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My healthy oatmeal raisin cookies make a wholesome and delicious dessert or snack. They are soft and chewy and require four main ingredients. Just mix everything together and bake.
As much as I love a delicious chocolate chip cookie, sometimes my family wants something without chocolate (yes, sacrilegious). That’s when I make these healthy oatmeal cookies. They’ve been a go-to wholesome dessert for years, and I make them when everyone is feeling a little something sweet and tasty, but without all the added sugar and white flour.
Why I love this recipe
- Quick and easy. I’m not kidding when I say these cookies take just ten minutes. The dough also does not need to be chilled.
- Pantry staple ingredients. What makes these cookies wholesome is that I omit any need for butter, eggs, or oil. They are also naturally vegan and gluten-free!
- Just like classic oatmeal cookies. These cookies taste sweet and have an almost buttery flavor (thanks to the almond butter!). They have a chewy texture and are loaded with raisins.
If you do want some chocolate chips while being wholesome, try my healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. If you prefer these a little more breakfast-driven, try my oatmeal breakfast cookies.
Key Ingredients
- Rolled Oats (old-fashioned oats). I prefer these oats over quick oats because they give the cookies a heartier and chewier texture. If you use the latter, the cookies will be a little softer.
- Banana. Mashed bananas replace the need for oil or butter while also providing sweetness. The riper the bananas, the sweeter the cookies will be.
- Almond Butter. I prefer almond butter, but nut butter works, including peanut butter and cashew butter.
- Raisins. I recommend using a good-quality brand of plump and juicy raisins. To plump them up, add the raisins to a bowl and cover with boiling water, and let them sit for 30 minutes. The raisins will naturally plump up and become extra juicy.
How to make healthy oatmeal raisin cookies
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Add the bananas to a large bowl and mash them.
Step 2- Add the remaining ingredients. Mix until a thick dough remains.
Step 3- Form 12 small balls of dough. Transfer them to the lined baking sheet, pressing down on each cookie. Top with extra raisins.
Step 4- Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges just brown. Remove from the oven and let cool or enjoy warm.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“These are delicious and perfect! I omitted the raisins and added more cinnamon and pb. Thanks for the quick, easy, and affordable recipe.” – Demi
My top tips for perfect oatmeal cookies
- Do not overbake the cookies; they will continue to cook as they cool down. We want these cookies to be soft and chewy, so remove them from the oven when they are ‘just’ done. Also, they don’t contain any eggs, so you can underbake them.
- If your dough is too thick, add more banana or liquid sweetener, like maple syrup or agave. If the dough is smooth and drippy, add more oats!
- These cookies don’t spread much, so make sure they are the size and thickness you prefer. I like to press them down in the exact shape I want them to be.
- If you prefer sweeter cookies, add brown sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey. These cookies rely on the banana for sweetness.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftover cookies in the fridge, as they will spoil quickly if left at room temperature. Keep them in a sealable container or covered on a plate. They will keep fresh for up to 7 days.
To freeze: Place leftover cookies in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats gluten free, if needed
- 3 large bananas mashed (approximately 1.25 cups) * See notes
- 1/2 cup almond butter can substitute for any nut or seed butter ** See notes
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all of your ingredients except for your raisins, and mix well. Fold through your raisins using a rubber spatula.
- Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form 12 balls using the cookie dough. Transfer them onto the lined tray and place around 1-2 inches apart. Press down on each cookie to form a cookie shape (they will not spread, so make them your desired size and thickness).
- Place them in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden around the sides.
Notes
- Make them sweeter: If you prefer sweeter cookies, please add some brown sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup.
- Make them gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats.
- STORAGE: Leftover cookies will keep well in the fridge, covered, for up to 7 days.
These are AMAZING!! I love your simple ingredient healthy recipes!! I make so many of them and they are a HIT!! Knowing they are healthy with simple ingredients gives me peace of mind, and belly 🙂
Love these for a healthy and wholesome alternative to traditional cookies.
I made these because my husband loves oatmeal raisin cookies and he is trying to find ways to lower his sugar intake. The first batch I made I followed the directions exactly and they were okay. They turned out almost as expected however I know he would like them a little sweeter. I think I will try next time adding some honey or maple syrup to the recipe. I had a little left over batter and added semi-sweet chocolate chips to that batch for myself and they were really good!
Love to hear that, Patty!
These make such a fabulous and healthy cookie!
Great recipe for a healthy version of Oatmeal Raisin cookies. I’ve made this recipe twice. The first with Almond Butter and some applesauce when I only had 2 bananas and the 2nd with Peanut Butter and vanilla added as an extra. Great portable breakfast substitute for a bowl of oatmeal with the extras.
Interesting combination.
Raisins and bananas.
Good luck I always have peanut butter at home. Will give it a try. Who knows how they turn out.
Good luck I always have peanut butter at home. Will give it a try.
The good thing is all these ingredients you always have at home!
I wouldn’t call them cookies seemed morel like a soft granola bar and when chilled a little they made a delicious granola bar
made these out of curiosity tonite and they were so quick and easy! didnt know what to expect and thought I might have to rework them. they are good and just sweet enough! I like that about them. I might add walnuts for some texture/crunch next time. super healthy recipe!! THANKS!
A rather healthy oat cookie recipe.
I am baking them now and hope they come out well.
NO sugar, only natural one, bananas. I love apples so I added one as well.
Thank you very much.
these are delicious and perfect! i omitted the raisins and added more cinnamon and pb. thanks for the quick, easy and affordable recipe.
Weldon
I’m greatful
Can I substitute the banana for something else
Applesauce could work!
I try this cookies for my husband, he like it, better and healthier way for his sweet thooth.
I tried this recipe because I had no flour. I used butter instead of almond butter and used about two tablespoons of honey. yummmmm so good.
These were perfect for me since I’m diabetic. They have the perfect texture; soft and chewy. My Dad tried them (who’s not diabetic) and he really liked the texture but said they weren’t sweet at all. I would like to make them again for him and my nephew (who is allergic to gluten), but add sugar next time. How much sugar do I add, so they turn out the same?
It’s not too sweet, just perfect for me. I’ve been trying to eat healthier. My fiancé on the other hand said it needed more sugar and/or raisins. But he kept eating them so he must’ve liked them. Haha. Making a second batch right now with an extra 1/4 cup of raisins. Thank you for this recipe.
Added 2 tablespoons of flax powder, vanilla, cacao nibs and some bittersweet chocolate chips and I’m not sure how many will even make it to the oven! Yum . Thanks for this recipe!
Do the bananas need to be soft or can i use firm ones?
Soft are preferred.