I’ve discovered a game-changing healthy cookie recipe that’s about to revolutionize your snack game. These incredibly crispy, naturally sweet cookies harness the power of just two simple ingredients: ripe bananas and protein-rich sesame seeds. Dating back to ancient Asian cuisine, sesame seeds have been revered for over 5,000 years for their rich nutritional profile and distinctive nutty flavor. Combined with naturally sweet bananas, they create a perfectly balanced treat that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
These cookies aren’t just delicious – they’re a nutritional powerhouse. The combination of bananas and sesame seeds provides essential minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium, while being naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. Perfect for health-conscious individuals, vegans, or anyone looking for a wholesome treat that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas (about 240g)
- 2½ cups sesame seeds (375g / 13.2 oz)
- Optional: Sugar-free dark chocolate for drizzling (30g / 1 oz)
Equipment Needed
- Food processor or blender
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutter (approximately 2.5 inches in diameter)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing Your Workspace (5 minutes)
- Preheat your oven to 356°F (180°C)
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
- Ensure your bananas are properly ripened (yellow with brown spots for optimal sweetness)
Making the Cookie Mixture (5 minutes)
- Peel and roughly chop the bananas
- Place banana pieces in your food processor
- Blend until completely smooth with no chunks remaining
- Transfer the banana puree to a mixing bowl
- Gradually incorporate the sesame seeds, stirring well after each addition
- Mix until you achieve a thick, uniform consistency
Forming the Cookies (10 minutes)
- Place your cookie cutter on the prepared baking sheet
- Spoon the mixture into the cookie cutter, filling to about ¼ inch thickness
- Gently smooth the top with the back of a spoon
- Carefully lift the cookie cutter straight up
- Repeat the process, spacing cookies about 1 inch apart
- You should get approximately 12 cookies from this mixture
Baking Process (20 minutes)
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown and crispy
- Check at 15 minutes to prevent over-browning
- The cookies should be firm to the touch and slightly darkened around the edges
Optional Chocolate Drizzle
- Chop sugar-free dark chocolate into small pieces
- Melt using 15-second intervals in the microwave, stirring between each
- Transfer melted chocolate to a piping bag or zip-lock bag with corner snipped
- Drizzle over cooled cookies in a zigzag pattern
Storage Tips
Store these cookies in an airtight container:
- Room temperature: Up to 5 days
- Refrigerator: Up to 2 weeks
- Freezer: Up to 3 months
Nutrition Information
Per cookie (without chocolate drizzle):
- Calories: 100
- Protein: 3g
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g (naturally occurring)
- Iron: 15% DV
- Calcium: 18% DV
Serving size: 1 cookie
Total servings: 12 cookies
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Use overripe bananas for maximum natural sweetness
- Don’t skip lining the baking sheet with parchment paper
- Ensure even thickness when forming cookies for consistent baking
- Allow cookies to cool completely before adding chocolate drizzle
- Store in an airtight container to maintain crispiness
These two-ingredient wonders prove that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or texture. Their satisfying crunch and subtle sweetness make them perfect for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or whenever you need a nutritious treat. The best part? They’re incredibly budget-friendly and take just minutes to prepare!
