookies work well with quick-cook oats, if you use traditional rolled oats the final texture will require more chewing but will be suitable for older children. In Australia and New Zealand oats are not considered to be gluten-free.
- Plain flour: This can be substituted for rice flour if you would prefer not to use wheat flour
When to introduce baby cookies
These cookies contain no ingredients that current research would suggest you need to delay the introduction of.
They are free from refined sugar, salt, and honey, all of which would not be recommended for babies in the first year of life. If you are following baby-led weaning for the introduction of solids then these soft cookies are perfect as baby snacks or breakfast.
If you have decided to use traditional baby weaning practices and start with purees etc. then as soon as you introduce finger foods to your baby these will be perfect. It is important for baby development to progress through the stages of texture and introduce finger foods to your baby.
How to make homemade baby cookies
Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make my banana baby cookies recipe, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.
Prep: Pop the chia seeds into the water and leave to stand for 10-15 minutes (they should begin to gel in this time.
Preheat your oven at 180 degrees Celsius (approx 360 F)
Optional: For a softer smoother cookie blitz your rolled oats into a fine oat flour.
Step one: In a medium bowl mash the banana. For a very smooth texture, you can use a blender to make a banana puree instead.
Step two: Stir through the soaked chia seeds and vanilla
Step three: Add the oats, and flour, mix well. This should form a cookie dough with quite a moist sticky texture.
Step four: Use a tablespoon to scoop the mixture, and place dollops onto a lined baking sheet. The mix will be quite sticky so forming perfect shapes will be tricky.
I flatten the cookies with the back of a measuring spoon. I find damp hands and wet spoons help a lot as the cookie dough will not stick to wet utensils.
Step five:
- Bake in your preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (approx 360 F) for 25-30 mins, and allow to cool.
Enjoy!
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Top Tips
Here is how you can make these banana baby cookies perfectly every time!
- Store in an airtight container for 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months and thaw as needed. Due to their high moisture content, they do not have a long shelf life unless frozen.
- The cookies should have a soft and chewy texture i.e. they should not snap when bent they should bend.
- Frozen baby cookies are a lovely soothing treat for a teething baby.
FAQs
You can store these banana oat cookies at room temperature in an airtight for 2-3 days. If you plan to keep them for longer then store them in an airtight container the freezer for up to three months. Frozen from the freezer they are perfect for a teething baby.
Most store-bought cookies are high in sugar so are not suitable for babies. Homemade naturally sweetened baby cookies are suitable for baby-led weaning or finger food.
Basic Banana Oat Baby Cookies
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 3 tablespoon water
- 250 g banana approx 2 medium bananas
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup oats 100 grams
- ¾ cup plain flour
Instructions
Prep
- Pop the chia seeds into the water and leave to stand for 10-15 minutes (they should begin to gel in this time)
- Optional: For a softer smoother cookie blitz your rolled oats into a fine oat flour.
Wet ingredients
- In a medium bowl mash the banana
- Stir through the soaked chia seeds and vanilla
- Add the oats, and flour, mix well. This should form a cookie dough with a quite a moist sticky texture.
- Use a tablespoon to scoop the mixture, place dollops onto a baking paper lined tray. The mix will be quite sticky so forming perfect shapes will be tricky. I find damp hands is a good idea with this mix, (I get 20 tablespoons from this recipe), place the balls on a lined baking tray
- Bake at 180 degrees Celsius (approx 360 F) for 25-30 mins, allow to cool
- The cookies should have a soft texture
- Store in an airtight container for 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months and thaw as needed
Video
Nutrition
Quick Start Guide To BLW
Baby led weaning doesn’t need to be complicated, grab my quick start guide to begin your little ones food journey.
Quick Start Guide To BLW
Baby led weaning doesn’t need to be complicated, grab my quick start guide to begin your little ones food journey.
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Could I substitute 1 egg for the chia & water?
Hi, I’m about to make these, but I notice that you don’t say when to add the flour. I’m going to assume that it is at the same time as the oats!
Fixed this, thanks so much
My little one is allergic to banana, what can I use as substitute?
The recipe will work with apple puree- you need to make sure you really strain the apples of moisture before blending them, sweet potato puree also works
Will it work with an egg instead of chia seeds?
Yes it does.
I would like to make a comment about the oats..I grew up on oatmeal and have eaten it most of my adult life..One thing to remember is oatmeal will swell in your tummy if its not cooked..The oatmeal will absorb all the liquid in your tummy until it has filled out..Make sure the child has plenty to drink otherwise will have sore tummy...I have learned this the hard way..
Yes this is a good point, babies should be offered drinks with snacks like these
Is there something that can be used as a substitute for the chia seeds?
you could sub in an actual egg, or ground flax seed