This quick and easy recipe for banana coconut quinoa cookies is the perfect vegan treat that you can feel good about preparing for the family. These healthy quinoa cookies are made with wholesome ingredients, like fiber-rich oats, protein-packed quinoa and hemp hearts, which also means they’re high in nutritional value.
Healthy cookies are a way of life for me. So much so that I can’t even remember the last time I made a real cookie, as my husband calls them – the ones laden with butter, sugar, and refined flour. Since converting to a predominantly clean diet, traditional cookies no longer appeal to me as much as they used to. Why would they when recipes like these banana coconut quinoa cookies – which also happen to also be the perfect healthy breakfast cookie, are just as delicious and satisfying! These cookies incorporate all of the ideal components of a really good cookie; sweet, chewy, moist, and crumbly.
These clean eating cookies have quickly become a family favourite. I often double the recipe and store extra cookies in the freezer for a quick grab n’ go snack or a healthy breakfast option for the family – dipped in the kid’s cappuccinos (caffeine-free, of course) and enjoyed along with a homemade morning espresso for myself and the hubby.
My son’s mouth was watering as he waited, so very patiently might I add, for my photo shoot to come to an end. Before I had time to offer my little guy a cookie, he had already swiped one from the tray. After eating three in a row, I can assume that they were well-received. And not to mention, these cookies are the perfect size for little hands to hold onto and the perfect chewy texture for toddlers and self-feeders.
As a general rule of thumb, baking with non-traditional ingredients results in texture variations. Although they’re tasty, these cookies are much denser and not-so buttery and sweet as traditional ones. For a sweeter cookie replace the maple syrup with regular sugar. Also, adding extra chocolate chips will add more decadence to these.
If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me onInstagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!
Nice one recipe. Explained in detail and step by step.
I have just baked them. They are very tasty. However they are quite soft, do you know why? What can i do to make them crispier?
Hi Martina! These cookies are very dense so they tend to be on the soft side! Maybe you could add more oats next time and let them sit until softened before you cook them…or use quick oats instead, although I can’t vouch for the amount since they absorb differently than rolled oats.
I didn’t think that cookies can be so healthy. If I keep reading your blog, I’ll start drinking decaf, too. And eating cookies with bananas. Thank you.
These look delicious and would be a nice healthy after school snack for my kiddos. I’m going to try them!
These look absolutely yummy! We are trying to be more healthy this year and these look great for a healthier school snack than the packet snack foods. My kids aren’t big fans of banana though – is the banana pretty pronounced or more for sweetness?
Hey Lisa, looks delicious. I imagine as well that if using gluten free oats they would make great gluten free biscuits. I need to try out some more recipes like this to try and get the kids eating healthier!
Yes, definitely! I usually use a 1:1 ratio of oats and rice flour when making gluten-free cookies. You could try that too! My kids love these…but they’re also not used to super sweet, pre-packaged, unhealthy stuff. I’m sure one day they’ll discover those products lol
Yes, I’m in New Zealand and the store bought gluten free cookies are all made of sugar and white flours. Like ingredient number 1 is always sugar! It’s a shame there are no healthier options at the moment, probably because the market is so small, so I’ll just have to make them myself. Thanks!
I know! Gluten-free products are NOT healthy at all! There are so many people who have this assumption that if they eat gluten-free foods they will lose weight. Obviously, they don’t look at the ingredient list. Albeit they are some great brands out there, I do prefer making my own cookies, that way I can monitor the sugar and other not-so healthy ingredients!
Do they have to be “quick oats?” Aren’t quick oats just chopped up rolled oats? I want to make these without a trip to the store.
Hi Kari! You could definitely use rolled oats however, they won’t soften as quickly as the quick oats, and may need more liquid to soak in in order to soften completely. I suggest letting them sit in the wet ingredients until softened before you bake them, and possibly add a few tablespoons of milk if needed to soften them completely. You just don’t want them dry when they go in the oven! I’d love to hear how they turn out for you!
I never thought of using quinoa in cookies like this before!! I love to make cookies and I love that they are made from such healthy ingredients as well. I have to say these are ones I wouldn’t want to share with the kids!
I almost always make cookies with healthy ingredients…I prefer those to ‘real’ ones!
Thanks so much Rachel for the feedback! Glad you love them…did you daughter enjoy them too? They’re the ‘ultimate’ critics! lol!
Yes she had two this morning, absolutely loved them so worth baking these!
Awesome!!
These are amazing…not too sweet but filled with good healthy ingredients and of course chocolate. I couldn’t stop at one.
They are pretty addictive…and the best part is you don’t have to feel guilty about eating more than one!
these cookies were awesome!.. easy to make and delicious!.. i added some berries to one batch and peanut butter to another batch and they both turned out great!.. thank you so much for sharing!
Awesome!! I’m so glad you liked them and for the feedback as well! I love how you modified the recipe…berries and peanut butter (not together, lol!) sound delicious!! Hope you try some of my other recipes 😉
I just made a batch of chocolate chip cookies to bring to the office last night. Now I came across your recipe, and thinking I should try and make another healthier batch of cookies… (and very possibly this time I will keep them at home :D) These look delicious, Lisa!
Thanks! These are a definitely a healthier option…and also a very unique blend of flavours. My kids are so used to the “healthy” stuff but they devour these as if they were “real” chocolate chip cookies!
I am healthy dessert fanatic too (just like your kids). I can’t stop loving sweets, but always try to find healthier versions. Right now it’s only two of us and my husband doesn’t like desserts. Maybe I should come over to join your kids for some sweet bites. Lol
More desserts or you!! 😉
These are great! Have made them a few times! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Awesome! I love that you’ve made them a “few” times! I make them at least once a month…the kids (and I) love them!
Can i use rolled oats instead? Or the Quaker microwavable oatmeal oats that are flavored?
I think you could substitute with oats but I’ve never tried it so I can’t vouch for the results. You might have to alter the quantity of some of the other ingredients in the recipe (i.e., the wet ingredients) as the oats might absorb more than the quinoa?!! I would love to know if you try the recipe and how it turns out!
Really good cookies!! I used roasted unsweetened coconut, carrots instead of raisins, didn’t add any sugar and added a little nutmeg.
Thanks for this receipe
I love how you totally tweaked the recipe…I like your style, lol! Glad to hear you enjoyed them!
It’s a mix of your yummi carrot cake oatmeal and theses cookies! 🙂
Your version sounds better than the original recipe 😉
Yum!!
Thanks for visiting Kath! Btw, they ARE! 😉 I’d love some feedback if you end up making them!
These look yum-and healthy! We just attempted to make “healthy” cookies this past weekend (as my husband was insisting we bake treats) and they didn’t turn out so good-we will give these a go next time!
Unfortunately, “healthy” cookies don’t always satisfy our sweet tooth! I’d like to think these are the perfect balance between healthy and delicious 😉
This recipe is AMAZING!! Thank you so much for sharing this….my baby boy loved the recipe without the chocolate chips and the rest of the family loved the cookies with the chips for a healthy and delicious treat! I love your blog and tell everyone to check it out!
Thank you SO much for sharing your feedback…and for the free advertising 😉 How old is your son? That’s great that the entire family loved this recipe…That’s my motto when it comes to preparing meals/snacks. By the way, you should double the recipe and store a batch in the freezer-they freeze really well!
My son is 9 months old and loves eating anything and everything on his own right now…which is why I love these cookies, (amongst many of your other recipes) because they’re so soft and moist and easily dissolve in his mouth. I made a batch and brought them over to my mom’s – she had me make her a double batch because she couldn’t get enough!! Thanks for the tid bit to freeze them…I was wondering whether they’d freeze well! Keep the yummy recipes coming!!! 🙂 🙂
I LOVE it when adults eat “baby” food! lol! That’s the whole point of my recipes 😉
Btw, I don’t know if you follow me on Facebook, but I gave you a shout-out because you made my day with your comment! 😉
Hi Lisa,
How many cookies did you serve your boy? It looks too many on the plate. I am just curious to know because my little fellow is a picky eater.
Hi Raji, it does look like a huge snack! Actually, I piled all those cookies on the plate solely for the picture! As for how many he normally eats, I usually give him two…but he likes to eat! Of course, it also depends on what size you make the cookies.
You can also take half of the recipe and freeze it. That is what I do so my kids don’t get sick of a treat. 😉
You’re absolutely right Amy! I actually always double a recipe or make extra just so I can freeze some of it. I love to cook but even I lack inspiration (and time) sometimes so I just grab a treat from the freezer to make my life easier. 😉