Now I’m not going to lie…
My intention was for these guys to be oatmeal breakfast cookies.
But they definitely turned out to be more like baked oatmeal bites, texture wise.
So here we are.
Am I mad?
Nope!
Because they were still yummy in tha tummy, and healthy of course.
Andd baked oatmeal has been popular for a while now so I don’t think anyone else can really complain either.
If you can, keep it to yourself, ha.
Anywho.
This recipe is super duper easy and makes for the perfect cold weather breakfast treat.
When you want something warm and cozy.
All you have to do is mix together naturally sweet mashed (freckled + speckled) banana, nutty creamy almond butter, pure vanilla extract, fragrant ground cinnamon, a couple generous pinches of pink sea salt, juicy grated apple, and old-fashioned oats!
Bake your bites until set, then drizzle with maple almond deliciousness.
The drizzle is key for mouthwatering flavor and overall satisfactory munching.
P.S. Make sure your banana is ripe!! Since we aren’t adding sweetener to the cookies themselves.
P.P.S. My apple yielded just shy of a cup of grated flesh—eww, sorry lol. Don’t overdo it with the fruit because the bites will be too mushy.
P.P.P.S. You will probably have some maple almond goodness leftover (unless you really drown your bites in the stuff) so store the mixture in the fridge and spread it on your toast, or dollop it onto a bowl of oats! Dip some apple slices in the sweet maple magic or simply devour with a spoon. I don’t care, just don’t let it go to waste!
P.P.P.P.S. I have the serving size as 2 bites but frankly, I inhaled all 8 in one go so you can too.
P.P.P.P.P.S. Thank you Pastry & Beyond for the bites inspo. Bakerita never disappoints! Her Salted Caramel Thumbprints are a holiday staple in my household.
Vegan Apple Almond Baked Oatmeal Bites
Ingredients
Oatmeal Bites
- 3 tablespoons mashed speckled banana (about 1/2 medium banana)
- 1 tablespoon creamy natural almond butter (no added oil or sugar)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon pink sea salt
- 1 scant cup grated apple (I used 1 medium Honey Crisp, skin removed)
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
Maple Almond Drizzle
- 1 tablespoon unrefined coconut oil, melted
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 4 1/2 teaspoons creamy natural almond butter (no added oil or sugar)
- 3 dashes ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch pink sea salt
Instructions
- For the bites: Heat oven to 350. Line a metal baking sheet with parchment.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix the mashed banana, almond butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until combined. Stir in the grated apple, followed by the oats.
- Form 8 balls, then gently flatten into thick cookie shapes. Bake for 15 minutes or until hot and set. Cool for 5 minutes on a wire rack.
- For the drizzle: While the bites are baking, mix the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, almond butter, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Once the cookies have cooled slightly, use a fork or small spoon to apply the maple almond drizzle to the cookies. Store remaining mixture in the fridge and use on toast, or stir into oatmeal.
- Enjoy the bites while warm. Store leftover bites in the fridge. Feel free to warm in the microwave if you wish.