Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie every once in a while, but most of the time, I am looking for healthier options when the cookie cravings strike. If you feel the same way, you are in for a treat because we have several cookie recipes that fit the bill.

Need a few suggestions? I’ve got you covered! My six-ingredient Almond Flour Cookies are dairy-free and low-carb, while my Almond Flour Ginger Snaps have a deliciously chewy texture that uses refined sugar-free flavorings to get sweetly spiced flavors.

List of Ingredients

Irresistibly satisfying and tantalizingly sweet, this healthy oatmeal raisin cookie recipe uses a tasty mix of wholesome ingredients to be as nutritious and delicious as possible. Even better, it combines rolled oats and oat flour to give each cookie a scrumptiously chewy texture.

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: The key to making flour-free oatmeal cookies is to use another ingredient that gives the batter shape and structure—in this case, oats! Though there are many different types of oats, the best oatmeal raisin cookies come together using old-fashioned oats (also known as “rolled oats”), as they’ll keep your dough from becoming soggy or overcooked. The main difference between rolled oats and quick oats is that rolled oats are thicker and larger, allowing them to withstand longer cooking times without becoming mushy, as instant oats (or quick-cooking oats) do. Furthermore, there’s also a big difference between steel-cut and rolled oats, as steel-cut oats have a coarser, less chewy texture when baked, so be sure to stick to rolled oats for this recipe. Also, when looking for old-fashioned oats at the grocery store, make sure to buy gluten-free oats if you follow a gluten-free diet, as many oat manufacturers use the same machinery they use to produce gluten-based products.
• Oat flour: Unlike traditional wheat flour, oat flour is more nutritious and easier to make from home, needing only whole rolled oats and a food processor. If you’d prefer an alternative ingredient, you can also use almond flour for a quick substitution.
• Ground flaxseeds: Instead of using eggs, this simple ingredient works as a binder for this healthier oatmeal raisin cookies recipe, helping secure the ingredients together while maintaining a vegan-friendly profile.
• Chia seeds: Not only does this superfood lend your healthy rolled oats cookies a nuanced nutty flavor, but it also packs extra protein into every bite.
• Baking powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Kosher salt
• Applesauce or mashed bananas: I love making healthy oatmeal raisin cookies with applesauce (especially Homemade Applesauce!), as this ingredient lends the batter sweet, bright undertones without requiring added sweeteners. Alternatively, you can also use mashed ripe bananas for more tropical, fruity notes.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil is essential for giving these healthy oatmeal cookies their chewy, moist texture. However, you could also use another mildly flavored oil, such as avocado oil, instead.
• Maple syrup
• Unsweetened almond milk: Creamy, light, and dairy-free, unsweetened almond milk is vital to hydrating the dry ingredients of this recipe, giving you moist, soft, and luscious cookies every time. 
• Nuts: Walnuts are my go-to for giving these oatmeal raisin cookies a delicate crunch and mildly nutty taste. To take this recipe to the next level, you can toast your walnuts beforehand to help release their oils, giving your cookies a heartier dose of their natural flavors. However, any nut of your choice would work in this recipe.
• Raisins: I used sweet raisins to lend this clean cookie recipe with its signature chewy, fruity taste. However, you can use any of your favorite dried fruits as natural sweeteners, whether you plan on making healthy oatmeal cranberry cookies, an antioxidant-packed blueberry batter, or a pie-inspired cherry biscuit. No matter which dried fruit you use, just be sure that you select one with no sugar added if you want your cookies to stay free of refined sugar.

How to Make This Recipe?

With my easy recipe for applesauce oatmeal raisin cookies, you can have a five-star dessert on the table in just thirty minutes—no previous baking experience necessary!

1. Prep the oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. While the oven heats, line two baking sheets with parchment paper, set them aside, and arrange the oven racks on the oven’s middle and upper bottom sections.

2. Mix the dry ingredients: Add the old-fashioned rolled oats, oat flour, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
3. Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, add the applesauce (or mashed bananas), coconut oil, maple syrup, and unsweetened almond milk, and stir until combined.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, scraping the sides of the bowl to remove the remaining mixture. Stir the batter until all the ingredients are evenly blended.
5. Add the walnuts: Use a rubber spatula to fold the walnuts and raisins into the cookie batter. At this point, don’t be alarmed if the dough may seem too wet. Some of the moisture will be released during the resting process, both before and after baking.

6. Portion the cookie dough: Use a cookie scoop to make evenly sized cookie dough balls, and arrange each portion one inch apart from one another on the lined sheet pan. Then, use the back of a spatula to press upon and lightly flatten each ball of dough. We recommend diving the cookie batter in between baking trays instead of trying them into one.
7. Bake: Place the baking sheets on the middle and upper bottom racks and bake the cookies for 18-20 minutes or until the cookies turn a light golden brown. Halfway through baking, turn the sheets from front to back and top to bottom to ensure even cooking. You may also bake the cookies one tray at a time if you prefer.
8. Let the cookies rest: Remove the baked cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheets for five minutes. Once slightly set, transfer them to a wire rack, let them cool for 15-30 minutes, and serve.

How to Store and Freeze These Cookies?

Warm, chewy, and flavorful, these maple oatmeal raisin cookies are best on the day that you make them. While I highly suggest baking your cookies in small batches to enjoy their toasty, fresh taste right away, this simple storage guide will ensure you can enjoy these sweet treats throughout the week, no matter when you cook them.

• Store: Let the cookies cool completely. Then, store them in an airtight container at room temperature (such as on the counter) for up to three days. If you want to extend their shelf life, store your cooled cookies in the fridge for up to five days, reheating them in a 300-degree F. oven for five minutes or until heated through.
• Freeze: If you plan on making these chewy oatmeal raisin cookies further in the future, I recommend scooping the dough into your desired size, placing them on a piece of parchment paper, and letting them harden. Then, transfer your unbaked cookies to a Ziploc bag and bake them according to my recipe’s directions when ready to eat—no thawing or defrosting necessary.

What Makes This Cookie Healthy?

Here at Foolproof Living, we understand that “healthy” can differ from person to person. With that in mind, we’ve developed a recipe for low-sugar oatmeal cookies that uses clean ingredients—limiting the use of fats, refined sugars, and over-processed foods—to help you treat yourself while still nourishing your body with essential nutrients. 

Below, you’ll discover just a few ways this recipe’s ingredients promote dietary, heart, and nutritional health.

• No refined sugars: Without any refined sugars—such as granulated or brown sugar—these sugar-free oatmeal raisin cookies use only natural ingredients to sweeten their batter, thereby reducing your risk of inflammation, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Instead, I sweeten my cookies with all-natural ingredients, including maple syrup, applesauce (or mashed bananas), and raisins.
• Low fat: There’s no need to break out several sticks of butter to make a mouthwatering dessert. This simple recipe only uses ¼ cup of coconut oil to keep your cookies as moist and chewy as possible, without all the “bad cholesterol” associated with butter and other unhealthy fats.
• High fiber: Thanks to this recipe’s use of rolled oats and oat flour, it has a much higher amount of gut-healthy fiber than cookie recipes using white flour.
• Packed with superfoods: Superfoods are a must for anyone looking to fill their plate with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. That’s why I include ground flaxseeds and chia seeds (which are high in protein!) in my recipe for healthy, chewy oatmeal cookies, solving any reservations about indulging in a sweet treat.
• Gluten-free and vegan: If you have a dietary restriction, the last thing you want to deal with is bland, “questionably safe” desserts. To eliminate these concerns, I’ve developed an oatmeal cookie recipe that doesn’t use eggs, dairy-based milk, whole wheat flour, or all-purpose flour, making it the perfect dessert for anyone following a gluten-free, vegan or dairy-free diet.
• Nuts: Walnuts are a magic ingredient, offering equal parts flavor and nutrition. This hearty nut is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber—all supporting well-functioning gut and cardiovascular systems.
• Super filling and helps with the sweet cravings: Though it may seem counterintuitive to start your day with a “breakfast cookie,” this recipe for clean oatmeal cookies is the ultimate solution for mid-meal cravings. This sweet treat is healthy and satiating, helping you meet your dietary needs and keep you full throughout the day.

FAQs

Lower-fat oatmeal cookies are the ultimate solution to non-nutritive desserts, midday slumps, and sweet-tooth cravings. If you have any further questions about this easy recipe, you’ll find your answers below:

Other Low-Sugar Cookie Recipes You Might Also Like

If you can’t resist a good oatmeal raisin cookie, you’ll adore these other healthy cookie recipes. Now, you can satisfy every sweet tooth with nutty, creamy, and rich flavors without sacrificing nutritional content.

• Peanut Butter Almond Flour Cookies
• Gluten-Free Almond Butter Cookies

If you try this Healthy Soft Oatmeal Cookies recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.