It doesn’t get any easier than this quick, customizable breakfast idea.
Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, MA, RD
We probably don’t need to tell you that oatmeal is one of the healthiest breakfast options. Actually, it might just be our favorite. You can serve them sweet or savory, cold or hot, so there’s an oatmeal recipe for whatever your heart desires. And if your heart longs for a breakfast cookie, then Joy Bauer has just the recipe for you.
You may know Bauer as the creator of many simple and healthy recipes Todaybut she is also quite generous with her ideas on Instagram. It was there that Bauer shared this delicious recipe – the so-called Single serving Jumbo Oatmeal Cookies—which you can recreate in about 20 minutes. All you need to do is gather a mixing bowl, a cookie sheet and eight simple ingredients you may already have at home.
Related: Joy Bauer shares her favorite early-morning breakfast—and we can’t wait to try it
The recipe calls for a ripe banana, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, rolled or quick-cooked oats, baking powder, cinnamon and your choice of toppings – Bauer opts for semi-sweet chocolate chip and blueberries. Mix everything except your chosen toppings in a mixing bowl until well combined. Then transfer the mixture to a baking sheet lined with baking paper and shape it into a thick, generous cookie. When you have the shape ready to go, sprinkle on the toppings and press down lightly to keep them in place. Bake the cookie at 350˚F for about 16 minutes and you are ready to carve.
People who care about oatmeal can manipulate this recipe however they like. As long as you have the basic cookies ready, the toppings can be almost anything. Reach into your cupboard and add ingredients like coconut flakes, chopped nuts or raisins. Or clear out the weekend farmers markets by including the last peaches, raspberries or plums. You can even double up on bananas and add banana slices to your final product, or lean on canned or dried fruit when your local selection is limited.
Related: Daphne Oz’s Baked Apple Oatmeal Cookies taste like dessert but are healthy enough for breakfast
But no matter what you add, this breakfast is a great, quick option that can help you feel satisfied all morning. Oatmeal is a whole grain with a high fiber content and also contains some protein –1/2 cup cooked oatmeal contains 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Both fiber and protein can help you stay fuller longer, so you can focus on work or school rather than starving. That dollop of peanut butter also adds to the protein level, and you can serve your cookie with some Greek yogurt to kick things up a notch if you like.
Bauer’s followers were quite excited to see the recipe appear on their screens, with one eager oatmeal eater raving: “Yum! Do I have to share?” Another said that this brekkie method is their “go-to” way to cook a hearty porridge.
Related: Healthy, high-protein supplements to make your oatmeal more satisfying
Whether you opt for a chocolate chip cookie, a banana-hazelnut masterpiece, or something completely inventive, this breakfast is sure to earn a place in your regular rotation. Heck, you can even bake the cookie the night before and enjoy it in the morning if you have a particularly busy day ahead of you. This recipe, like all the best ones, will work with whatever extra time and ingredients you have on hand.