Healthy oatmeal cookies made with fiber-rich oats, coconut sugar and coconut oil and applesauce instead of butter. One cookie has about 115 calories! Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
I’ve been looking back on the EBF archives and noticed that I have a ton of awesome healthy cookie recipes, but there are a few that are old and outdated they need to be spruced up before I share them again.
These healthy oatmeal cookies are a great example. The first time I shared the recipe was back in 2012. I made the cookies for a New Year’s Eve party. They were a big hit, but the recipe needed a bit more testing and the photos were in dire need of an upgrade. It’s so funny because back in the day, my site was more of a journal so everything I posted was essentially a recap and many of the recipes I shared were things I’d only made once. Obviously, there wasn’t much recipe testing involved.
And when it came to holiday recipes, I was usually posting them after the fact. I remember one year I posted my healthy sweet potato casserole after Thanksgiving and said, “I know it’s late but you can always save the recipe and make it next Thanksgiving.” Who does that?
I quickly realized this wasn’t ideal so now I have an editorial calendar and I plan in advance what I’m going to post, with seasonal trends and holidays in mind. That way I’m posting content and recipes that are timely and useful to you when I post them. I’m honestly not the best at being ahead of schedule and having things planned out, but it’s something I’m definitely working on and being more organized and efficient within EBF is a goal I have for 2018.
Anyhow, enough about that… let’s chat about the fact that these oatmeal cookies are absolutely delicious. They are perfect for a vegetarian or paleo diet. I love the combo of oatmeal, raisin and cinnamon, so oatmeal raisin cookies are one of my all-time favorites.
This recipe is super easy to follow and naturally gluten-free because we’re using oats and oat flour as the base. If you’re new to using oat flour, it’s essentially just rolled oats ground up into a fine flour. You can find it at most grocery stores in the natural section (I usually buy the Bob’s Red Mill brand) or simply make your own by processing rolled oats in your food processor(affiliate link) or high speed blender.
Love Cookies Made With Oatmeal? Try These Other Varieties Too!
If you make these healthy oatmeal cookies let me know how they turn out by leaving a comment and a star rating below. Your feedback is so helpful for the EBF team and other EBF readers.
These healthy oatmeal cookies are made with fiber-rich oats, coconut sugar and coconut oil and applesauce instead of butter. They are easy to whip up and are naturally gluten and dairy-free and paleo-friendly.
1 cup coconut sugar (organic brown sugar works too)
2 egg whites (about 1/3 cup)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins or dark chocolate chocolate chips or your favorite mix-in
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray or line with silpat mats and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl with the mixer set on medium speed, beat together oil, applesauce, sugar, eggs whites and vanilla until fluffy and smooth. Slowly beat in the oat mixture. Lightly stir in raisins.
Using a spoon or cookie scoop(affiliate link), drop cookie dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Press each cookie down with a fork a bit. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. The cookies will seem a little soft, but do not over bake or they’ll get too crisp. Remove from oven and let cool on sheet for about 5 minutes or until they start to harden up a bit. At this point you can transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
I LOVE these cookies! They are so delicious and easy. I make them every other week and I can’t get enough. I’ve started getting “crazy” with my mix-ins and used dried cherries and apricots.They make me so excited! Thank you so much!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Laura!! I’m so glad you’re loving these cookies and getting creative with the add-ins. 🙂 Thanks for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Kimberly. I’m so glad you enjoyed these cookies. Thanks for trying them and for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. It means the world to me. <3
I used coconut flour instead of oat flour (this was an accident). The cookies were baked and looked crispy, but did not hold together at all. I nudged one with a spoon and it completely fell apart 🙁 I wonder if the issue was the coconut flour.
Taste yummy, but cant really be eaten as a cookie, more as a crumble.
Hey Effie – I’m so sorry to hear that!! It was definitely because you used coconut flour versus oat flour. Coconut flour can’t be used as a 1:1 substitute for other flours as it soaks up way more liquid, so that makes sense why the cookies were dry and crumbly.
These cookies are a healthier version of a favorite; however, the is no joy when eating them. I followed the recipe, cutting the batch in two and adding walnuts to one batch. They lack flavor. They also took much longer to bake than the recipe suggests. I left them in for 15 minutes and let them set, but had to bake them for longer to cook. The second batch I baked at 370 degrees for 20 minutes and this helped. I plan to melt down dark chocolate to drizzle over them to add flavor. I wont use this recipe again, sorry to say.
I just cooked this!! It’s really delicious. Personally, I don’t really like sweet desserts so it was really good for me. After baking this, I’m going to look for more recipes for Healthy cookie 🍪 Thank u for sharing ur recipes!!!
Ahh yay!! So glad you’re enjoying these cookies, Keisha. So glad you found my recipe. Thanks for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
I want to try this for a work event! Is the oat flour a must or is there another substitute? Can I also use different type of sugar? Would it be ok to use apple sauce and also mashed banana?
Hey Haley! I haven’t tried these cookies with a different flour besides the oat flour. You could possibly try regular flour, gluten-free all-purpose or almond flour, but you might need to alter the amount. You’d probably need a little less flour if using something other than oat. I’m not sure if I would use the applesauce / mashed bananas as a substitute for the sugar. It would probably make the dough too liquidy. You could use brown sugar instead of the coconut sugar! Let me know how these cookies turn out for you. 🙂
Just made this recipe and they turned out fabulous. I only had dried cranberries and so made a little substitute and they were great. Thanks for the easy, healthy, and delicious recipe, Can’t wait to try some more of yours!
The applesauce is used instead of oil or butter so you could replace it with one of those. Or mashed banana might work well too! Let me know what you try!
I made them and added 2 Tbl. unsweetened cocoa powder and substituted yellow raisins and added rind of one orange and they were amazing! Thank you for the recipe. It’s going in my permanent file! 😊 They were moist and puffed up really nice too and didn’t fall apart easily.
I think I made them by the recipe but they turned out crumbly, more like granola. The mixture never seemed to get fluffy even though I beat it at high speed for several minutes. I would like to try them again if I can figure out what I did wrong as my husband seems to like them.
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite recipe sites! These cookies are amazing. I had to double the recipe as I am making them for a large group and they turned out fantastic. I did use raisins instead of dates and I added one egg for a double batch since I wasn’t concerned about them being vegan. I also added 2 individual packets of stevia to add a little extra sweetness. I had to make myself stop eating them so I’d have enough for the event!
Couldn’t resist making these right away! I subbed some oats for almond flour and reduced the sugar a bit, adding in maple and molasses instead. I also added a lot more cinnamon and nutmeg to make them super spicy! Delicious!
Is it possible to use an oil other than coconut? There is a sensitivity involved, so I’m hoping yes, because these sound fabulous. I’ve never made oatmeal cookies with oat flour, and it makes all the sense in the world! (<—That was a forehead-palm "D'oh!" moment…)
I made these cookies this morning and they are delicious! In the recipe you didn’t mention when to add the applesauce, so I added it to the oil mixture. I’ve eaten 3 of them already. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Fern. I’m so glad that you liked the cookies. YES, the applesauce should be added to the wet mixture, just as you did. Thank you for pointing that out – I’ve updated the recipe as well. 🙂
Yum, those cookies look delicious, I will definitely have to make those! I am also drawn to heat sources like you – I can always be found sitting by a fire, heater or stove. 🙂
You know, I haven’t had kale in years because I wasn’t a huge fan when I first tried it :/ But I’ve got to say your omelet looking pretty bangin! I may just have to give good old kale a second shot…
I LOVE heaters, too! I’ve been using mine almost every day – especially when catching up on my Google Reader or working on blog posts. They are the BEST!
The cookies look fabulous! I need to remember to copy down this recipe.
Glad you had a great New Years Eve! After many mixed fruity drinks, we eventually stuck with the champagne too. It was nice a refreshing after too many shots of coconut rum! 😉
Those cookies look so good – can you believe I’m never made oatmeal raisin cookies?!? I love champagne, but I need small glasses, too. The bubbles tickle my nose and throat!
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This is a great recipe and easy to make! Cookies turned out nice and chewy. I used all coconut oil. Glad to be able to make healthy sweet treats!
I LOVE these cookies! They are so delicious and easy. I make them every other week and I can’t get enough. I’ve started getting “crazy” with my mix-ins and used dried cherries and apricots.They make me so excited! Thank you so much!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Laura!! I’m so glad you’re loving these cookies and getting creative with the add-ins. 🙂 Thanks for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
Best healthy oatmeal cookie ever! Hard to believe they’re healthy with such a great taste! Thank you. Will be making these again.
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Kimberly. I’m so glad you enjoyed these cookies. Thanks for trying them and for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. It means the world to me. <3
I used coconut flour instead of oat flour (this was an accident). The cookies were baked and looked crispy, but did not hold together at all. I nudged one with a spoon and it completely fell apart 🙁 I wonder if the issue was the coconut flour.
Taste yummy, but cant really be eaten as a cookie, more as a crumble.
Hey Effie – I’m so sorry to hear that!! It was definitely because you used coconut flour versus oat flour. Coconut flour can’t be used as a 1:1 substitute for other flours as it soaks up way more liquid, so that makes sense why the cookies were dry and crumbly.
These cookies are a healthier version of a favorite; however, the is no joy when eating them. I followed the recipe, cutting the batch in two and adding walnuts to one batch. They lack flavor. They also took much longer to bake than the recipe suggests. I left them in for 15 minutes and let them set, but had to bake them for longer to cook. The second batch I baked at 370 degrees for 20 minutes and this helped. I plan to melt down dark chocolate to drizzle over them to add flavor. I wont use this recipe again, sorry to say.
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that Yvonne. Did you change anything about the recipe besides adding the walnuts? Did you leave out any of the spices?
Loved these cookies! I didn’t have chocolate chips or raisins and had to sub oat flour for chickpea flour, and they still came out amazing!
Thanks for letting us know, Juliette! I’m so glad they still turned out for you. 🙂
I just cooked this!! It’s really delicious. Personally, I don’t really like sweet desserts so it was really good for me. After baking this, I’m going to look for more recipes for Healthy cookie 🍪 Thank u for sharing ur recipes!!!
Ahh yay!! So glad you’re enjoying these cookies, Keisha. So glad you found my recipe. Thanks for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
This is amazingly delicious! I am obsessed!
Can I use monk fruit sweetener in place of coconut sugar?
Can we substitute something else for the egg whites? I have a grandson who is allergic to eggs.
Thank you
Hey Ratna – You can try using 2 flax or chia eggs to replace the egg whites. Let me know if you try it and how the cookies turn out!
I think that would be just fine! 🙂
I want to try this for a work event! Is the oat flour a must or is there another substitute? Can I also use different type of sugar? Would it be ok to use apple sauce and also mashed banana?
Hey Haley! I haven’t tried these cookies with a different flour besides the oat flour. You could possibly try regular flour, gluten-free all-purpose or almond flour, but you might need to alter the amount. You’d probably need a little less flour if using something other than oat. I’m not sure if I would use the applesauce / mashed bananas as a substitute for the sugar. It would probably make the dough too liquidy. You could use brown sugar instead of the coconut sugar! Let me know how these cookies turn out for you. 🙂
What can you be used instead of applesauce please?
Hi Sarah! You could use mashed ripe bananas or extra coconut oil to replace the applesauce.
Hi! Can I use goji berries instead of craisins?
Hey Elisheva! Yes, You can definitely substitute goji berries for the cranberries.
My children love these cookies! I use 1/2 cup caster sugar instead of coconut sugar and an egg replacement (daughter had an egg allergy). Thank you!
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that you and your children love these cookies. Thanks for coming back to leave a comment, I so appreciate it! 🙂
Just made this recipe and they turned out fabulous. I only had dried cranberries and so made a little substitute and they were great. Thanks for the easy, healthy, and delicious recipe, Can’t wait to try some more of yours!
Woo-hoo! I’m so excited to hear that you enjoyed these, Jamie! Thanks so much for coming back to o leave a comment too! 🙂
Should the coconut oil be measured as 6 tablespoons in liquid or 6 tablespoons in solid form?
Good question. It should be measured in a liquid state.
Hi! Really love the recipe, but may i ask what i could use or substitute the applesauce with? We don’t have any applesauce readily available here
The applesauce is used instead of oil or butter so you could replace it with one of those. Or mashed banana might work well too! Let me know what you try!
Thank you!! will be trying your suggestion!! 🙂
I made them and added 2 Tbl. unsweetened cocoa powder and substituted yellow raisins and added rind of one orange and they were amazing! Thank you for the recipe. It’s going in my permanent file! 😊 They were moist and puffed up really nice too and didn’t fall apart easily.
I think I made them by the recipe but they turned out crumbly, more like granola. The mixture never seemed to get fluffy even though I beat it at high speed for several minutes. I would like to try them again if I can figure out what I did wrong as my husband seems to like them.
Can I use a chia substitute for the 2 egg whites? Also can the coconut sugar being substituted with maple syrup and if so how much do I use?
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite recipe sites! These cookies are amazing. I had to double the recipe as I am making them for a large group and they turned out fantastic. I did use raisins instead of dates and I added one egg for a double batch since I wasn’t concerned about them being vegan. I also added 2 individual packets of stevia to add a little extra sweetness. I had to make myself stop eating them so I’d have enough for the event!
★★★★★
Couldn’t resist making these right away! I subbed some oats for almond flour and reduced the sugar a bit, adding in maple and molasses instead. I also added a lot more cinnamon and nutmeg to make them super spicy! Delicious!
This looks delicious! Definitely gonna it a try and hope it will turn out excellent. Thanks for sharing.
Is it possible to use an oil other than coconut? There is a sensitivity involved, so I’m hoping yes, because these sound fabulous. I’ve never made oatmeal cookies with oat flour, and it makes all the sense in the world! (<—That was a forehead-palm "D'oh!" moment…)
Hi Rita. You can definitely use another oil instead of coconut. I think avocado or olive oil will work great! Let me know if you try the recipe. 🙂
Can we use steel cut oats
I don’t think steel cut oats will work in this recipe. I highly recommend using old fashioned rolled oats.
I made these cookies this morning and they are delicious! In the recipe you didn’t mention when to add the applesauce, so I added it to the oil mixture. I’ve eaten 3 of them already. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Fern. I’m so glad that you liked the cookies. YES, the applesauce should be added to the wet mixture, just as you did. Thank you for pointing that out – I’ve updated the recipe as well. 🙂
Yum, those cookies look delicious, I will definitely have to make those! I am also drawn to heat sources like you – I can always be found sitting by a fire, heater or stove. 🙂
You know, I haven’t had kale in years because I wasn’t a huge fan when I first tried it :/ But I’ve got to say your omelet looking pretty bangin! I may just have to give good old kale a second shot…
An actual bowl of nuts – love it! It’s very festive and you burn calories when you crack them open – he he!
Happy New Year!
Oatmeal cookies are my favorite! YUM!
I like to be prepared with snacks when I travel too (you never know…)
The cookies look really good!
I LOVE heaters, too! I’ve been using mine almost every day – especially when catching up on my Google Reader or working on blog posts. They are the BEST!
Happy New Years! 🙂
The cookies look fabulous! I need to remember to copy down this recipe.
Glad you had a great New Years Eve! After many mixed fruity drinks, we eventually stuck with the champagne too. It was nice a refreshing after too many shots of coconut rum! 😉
Happy New Year girl!!! 🙂
Those cookies look so good – can you believe I’m never made oatmeal raisin cookies?!? I love champagne, but I need small glasses, too. The bubbles tickle my nose and throat!
YUM! Those cookies look so good! I definitely have to make those 🙂
I must try those oatmeal cookies!! And the kale omelet looks superb as well! Made me hungry at 11:45 at night.., thanks!
Opps. Sorry about that 😉