Looking to snack healthier? You have to try these! This post will show you how to make divinely soft, chewy, and healthy oatmeal raisin cookies.
Who loves snacking? How about dessert? My hand is up high! Truly, one of the hardest thing to give up when I started my clean eats journey was snacking.
And to be frank, it was super difficult. Snacking is normal but it's also a habit that can make or break our weight loss goals. What I (eventually) realized is that it's not just the act of snacking that causes issue...it's what that snack is!
Healthy snacks, like these healthy oatmeal raison cookies can actually help keep you on track, while adding a whole lot of enjoyment to your day.
These delicious, simple cookies never fail to bring a smile to my face. And I hope they'll help you feel the same. With their crunchy exterior and soft, chewy oatmeal centers...I find them absolutely irresistible. Let's make em!
How Healthy Are Oatmeal Raisin Cookies?
Homemade oatmeal raison cookies are healthy! Especially compared to a classic chocolate chip cookie. And especially, especially compared to anything processed.
Oatmeal cookies contain oats, which are among the healthiest grains on earth. Not only are they gluten-free but they're also packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Did you know that oats are associated with weight loss, reduced blood sugar levels and lower risk of heart disease?
Are Oatmeal Cookies Good On A Diet?
In moderation, oatmeal cookies are diet friendly. They have less calorie content than an average cookie and are literally the epitome of a healthy snack. The raisons add a nice touch of potassium, too. Including oats to your diet is a surefire way to get your dose of fiber, magnesium, iron, zinc, folate, and protein.
All that in a cookie?! It's true! If you're starting to catch my enthusiasm for oats, check out my post: 6 Tasty Oatmeal Recipes For Better Digestion & Health.
Are Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Healthier Than Chocolate Chip?
Hate to break it to the chocolate chip lovers (Dustin), but oatmeal raisin cookies definitely win this round. When compared with nutrient rich oats, chocolate chips really can't compare.
That's not to say that chocolate is bad (it has 11 proven benefits)! But if you're looking for maximum health and satisfying taste, go for this healthy oatmeal raisin recipe.
What Are These Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Made With?
The healthy sum of their healthy parts, here's what these cookies are made of...
- Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: This nutrient dense flour is perfect for whole grain baked goods (like cookies, pie crust, and pancakes). I used it recently in my Healthy Cinnamon Rolls, too. And they tasted amazing!
- Raisins: Despite their funny exterior, raisins are actually packed with energy and can aid in digestion, boost your iron levels, and keep your bones strong.
- Ground Cinnamon: Spice it up with some cinnamon (plus some nutmeg too if you want!). Cinnamon can do a lot, such as suppress appetite, regulate your blood sugar levels, and speed up metabolism.
- Baking Power and Sea Salt: Basically mandatory in baked goods!
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: Rolled oats give your oatmeal cookies that chewy texture we all want.
- Unsweetened Apple Sauce: Unsweetened apple sauce makes a marvelous butter substitute that lends itself well to baked treats. I also use apple sauce in my chocolate zucchini bread recipe.
- Coconut Sugar: You guys know how much I love coconut, so of course, I'm going to use coconut sugar instead of the usual white and super processed stuff.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Gives your cookies extra taste dimension in every bite!
Can I Freeze The Cookie Dough?
Definitely can! For best results, scoop the cookie dough into cookie sized balls and place them on top of a baking sheet. Chill these dough balls in the freezer for at least an hour (or until frozen). Then you can relocate them to a freezer-friendly, airtight container. Should last up to 3 months!
More Healthy Oat Recipes
If you know A Sweet Pea Chef, you know we're very oat friendly around here. Prioritize your health and try a few of these delicious oat recipes:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Protein Shake
- Banana Oat Pancakes
- 5-Minute Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- Fresh Peach Cobbler Overnight Oats
This post contains affiliate links to products I use regularly and highly recommend.
Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies | Divinely Soft & Chewy
Equipment
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 2 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups raisins
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients , and stir to combine.
- Using two spoons, drop generous 2-tablespoon sized portions of dough onto the cookie sheets, separated by approx. 2 inches. The larger the cookie, the chewier it will be.
- Bake for 12-20 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies start to turn golden brown. While the edges should be brown, the rest of the cookie should be very light in color and still moist so as not to over-bake.
- Remove from oven and let sit on cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes prior to transferring to cooling rack.
Dustin
One of my favs
Cindy
I was skeptical about a recipe from someone who doesn't like oatmeal cookies but these were terrific. I got a lot more than 24 and they were still large. My recipe tastes great but they often fall apart. Guess it's the bread flour?Anyway, thanks for sharing.
Lacey Baier
Lol, Cindy. These oatmeal cookies have made me an oatmeal raisin cookie convert. The bread flour actually should help keep it together, if anything. I find them best if I take them out before the center is cooked all the way through -- it should be moist even. Those make for the best cookies.
Arthur in the Garden!
Yummy!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
Gorgeous cookies! And I love that you used bread flour in these.
Alma Barron
Hi Lacey,
Can I make the dough now and keep in the fridge until Christmas? Thanks!
Lacey Baier
Hi Alma. So sorry I didn't respond before xmas for you. Did you try to freeze the dough? I've never done that before so I don't know but I'd love to hear if you did.
Emily
Found these on Foodgawker. They're effing delicious. I think I finally found an oatmeal raisin cookie recipe that I like! (I'm going to try an oatmeal/chocolatechip variant next!)
Lacey Baier
Haha, thanks, Emily!
Jolinda
Lacey, these are the best oatmeal raisin cookies I have ever had! Thanks for the new recipe!
Lacey Baier
Yay! You're so welcome. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Lisa
oops, found the oats!
Thanks!
Lacey Baier
Haha, Lisa! Enjoy! 🙂
Lisa
Hi Lacey,
Are the oats to be added along with the dry ingredients? Looking forward to having these in the kids lunches for next week. Yummy.
Lisa