Name: Healthy Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Prep time: 30 min
Ingredients: 10 Medjool dates (pitted ); 3 tablespoons ground flax; 1/2 cup almond milk (unsweetened); 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats; 1 1/4 cups almond flour (add up to 1/4 cup more if dough is too wet); 2 tablespoons chia seeds; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 2 tablespoons tapioca starch; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup almond butter (no added sugar or oil); 2 tablespoons real maple syrup; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup chocolate chips (dairy-free); 1/2 cup almonds (chopped); 1/2 cup raisins (can sub dried cranberries or dried cherries)

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Healthy Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips are chewy, chocolatey, and chock full of almonds, oats, and raisins. They are egg and dairy free, whole-food plant-based, oil-free, and sweetened with Medjool dates and pure maple syrup. These healthy oatmeal cookies are high in protein and have healthy fats. They are made with whole, natural ingredients and are delicious too!

oatmeal cookies on white plate with glass of almond milk and black rack in background

When I first started making over my diet to fit into a healthier lifestyle, I had more than a few moments of regret that sweets and treats were not going to be a part of my eating plan. I knew though, that I had to cut out the junk-food eating to achieve my health goals. So I would sacrifice and deprive myself to the point that I was willing to sell my firstborn for a sack of donuts! And of course, the firstborn got to stay – but then, the donuts did too…time and time again. Then I realized I had to find some healthier alternatives that would still make me feel like I was getting a little treat.

These Healthy Oatmeal Cookies do just that. They are more like a breakfast cookie; dense, not overly sweet, and made with natural ingredients. But make no mistake, you are getting a treat! For some other healthy treat options try, Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread, or Healthy Banana Nut Pancakes.

What You Will Need to Make Healthy Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips

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Old Fashioned Oats – for a gluten-free cookie, look for certified gluten-free oats
Almond flour
Chia seeds
Ground flax seed
Tapioca starch or tapioca flour – used in many vegan and gluten-free recipes for a chewier texture
Almond butter – look for almond butter with no added oil or sugar
Medjool dates
Real maple syrup
Almond milk – no added sugar
Chocolate Chips – I use a vegan/dairy-free option
Choice of dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, or cherries
Chopped almonds – look for unsalted and raw
Standard baking ingredients such as baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla

ingredients for healthy oatmeal cookies — All the ingredients needed for healthy oatmeal cookies.

Tips and Tricks for Making Healthy Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips

Read through the Tips and Tricks sections – especially if you haven’t made a cookie without a dairy, eggs, or processed oils and sugars before. The process, as well as the outcome, will be a little different.

The first step is to start soaking the pitted Medjool dates in hot water. They will take about 30 minutes to soak and soften. While the dates are soaking, you can assemble the rest of your ingredients and preheat the oven.
For the add-ins, I use chopped almonds, dairy-free chocolate chips and some type of dried fruit – either raisins, cranberries, or cherries. I’ve tried all three and they are each a little different and tasty. The healthiest option is raisins. Dried cranberries and cherries usually contain added sugars and oils. Raisins typically do not contain the added sugars and oils.

raisins, dried cranberries, and dried cherries and their packaging — To change it up, you can use any of these dried fruit options.

What can be used in place of eggs?

This is a vegan food blog and so the recipes are egg-free. Some people avoid eggs for health reasons as well. You might be wondering if you can make a cookie without eggs. The answer is a qualified yes. We use “flax” eggs and tapioca starch in the recipe. I will be honest, the texture is not going to be 100% the same. Eggs act like “glue”, holding the ingredients together. They also provide texture and substance.
Typically one tablespoon of ground flax seed – or flax meal – plus three tablespoons of liquid is equivalent to one egg. Because the moisture content of this recipe is already quite high, we lower the liquid a bit and use three tablespoons of flax meal and 1/2 cup liquid. In this recipe, the liquid used is almond milk (with no added sugar). After sitting for about 10 minutes, the flax mixture will thicken and have a slippery feel.

flax meal and almond milk in a white bowl with spoon — Let the flax meal sit in liquid for about ten minutes. It will be thick and slippery feeling.

Baking the Cookies

The dough will be quite sticky. Using a small ice cream scoop with help, but you are going to have to get a little “hands on” with this one. Place the balls of dough onto the parchment paper and flatten slightly. They won’t change shape much as they bake.

unbaked oatmeal cookies on parchment paper on pan — Flatten out slightly before baking. These cookies will maintain their shape and not spread in the oven.

Let the cookies mostly cool on the pan. If you try to handle them warm, they will fall apart.

Store in an airtight container. I’m not sure for how many days…we always eat them after a day or two. These cookies are actually better cooled and taste great the next day.

oatmeal chocolate chip cookies cookies on a rack

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