Weekend Whimsy: Baking Banana Oat Cookies With the Kids
Wholesome. Yummy. One bowl. No fuss: Simple, wholesome fun straight from the kitchen.
There’s something magical about slow weekend mornings. The pace softens, little feet pad around in pajamas, and there's time—real time—to lean into the sweet, simple things. One of our favorite rituals? Baking with the kids.
It’s not about perfection (or even clean countertops). It’s about connection, creativity, and the delicious joy of making something from scratch together.
This weekend, we’re whipping up Banana Oat Cookies—a three-step, kid-friendly recipe that’s packed with goodness and just the right amount of mess. These cookies are naturally sweet, full of nourishing ingredients, and easy enough for tiny hands to help with every step.
Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas (mashed)
1 cup rolled oats
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional extras: dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, dried fruit
Instructions:
Mash & Mix: In a large bowl, let the kids mash the bananas until smooth (or mostly smooth — lumps are welcome here). Stir in oats, cinnamon, and vanilla. Add any extras you love.
Scoop & Shape: Spoon small heaps of dough onto a lined baking tray. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon or little palms.
Bake & Enjoy: Bake at 175°C / 350°F for 12–15 minutes until golden at the edges. Cool for a few minutes, then devour — ideally with warm tea and giggles.
Why We Love It:
It’s naturally sweet with no added sugar
No fancy equipment — just a bowl and a spoon
A great way to use up ripe bananas
Kids love being involved start to finish
Feels like a treat, nourishes like a snack
Bonus: Make It a Mindful Moment
While the cookies bake, ask your kids what their “high” of the week was, or what their dream weekend adventure would be. These little pauses—sticky fingers, open hearts—are what slow living is all about.
Because in a world that often moves too fast, there’s something grounding in stirring a bowl of oats, laughing over banana-smeared noses, and watching cookies rise together.