These healthy Easter cookies are made with bananas and oats, but still offer the satisfying Easter chocolate hit we all love, thanks to a mini egg topping!
They're a fun baking treat for everyone to enjoy over the Easter holidays, so why not make these healthier kids easter cookies with your family?
These healthy Easter cookies are easy to make, with plenty of opportunities for the kids to get involved with mashing, measuring and mixing.
First, you’ll mash bananas, then stir in honey, oats and cocoa to produce a porridge like dough.
You’ll divide the dough into small balls, place on lined cookie sheets and press your thumb or a teaspoon into the centre of each one to create little wells.
Your oaty chocolate cookie nests only need 12 minutes to bake, then you’ll top them with mini eggs and serve!
This recipe is adapted from the cookie recipe in my book, Get Your Kids to Eat Anything, which is out now! Read on for the full recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 3 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (dutch processed)
- 150 g (5.3 oz) rolled oats
- 80 g (2.8 oz) chocolate mini eggs
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F), 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6. Line a couple of baking trays with baking paper.
Mash the bananas in a large bowl, then add the honey / maple syrup and mix well.
Stir in the cocoa and oats until evenly combined.
Divide the mixture into 12 (about 2 level tablespoons each) and roll into balls. Place them on the baking trays.
Press a teaspoon into the centre of each cookie to create a nest shape.
Bake for 12 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.
Add a couple of chocolate mini eggs to the centre of each cookie.
Enjoy!
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Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Healthy Easter cookies
Are Healthy Easter cookies easy to make?
This recipe has 5 ingredients and only takes 22 minutes to make! They're super easy and actually a relatively healthy treat to make - so it’s a perfect recipe for getting the kids into the kitchen.
There’s no flour in this recipe, so there’s no risk of overmixing. Equally, there’s no egg or any ingredients which could be potentially harmful raw. So children can safely mash the banana and add the other ingredients before mixing them together.
Then you can all shape the cookies into balls and place them onto the baking tray ready to cook! Easy peasy!
Will I need any special equipment to make Healthy Easter cookies?
The only thing you’ll need to make this recipe is some measuring equipment, a bowl, utensils and a baking tray lined with baking paper. Simple!
If you’re in doubt, there’s always a full list of suggested equipment on the recipe card below my recipes. I always include links to example products, so you can see exactly what I used to make each recipe.
Are Healthy Easter cookies suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is totally vegetarian. Just make sure that you top your cookies with vegetarian-friendly chocolate eggs. It’s not common, but for some reason, some brands of candy-coated chocolate eggs can contain shellac, which is derived from beetles (yuck!).
Also, don't forget to check anything extra that you intend to serve with your recipe.
Are Healthy Easter cookies suitable for vegans?
The only ingredients you’ll need to swap to make this recipe vegan are the honey and the Mini Eggs.
Luckily, golden syrup will work just as well as honey - I think maple syrup would be a little too runny for this recipe.
You can find golden syrup on the baking aisle of your local supermarket, or sometimes it’s kept with honey and preserves in smaller stores.
For vegan chocolate mini eggs, there are a few options you can use:
Bear in mind that these vegan chocolate eggs will all contain a higher cocoa content (apart from the white eggs), so they might not taste as sweet, but they will be even healthier!
Also, don't forget to check the labels of anything extra that you intend to serve with your recipe.
Are Healthy Easter cookies gluten-free?
If you use pure oats, which are specifically labelled gluten-free this recipe should be safe for people avoiding gluten.
Oats are naturally gluten-free, but some brands can have trace elements through cross-contamination in factories.
Double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure that they are gluten-free. Don't forget to check anything extra that you intend to serve the recipe with.
Are Healthy Easter cookies keto-friendly?
Unfortunately, these Healthy Easter cookies still contain too much sugar and carbs to suit a keto diet, sorry!
Are Healthy Easter cookies healthy?
These Healthy Easter cookies are pretty healthy! They contain less sugar and fat than most recipes, so they’re a much better option than most Easter treats. However, they still contain some sugar and chocolate, so they aren’t a complete substitute for a healthy snack.
Are Healthy Easter cookies safe to eat while pregnant?
There’s nothing in this recipe that would be considered unsafe for a pregnant person to eat. There’s no risk of undercooking the ingredients. Also, as long as you prepare them hygienically, there’s no risk of cross contamination with harmful ingredients either.
So just take care to ensure that all of your ingredients are in good condition and that your cookies are prepared safely and hygienically.
A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.
Can I make these Healthy Easter cookies without the Mini Eggs?
The Mini Eggs are just for decoration, and they’re the most unhealthy part of the recipe. So if you want to make this recipe even healthier, you could substitute the Mini Eggs for dried fruit or nuts. You could even keep the egg theme by using egg shaped grapes or almonds.
Can I add extra chocolate to this recipe?
It’s fine if you want to add some extra chocolate to your Healthy Easter cookies, though they won’t be as healthy!
It would probably be best to drizzle them in some melted chocolate, as adding chocolate to the mix will impact the way they cook.
The best way to melt milk chocolate is by microwaving it in 15 second bursts. You can melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl over some simmering water (bain-marie method), but it's a little safer and neater to use a microwave. For some more advice (and chocolatey recipes), I have chocolate melting tips in my free Easter eBook!
How should I store Healthy Easter cookies?
The best way to store your Healthy Easter cookies is to pop them into an airtight lunchbox or container and seal the lid. Then place the container in a cool dark place like a cupboard or pantry.
How long will Healthy Easter cookies keep?
Your Healthy Easter cookies should keep for 3-5 days if you store them in a sealed container somewhere cool and dark. Though they will get more soft each day after baking, even if you store them correctly.
Can I leave Healthy Easter cookies out on the counter?
These Healthy Easter cookies need to be kept in a sealed container, otherwise they will quickly turn stale. They will also become quite sticky if left at room temperature, so they’re best kept somewhere cool.
Can I make Healthy Easter cookies ahead?
It’s better to make these cookies on the day you want to serve them, as the oats can become quite stale or soggy after a day or two.
Can I keep Healthy Easter cookies in the refrigerator?
You can keep your Healthy Easter cookies in the fridge if you live somewhere warm, but they’ll keep just as well in a container in the cupboard.
Sometimes refrigerating baked goods can lead them to become soggy, as refrigeration causes bakes to absorb moisture. So that's something to consider when deciding on where to store the cookies.
Can I freeze Healthy Easter cookies?
These Healthy Easter cookies should freeze really well. However, it's best to freeze them without the Mini Eggs, as the colour of the Mini Eggs can run when they defrost.
The best way to freeze these cookies is to place them into a container between layers of baking paper or reusable wax paper.
Or you can freeze them in a flat layer on a freezer-proof plate or tray. Then transfer them to a sandwich bag once they’re frozen and squeeze out the excess air.
These methods will stop the cookies from sticking together and protect the cookies from developing freezer burn. Freezer burn
The cookies should keep for up to 2 months in the freezer. Though the longer you keep them in there, the more brittle and prone to breaking they will become.
What is the best way to defrost Healthy Easter cookies?
The best way to defrost your Healthy Easter cookies is to transfer them from the freezer, into an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of hours. The nest cakes don’t have much water content, so they shouldn’t take long to defrost at all. You can then let them sit for 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.
Can I make these Healthy Easter cookies in a different quantity?
If you want to make a different amount of Healthy Easter cookies then it should be pretty easy. These cookies cook in individual portions, so the recipe is perfect for scaling up or down, as there’s no temperature or time difference.
You can use a online recipe calculator, so you can adjust the ingredients to the same ratio as the original recipe. However, I find it best to manually work out the recipe portion by dividing the current recipe by the serving size to get a one portion size. Then you can multiply that amount to the new amount you want to make.
Can I make these Healthy Easter cookies as one big cake?
If you’re looking for a big cookie similar to this recipe, you could try making my Easter chocolate egg chick in a wheaty Easter birds nest. There’s no cooking involved, though it contains gluten and is slightly less healthy than this recipe.
Can I make Healthy Easter cookies in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?
There's no need to use a stand mixer in this recipe as there aren’t any traditional cookie ingredients like flour or eggs. You’ll only need to mash the banana, which is easier and less messy to do in a bowl with a fork or spoon.
Can I make Healthy Easter cookies with a food processor?
Again, there’s no need to use a food processor to make this recipe. You would just end up with an oat and banana paste rather than a cookie mixture.
How can I make sure my Healthy Easter cookies turn out perfectly?
This recipe is very simple and low maintenance, so it should be easy for them to turn out perfect every time. However, if you want to ensure you get perfect Healthy Easter cookies, you’ll need to watch out for these points.
- While this is a great recipe to make with kids, make sure you keep an eye on them while they’re mashing, measuring and mixing. If the ratio or balance of ingredients isn't correct, the cookies won’t hold together. So it might be a good idea to measure the ingredients beforehand, then let them measure them again, so you know that you have the right quantities.
- Make sure the bananas are mashed fairly smoothly. It doesn't need to be a puree, but there shouldn't be any big pieces of un-mashed banana.
- Don’t overcook the cookies as the honey will cause them to burn quite quickly.
Why did my Healthy Easter cookies turn out dry/crumbly?
If your Healthy Easter cookies are dry or crumbling apart, then it sounds like you forgot to add the banana. The banana binds the ingredients together, so if you don’t include it you’ll just end up with a pile of oats covered in golden syrup.
Why did my Healthy Easter cookies turn out wet/soft?
Your cookies should be a little wet and soft, but if they're very wet and loose it sounds like they haven’t cooked or set properly.
While there are no ingredients that need to be cooked in this recipe, baking the cookie mix helps the cookies dry out a little and set into a nest shape. So make sure that you don’t confuse them with no-bake nests, and give them the right amount of time in the oven.
Why didn’t my Healthy Easter cookies rise?
Your cookies don’t contain flour or any raising agents, so they should remain the same size as when they went into the oven. You’re only baking them to set them into a firm cookie shape, rather than cooking the ingredients.
How can I add/change the flavours in these Healthy Easter cookies?
I think these cookies would work really well with some orange zest added to the mix. Orange zest is a great way to add flavour without affecting the consistency of the cookie mix or making the cookies less healthy.
You could also add some chopped peanuts or other nuts. Though keep in mind that adding too many will affect the way the cookies hold together.
Why do we eat sweet treats at Easter?
Easter is a Christian holiday, in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When mainstream Christianity was generally more orthodox, Christians practised abstinence from things like alcohol, meat, fish and animal products, sweets or other treats during Lent.
Lent lasts for a few weeks before Easter, so in the run-up to Easter, there would be an abundance of unused eggs piling up. At some point, people began to decorate eggs and gift them to each other as a way to celebrate.
Eventually, as the religion became less strict, people began to become less strict around Lent. However, the tradition of gifting eggs continued, in the form of decorated eggs made out of fabric and other materials.
In the 1800s, as chocolate became more widely available, chocolate eggs became a popular Easter treat in Europe (starting in Germany). This eventually led to chocolate and sweet treats becoming popular during Easter.
Print this healthier Easter nests recipe
And here's an easily printable recipe card for these healthier Easter chocolate nest cookies!
Healthy Easter Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 3 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (dutch processed)
- 150 g (5.3 oz) rolled oats
- 80 g (2.8 oz) chocolate mini eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F), 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6. Line a couple of baking trays with baking paper.
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl, then add the maple syrup and mix well.
- Stir in the cocoa and oats until evenly combined.
- Divide the mixture into 12 (about 2 level tablespoons each) and roll into balls. Place them on the baking trays.
- Press a teaspoon into the centre of each cookie to create a nest shape.
- Bake for 12 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.
- Add a couple of chocolate mini eggs to the centre of each cookie.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
If you enjoyed this recipe why not try my vegan easter biscuits recipe or even my incredible creme egg scotch eggs.
Pin these healthier Easter chocolate nests
Easter recipes to try next
Enjoyed this recipe? Why not try these sweetcorn and white chocolate cookies next? And here are lots more Easter-themed recipes to try.
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Serena says
Hi! I was wondering..Do the eggs stick to the cookies after baking?
If not.. what if I put them before baking ? Do they melt?
Emily Leary says
You can put them in before baking if you like - they'll crack a bit but still look good. No, they don't stick. If you want them to, I'd recommend putting a dab of melted chocolate on the baked cookies and then putting the eggs on top. As the chocolate sets, the eggs will stick to it.
Sim @ Sim's Life says
These look absolutely divine and help to inject a bit of healthy eating over Easter too! We will have to give these a try, I am already imagining what they taste like
Emily Leary says
Thank you!