Healthy 4 Ingredient Applesauce Cookies
These Healthy 4 Ingredient Applesauce Cookies are soft, chewy and take less than 15 minutes to whip up! They are an easy snack or breakfast option- Naturally gluten free and vegan, there is an option to keep it completely sugar-free too!
Let’s set the scene.
It was two weeks ago on a Friday afternoon American time which was Saturday morning Australia time. I had plans to go out to have dinner with a couple of friends (I totally wrote fruits just then..my bad) in around 2 hours but before then- A skype date with Niki.
It had been a while since we’d spoken- Outside the daily ‘WhatsApp‘ messages and catching up on her shenanigans on Facebook or Instagram- This was the closest we’d be to face to face conversation. Not going to lie- I was excited; Mainly because there was a ton to catch up on. However, as most conversations with Niki goes, randomness always prevails and I felt like I went to dinner with my friends in a confused state.
“Hi. How are you?”
“Wait one moment, I’m straightening my left curl, it won’t straighten up!”
….5 Minutes later.
“Okay, so. Mum said not to bring Panda (her pooch) over last week but I brought him anyway and he would not stop following her. I was getting a bit annoyed because Panda never does that with me.”
“So he likes Mum better than you even though he’s yours?”
“Well, I thought that but then he jumped on her and she screamed.”
“Please tell me you filmed this!”
“No, but mum tried to shoo him away with her lipstick and he started jumping even more! She looked like she was running away from a Bumblebee”
“Mum has no brains”
“Don’t be mean.”
“Outside of that, how is everything?”
“Do you like pineapples from the can with juice or with the syrup? I’ve decided I only like the latter. Well actually, I don’t eat the pineapple, I pour those in a bowl for mum and just drink the juice.”
“You just said it was syrup?”
“I have to go now. The Bachelor is starting.”
“Excuse me? Keep skyping with me I have an hour until I need to go out to dinner.”
“No. He better not give the rose to *I forget her name*”
“Okay fine. Did mum have any messages for me?”
“Hm….No. Wait, yes. She said she wished you’d stop posting pumpkin recipes.”
If you understood half that conversation, I will personally make you a pumpkin pie ball gown. That girl is like a rollercoaster in conversation form. I think moving forward, we’ll keep conversations to WhatsApp.
Although I didn’t take TOO much away from the conversation, I did listen to my mum’s advice finally- No pumpkin….Well, okay. Just a TINY bit of pumpkin.
I can’t promise that they will be omitted altogether but for this week at least, I’m going to be whipping my hair back and forth with all things apples, lions, tigers and bears- Minus the latter three and add some banana…maybe. Today’s delicious quick and easy recipe is an apple twist on these three ingredient pumpkin cookies– Healthy four ingredient Applesauce cookies.
These healthy 4 ingredient applesauce cookies are a simple, delicious and easy fix to satisfy your cookie cravings in a ridiculously healthy way. They are soft, chewy and perfect to have as a quick and easy snack or do as I do, and eat 3-4 with some eggs in the morning. I tried this recipe out using all applesauce and one version using applesauce and pumpkin and found the latter to be much better- Both in terms of texture and taste. Naturally gluten-free and vegan, you can sub the coconut sugar for a sugar-free granulated sweetener of choice to make them refined sugar-free.
While these cookies taste delicious as they are (and I love them as it is, because I love topping them with peanut butter!), they taste amazing with around 2 tablespoons or so of nut butter in the batter! Simply add a dash more oats if it’s too wet!
Make these Healthy 4 Ingredient Applesauce Cookies….then go back and try and decipher my sister’s conversation. Then send a pumpkin to my mum.
#thespitefulsonreturns.
- 2 cups gluten free quick oats
- 1/2 cup pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup granulated sweetener of choice* (I used coconut palm sugar but this can be substituted with a stevia blend if you prefer that taste)
- Cinnamon/apple pie spice (optional)
- 2 T + nut butter of choice (optional)**
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a baking tray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, pumpkin, applesauce and granulated sweetener of choice and mix well. If desired, add 2 tablespoons or so of your favorite nut butter.
- Using your hands, form into small balls and place on the baking tray and press each ball into a cookie shape. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on desired consistency.
- Remove and allow to cool completely.
- * I prefer a less sweet cookie so kept it to 1/4 cup. Adjust accordingly.
- ** If you add the nut butter, you may need an additional tablespoon or so of oats.
- These cookies don't need refrigeration and can be kept in a covered container for up to a week for optimum freshness. They freeze very well.
4 Ingredient No Bake Banana Bread Blondies
4 Ingredient No Bake Applesauce Brownies
3 Ingredient No-Bake Rice Crispy Treats
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Is ‘The Bachelor’ an obsession in your neck of the woods?
Will you send a pumpkin to my mum?
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Pumpkin and apple side by side = yum 🙂 I have so many apples from going picking and totally blanking on what to do with all of them.
oh wow- I can so see some chunky applesauce happening 😀
It might go too far if I said I have conversations like that with my sister as well but I can definitely relate to rollercoster like changes of topic when we speak. Oh and needless to say that it’s me who reaches out to her 99% of times.
We do have the Bachelor in Germany (people pronounce it Bäääh-tsche-looor <- physically cringing at it) but as all original US or UK shows adaptet for German TV it's just plain hideous.
Oh and don't listen to your Mum, your pumpkin recipes are bomb!
hahaha thanks Juli!
I’m with mom although I get that we’re in the minority. 🙂
Apples I can get down with. Bring it on.
Chunky applesauceeeeee
With all these amazing pumpkin recipes appearing on the interwebs you can only imagine how devastated I was when my husband told me he fed our dog his pumpkin pie smoothie.
I’m adding these to the list!
WHAT! That lucky dog then….
Yum!! These would be so perfect for my little nephew! He loooves cookies so this would be a nice alternative haha
Right? Thanks Liz!
Love your sibling convos and yeah I understood the whole thing so…. make me food. THANKS.
Hahaha sure thang!
I love these! I makes easy oat cookies like this all the time! Its awesome that you can bake with just oats and some mashed fruit or pumpkin. Plus the options for add-ins are endless!
That’s true, I have some twists coming up.
Dear Arman, I get such a kick out of you two. These applesauce cookies sound delightful…an equally delicious healthy treat…even if there is no pumpkin. I enjoy both kinds! Enjoy your day my friend, Catherine
Thanks so much, Catherine! 🙂
Oh yum! These cookies sound delicious and so easy!
Thanks so much, Marye! 🙂
These cookies look awesome…and easy! And they involve apples. And we all know how I feel about apples. Also, I’m looking forward to my brand new pumpkin pie ball gown because I understood every bit of that conversation. Turns out little sisters are pretty similar! I prefer my ball gown to come with an actual pie, too. Thanks, mate.
Hahahahaha the ball gown that keeps on giving! Seriously, sisters must have their own self taught lingo.
So many awesome things in this post! Nikki sounds so fun, everyone needs to send your mom pumpkins (that would be hilarious) and these cookies are getting made. Whip your hair…hahaha…never gets old 🙂
LOL. We need to organise a huge fed ex box to send her. I called her last night and she said she didn’t even like pumpkin that much. Her tastebuds must have gone somewhere.
Is the pumpkin raw? I wasn’t sure
Hi Jedda! It’s mashed, pureed cooked pumpkin 🙂
One of these days I’ll have to share my real opinion on pumpkin, but I’m keeping it on the down-low for now for the sake of the blog 😉 And is it crazy that I’ve never seen a single episode of The Bachelor? I lump that in with Harry Potter as things I’m rebelling against for no real reason.
Hahahaha the things we do for our careers!
After following your blog for quite some time, I just started making your recipes this week (3 in one sitting). I loved them, and I like the seasonally themed recipes. I love apple in baked goods! Since they’re in season, any chance of an Arman-ified recipe with fresh apples?
Oh wow- Thanks Christine!!!
You bet…I have an epic one coming up 😀
I will ship your mom a pumpkin if you will make me some cookies. Deal, yes?
DONE DEAL!
Ha! That conversation was perfect. Your sister cracks me up. I definitely watch the bachelor. It’s total garbage, but I can’t help myself!
At least it’s not the Kardashians! 😀
The Bachelor is huge in these parts haha people have brackets for throughout the season 🙂 now I just want a big bowl of applesauce.
Hahaha but but…our Kardashians!
I love how simple these cookies are to make! I’m with you on adding almond or peanut butter. Nut butters make everything better.
Right? Just pass the jar with a spoon and I’m happy!
YOU ARE THE KING of simple yet friggin’ AMAZING recipes! Can I be your queen? Oh wait a second – WHY am I asking? I already am! DUH!
You are my dear 🙂
Healthy cookies… I’m IN! I could honestly finish off a batch on my own without coming up for air!
You and me both, Kate!
Your sister sounds like a hoot! And why’s your mum hating on the pumpkin recipes? They’re kind of amazing. Like this one. You are the master of cookie sorcery!
Haha it is amazing-It’s just not her favourite, and it’s also eaten savory in Australia!
Ok I’m sorry I am with Niki on this one – the Batchelor was serious addicting TV! And now we have the Bachelorette which is just as addicting! I had never seen it until we moved here!
Oh no!!! All my friends back home are obsessed!!!!
“I don’t send pumpkins, I just get them.” – Cegina Torge. (Cassie Tran + Regina George?)
Hahaha! Joking, but seriously, all the pumpkins are MINE! These applesauce cookies look amazing! They remind me of Karlie Kloss’s GF and vegan oatmeal cookies, which I LOVE! <3
Nice! 🙂
Haha conversations with my younger sister are just as erratic yet organized. Siblings just get each other!
Right? Thanks Jess!
How do you think these would work with oatmeal flour? I have some I had already ground up but haven’t used and I’m wondering if that would be an even substitution?
I made these yesterday as an impromptu breakfast for the kids. They came together quickly and were a huge hit, even for my little six-year old skeptic! I subbed apple butter for applesauce, used half brown sugar half Splenda (I know, it’s awful, but we’re slowly weaning off the artificial stuff…), and added the nut butter. I think that was the special touch that bound all the other flavors together. Thank you for this great recipe!
That sounds like the perfect special touch- Yum! No shame with the use of splenda 🙂 Thanks for the feedback, Stacey!
so excited to make these. they look delicious!
if i am similar to you and not wanting too sweet a cookie – could i go without the sugar? or will it not come together/cook without? – if so could i use honey/maple syrup…if so how much would you think is necessary? THANKS SO MUCH 🙂
Hmmmmm… I haven’t tried it without that, but let me know if you do- I’m curious if it will turn out! 🙂
Any chance you could make these without sugar? Would I need to add something else to make up the lack of 1/4 of something?
Hi Kim! You could add 1/4 cup granulated sweetener of choice 🙂