Love healthy cookie recipes? Try my healthy oatmeal raisin cookies, healthy peanut butter cookies, protein cookies, and low calorie cookies next. My healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are what I love to make friends and family who hate the word ‘healthy’. I make just enough tweaks to lighten them up without sacrificing on flavor whatsoever, which is super important. I mean, no one wants a cookie that looks and tastes too wholesome.
Why I love this recipe
Ready in 15 minutes. From prep to plate, these cookies take barely any time! Made in one bowl. You’ll have minimal clean up at the end of this. No eggs or dairy. These are perfect if you follow a vegan, dairy free, and/or gluten free diet. Soft, chewy, and delicious. These cookies tick the boxes in the texture and taste department.
Ingredients needed
All-Purpose Flour. You can use white whole-wheat flour (plain flour) if you’d like an even healthier boost. Rolled Oats. Also known as old-fashioned oats. Baking soda. It gives the cookies some rise and stops them from flattening out too much. Salt. Brings out the sweetness! Sugar. I use a mix of coconut sugar and white sugar. The coconut sugar keeps the middles soft and gooey, while the white sugar keeps the edges crisp and chewy. Maple syrup. It gives the cookies a little extra sweetness and keeps them soft while also bringing out the classic oatmeal cookie flavor. Only a little is necessary, so it won’t be overpowering. Applesauce. Adds extra moisture, and helps cut down on the coconut oil needed. Coconut Oil. Gives the cookies a buttery texture, with no butter at all. Vanilla Extract. A must for any good cookie recipe. Chocolate Chips. I used a mix of dark chopped chocolate and dark chocolate chips (both dairy free!). I find adding chopped chocolate to the batter ensures every bite has chocolate in it. I promise you the dark chocolate chip flavor is so much better than other kinds of chocolate!
How to make healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. “These were the best and easiest oatmeal cookies I have ever had so this recipe is getting printed out and becoming a staple!.” – Megan Step 1- Make the cookie dough. In a large bowl, mix your sugars, maple syrup, applesauce, coconut oil, and vanilla until fully combined. Add the dry ingredients then fold through the chocolate chips. Step 2- Shape. Using a cookie scoop or a large spoon, place balls of cookie dough onto the lined baking tray Step 3- Bake the cookies for 15-16 minutes, or just until the edges brown.
Arman’s recipe tips
Do not over-bake the cookies, as they continue to cook as they cool down. Also, these cookies have no eggs, so even if they are underdone by a little, it is fine. Avoid over-mixing the dough. Over-mixing cookie dough is the number one reason cookies spread. Fold through the oats and chocolate chips at the very end. If you don’t have coconut oil on hand, use any neutral oil, like vegetable or canola oil. To ensure there is plenty of chocolate dispersed throughout the cookies, use a mix of chopped chocolate and chocolate chips (see pictures- that is why there is a gorgeous marbled look).
Storage instructions
To store: Place leftover cookies in a sealable container for up to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them, to keep them longer.
To make them gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats and gluten-free flour (with added xanthan gum). Cut out the sugar. Use a brown sugar substitute, sugar free maple syrup and sugar free chocolate chips. Cut out the dairy. Use dairy free chocolate chips. Add mix-ins. Add chopped nuts, seeds, coconut, or even candy. For a more robust flavor, you can use whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat all-purpose flour. You can also try using oat flour.
To freeze: Place cookies in a freezer-friendly container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
More healthy desserts to try
Healthy brownies Healthy chocolate cake Healthy mug cake Healthy smash cake Healthy chocolate chip cookies
Originally published May 2022, updated and republished June 2024
