Opt For This Healthy Oatmeal Cookie Recipe When You’re Craving Something Sweet

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Listen up, cookie monsters. Just because you’re watching what you eat doesn’t mean the occasional treat is off limits. This healthy oatmeal cookie recipe is here to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping your goals on track. But if you’re more of a chocolate craver, this Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie recipe is for you.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 cup pitted dried plums, chopped (These are the health benefits of eating plums.)
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions:

Step 1: Prep for baking

Preheat the oven to 350°. Then, lightly grease a baking sheet.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t want to add any more fat to these cookies? Instead of greasing the pan, use a sheet of parchment paper. Your cookies will still come off with ease, and you’ll save a few calories in the process!

Step 2: Soak the fruit

In a small bowl, combine the hot water and flaxseed. Then, in a large bowl, combine the plums, dates and raisins. Cover with boiling water. Let both the flaxseed and plum mixtures stand for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Combine wet ingredients

While the fruit is soaking, prepare the wet ingredients. Cream together the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Then, beat in the applesauce, maple syrup and orange zest.

Step 4: Mix dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Combine the oats, flours, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and cloves.

Step 5: Finish dough

To finish the dough, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. Then, drain the fruit mixture. Stir the fruits along with the flaxseed mixture into the dough.

Step 6: Form and bake

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Place mounds about two inches apart. Bake for 8-11 minutes or until set. Cool cookies for 2 minutes before removing them from pans and placing on wire racks.

Are oatmeal cookies healthier than chocolate chip cookies?

Yes, an oatmeal cookie is healthier than one loaded with chocolate chunks and candies. But that being said, it’s still a cookie. Oatmeal cookies can provide a little fibre boost—and when dotted with raisins—a little iron, too. However, most traditional recipes still contain plenty of sugar, butter and unhealthy ingredients. So go ahead and pick up an oatmeal cookie for a treat, but don’t consider it a health food.

How do you make simple oatmeal cookies?

To save time, skip rolling the dough into balls and use a cookie scoop, instead. Then, sprinkle each dough mound with sugar before popping in the oven.

How do you make old-fashioned oatmeal cookies?

Chock them full of raisins and walnuts. They’re a hearty, vintage treat that will still be appreciated today. The secret is to use old-fashioned ingredients, like shortening, to get a classic taste. Next, check out our all-time favourite guilt-free healthy snacks.