Healthy Banana Chocolate Chunk Oat Walnut Cookies (aka—Choconut Monkey Cookies)

I’m kind of done with this already.  Kevin loves the snow blower his sister gave us and loves how perfectly it slices the snow.  Me and Chip aren’t loving the snow too much. ;)

In my quest to make some slightly healthier treats right now, today I made some pretty darn good and healthy banana  chocolate chunk oat walnut cookies.  I’ve never really met a banana-anything that I didn’t like.   So yes, these are healthier, and kind of cakey, like most banana things are, but they are good and they’re a treat so that works for me.

Healthy Banana Chocolate Chunk Oat Walnut Cookies, by Katrina, Baking and Boys! (aka Choconut Monkey Cookies, alias name by my mom) ;)

1  1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1  1/2 cups quick oats (old fashioned work, too!)

1 teaspoon Kosher salt (if using table salt, cut it to about 3/4 teaspoon)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup coconut oil (vegetable or canola oil would work, too)

1/4 cup agave nectar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 large egg

1  1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 large or 2 medium)

4 ounces  60% cacao chocolate chips, chopped

1/3 cup walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Whisk together flour, oats, salt, and baking soda in a bowl.

Add applesauce, coconut oil, agave and sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer.  Beat until incorporated.  Add egg and vanilla and mix well.  Mix in the mashed banana.  Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined.  Stir in chocolate and walnuts. 

Scoop about 2 tablespoonfuls per cookie onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.  Bake about 10 minutes.  Let cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes.  Remove cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.  Store in airtight container.  Makes about 3 dozen.

These are a great treat if you love banana and are looking for something a little more healthy right now, like I am.