With the school year well under way, nothing rings more true than the adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Studies indicate that regularly eating breakfast improves memory, concentration, problem-solving skills, hand-eye co-ordination, heart function and weight control.

If you, like 40 per cent of Canadians, regularly skip the morning meal, look no further than these three-ingredient breakfast cookies. The oats and bananas will boost your daily intake of fibre, vitamins and minerals. In 15 minutes or less, you can whip up a batch on the weekend and have breakfast prepared for the entire week.

In addition to being packed with nutrients, these cookies are highly portable — toss them in your backpack before you head out for class, and reap the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast!

Serves: 8
Preparation time: 15 minutes

1 cup quick or old-fashioned oats
2 medium bananas

Optional: Additional ingredients of your choice, such as peanut butter or a handful of chocolate chips, frozen berries, raisins, coconut flakes, slivered almonds or chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats and banana. Mash banana until well incorporated. Add additional ingredients, if desired. Bake for 12 minutes. Enjoy!

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Sarah Bains