1-First Steps: Getting Started Begin by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper. This sets the stage for your Banana Oatmeal Cookies to bake evenly. Gather all your ingredients to make the process smooth and fun.

2-Preparation: Once your oven is ready, mash the 3 overripe bananas in a large bowl until you have about 1 ¼ cups of mashed banana. Then, add 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup, 1 egg (or flax egg), and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract; stir everything together well.

3-Mixing the Batter: Next, add the dry ingredients to the mix: 1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon sea salt. Stir until combined for your Banana Oatmeal Cookies dough.

4-Batter Preparation: Gently fold in ½ cup of your chosen mix-ins, like chocolate chips or nuts. Let the batter rest for a minute to help the oats absorb moisture.

5-Shaping and Baking: Use a 1 tablespoon measuring spoon or 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough onto your prepared sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This helps ensure your Banana Oatmeal Cookies bake up just right.

6-Baking: Bake for 12-15 minutes until the tops are set and bottoms lightly browned. After baking, let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.

7-Serving: Serve them slightly warm or at room temperature for the best taste. With prep time of 5 minutes and cook time of 15 minutes, you’re done in about 20 minutes total.