In a video posted on Instagram, Solene Collin, pediatric dietitian, offers banana-oat-peanut cookies from 12 months. The idea is interesting for a quick homemade snack, under a few conditions.
A quick recipe for the snack box
In her video, the expert presents this preparation as a very quick snack, which she says she prepares regularly for her daughter’s school. Its main argument: few ingredients, little handling and short cooking.
“You only need four ingredients, five minutes of preparation and fifteen minutes of cooking.“
The recipe is based on four main ingredients: banana, oatmeal, peanut puree and dark chocolate chips. The ripe banana serves as a melting and sweet base, the oat flakes give hold, the peanut puree provides binder, and the chocolate chips make the result more delicious.
For approximately 10 cookies, the post states:
- 2 ripe bananas;
- 100 g oatmeal;
- 1 tablespoon of peanut puree;
- 1 handful of dark chocolate chips.
As for preparation, the principle is simple: preheat the oven to 180°C, mash the bananas with the peanut puree, add the oatmeal, then incorporate the chocolate chips. Then simply form small balls, flatten them on a baking tray covered with baking paper and bake for 15 minutes. Tip: you can lightly moisten your hands so that the dough sticks less.
This format may be suitable for a takeaway snack, but it should not become a one-size-fits-all rule. For children, snacks benefit from remaining varied, alternating textures, foods and levels of indulgence.
At 12 months, three precautions change everything
The mention “from 12 months” requires some safeguards.
The texture must be adapted
At this age, many children can eat preparations that are more substantial than purees, but the texture must remain suitable for chewing abilities. These cookies must therefore be sufficiently soft, easy to chew and offered under adult supervision. If the child is not comfortable with the pieces, it is better to wait or adapt the texture.
Be careful of peanuts
Second key point: the recipe contains peanuts, via the peanut puree. Peanut is one of the major allergens. It can be introduced into the diet during diversification, but this recipe is only suitable if it has already been introduced and well tolerated. It should be avoided in the event of a known or suspected allergy, or if an allergological assessment is in progress without medical advice. To find out more, True Medical takes stock of the signs of a peanut allergy.
Also be careful not to confuse peanut puree and whole peanuts. The recipe uses a puree, which is important: small, hard, round foods, such as peanuts, are not suitable for young children due to the risk of misfeeding.
Yes to chocolate, but slowly
Third nuance: chocolate chips remain a sweet product. Even if the recipe is homemade and contains simple ingredients, it should not be presented as an ideal everyday snack.
It’s better to keep your hand light on the chocolate and offer these cookies in appropriate quantities, as part of a varied overall diet. To include this type of snack in a toddler’s meals, you can consult our guidelines on baby food at 12 months.
In practice, these cookies can therefore be a useful option when you want to quickly prepare a homemade family snack: ripe banana, oats, already tolerated peanut puree and a few sprinkles. The good reflex consists above all in adapting the size, cooking and texture to the child, without making it an obligation or a unique model of snack.