Folks who follow a “biblical” diet — which promotes health and spiritual discipline — focus on grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables, and drink only water. Their top foods include avocados, nuts, beans, whole wheat bread, soy milk, and oats. 

Mix oats with bananas and a handful of other ingredients to make these delicious and healthy cookies that are naturally sweet and perfect for a summer picnic treat.

Vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based, banana oatmeal cookies are even tasty straight from the fridge, should you choose to store them there. Otherwise, an airtight container keeps them fresh for days. 

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Yield: 12 servings

2 cups old fashioned oats

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 ½ teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

4 medium sized ripe bananas

⅓ cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or spray with non-stick spray.

2. Use a high power blender to process oats to the consistency of flour. Pour into mixing bowl and add baking soda and spices.

3. Blend bananas until completely smooth. Add to oatmeal mixture along with the nuts (or other dried fruit) and mix until combined.

4. Drop 2 tablespoon balls of dough onto cookies sheet, spacing well. Dip the scoop or spoon into water to keep the dough from sticking. Use lightly moistened fingers to flatten each cookie. Bake for 15 minutes.

5. Cool cookies on wire rack and store in an airtight container.

Source: The Blue Zones American Kitchen, Recipe by Ellen Sushak, RDN, Blue Zones Project Dodge County. Sushak, a registered dietitian and nutritionist, leads cooking demonstrations and classes to help people learn how to prepare plant-slant recipes and Blue Zones meals.