Banana Oat Bites

Ingredients

• 3 very ripe bananas
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup sultanas, or 1/2 cup grated apple
• Optional: 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Fork or potato masher
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking tray
• Baking paper
• Cooling rack

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Peel and mash the bananas in the bowl until mostly smooth.
3. Stir through the oats, sultanas and cinnamon until the mixture holds together. Rest for five minutes if it feels loose.
4. Roll heaped teaspoons into small balls and flatten each slightly onto the tray.
5. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until firm and lightly golden.
6. Cool completely on a rack before serving.

How children can participate

Suitable for children from about 2 years with support

Children can peel and mash the bananas, count and pour the oats, stir the mixture, and roll and flatten the bites onto the tray. Older children can measure the cups themselves and set the timer.

Adult-only steps

Handling the hot oven, placing and removing the tray, and moving the hot tray to the cooling rack.

Safety considerations

Serve only once fully cooled. Cut or flatten bites small and serve seated and supervised, as whole sultanas and firm rounds can be a choking risk for younger children. Check every child's recorded allergies and dietary needs before serving, and follow your service's food handling and allergy procedures.

Allergens

• Gluten (oats are commonly processed with wheat — check the packet)

Dietary information

• Egg free
• Dairy free
• Nut free
• Vegetarian

Substitutions

Use certified gluten-free oats where gluten needs to be avoided. Swap sultanas for grated apple or mashed pear for a softer texture. Leave out the cinnamon for children who prefer plainer flavours.

Food safety

Wash hands before starting and after handling food. Keep the bananas refrigerated until use in warm weather, and return any unserved bites to the fridge within two hours of baking.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, or freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge and serve the same day.