Healthy Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
This healthy oatmeal cookie recipe is packed with whole grains, dark chocolate, and dried fruit for a wonderful flavor. They’re crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and can be enjoyed as a snack or even for breakfast.
Table of Contents
These cookies are amazing! – Katie
If you’ve ever tried Clif Bars and loved them, you’re in for a treat with these homemade cookies. They’re inspired by the flavors of Sierra Trail Mix and Coconut Chocolate Chip Clif Bars, making them a more affordable alternative that’s just as tasty.
If you’re a fan of oatmeal-based treats, you might also like my oatmeal fudge cookies or peanut butter no-bake oatmeal cookies. For a breakfast option, give these healthy oatmeal pancakes a try. They’re all about oats and all super tasty!
A few years ago I created a cookie recipe inspired by the well known Clif Bar using ingredients from my two favorite flavors : Sierra Trail Mix and Coconut Chocolate Chip. I combined raisins, pumpkin seeds, oats, coconut and dark chocolate. Then I added melted butter and coconut oil because together they provide a wonderful flavor and a ‘crisp on the outside, soft on the inside’ texture when the dough is baked. We think they are delicious!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavors: This healthy oatmeal cookie recipe sticks to the classic combination of oats, brown sugar, and raisins, resulting in the perfect oatmeal cookie flavor that’s hard to resist.
- Customizable: If you maintain the 8 cups of dry ingredients for 1-3/4 cups of wet ingredient ratio, you can substitute it for all kinds of things, like one cup of chopped pecans can be substituted for one cup of oats!
- Budget-Friendly: This recipe is a great way to make delicious, healthy Clif Bar-inspired cookies without breaking the bank. With simple, affordable ingredients, it’s a budget-friendly option.
- Make-Ahead: These oatmeal cookies are make-ahead friendly, making it easy to prep them in advance for any upcoming event or simply to have a sweet treat on hand.
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Key Ingredients
- Old Fashioned Oats: These will give your cookies a hearty, chewy texture and a deliciously nutty flavor.
- Dark Brown Sugar: It will add a deep, caramel-like sweetness to your cookies.
- All-Purpose Flour and Whole Wheat Flour: These will help to give your cookies structure and a slightly nutty flavor.
- Unsweetened Coconut: It will add a subtle, tropical flavor and a bit of crunch to your cookies.
- Raisins: These will add a natural sweetness and a chewy texture to your cookies.
- Raw Pumpkin Seeds: They will add a bit of crunch and a nutty flavor to your cookies.
- Egg: It will help to bind all the ingredients together and give your cookies a soft, cake-like texture.
- Baking Powder: This is our leavening agent to get the perfect texture in the cookies.
- Pecans: They will add a rich, buttery flavor and a bit of crunch to your cookies.
- Spices: I’ve used ground cinnamon and nutmeg to get that classic flavor everyone loves.
- Butter and Coconut Oil: These will give your cookies a rich, buttery flavor and a soft, chewy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: It will enhance the sweet, buttery flavors in your cookies.
- Cold Water: It helps the ingredients to mix together and keeps the cookies from being too dry.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: These will add a sweet, rich chocolate flavor to your cookies.
Equipment
- Stand Mixer – You’ll need this to combine all your dry ingredients and mix in the wet ingredients for the cookie dough. It makes the process much easier and ensures everything is well mixed.
- Cookie Sheet – This is where you’ll place your cookie dough balls to bake in the oven. Make sure it’s un-greasened so the cookies hold their shape.
How to Make Healthy Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
Preparation
Start by combining your dry ingredients in a stand mixer. You’ll need old fashioned oats, dark brown sugar, white flour, whole wheat flour, unsweetened coconut, dried fruit, raw pumpkin seeds, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Step 1 – Mix the Dry Ingredients
Add all the dry ingredients, including the ones you just combined, to the mixing bowl of your stand mixer.
Step 2 – Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Add the egg to this mixture.
Step 3 – Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients
With the stand mixer running on low speed, slowly pour the wet ingredient mixture into the mixing bowl. Also, pour up to 1/4 cup of cold water until the dough sticks together. Stir in the dark chocolate chips.
Step 4 – Refrigerating the Dough
Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerated the dough for at least 2 hours, or you can leave it overnight.
Step 5 – Preheat the Oven
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Step 6 – Shape the Dough
Take the dough out of the refrigerator and roll it into 1-1/2 inch balls. Place these balls on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Step 7 – Bake the Cookies
Put the cookie sheet in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown. If the dough spreads too much, use a spatula at 10 minutes to push the dough back to the center of the cookie and bake for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Step 8 – Cool and Transfer the Cookies
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet until they are firm. Then, transfer them to a wire rack.
Expert Tip
To ensure your oatmeal cookies have the perfect texture, don’t skip the step of refrigerating the dough for at least 2 hours or, even better, overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the oats to soften, giving you a chewy, not-too-crumbly cookie.
Recipe Variations
- Non-Dairy Option: If you’re looking to make these cookies dairy-free, you can easily substitute non-dairy butter for regular butter. This simple swap won’t affect the texture or flavor of the cookies.
- Egg-Free: For those with egg allergies or who follow a vegan diet, you can make these cookies egg-free by adding one tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water in place of the egg. This will help bind the ingredients together just like an egg would.
- Customize the Mix-Ins: Feel free to customize the mix-ins to suit your preferences. You can use more dried fruit in place of the pumpkin seeds, or substitute chopped pecans for some of the oats. As long as you keep the ratio of dry to wet ingredients, the possibilities are endless.
What to Serve With
- These healthy oatmeal cookies are a delicious treat any time of day. Enjoy them with a glass of cold milk for a classic snack.
- If you’re hosting a brunch, these cookies make a great addition to the dessert table. Your guests will love the hearty, wholesome flavor.
- Pack these cookies in your kids’ lunchboxes. They’re perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up at school. Plus, the added nutrients from the oats and whole wheat flour make them a parent’s favorite.
Make Ahead Instructions
To make ahead, make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Then simply follow the recipe instructions to shape and bake it.
Recipe FAQs
These oatmeal cookies are considered healthy because they are made with wholesome ingredients like old-fashioned oats, whole wheat flour, and coconut oil. The recipe also uses dark brown sugar instead of white sugar for a slightly lower glycemic index.
Yes, you can. For a healthier version, you can reduce the amount of sugar or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. You can also add more nuts and seeds for extra nutrition.
It is highly recommended. The dough needs to be refrigerated for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to firm up. This will make it easier to roll into balls and will help the cookies hold their shape better while baking.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freezing: These cookies freeze well. After they have completely cooled, store them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to three months.
- Thaw: When ready to enjoy, simply let the cookies thaw at room temperature.
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Serving Size
- What to Expect: This healthy oatmeal cookie recipe yields about 30 delicious cookies.
- How to Scale: If you want to make more than 30 cookies, you can easily double the recipe. Just make sure your mixing bowl is large enough to accommodate the increased quantity of ingredients. Follow the rest of the instructions as directed, and you’ll have twice the number of tasty oatmeal cookies.
Healthy Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 Cups old fashioned oats
- 1-1/2 Cups dark brown sugar
- 1 Cup white all purpose flour
- 1 Cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 Cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 Cup raisins or other dried fruit
- 1/4 Cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 3/4 Cup pecans chopped
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1 Cup butter or butter substitute melted
- 1/2 Cup coconut oil melted
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Final Ingredients
- 1/4 Cup cold water
- 1/2 Cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a standing mixer, combine your dry ingredients into the mixing bowl: old fashioned oats, dark brown sugar, white flour, whole wheat flour, shredded unsweetened coconut, dried fruit, raw pumpkin seeds, pecans, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a small measuring cup, whisk together melted butter, melted coconut oil, and pure vanilla extract. Pour the mixture as well as one egg slowly into your mixing bowl as it runs on low speed.
- Next, pour in up to 1/4 cup of cold water until the dough sticks together. Stir in dark chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to bake, roll the dough into 1-1/2 inch balls and place them on an un-greased cookie sheet. Baked them at 350˚ F degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. If the dough spreads, use a spatula at 10 minutes to push the dough back to the center of the cookie and bake for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Cool cookies on the baking sheet until firm and then transfer them to a wire rack.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally shared in 2017. The post has been updated with more detailed instructions. The recipe remains the same.
These cookies are amazing!
Thank you Katie! So glad you enjoyed them! 😉