1. Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth, leaving a few small chunks for texture if you like. Stir in the vanilla extract.

3. Add the Dry Ingredients

To the mashed bananas, add the oats, cinnamon (if using), and salt. Mix everything together until well combined.

4. Stir in the Chocolate Chips (and Optional Add-ins)

Fold in the mini chocolate chips, and if you’re using nuts or raisins, add those as well. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.

5. Scoop and Shape the Cookies

Use a spoon or a cookie scoop to drop dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each cookie slightly with the back of the spoon or your fingers, as they won’t spread much during baking.

6. Bake

Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden around the edges and set in the center. If you prefer a chewier cookie, keep a closer eye on them to avoid overbaking.

7. Cool & Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the cookies warm or at room temperature!