Healthier Gluten-Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Registered dietitian and bariatric program nutritionist Danielle Rosenfeld, MS, RD, LDN, gives a shares a healthy makeover for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, which are traditionally high in calories and fat. Learn more about Penn's bariatric program at a free information session.

It can be hard to curb the inevitable holiday sweet tooth and we know that giving in to the plethora of holiday treats can wreak diet havoc. Try these healthier oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, which have PB2 powdered peanut butter with 85 percent less calories and fat. They’re a favorite in my house and are free of gluten, refined sugars and butter (and are delicious!).

Healthier Gluten-Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 24

Ingredients

• 3 large, ripe bananas, peeled
• 1/2 cup PB2 peanut butter powder OR creamy all-natural peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, slightly warmed, but not melted
• 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups gluten-free oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork. Stir in the peanut butter, coconut oil, agave, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
3. In a separate medium bowl, stir together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
4. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until cookies are set. Let cool on baking sheet for two minutes. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool completely.

Nutrition information, per cookie:

86 calories, 13 g carbohydrates, 4 grams fat, 2 grams protein, 29 grams sodium and 6 grams sugar.