🍪 Healthy Oat Cookies with Dried Fruit & Nuts
🧾 Ingredients (Makes ~12 cookies):
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1½ cups rolled oats
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¾ cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp cinnamon
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¼ tsp salt
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⅓ cup coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted
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⅓ cup honey or pure maple syrup
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1 ripe banana, mashed (or 1 egg, if not vegan)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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½ cup chopped nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, pecans)
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½ cup dried fruit (e.g. cranberries, raisins, chopped apricots, or dates)
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Optional: 2 tbsp chia seeds, flaxseed, or dark chocolate chips
🔥 Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients
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In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients
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In a separate bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil (or butter), honey (or maple syrup), mashed banana, and vanilla.
4. Combine Everything
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Add wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
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Fold in dried fruit and nuts (and any optional add-ins).
5. Scoop and Shape
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Scoop dough (about 1½ tablespoons each) onto the baking sheet.
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Flatten slightly with your fingers or the back of a spoon — these don’t spread much.
6. Bake
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Bake for 10–12 minutes, until golden around the edges.
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Let cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
✅ Storage:
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Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temp, or freeze for up to 2 months.
💡 Customization Ideas:
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Swap banana for applesauce or pumpkin purée for seasonal flavor.
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Use gluten-free oats and flour to make them GF-friendly.
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Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for extra spice depth.
Would you like a no-bake version, or one that’s suitable for toddlers with less sugar?