Oatmeal Banana Clusters

I feel like I buy a beautiful bunch of bananas each week only to have several of them turn brown by midweek. I love ripe bananas because they are so sweet, but many people think they are too ripe at that point and useless. I hate wasting food and knew that I had to find a way to make ripe bananas useful. This recipe is the best way to use ripe bananas, and probably even to look forward to them!  The best part of this recipe is that it has few ingredients and it is so quick and easy to make. There is no extra sugar, flour, or eggs–the bananas do all the work on their own! You can add in anything you have in the pantry and change up the flavor and make them sweeter or savory. These are the perfect snack and ideal for lunches, a quick energy boost, or a guiltless treat. They can be stored for up to a week in an air-tight container.

Oatmeal Banana Clusters

Makes 10-12 clusters

• 2 to 3 ripe bananas
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Optional:

• dash of cinnamon
• ¼ cup raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone sheet.
2. Peel bananas and mash them with a fork until they are broken apart but not watery.
3. Add oats and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit until the oats absorb most of the liquid, about 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Add in the mini chocolate chips or other add ins.
5. Use a medium ice cream scoop to gather a mound of the batter and drop onto the lined baking sheet.
6. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until the clusters are lightly golden.
7. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
8. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Featured photo by william f. santos