5 from 31 votes

Breakfast Cookies

Healthy breakfast cookies on a plate next to a bowl of fruit and a cup of coffee

A good, healthy morning breakfast can make all the difference in your day, but sometimes you’re rushing out the door and you need something quick to grab. For me and my family, these Breakfast Cookies are the answer, because what’s more portable than a cookie?

These are the morning cookies I made on Zoë Bakes Season 3, episode 5, an episode all about small portions. These breakfast cookies are made from a nutritious (and delicious) mixture of bananas, honey, oats, whole wheat, nuts, and dried fruit — ingredients similar to a bowl of muesli, which I grew up eating on the commune in Vermont. Don’t miss my mini tiramisu recipe from the episode as well!

https://youtu.be/klbjSvrjmfA

Season 3, episode 5: Small Portions

Zoë shares some of her favorite strategies for healthy baking (and eating) by making Morning Cookies, a guilt-free, grab and go nutritious breakfast or snack, and tiramisu in single-serve jars — because sometimes it’s all about portion control.

A close up of host Zoe Francois' breakfast cookies.

Breakfast Cookies

Breakfast Cookies are the answer when you need a healthy breakfast but you're running out the door! Make these ahead of time and you won't need to skip the most important meal of the day.
5 from 31 votes
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Desserts
Servings: 20 cookies

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 large banana)
  • 2/3 cup coconut oil, melted you can substitute with the same amount of melted butter if you prefer.
  • 1/3 cup (126 grams) honey
  • 2 cups (180 grams) rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup (70 grams) whole-wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup (40 grams) finely shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup pepitas
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tbsp dried currants
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch kosher salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine the mashed banana, coconut oil, and honey. Stir together with a rubber spatula until well incorporated.
  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the oats, whole-wheat flour, shredded coconut, and baking soda.
  • Pour your dry ingredients into your wet ingredients. Add the chocolate chips, walnuts, pepitas, dried cranberries, currants, vanilla, and salt and stir until well combined. Allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  • Scoop cookie dough onto the lined baking sheet using a 2-tablespoon/1-ounce portion scoop. Press down to flatten them slightly (this will encourage the cookies to spread out while they bake). Bake for about 15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
  • Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet and then move them to a cooling rack.

Rate and Review!

  • If you've made this recipe, please leave a rating and review! I love to hear how you've adapted my recipes to your own tastes, so please share how it went for you. It helps other people find my recipes. Thank you!

Notes

Adapted from “Zoë Bakes Cookies” by Zoë François © Ten Speed Press 2023. Provided courtesy of Zoë François. All rights reserved.
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34 thoughts to “Breakfast Cookies”

    1. Hi Kaki, we do not have a nutrition calculator on ZoeBakes.com. I hope you give them a try!

    2. 5 stars
      I did my own because I am counting calories. Had to calculate for each ingredient. Whew! Calories per cookie using the coconut oil (which was 1240 cal for the 2/3 cup and butter was 1060) is 184. The whole cookie is cholesterol free if you use the coconut oil. If you use the butter, there is some cholesterol but I didn’t calculate that. My brain was tired LOL Was surprised protein was so low. Only 3 grams per cookie. I am planning on eating 1 cookie with my yogurt for lunch each day which has 18 grams of protein so I’ll be ok. I also did fat, cholesterol, protein, carbs along with the calories if you are interested. I haven’t made them yet because I don’t have all the ingredients. Maybe mid week.

  1. Would it work to subsitute olive oil for the melted coconut oil? I’d like to use an unsaturated fat to make them even healthier.

    1. Hi Sarah, Zoe hasn’t tried it, so she doesn’t know for sure. She suggests testing a half batch that way to make sure they don’t spread too much. Happy baking!

      1. 5 stars
        I tried this recipe using olive oil instead of coconut oil. i added a bit more flour and a second banana. They baked perfectly and are beautiful!

        1. 5 stars
          I made them with olive oil and 2 extra T flour, and it worked great. I’ve made them multiple times.

          Very delicious!

  2. 5 stars
    I am trying this for the first time, it’s delicious raw – even! Can one freeze half of this dough for later?

    1. Hi Irma! Absolutely. Just be sure to portion out the dough before freezing. Happy baking!

      1. 5 stars
        The cookies turned out really well! Thank you for sharing the recipe. Are the cooked cookies okay to freeze? Thank you!

        1. Wonderful! So glad to hear it. You can freeze fully baked and cooled cookies for about a month. Zoë actually prefers keeping dough balls in the freezer so she can bake up exactly as many as she’d like, so they’re always fresh! Cheers!

  3. 5 stars
    I made these cookies on vacation with my kindergarten granddaughter. The recipe is perfect for a little one to help make. WOW are they yummy! Everyone loved them-no leftovers.

  4. 5 stars
    HI,
    These cookies look so yummy!! I would like to try them. Can I skip the coconut oil or do you need to have it in the cookies? If so what kind do I buy from the store?
    Thank you.
    Hugs,
    Teresa

    1. Hi Teresa! With the amount called for in the recipe, you wouldn’t want to leave it out. If you have butter, you can substitute the same amount of melted butter. If you’d like to try coconut oil, you can choose from refined or unrefined. Refined coconut oil has a milder flavor while unrefined has a distinct coconut flavor. I hope this helps!

    1. 5 stars
      These are delish. I’ve made several other recipes with healthy ingredients that were barely edible. This is not that! It is just sweet enough, but still feels relatively healthy. Yum! Thanks, Zoe!

  5. I made these according to directions and the bottoms burnt on all of them and they did not turn golden brown. Should I lower the tmperature?

    1. Hi Van, Zoë suggests doubling up your baking sheet to insulate the bottom and prevent the bottoms from getting too dark. You could also try using the convection setting on your oven to help give the tops some color. I hope this helps for next time!

    1. Hi Natalie, you can use all purpose flour, but you may need to add a few more teaspoons or a tablespoon of additional flour. Cheers!

    2. What would be the shelf life for these with no refrigeration? Would they be good for travel for a couple of days? Thank you!

  6. 5 stars
    I absolutely love these cookies! I’ve added different nuts and fruit based on what I have but kept the proportions the same and they are delish!

  7. 5 stars
    Love these cookies, not overly sweet!! Perfect with coffee or anytime of the day ☕️ I’ve made them several times now, always great!

  8. 5 stars
    Yummy! Yummy! Yummy

    Going to try next time with Pillsbury GF Flour vs. Whole wheat.

    Made exactly except used semi-sweet choc chips.

    Thanks for sharing a fantastic recipe!!

    With love,
    From SW MN

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