Oaty Banana Breakfast Cakes – Gluten & Dairy Free

(Updated February 2021)

A dear friend of mine sent me a recipe for an easy 3 ingredient oat & banana cookie, but I use it to make breakfast bars, oaty cakes or snack balls. They make a filling sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free snack. They are perfect when you are short on time, low on spoons, or in need of a boost.

INGREDIENTS for Oaty Banana Breakfast Cakes:

A soft ripe banana
85g / 1 cup of oats
50g / 1/2 cup of desiccated coconut (optional)
Up to 50g / 1/2 cup of any extras of choice, such as cranberries, raisins, choc chips, etc

METHOD:

1. Using a fork, mush the banana into a pulp in a bowl.
2. Mix in the oats followed by the desiccated coconut.
3. Add raisins, cranberries or dark chocolate chips (if you want to be indulgent).
4. Use a spoon or your hands to scoop out the mixture to make into the desired shape. They can easily be rolled into balls, put into cake cases or shaped into bars.
5. Bake in an oven for about 15 mins at 180 degrees.

And it’s that easy. If you use measuring cups there’s no weighing, little washing up and they can be made and cooked (and eaten!) within 20 minutes. Perfect for breakfast, pudding, or an anytime healthy snack.

I have tried this recipe as cookies, ball-shaped bites, a rectangular cereal type bar and as cakes. Each has been as successful as each other

Are oats gluten free?

There is some controversy as to whether or not oats are considered gluten free. It seems that oats themselves are, but they can be prepared where nongluten free goods are manufactured. As with any free-from product, always check the packaging for cross-contamination advice if you are purchasing for allergy or intolerance reasons.

What is a cup size?

If you are in the UK you will notice that most recipes originating from the USA are in cup sizes. Measuring cups are actually a really efficient way of getting your ingredients ready and a set of cups/spoons can be bought from as little as £5 a set online or from most supermarkets.

It really doesn’t matter too much though as you can experiment to find your own preferred consistency. I’m really not keen on bananas but love coconut and raisins so have adjusted accordingly.