Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp quick oats
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 + 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large eggs
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Add the flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to a mixing bowl, whisk for 20 seconds, and put the bowl aside.
2. Mash the bananas with the lemon juice. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the banana, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix them in.
3. Turn the mixer to low, add the dry mixture gradually, and mix just until everything comes together. Stir in the nuts and chocolate chips; if you want a few chips visible on top, save some to press onto the dough before the cookies go into the oven.
4. Use a medium cookie scoop, 1 1/2-inches and filled slightly heaping, to portion the dough onto Silpat-lined baking sheets. Leave 2-inches between the cookies.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 11 – 12 minutes, until the cookies are still a little soft. Let them rest on the baking sheet for several minutes, then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Store in an airtight container.