Over-Ripe Banana Bread Cookies – Vegan & Gluten Free

I love bananas, but you know how the story goes: you buy them green on Saturday, and somehow, by Thursday, they’ve gone from perfectly ripe to “what am I supposed to do with these?“

These cookies are my weekly answer to over-ripe bananas! Sure, you can freeze them for smoothies (and I do that, too), but why not turn those spotty bananas into something everyone will be begging for?

These cookies are incredibly easy to make, delicious, and the perfect way to use up bananas that have seen better days. In fact, I recommend making a small batch—otherwise, they have a funny way of disappearing!

P.S. They’re also a great recipe for kids to help make. Just be prepared for them to ask when you’re making the next batch!

Note: I have only made these vegan and gluten free, but I don’t see why you couldn’t experiment with wheat flour and butter. Let me know how it turns out if you do.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes

Servings: 2 banana = 24 cookies

Ingredients

2 ripe BANANAs, mashed
1/2 cup Vegan BUTTER (1 Earth Balance Soy Free stick), melted
1 cup SUGAR
2 cups gluten-free ALL PURPOSE BAKING MIX (King Arthur) with xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon BAKING SODA
1/2 tsp SALT
OPTIONALS:
1/4 cup
Vegan MINI SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS (Enjoy LIfe)
or Gluten Free Nutty Granola
or Walnuts
Parchment PAPER

Directions

  • PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F
  • COVER 1 cookie sheets with parchment paper (or silicone mat)
  • MASH the bananas, then add melted butter and sugar until blended (I use masher then wooden spoon).
  • ADD the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt
  • ADD any optional ingredients like nuts or chips
  • DROP the batter onto the parchment covered baking sheets in evenly spaced slightly rounded teaspoons of goop (for bigger cookies use a tablespoon instead)
  • Slightly FLATTEN the batter globs if you can, they do spread a little.
  • BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes. They will look undercooked and should be golden on the edges. They will be soft.
  • COOL on cookie sheets for a few minutes and then plate
  • To get them evenly round, I use my little biscuit cutters before they cool on the tray to much.
  • You can FORK the top of each one for a pretty look.
  • STORE them in an airtight container for up to 1 week   
Many yellow banana bread cookies cooling on racks

Banana Bread Cookies Cooling

Make them round with biscuit cutters before moving to cooling racks.

Crustless Spinach Mushroom Quiche – Gluten-Free & Dairy Free

The truth is, I’m a little intimidated by making pie crusts. So instead, I created this crustless spinach and mushroom quiche — and honestly, I may never go back. It’s incredibly easy to make, wonderfully delicious, and perfect for brunch, breakfast, or even a simple dinner.

Despite being crustless, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian, it still has the rich, comforting flavor of a classic quiche. One of my favorite things about this recipe is how versatile it is. I’ve made versions with just spinach, others with mushrooms and cheese, and each one turns out beautifully. It’s the kind of recipe you can easily adapt to whatever you have on hand.

Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes depending on options

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Overall Time:: 45 minutes

Servings: 6 Slices

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (or whatever you have on hand)
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1-1/2 cups sliced sweet onion
1 tablespoon sliced garlic
8 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach
4 large eggs (add an extra egg if using small or medium)
1-1/2 cups alternative milk (I used unsweetened Almond milk) Note: 1/2 cup if adding cheese
1 tableshppon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon thyme
3/4 tablespoon salt (unless using dairy-free cheese, which can be salty)
1/8 tablespoon black pepper
1-1/2 cups shredded dairy-free mozzarella cheese (or flavor of choice - like cheeder)
3/4 cup veggie bacon, pre-cooked and crumbled (optional)

Directions

  • PREHEAT: Preheat oven to 400F. Spray a 9-inch pie plate with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside. Place oven shelf in the middle position.
  • SAUTE MUSHROOMS: In a 12-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Stir in 8 ounces of mushrooms and saute, stirring frequently, until soft (about 7 minutes).
  • SAUTE ONIONS: Stir in 1-1/2 cups of onion and 1 tablespoon of garlic and continue to saute, stiring frequently, until translucent (about 5 minutes).
  • STIR IN SPINACH; Stir in 8 cups of fresh spinach and continue to saute, turning frequently, until spinach is wilted (about 2 minutes). Remove skillet from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
    • NOTE: Make sure the sauteed mixture is dry before continuing. Otherwise the quiche could be wet, and you don’t want a soggy quiche.
  • WHISKS EGGS & MILK: In a large bowl, whisk 4 large eggs and 1-1/2 cups alternative milk together. Add 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon thyme, 3/4 tablespoon salt, and 1/8 tablespoon black pepper, then whisk everything well.
  • COMBINE: Fold the cooled mushroom/onion/spinach mixture into the eggs & milk mix. Add 1-1/2 cups of dairy-free cheese and combine well. Mix in the veggie bacon at this point, if using.
  • BAKE: Pour the mixture into the prepared pie plate. Place the pie plate on a rimmed baking sheet. Place in pre-heated oven. Bake about 30 minute until top is set and quiche starts to brown.
  • REST: Let the quiche rest for 10 minutes before slicing. If the top is wet (or oily from the cheese), place a paper towel on it to soak up some of the moisture. Garnish with more thyme or parley before serving.
  • STORING; In an airtight container, quiche will keep in the refrigerator for about 5 days. After cooled, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for about 2 months. Thaw the quiche overnight and reheat in the oven.

Inspired by Dish by Dish and Gonnawantseconds