When it comes to feeding toddlers, finding the perfect balance between nutrition and taste can be a challenge. Enter Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies—a delightful, nutrient-packed option that’s not only kid-approved but also quick and easy for parents to prepare.
These cookies are made with wholesome ingredients and can even be tailored to fit gluten-free and vegan lifestyles. Let’s dive into why these breakfast cookies deserve a spot on your toddler’s plate—and maybe even yours!
Why Choose Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies?
Breakfast is often touted as the most important meal of the day, especially for growing toddlers. However, mornings can be hectic, and preparing a nutritious breakfast that your little one will actually eat isn’t always easy. That’s where these oatmeal breakfast cookies shine—they’re portable, delicious, and packed with ingredients that fuel your toddler’s energy and growth.
Unlike store-bought breakfast bars or sugary cereals, these cookies are free from refined sugars and artificial additives. Plus, they’re made with just a handful of simple ingredients you likely already have at home.
Key Nutritional Benefits
- Oats: A great source of fiber, oats help keep your toddler feeling full and aid in healthy digestion. They also provide essential nutrients like iron and zinc.
- Banana: Naturally sweet and rich in potassium, bananas are a great way to add flavor without the need for added sugar.
- Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce brings moisture to the cookies while adding vitamins like vitamin C.
- Peanut Butter (or Nut Butter): A fantastic source of healthy fats and protein, nut butters are essential for growing bodies.
- Egg (or Flax Egg): Eggs provide protein and essential vitamins like B12, but if your child has an egg allergy or you prefer a vegan alternative, flax eggs are a great substitute.
- Cinnamon: Not just for flavor, cinnamon also offers antioxidant properties and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
How to Make Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies
These cookies are incredibly easy to make, taking just 20 minutes from prep to finish. Here’s the step-by-step guide:
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 ripe medium banana, mashed (about 3.2 oz)
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter (or any nut butter)
- 1 egg (or substitute with 1 flax egg)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the oats, mashed banana, applesauce, peanut butter, egg (or flax egg), vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Stir until all the ingredients are well blended.
- Form the Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to create cookie balls about 1½ to 2 tablespoons in size. Place them on the baking sheet and flatten them until they’re about ½ inch thick.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for approximately 10 minutes or until they’re slightly golden around the edges.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet before serving.
Storage Tips
One of the best things about these breakfast cookies is their versatility—you can make them ahead of time and store them for busy mornings or snack times.
- Refrigeration: Store the cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, place the cookies in a freezer-friendly container or bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Simply thaw them at room temperature or warm them up in the microwave before serving.
Customizing Your Cookies
These Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies are already delicious as-is, but you can easily customize them to suit your toddler’s taste preferences or dietary needs:
- Add-ins: Toss in some raisins, dried cranberries, or mini chocolate chips for extra flavor and fun.
- Seeds: Sprinkle in chia seeds or ground flaxseed for an added boost of omega-3s and fiber.
- Spices: Experiment with spices like nutmeg or ginger for a new twist on flavor.
- Nut-Free Option: If your child has a nut allergy, replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or coconut butter.
Why Toddlers Love These Breakfast Cookies
Toddlers are notoriously picky eaters, but these cookies manage to win them over with their soft texture and naturally sweet flavor from bananas and applesauce. They’re easy to hold for little hands and make a great on-the-go snack for busy mornings or car rides.
A Treat for Parents Too!
Don’t let the name fool you—these aren’t just for toddlers! Parents will love these cookies as a quick breakfast option or mid-day snack as well. At just 72 calories per cookie, they’re a guilt-free treat that satisfies hunger without compromising on nutrition.
Final Thoughts
Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies are a game-changer for parents looking to provide nutritious, homemade meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, bananas, and nut butter, these cookies are not only good for your toddler but also incredibly easy to make.
Whether you’re rushing out the door in the morning or looking for a snack to keep your little one satisfied between meals, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite. Try them out today—you might just find yourself making an extra batch for the grown-ups too!
Print
Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 cookies 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These kid-friendly breakfast cookies are packed with nutrients and made with only a few simple ingredients. You can also make them gluten-free and vegan!
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 ripe medium banana, mashed (about 3.2 oz)
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tbsp peanut butter or any nut butter (unsweetened)
- 1 egg (or substitute with 1 flax egg)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, mashed banana, applesauce, peanut butter, egg (or flax egg), vanilla extract, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form 1 ½ – 2 tablespoon-sized cookie balls and place them on the baking sheet. Flatten each cookie to about ½ inch thick.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until slightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven, let cool, and enjoy!
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To freeze, place cookies in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 72 kcal
- Sugar: 2.4g
- Sodium: 8mg
- Fat: 2.6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: —
- Trans Fat: —
- Carbohydrates: 9.7g
- Fiber: 1.4g
- Protein: 2.8g
- Cholesterol: 16mg
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