If you’re on the hunt for a wholesome, delicious, and toddler-approved morning treat, this Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies Recipe is an absolute winner! These cookies are packed with natural sweetness, gentle spices, and nourishing ingredients that make breakfast both fun and nutritious for your little one.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nutritious & Balanced: Each cookie is loaded with fiber, natural sugars, and protein to keep your toddler energized and satisfied.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with real, wholesome pantry staples you can feel great about—no weird additives here.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes, making busy mornings a breeze without sacrificing health.
- Perfect for Tiny Hands: Sized just right for little fingers, encouraging independent eating and smiles all around.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients that combine perfectly to create soft and tasty cookies. Each component plays a special role, whether it’s building texture, adding moisture, or providing a natural sweetness your toddler will adore.
- Gluten free rolled oats: Provides gentle fiber and the perfect base for these healthy bites.
- Ripe banana: Naturally sweetens the cookies while adding moisture and creaminess.
- Unsweetened applesauce: Adds moisture without extra sugar, keeping the cookies soft.
- Peanut butter or any nut butter: Offers a creamy texture and protein boost—unsweetened is best!
- Egg (or flax egg): Binds the ingredients together for that perfect cookie consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, comforting flavor that complements the oats and spices.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings a subtle, sweet spice kids love and a little extra nutrition.
Variations
Feel free to get creative! This Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies Recipe is incredibly adaptable, so you can tweak it to suit what you have on hand or cater to your child’s unique taste and dietary needs.
- Fruit Mix-Ins: Add finely chopped soft fruits like blueberries or shredded apple to sneak in extra vitamins and colors.
- Nut-Free Version: Swap nut butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini for allergy-friendly alternatives that still bring richness.
- Spice It Up: Try a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for a new twist on flavor that’s gentle yet exciting.
- Extra Texture: Sprinkle in some mini chocolate chips or finely chopped nuts, if age-appropriate, for more bite.
How to Make Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F—this ensures it reaches the perfect baking temperature. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep those cookies from sticking and make clean-up a snap. Easy, right?
Step 2: Mix the Magic Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine your oats, mashed banana, applesauce, nut butter, egg, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir everything together until all the flavors come together and the batter looks smooth and inviting—a true toddler-friendly dough ready to be baked!
Step 3: Shape Those Cookies
Grab a cookie scoop or a spoon and portion out 1½ to 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Place each cookie on your lined baking sheet and gently press them flat to about half an inch thickness — this ensures they bake evenly and have that perfect chewy texture.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for around 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges turn a light golden color. Let them cool on the baking sheet before serving—this wait will be worth every bite!
Pro Tips for Making Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies Recipe
- Perfect Consistency: If your dough seems too wet, add a bit more oats; if too dry, a splash of applesauce will bring it back.
- Banana Ripeness Matters: Use a very ripe banana for natural sweetness and excellent moisture without added sugar.
- Cookie Thickness: Flatten cookies to ensure they bake evenly and don’t end up doughy in the center.
- Avoid Overbaking: Pull cookies out as soon as edges turn golden to keep that soft, chewy texture toddlers love.
How to Serve Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra color and fun, you can decorate these cookies with a light spread of natural yogurt or a sprinkle of finely chopped soft fruits like strawberries. It adds a nice creamy contrast that toddlers often love.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a small cup of milk, a splash of plant-based milk, or even a fruity smoothie for a balanced breakfast. They also go wonderfully with fresh slices of apple or pear on the side for added crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies stacked in cute little towers or alongside colorful fruit kabobs for a fun breakfast plate that sparks excitement. Use small, colorful cupcake liners to individually portion cookies for grab-and-go convenience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. They stay wonderfully soft and ready for quick snacks or breakfast on the go.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag with parchment between layers, and freeze for up to three months. Perfect for prepping ahead or quick defrosted breakfasts.
Reheating
To enjoy them warm, microwave the cookies for about 15-20 seconds after thawing or pop them in a toaster oven for a couple of minutes to bring back that freshly-baked softness.
FAQs
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Can I make this Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Simply substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water) and use nut butters free of animal products. This makes the cookies both vegan and still deliciously moist.
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Are these cookies suitable for babies under one year?
Because peanuts and nuts can be allergens and choking hazards, always consult your pediatrician before introducing these ingredients. You can omit nut butter and use a bit more applesauce or mashed banana to keep the recipe safe for younger babies.
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Can I use regular rolled oats instead of gluten-free oats?
Yes, regular rolled oats work just as well, but keep in mind that they aren’t gluten-free. If gluten sensitivity is a concern, stick to certified gluten-free rolled oats to avoid any issues.
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How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Watch for a slight golden tint around the edges and a firmer feel when gently touched. Overbaking can dry them out, so it’s best to remove them once the edges just start to turn golden.
Final Thoughts
These Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies Recipe are a lifesaver for busy mornings and a scrumptious way to fuel your toddler’s day. I can’t wait for you and your little ones to enjoy the wholesome goodness and smiles that come with every bite. Happy baking!
PrintHealthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies Recipe
These Healthy Oatmeal Toddler Breakfast Cookies are a nutritious, easy-to-make treat perfect for little ones. Made with wholesome ingredients like gluten-free oats, ripe banana, applesauce, and nut butter, these cookies are naturally sweetened and packed with fiber and protein. They’re soft, chewy, and free from refined sugars, making them an ideal breakfast or snack option for toddlers and the whole family.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 cookies
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1–1/4 cup gluten free rolled oats
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ripe medium banana, mashed (about 3.2 oz)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter or any nut butter (unsweetened)
- 1 egg (or substitute with 1 flax egg)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the gluten free rolled oats, mashed ripe banana, unsweetened applesauce, peanut butter or nut butter, egg (or flax egg substitute), vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon. Stir well until the mixture forms a uniform batter.
- Form cookies: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out about 1½ to 2 tablespoons of the batter per cookie and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each cookie gently to about ½ inch thick to ensure even baking.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden, indicating they are cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving to toddlers to prevent burning.
Notes
- Substitute the egg with a flax egg for a vegan option (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit 5 minutes).
- Ensure nut butters are unsweetened and suitable for toddlers to avoid added sugars and salt.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Freeze leftover cookies for up to 1 month; thaw before serving.
- Optional add-ins: small handful of raisins or finely chopped soft fruit can be added for extra flavor and nutrition.
