Vegan Cookie Recipe: Oatmeal Banana Cookies

I first tasted these vegan cookies at a birthday party my friend Laura threw for her little girl. Although these oatmeal banana cookies are healthy and gluten-free, they are still so tasty they keep little kids coming back to the plate for more. This vegan cookie recipe is both easy and fast and is flexible enough to allow for substitutions.

Ingredients
3 ripe bananas
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup dates, chopped (currants or raisins work well, too)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Steps
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. On a plate or cutting board, mash the bananas.

3. In a large bowl, stir together the oatmeal, dates and/or currants or raisins, vegetable oil and vanilla. Mix these well and allow it to sit for 15 minutes so the flavors soak together.

4. Drop the mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. You may need to shape the raw cookie lumps by patting them with your finger. The mixture tends to come apart when handled.

5. Bake the oatmeal banana cookies for 20 minutes or until lightly brown.

Serve these cookies warm out of the oven or cooled. They keep well in a sealed plastic bag.