Made without any processed sugar or flour, these oatmeal raisin protein cookies are gluten-free, portable and healthy enough to eat for breakfast.
Oatmeal cookies have always been one of my favorites. The funny thing is that before I knew much about healthy eating I thought they were a healthy treat. Raisins = healthy, right? Kind of similar to the high-school me thinking that tortilla chips where healthier than potato chips. I’ve come a long way folks!
That said, I still crave oatmeal raisin cookies every once in a while and I have found that you can indeed make them healthier just by swapping a few ingredients. And that’s exactly what I did to come up with this recipe for oatmeal raisin protein cookies.
Are Healthy Cookies a Thing?
If you know me, you know that I’m all about making healthy cookies and fully support the idea that cookies can be healthy enough to have for breakfast. I’ve shared everything from sweet potato cookies to chia cookies and now these healthy protein cookies!
These little guys have all the flavor of regular oatmeal raisin cookies, but without any processed sugar or flour. They also have a scoop of protein powder to amp up the protein. They’re vegan, gluten-free, portable and healthy enough to eat for breakfast.
Are Protein Cookies Good for Weight Loss?
When people ask about certain foods or recipes being “healthy” the follow up question is “will this food help me lose weight”? In general, I don’t think there are foods that should be designated as weight loss foods. Having said that, following a balanced diet with high protein and plenty of fiber generally does help with weight loss. If you’re craving a cookie and trying to lose weight, this is definitely the cookie to reach for!
How to Make Cinnamon Raisin Protein Cookies
These cookies are super easy to make. You’ll start by mixing the dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix your wet ingredients (the melted coconut oil, mashed banana, applesauce and vanilla). Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and stir until well combined. Gently stir in your raisins and then it’s cookie making time! Use your hands to shape the dough into a cookie shape. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown, let cool completely and enjoy! Store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for up to a month.
If you make these oatmeal raisin protein cookies, please be sure to leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how they turned out. Your feedback is so helpful for the EBF team and other EBF readers.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, shredded coconut, protein powder, chia seeds, cinnamon and salt. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
In another bowl, combine coconut oil, mashed banana, applesauce and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Stir in raisins.
Use your hands to form the cookie dough into balls and flatten slightly into a cookie shape.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown. Let cool and enjoy!
Great and easy recipe. Once I had the ingredients, it was very simple and quick to prepare. I’ve alternated between the cinnamon raison and using choc chips for a sweeter outcome. I like the raisons, boys like the chips. I saw a comment about adding cayenne for a spicier version, definitely will try that next time I do it with the choc chips.
So glad these cookies have been a hit, Matthew!! Thanks so much for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
this recipe caught my eye, but I loathe all things coconut and had no apple sauce to hand! So I improvised, replacing the shredded coconut with ground almonds.Then I puréed a fresh apple with the zest of an orange, the segments of the orange, a knob of fresh ginger and a banana and the remains of some hazelnut butter that I had. Seems to have worked out OK. thank you
My husband loves oatmeal raisin cookies and asked me to find a “healthy” version. (I have been trying to bake with alternate flour and no white sugar as he has a bit of a sweet tooth!) These are a winner! I have made 4 batches already. The only thing I have added is nuts as he is a nut lover in his cookies! Thank you for a great recipe. He is not easy to please and loves them ❤️
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Elaine. 🙂 I’m so glad these cookies were a hit!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
I made these tonight! ❤ I did not have bananas, so I just added a little more applesauce. Due to my weird palate, I added a little cayenne pepper to the mix for a slightly spicy cookie. 🙂
You can store them in an airtight container on the counter for about 4-5 days or in the fridge for about a week. You can also freeze them and they’ll stay good for a few months!
Just made these for a healthy snack during this upcoming period of self isolation. They were delicious and just sweet enough to satisfy my cravings. Do you think I could freeze some to keep them for longer?
Hey Zoe – I’m so glad you are enjoying these cookies!! And yes, I think freezing them would work just fine. They should last 3-4 months in the freezer. 🙂
These cookies were delicious. We made them without the protein powder and my 3 and 4 year old are them all in one day. We are making more today! Thanks for the delicious recipe.
Yay!! So glad these cookies turned out for you, Mandy! Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I really appreciate it. <3
Hey Ansley! Are you using refined or virgin coconut oil? That could be why you don’t like the taste. Virgin coconut oil has a more coconut taste where refined coconut oil is more of a neutral scent and flavor.
Yay!! So glad you loved these cookies, Kelly. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
These are fantastic, especially right out of the oven! A new meal prep favorite at my house! A quick 10 seconds in the microwave makes them super yummy with that morning coffee or tea.
Woo-hoo! I’m so glad you tried and enjoyed these cookies, Lesa. Thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it! <3
I haven’t tested this recipe without the applesauce but you should be able to easy use mashed banana instead of the applesauce. Just mash and measure 1/4 cup of banana. Let me know if you try it!
First off, I love this recipe! I’ve made it a dozen times or more and every time the cookies disappear within a day! I have used collagen in them and I do end up having to add a little more oats than what the original calls for, I just keep adding until it’s the right consistency. So good 🙂
Hey Melissa – I think they’d turn out just fine without the protein powder, but I would maybe replace the protein powder with 1/4 cup oat flour, almond or AP flour to keep the consistency the same. Let me know if you try these and how they turn out for you. 🙂
These look so delicious! I love finding ways to incorporate protein powder into baking, it can be a really versatile ingredient! What kind of protein powder do you generally use?
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Great and easy recipe. Once I had the ingredients, it was very simple and quick to prepare. I’ve alternated between the cinnamon raison and using choc chips for a sweeter outcome. I like the raisons, boys like the chips. I saw a comment about adding cayenne for a spicier version, definitely will try that next time I do it with the choc chips.
★★★★★
So glad these cookies have been a hit, Matthew!! Thanks so much for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
this recipe caught my eye, but I loathe all things coconut and had no apple sauce to hand! So I improvised, replacing the shredded coconut with ground almonds.Then I puréed a fresh apple with the zest of an orange, the segments of the orange, a knob of fresh ginger and a banana and the remains of some hazelnut butter that I had. Seems to have worked out OK. thank you
★★★★
Thanks for sharing the subs you made, Olivia! I’m glad these cookies turned out for you. Thanks for trying them – I really appreciate it!
My husband loves oatmeal raisin cookies and asked me to find a “healthy” version. (I have been trying to bake with alternate flour and no white sugar as he has a bit of a sweet tooth!) These are a winner! I have made 4 batches already. The only thing I have added is nuts as he is a nut lover in his cookies! Thank you for a great recipe. He is not easy to please and loves them ❤️
★★★★★
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Elaine. 🙂 I’m so glad these cookies were a hit!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
Second time making these cookies – sooo good! The best texture and perfect for when I have ripe bananas.
★★★★★
Ahh yay! I’m so glad you are enjoying these cookies, Katie!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. <3
I love this cookies. Taste really good. looking for a recipe without sugar and eggs. This recipe is for keep. Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
I’m so glad you enjoyed these cookies!! Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I really appreciate it. <3
I made these tonight! ❤ I did not have bananas, so I just added a little more applesauce. Due to my weird palate, I added a little cayenne pepper to the mix for a slightly spicy cookie. 🙂
★★★★★
Ohh I love the idea of a little spice! Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
This are super delicious!! How do I store them? Should they be refrigerated?
★★★★★
You can store them in an airtight container on the counter for about 4-5 days or in the fridge for about a week. You can also freeze them and they’ll stay good for a few months!
these look SO yummy. how much of a difference do you think sweetened coconut flakes would make? that’s all I have
Hey Grace – It shouldn’t make a big difference at all! 🙂
Just made these for a healthy snack during this upcoming period of self isolation. They were delicious and just sweet enough to satisfy my cravings. Do you think I could freeze some to keep them for longer?
★★★★★
Hey Zoe – I’m so glad you are enjoying these cookies!! And yes, I think freezing them would work just fine. They should last 3-4 months in the freezer. 🙂
I only have one ripe banana! Can I sub in additional applesauce or something?
I think subbing in applesauce would work just fine! Let me know if you try it and how they turn out!
These cookies were delicious. We made them without the protein powder and my 3 and 4 year old are them all in one day. We are making more today! Thanks for the delicious recipe.
★★★★★
Yay!! So glad these cookies turned out for you, Mandy! Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I really appreciate it. <3
What is a healthy alternative besides coconut oil? Anytime I try a recipe with coconut oil I hate the taste!
Hey Ansley! Are you using refined or virgin coconut oil? That could be why you don’t like the taste. Virgin coconut oil has a more coconut taste where refined coconut oil is more of a neutral scent and flavor.
I just made these and they are fabulous! I love sweets and this is the best of both worlds. Sweet and healthy! Thank you!
★★★★★
Yay!! So glad you loved these cookies, Kelly. Thanks for trying my recipe and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
These are fantastic, especially right out of the oven! A new meal prep favorite at my house! A quick 10 seconds in the microwave makes them super yummy with that morning coffee or tea.
★★★★★
Woo-hoo! I’m so glad you tried and enjoyed these cookies, Lesa. Thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it! <3
I can’t eat apples so I find myself wondering whether there is a swap for the applesauce?
I haven’t tested this recipe without the applesauce but you should be able to easy use mashed banana instead of the applesauce. Just mash and measure 1/4 cup of banana. Let me know if you try it!
What are other options to use instead of the coconut hubby can’t digest it but loves oatmeal cookies. Thanks
Hey Debra – You could just leave the coconut out and if the dough seems too wet you can add more oats.
Okay, I need these stat! If I used collagen for the protein, would I need to add anything else to thicken?
★★★★★
I don’t think you’d need anything else to thicken the batter if you use collagen, but if the dough seems too wet you can add more oats.
First off, I love this recipe! I’ve made it a dozen times or more and every time the cookies disappear within a day! I have used collagen in them and I do end up having to add a little more oats than what the original calls for, I just keep adding until it’s the right consistency. So good 🙂
These sound amazing! Do you think these would turn out okay if I didn’t add the protein powder?
Hey Melissa – I think they’d turn out just fine without the protein powder, but I would maybe replace the protein powder with 1/4 cup oat flour, almond or AP flour to keep the consistency the same. Let me know if you try these and how they turn out for you. 🙂
What if I wanted to add a nut butter? Would I then reduce the coconut oil?
I haven’t ever tried the recipe with nut butter so I’m not sure how that will work! Let me know how they turn out if you experiment.
Hey, looks delicious!!
Was just wondering if there’s any substitute for apple sauce? It’s not easily available nearby 🙁
Hey Hima, Yes you could use 1/4 cup more mashed banana or coconut oil instead of the applesauce. Let me know how it turns out for you!
I’ve tried without applesauce when I’ve run out and just add another banana, still delicious 🙂
★★★★★
So glad they still turned out for you without applesauce, Danielle!!
The recipe seems to have disappeared!
Does anyone have an active link to it?
Hi Shauna. Here’s the new link — http://proteinpow.com/2014/02/oatmeal-raisin-protein-cookies.html
I love that Protein POWder website!!!! So creative! 🙂 These look hands down BOMB!
Yummy! I needed a new post workout snack with some protein 🙂 I’ll definitely check out this recipe!
Woo-hoo. Thank you Melissa! Let me know what you think if you try the recipe.
These look great! You come up with the best healthy dessert creations!
Awww. Thank you Lauren. 🙂
Those look delicious 🙂
These look so delicious! I love finding ways to incorporate protein powder into baking, it can be a really versatile ingredient! What kind of protein powder do you generally use?
Thanks Greta! I tend to use vegan brown rice protein powder. Here’s a post I wrote about the two brands I like: https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/2012/07/the-best-protein-powder/
Oh yum! These look delicious. A great healthier treat – would be great since i’m always on the go!
Oh, yum! These look so incredible! Perfect for those days when you need that extra energy boost!