Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

These Healthy Oatmeal Cookies are soft and chewy, with plenty of flavors and nutrients. Made with wholesome ingredients and no oil, this gluten-free oat cookie recipe makes healthy snacks and breakfasts for the whole family. 

Whether you prefer gooey chocolate chips or raisins, there are many ways how people like their cookies. But…do we all agree that oatmeal cookies are THE BEST? No matter what you put inside, I firmly believe that nothing will ever beat some good homemade oat cookies. Those which are soft at first bite and chewy, with all the taste and flavors.

Oatmeal raisin cookies, pumpkin cookies, protein cookies. Last day I was surfing through my website when I realized that I have many cookies here. But yet, I had never posted a simple oatmeal cookie recipe that is healthy and versatile, so that you can adapt it to your likings and preferences. Hence, I quickly set out baking and here I am!

Why these are the best oatmeal cookies

• Healthy and nutritious. This recipe only uses wholesome ingredients like oats and nut butter, which provide plenty of nutrients such as fibers and vitamins. No oil, no refined flour and no refined sugar.
• Soft, chewy and delicious. Each cookie is an explosion of taste and texture. Soft and chewy, with lots of delicious flavors.
• Quick and easy to make. These healthy oatmeal cookies are whipped up in a bowl in minutes, so that you won’t need to mess up the entire kitchen.
• Simple ingredients. Oats, maple syrup and egg…All you need is a handful of basic ingredients that you probably already have at home. Because eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard and expensive! 
• Customizable and diet-friendly. With chocolate chips or walnuts, these simple oatmeal cookies can be customized to suit your own preferences and dietary needs. For instance, you can easily make them vegan, gluten-free or high protein. 
• Practical and versatile. Homemade oatmeal cookies are the perfect grab-and-go snack to pack for school, work or when you’re out.

Ingredients for healthy oatmeal cookies

• Rolled oats: This recipe works best with rolled oats (sometimes called “old-fashioned oats”); it is less refined and provides the classic chewy texture of oatmeal cookies. 
• Oat flour: Instead of white flour, this recipe uses oat flour. You can make it at home by grinding the oats into a fine powder or purchase it from the store. 
• Egg: Use a large fresh egg, possibly from free-range chickens. This will make your cookies more flavorful and delicious. 
• Applesauce: In this recipe, applesauce adds natural sweetness and moisture without the need for oil or butter. I recommend unsweetened applesauce, it will make healthier oat cookies.
• Maple syrup: Maple syrup is a wholesome and natural alternative to refined sugars and tastes delicious. 
• Almond butter: Natural almond butter is my favorite choice because it gives these oatmeal cookies a great flavor and soft texture without tasting as strong as peanut butter. For the best result, choose creamy nut butter.
• Ground cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt: The combination of spices balances the sweetness level and improves flavors.
• Baking powder: Baking powder is the leavening agent that helps cookies get softer.

Replacement options

• You can replace rolled oats with quick oats, but the cookies will have a slightly softer texture. Because of their long cooking time, steel-cut oats do not work.
• If you don’t have oat flour, use almond flour, wholewheat flour, spelt flour or common all-purpose flour. For a healthier recipe, try to prefer wholegrain alternatives.
• Instead of egg you can use flaxseed egg, chia egg or any other vegan egg replacement.
• A great alternative to applesauce is mashed ripe banana. It will give these cookies plenty of moisture and sweetness, but with a slightly stronger aftertaste.
• Almond butter can be substituted with any creamy nut butter you like (peanut butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, etc.). For nut-free oat snacks you can use sunflower seed butter or tahini.
• The best replacements for maple syrup are honey, agave syrup, date syrup and coconut syrup. Unfortunately this recipe does not work with granulated sweeteners such as brown sugar, erythritol or stevia.
• In case you don’t have baking powder, use a hint of baking soda. Once again, make sure it is just a hint. Baking soda is stronger than baking powder and in excessive amounts it tends to ruin the taste of desserts.

Vegan oatmeal cookies

If you follow a vegan diet, make eggless oatmeal cookies by replacing the animal product with a plant based alternatives. My suggestions are flaxseed egg and chia egg, they are an all-natural solution to eggless baking.

How to make oatmeal cookies healthy

• Make healthy cookie dough with oats. In a large mixing bowl add egg, applesauce, almond butter, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. With the help of a hand mixer or whisk, stir the mixture for a couple of minutes it gets smooth. Finally, add to the bowl rolled oats, oat flour, baking powder and give it a good stir. If you want, mix in now additional ingredients such as chocolate chips, walnuts or raisins.
• Let the dough rest and bake. Place the dough in the fridge and allow it to set for at least 15 minutes (ideally for 30 minutes to 1 hour). Scoop out about 1/3 cup of dough and shape 10 cookies, then transfer to a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Bake in hot oven at 180°C (360°F) for 10 to 12 minutes and let cool before serving.

Storage directions

After baking, line your oat cookies over a baking rack – or let in the tray – and allow to cool completely at room temperature. Once they have cooled, transfer to an airtight food container, making sure it is sealed with lid so that humidity doesn’t get in.

• At room temperature, they will last for up to 3 days.
• In the fridge, they will stay fresh for about 5 days.
• In the freezer, they will keep for 3 months. For the best storage, make sure you seal leftovers in zipping bags or in a freezer safe container. Before eating, reheat for a couple of minutes in the oven until warm and chewy again.

6 ways to make oat cookies healthy

• Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Add your favorite chocolate chips and no one will be able to resist these healthy cookies with oats. Chef recommendation: dark chocolate chips!
• Oatmeal raisin cookies. Stir in the dough a handful of tasty raisins and some seeds or walnuts if you desire.
• Banana bread oat cookies. Substitute applesauce with mashed banana, mix in some walnuts and don’t forget plenty of cinnamon!
• Oat cookies with nuts and seeds. Add a crunchy touch by stirring in pieces of walnuts, pecans, almonds, pumpkin seeds or a mix of those.
• Chocolate oat cookies. Replace half of the oat flour with cocoa powder, mix in extra chocolate chips and enjoy your chocolate treat!
• High protein cookies with oats. Replace the oat flour with your favorite protein powder and adjust the dough with extra nut butter or oats if it is necessary.

Serving ideas

• Breakfast. Side your oatmeal cookies with a bowl of Greek yogurt and fresh fruit for a delicious healthy breakfast.
• Grab-and-go snack. Pack some cookies and take them with you whenever you are outside. They are a great healthy snack for work, school and trips.
• Post workout snack. Enjoy alongside your favorite fruit and a protein shake to fuel your body after exercising.
• Dessert. On their own, with a glass of milk or with extra almond butter on top, these healthy cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth without guilt.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

More oat cookie recipes

• Healthy oatmeal raisin cookies
• Healthy cookie dough bites with oats
• Oatmeal protein cookies
• 3 ingredient breakfast cookies
• 2 ingredient banana oatmeal cookies
• Blueberry oatmeal cookies
• Pumpkin oat cookies
• Banana bread cookies
• No bake chocolate cookies