When browsing the baby food aisle, I notice most of your “baby first foods” are quite healthy! Most only have a fruit or vegetable with a little water. However, when you move up into the toddler food and snack food, that is when the ingredient lists get long, and scary. It’s easy to make your own quick, on the go, finger food for toddlers! And this recipe was one of my kids favorites growing up! Once kids have a few teeth we started making these cookies for them (usually around 16 months old)
A quick comparison. On the right, we have store bought banana cookies. On the left, we have our homemade version! We love ours because our cookies are made from just a few ingredients, and nothing we can’t pronounce!
Feeding toddlers can be tricky! They are developing their tastes for foods. You can try a variety of delicious toddler recipes, and one day they’ll love it, and the next day, they want nothing to do with it! 
Toddlers want to explore the textures & tastes of new food. They eat for hunger, but also for experiences. As parents, we can provide a variety of tastes, textures, and flavors, by giving them a variety of foods. 
Some tips for feeding your toddlers:
- Provide nutritious snacks, whole foods, and recipes made from whole foods.
- They like to be independent! Give them a choice between two foods you want them to eat. You wouldn’t offer them a cheese chip or an apple. They’ll likely choose the food with the highest fat, salt, and sugar. But you can give them a choice between applesauce and soft carrots for example.
- Make it easy to eat. When toddlers can hold and feed the food to themselves, they are learning important skills. These cookies are great for that!
My kids like these cookies. For older kids, don’t call them cookies. They aren’t sweet like cookies, so they might be disappointed.
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup coconut oil melted
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 medium bananas about 1 cup total mashed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups quick cooking oats
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350° F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisk to combine.
- In a stand mixer (or a mixing bowl and hand mixer) cream together, melted coconut oil, brown sugar, egg, mashed bananas, and vanilla. Mix until light slightly fluffy. Add dry ingredients to the wet and mix just until combined. Add oats and mix again, just until the oats are evenly mixed.
- Scoop the dough onto a cookie sheet. Bake in 350 degree oven for 9-11 minutes. If you like a more crisp edge, bake closer to 11 minutes.
- When the cookies come out of the oven, use a drinking glass to shape the cookies into a perfectly round shape. Place the open end of the drinking class over the cookie and use a small circular motion to shape the cookie.
- These store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Enjoy!
Nutrition
www.superhealthykids.com
