Imagine sinking your teeth into a deliciously soft cookie that tastes like a decadent treat but is secretly packed with wholesome ingredients. These Skinny Chunky Monkey Cookies are the ultimate game-changer for health-conscious dessert lovers who refuse to compromise on flavor! Combining the rich, creamy goodness of bananas and peanut butter with dark chocolate chips, these cookies prove that healthy eating can be absolutely irresistible.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 22 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mashed banana
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mash the ripe bananas using a fork or potato masher until smooth and no large chunks remain. The bananas should be very ripe for maximum natural sweetness.
- Add the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk these ingredients together until completely combined and forming a smooth, uniform mixture.
- In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk dry ingredients together to ensure even distribution of the leavening agent and salt.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the cookies tough.
- Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the cookie dough.
- Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading.
- Gently flatten each cookie slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingertips, as these cookies will not spread much during baking.
- Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the cookies are set.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness.
Tips
- Choose Very Ripe Bananas: The riper the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your cookies will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your peanut butter and other ingredients are at room temperature for easier mixing and better cookie texture.
- Don't Overmix: Gently fold ingredients together to keep the cookies tender. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense cookies.
- Consistent Size Matters: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure uniform cookie sizes for even baking.
- Cool Completely: Allow cookies to cool entirely on a wire rack to develop the best texture and prevent sogginess.
- Storage Hack: For longer freshness, you can freeze these cookies for up to a month in an airtight container.
- Customize: Feel free to swap chocolate chips with nuts or add a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor variation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 23g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
