Healthy Cookies Recipe
If you’re craving a treat that feels indulgent but is actually nourishing, these Healthy Cookies are about to become your new best friend. They’re delightfully chewy, naturally sweetened, and packed with wholesome ingredients that make every bite both delicious and guilt-free. Whether you need a quick snack for busy mornings or a wholesome dessert, these cookies hit the sweet spot by combining the goodness of oats, almond flour, and ripe banana with the just-right touch of chocolate or raisins. You won’t believe how easy and satisfying homemade Healthy Cookies can be!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in these Healthy Cookies counts, creating a treat that’s big on flavor and nutrition but refreshingly simple to put together. You’ll find each component brings something unique, from hearty texture to rich flavor, so don’t be tempted to skip a thing!
- Rolled oats: The backbone of the cookies, oats offer a hearty texture and fiber boost that keeps you full longer.
- Almond flour: Adds a subtle nutty flavor and helps create a perfectly tender crumb.
- Natural peanut butter: Grants creamy richness and healthy fats; you can swap in sunflower or almond butter if needed!
- Honey or maple syrup: Naturally sweetens these Healthy Cookies, adding depth of flavor without refined sugar.
- Ripe banana (mashed): The natural binder that brings moisture and a gentle sweetness to the dough.
- Vanilla extract: Lends aromatic warmth that makes the cookies genuinely irresistible.
- Cinnamon: Offers cozy spice notes that complement the banana and oats beautifully.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the flavors and bring out the best in every ingredient.
- Dark chocolate chips or raisins: Choose your own adventure: chocolate for melty richness or raisins for chewy bursts of sweetness.
How to Make Healthy Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Preheat
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step makes cleanup a breeze and ensures your cookies bake up perfectly golden underneath with no sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine your mashed banana, natural peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy—the banana should blend easily into the nut butter for a luscious, thick base.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Sprinkle in the rolled oats, almond flour, cinnamon, and salt. Mix everything together until you have a sticky, uniform dough. These whole food ingredients make your Healthy Cookies satisfyingly dense with lots of great texture.
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate or Raisins
Gently fold your dark chocolate chips or raisins into the dough. This is where the magic happens: every bite gets a little pool of chocolate or a pop of chewy sweet fruit—pick whichever makes your heart happiest!
Step 5: Portion the Cookies
Drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each one. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to lightly flatten each mound; they won’t spread much on their own so shaping is key.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges turn golden and the tops look set. These cookies are meant to be soft, so avoid overbaking. Let them cool on the pan for five minutes before carefully moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling and to firm up a bit.
How to Serve Healthy Cookies
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, a dusting of cinnamon, or a drizzle of warm nut butter on top of your Healthy Cookies just before serving. These little touches elevate both the look and the flavors, delighting guests and family with every bite.
Side Dishes
These cookies are the star of any snack plate but pair beautifully with a mug of herbal tea, cold almond milk, or a vibrant fruit salad. For a heartier snack, serve with Greek yogurt or a smoothie for a complete, energy-boosting combo.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re hosting or just want some fun, stack Healthy Cookies in a cookie jar tied with ribbon, layer them into a bento box with fruit and nuts, or crumble them over a parfait for a decadent yet nutritious dessert. Kids love assembling “cookie sandwiches” with a swipe of almond butter between two cookies, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Healthy Cookies super fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If your kitchen runs warm or if you want them to last a bit longer, the fridge is a great option and will keep them chewy and delicious for up to a week.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Just let them cool completely, then pop them in a freezer bag or container, separating layers with parchment. They’ll stay lovely for up to two months. Simply thaw on the counter or give them a quick warm-up in the microwave when you’re ready to snack.
Reheating
If you love a just-baked experience, reheat your Healthy Cookies in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a low oven for a couple of minutes. The chocolate gets gooey again and the cookies regain that freshly-baked aroma that’s hard to resist.
FAQs
Can I make these Healthy Cookies nut-free?
Absolutely! Swap almond flour for oat flour and use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter for a nut-free version that’s still protein packed and delicious.
How ripe should the banana be?
The riper, the better! Bananas with lots of brown spots are at their sweetest and will mash easily, blending smoothly into the dough for the best texture and flavor.
What can I use instead of honey?
If you prefer, pure maple syrup is a wonderful substitute for honey in this recipe, keeping the cookies vegan and adding its own subtle, rich sweetness.
Are these Healthy Cookies gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use certified gluten-free rolled oats and ensure there’s no cross-contamination, these cookies are completely gluten-free.
Can I add nuts or seeds?
Definitely! Feel free to stir in a handful of chopped walnuts, pecans, or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch and an added nutrient boost.
Final Thoughts
I can never get enough of these Healthy Cookies, and I know you’ll feel the same once you try them! They’re as easy as they are tasty, making them perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself). Give this nourishing recipe a spin—you’ll be amazed at how delicious healthy baking can be!
Print
Healthy Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Healthy Cookies are a delicious treat packed with wholesome ingredients and no refined sugars. Perfect for a guilt-free snack or dessert!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix-Ins:
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips or raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed banana, peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the rolled oats, almond flour, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until combined, then fold in the chocolate chips or raisins.
- Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten each one. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- You can substitute sunflower seed butter or almond butter for peanut butter.
- For a nut-free version, use oat flour instead of almond flour and seed butter in place of nut butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
