Creating these delectable Peanut Butter Banana Cookies is as simple as following these steps:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Mash the Banana: In a medium bowl, mash the ripe banana until smooth. It should be free of lumps for even mixing.
3. Combine Peanut Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine peanut butter and granulated sugar. Mix until creamy and fully integrated.
4. Add Egg and Vanilla: Stir in the egg and vanilla extract to the peanut butter mixture, mixing until well combined.
5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add baking soda and salt to the mixture, stirring until combined. If you’re using oats, fold them in at this stage.
6. Form Cookies: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. Flatten: Gently flatten each cookie ball with the back of a fork or your fingers to form a cookie shape.
8. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
9. Cool Cookies: Once done, remove them from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
10. Enjoy: Once cooled, enjoy your delicious Peanut Butter Banana Cookies!

These simple steps will lead you to baked perfection, ensuring that each cookie is chewy and delicious.