Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Name: Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup coconut sugar; 1/4 cup sugar; 2 tablespoon maple syrup; 1/4 cup coconut oil; 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup all purpose flour (use gluten-free, if needed); 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (use gluten-free, if needed); 1/2 cup chocolate chips

by Arman Liew

published on Jun 15, 2024

50 comments

5 from 373 votes

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These healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies have chewy edges with soft middles! No eggs or dairy needed, they bake in just 15 minutes.

Love healthy cookie recipes? Try my healthy oatmeal raisin cookies, healthy peanut butter cookies, protein cookies, and low calorie cookies next.

My healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are what I love to make friends and family who hate the word ‘healthy’. I make just enough tweaks to lighten them up without sacrificing on flavor whatsoever, which is super important. I mean, no one wants a cookie that looks and tastes too wholesome.

Table of Contents

Why I love this recipe
Ingredients needed
How to make healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
Arman’s recipe tips
Storage instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
More healthy desserts to try
Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

Ready in 15 minutes. From prep to plate, these cookies take barely any time!
Made in one bowl. You’ll have minimal clean up at the end of this.
No eggs or dairy. These are perfect if you follow a vegan, dairy free, and/or gluten free diet.
Soft, chewy, and delicious. These cookies tick the boxes in the texture and taste department.

★★★★★ REVIEW

“These were the best and easiest oatmeal cookies I have ever had so this recipe is getting printed out and becoming a staple!.” – Megan

Ingredients needed

All-Purpose Flour. You can use white whole-wheat flour (plain flour) if you’d like an even healthier boost.
Rolled Oats. Also known as old-fashioned oats.
Baking soda. It gives the cookies some rise and stops them from flattening out too much.
Salt. Brings out the sweetness!
Sugar. I use a mix of coconut sugar and white sugar. The coconut sugar keeps the middles soft and gooey, while the white sugar keeps the edges crisp and chewy.
Maple syrup. It gives the cookies a little extra sweetness and keeps them soft while also bringing out the classic oatmeal cookie flavor. Only a little is necessary, so it won’t be overpowering.
Applesauce. Adds extra moisture, and helps cut down on the coconut oil needed.
Coconut Oil. Gives the cookies a buttery texture, with no butter at all.
Vanilla Extract. A must for any good cookie recipe.
Chocolate Chips. I used a mix of dark chopped chocolate and dark chocolate chips (both dairy free!). I find adding chopped chocolate to the batter ensures every bite has chocolate in it. I promise you the dark chocolate chip flavor is so much better than other kinds of chocolate!

How to make healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Make the cookie dough. In a large bowl, mix your sugars, maple syrup, applesauce, coconut oil, and vanilla until fully combined. Add the dry ingredients then fold through the chocolate chips.

Step 2- Shape. Using a cookie scoop or a large spoon, place balls of cookie dough onto the lined baking tray

Step 3- Bake the cookies for 15-16 minutes, or just until the edges brown.

Arman’s recipe tips

Do not over-bake the cookies, as they continue to cook as they cool down. Also, these cookies have no eggs, so even if they are underdone by a little, it is fine.
Avoid over-mixing the dough. Over-mixing cookie dough is the number one reason cookies spread. Fold through the oats and chocolate chips at the very end.
If you don’t have coconut oil on hand, use any neutral oil, like vegetable or canola oil.
To ensure there is plenty of chocolate dispersed throughout the cookies, use a mix of chopped chocolate and chocolate chips (see pictures- that is why there is a gorgeous marbled look).

Variations

To make them gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats and gluten-free flour (with added xanthan gum).
Cut out the sugar. Use a brown sugar substitute, sugar free maple syrup and sugar free chocolate chips.
Cut out the dairy. Use dairy free chocolate chips.
Add mix-ins. Add chopped nuts, seeds, coconut, or even candy.
For a more robust flavor, you can use whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat all-purpose flour. You can also try using oat flour.

Storage instructions

To store: Place leftover cookies in a sealable container for up to 5 days. You can also refrigerate them, to keep them longer.

To freeze: Place cookies in a freezer-friendly container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies no flour

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze the dough?

Unlike my classic chocolate chip cookies, I don’t recommend freezing the dough. Freezing this dough is difficult as it contains oats, which naturally makes the dough less firm and more crumbly (even before baking!).

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies calories

There are just 97 calories in each homemade oatmeal cookie.

Can I use butter or shortening?

You can replace the coconut oil with equal parts unsalted butter or shortening.

More healthy desserts to try

Originally published May 2022, updated and republished June 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.