No-Bake Banana Bread Bites

Banana bread takes an hour in the oven and a very ripe banana. These take the very ripe banana and skip the hour. It's the same flavor in a much smaller, colder form, and they hold up in the fridge for most of a week.

The banana is the binder

There's no egg or butter holding these together. The mashed banana does it, so it needs to be properly ripe and properly mashed. A firm yellow banana won't mash smooth, won't bind, and won't taste like much. You want one with brown spots that almost falls apart when you peel it.

Tip

If the dough is too sticky to roll, add oats a spoonful at a time. Oat flour thickens faster than rolled oats if you have it.

Don't skip the pinches

Cinnamon and a pinch of salt are what turn "banana and protein powder" into something that tastes like banana bread. The salt especially. It's tiny, and you'll notice if it's missing.

Walnuts and chocolate chips are both optional and both good. Walnuts are the classic banana bread move.

The same roll-and-chill method makes the Sugar Cookie Bites. And if you've still got half a banana after this, the Banana Cream Pie Cup will use it.