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GET IT NOWOatmeal cookies are my favorite kind ever. That soft, chewy texture gets me every time. So today, I’m super excited to show you one of my favorite healthy dessert recipes – healthy oatmeal cookies! These have that familiar texture and sweetness, but made with ingredients that will leave you feeling good. Make them with me, then dunk them in a glass of almond milk (or your fave kind) for a comforting treat!
Why You Need My Healthy Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

- Soft, chewy, and sweet – The soft, chewy texture is what made me fall in love with this type of cookie as a kid, and that’s exactly what you get with these. They taste sweet, with hints of cinnamon (a lot like my breakfast muffins), and you can customize the add-ins.
- Clean ingredients, no refined sugar – Traditional oatmeal cookies do have healthy oats, but they are also loaded with sugar, white flour, and lots of butter. Instead, my healthy oatmeal cookies use natural sweeteners, coconut oil, and no white flour. They’re gluten-free and dairy-free, too!
- Quick and easy – Mix up the cookie dough in one bowl, scoop, and bake. So easy!


Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my healthy oatmeal raisin cookies, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Rolled Oats – The main ingredient! Quick-cooking oats will work (and make even softer cookies), but avoid using steel-cut oats, as their texture is too different. You can also replace up to 1/4 cup of the oats with pumpkin seeds, whole flaxseeds, chopped pecans (a blend similar to my cherry crisp topping), or other nuts for added nutrients and crunch.
- Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour – I use this instead of white flour. It’s ground extra fine, for a light texture in baked goods (some brands can make your oatmeal cookies too coarse). And it’s much healthier than using white flour.
- Maple Syrup – The natural sweetener! I prefer to use my natural sugar-free maple syrup, but regular is fine. You can also swap in honey, or my sugar-free honey. I don’t recommend using a granulated sweetener here, as the wet/dry ratio in my healthy oatmeal cookies needs it to be liquid.
- Coconut Oil – I use this as an alternative to butter, but melted butter works fine, too. When I have it, I love using butter-flavored coconut oil for that same flavor.
- Egg – A.k.a. the binder. Make sure it’s at room temperature, otherwise it will solidify the coconut oil when mixing. For a vegan option, you can use a flax egg, or 1/4 cup of mashed banana (with slightly less maple syrup).
- Baking Powder – Prevents the cookies from being too dense. Don’t use baking soda, which will leave an aftertaste (since my recipe doesn’t have an acid to react with it).
- Flavor Boosters – Vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
- Raisins – I love the classic flavor of raisins here. You can also use dried cranberries for a fall twist, or chocolate chips (I like these sugar free ones, which I also use for my almond flour chocolate chip cookies).

How To Make Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together the rolled oats, almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and sea salt.
- Mix the wet ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract.


- Combine the cookie dough. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until combined. Fold in the raisins. If you have time, let the mixture sit for 30 minutes.
- Scoop and flatten. Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten each scoop with your fingers.


- Bake until golden. Pop the healthy oatmeal raisin cookies in the oven, and bake until the edges turn golden brown. Cool completely in the pan to firm up.

My Recipe Tips
- Letting the cookie dough sit for 30 minutes makes for softer oats. This is optional, but I think it improves the texture of the cookies.
- Like a sweet and salty vibe? Double the sea salt. The amount in the recipe you can’t taste at all. Sometimes I increase it to 1/2 teaspoon to make these healthy oatmeal cookies both sweet and salty.
- These cookies won’t spread. So, make sure to flatten them to the final thickness you want. The baking time will depend on how thick you make them. I aim for about 1/4 inch thick.
- Feel free to adjust the size of the cookies. I like fairly small ones (about 2-2.5 inches across) and use this cookie scoop for that size. You can make them bigger if you like, just make sure the thickness is still about the same.

Storage Options
- Store: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They store best in a dark place like a cabinet or the pantry, but honestly I keep them on the counter to keep my snacks in sight!
- Freeze: Cool completely, then store in a zip lock bag or container in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can also freeze balls of oatmeal cookie dough on a parchment lined baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag and bake fresh later.
More Healthy Oat Recipes
If you like my healthy oatmeal cookie recipe, try these other healthy recipes I like to make with oats:
Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
Make my healthy oatmeal cookies with raisins, oats, coconut oil, and no refined sugar! This recipe is soft, chewy, sweet, and so easy.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir to combine.
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In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the maple syrup, melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract.
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Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture. Stir until combined.
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Fold in the raisins. If you have time, let the cookie dough sit for 30 minutes.
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Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet. Flatten the dough to approximately 1/4 to 1/3 inch thickness. (My scoop held 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough.)
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Bake for 11-13 minutes, until edges are starting to turn golden brown. Cool completely before moving.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cookie
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
Add Your Notes Your Notes
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

Gratitude Moment
I just made these healthy oatmeal cookies again for my Fall Cookbook Bundle (the cookies are in the bowl on the right), which is why I felt compelled to update this older recipe. I usually try to mix up the types of recipes I publish and I just published peanut butter overnight oats, but couldn’t resist updating this one while it was fresh on my mind.
This is the second bundle like this I’ve created, and it has been so much fun! But not going to lie, making photos and videos of 5 recipes in a day is no joke. I’m still tired from this long day, haha.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can learn more about my fall recipes bundle here. I put all my best ones for the season in there!
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43 Comments
Dan Barnette
1I had never baked anything in my 65 years until I saw this healthy oatmeal cookie recipe. I have now baked at least a dozen batches. 1st batch was great, moist but crumbly. I have come to learn I need to bake mine 14 minutes and then add 1.25 minutes with the broiler on high and let them sit for a couple of minutes in the oven to prevent crumbling. I started experimenting by doubling the cinnamon and vanilla flavor and now add 2 tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder. I also add 1/2 cup crushed walnuts and 1/2 cup dried (sugar free) cranberries along with the raisins and mix in before adding the liquid. I use a little more than 1/2 cup raw, unfiltered honey and add a couple tbsp of maple syrup. I found refrigerating the dough for a couple of hours makes it easier to form the cookies. Just my evolution from a true beginner to a novice in the world of baking… but the recipe foundation and inspiration came from you! Thank you Maya!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Wow, that’s awesome, Dan! I’m so glad my recipe helped you make your first cookies and that it got you baking. Thank you for sharing your experiments with us.
Wendy
1I have been wanting a good cookie for awhile but wanted to make healthy cookies. When I saw this recipe, I knew I had to give it a try and make it. The only change I made from the original recipe was substituting sugar-free chocolate chips for the raisins, as you suggested, because I’ve been really wanting a chocolate chip cookie. These cookies are so delicious, so soft and they STAY soft, very easy to make, and come together very quickly. I will definitely be making them again. Thank you Maya for this excellent recipe.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so glad you liked these, Wendy! Chocolate chips are great here, too.
Eileen Marie Davis
1These are the best healthy oatmeal cookies I have tried, and I’ve tried many!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much, Eileen! That means a lot!
Diane Rose
1I love these cookies. I have made them about half dozen times. I can’t get enough of them. I did add some dried cranberries with the raisins and just some sf brown sugar. Even my husband that doesn’t like anything says they are good. Thanks for all your great recipes.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much, Diane! I love them with dried cranberries in the fall, too. Glad to hear they were a hit even with your picky husband!
Darlene
0Thank you Maya
Jenine M Webb
0Can I substitute organic unsweetened applesauce for coconut oil?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Jenine, I would not replace all of it, but some of it should be fine. Let me know how your cookies turn out!
MaryAnne
0MaryAnne- Made these today. Always looking for sweets that hopefully won’t spike my BS. Read that mixing almond flour with rolled often works. Enjoyed the taste and texture. Used sugar free chips. Husband doesn’t like raisins. Not as sweet, I think, as with the raisins. 5 star.
Wholesome Yum D
0Thank you for sharing, MaryAnne! I’m so glad you enjoyed the taste and texture. Mixing almond flour with oats is a great idea, and sugar-free chips are a smart swap. Glad it worked out well without the raisins and that it earned 5 stars from you!
~Chrissie O.
0Amazing! I used a little bit of sugar-free brown sugar, and swapped craisins for raisins (personal preference). SO, SO good – Way to make a COOKIE meet the criteria (okay, albeit loosely) for HEALTHY – and Keto?! Perfect! Truly! First recipe using Besti Maple Syrup (new customer!!)!! Whoo-hoo!
Wholesome Yum D
0I love your enthusiasm, Chrissie, thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe and made it your own with those tasty swaps. And yay for your first time using Wholesome Yum Maple Syrup! I’m so happy it was a hit.
ADH
0Best oatmeal raisin recipe I’ve tried! (Certainly the healthiest too) I ran out of maple syrup so subbed a little less than 1/2 cup coconut sugar and touch of H2O to moisten. Also added semi-sweet chocolate chips to a few cookies for a treat. They’re excellent any way they are baked up!
Wholesome Yum D
0So glad you enjoyed the oatmeal raisin cookies! It’s always a win when a recipe is both delicious and healthy and versatile enough for little changes like that. Thanks for sharing your version!
Darlene
0Love these cookies! Sweet with crispy edges, and chewy middle. I will be making them often. I used them to make Ice cream sandwiches, they were perfect the vanilla ice cream pair great with the flavor of the cookies. Question, can liquid allulose be used in place of the maple syrup?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you so much, Darlene! Ice cream sandwiches sound amazing. Yes, I think Wholesome Yum Liquid Allulose would work great in place of maple syrup here. Some brands add other ingredients, so not sure about those.
Margie Schomberg
0I would like to try some of these recipes they look so good
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hope you love these, Margie! Please let me know how they turn out.
Krista
0Hello Maya! Can we substitute butter for the coconut oil? I don’t tolerate that much fat in coconut oil.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Krista, Yes, butter will work just fine instead of coconut oil, although the fat content is not a huge difference. Hope you like these!
Linda dean
0I love these oatmeal cookies. I substituted buckwheat flour because I had it on hand. A little denser but works good. Also added ground walnuts, cardamom, nutmeg, a bit more cinnamon. Cookies are like granola cookies.
*Your taco casserole is wonderful too!
Thank you.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m glad you liked these, Linda, as well as the casserole. Those spices sound like yummy additions.
Michael
0Can you use coconut flour instead of almond flour
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Michael, No, sorry, I always highly discourage making that substitution because coconut flour is very absorbent and drying, whereas almond flour is not. The recipe would need significant changes to work with coconut flour.
Kiriakitsa
0I didn’t have raisins so I used cranberries instead. They were pretty good. Now I have to figure out a way to make them a little lower in carbs.
Kim Luadzers
0Favorite dairy free oatmeal cookies that my family loves!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Kim! I’m glad your family loves them!
kishke744
0I thought these were good but needed to be a bit sweeter. I will be making again but will add 1/2 cup Splenda or SF brown sugar. I liked the idea of using SF maple syrup and was able to taste a hint of it in the cookies.
Thank you for another good recipe.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you for the feedback! You’re right that more maple syrup probably isn’t a good idea because it will make the cookie dough too runny, unless it’s maybe just a couple of tablespoons. If you want them sweeter, I’d recommend adding Besti or (Besti Brown sweetener if you want a brown sugar flavor) over artificial Splenda. 🙂 I’m glad you liked them otherwise.
Grace
0Can I grind the oats into a flour instead of using them whole, then mix them with the almond flour?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Grace, I haven’t done this, but I suspect the cookies would turn out more dry that way. Let me know how it goes if you try it though!
Lees Yunits
0Just saying, do these cookies go a bit contrary to a keto lifestyle? Delicious though!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Lees, This is not a low carb recipe. I didn’t say anywhere that it was.
Connie
0It came out very good thank you for the great recipe ?
Amy Ottensman
0These taste amazing! Mine crumbled, any tips to prevent that?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Amy, I’m glad you liked how they taste! I haven’t had them crumble on me. Did you make any changes to the recipe by chance? Did you move them before they cooled? They do need to cool before moving them.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Connie! Enjoy!
Erin
0These cookies were so quick and easy to make! I used real maple syrup and loved the flavor. Thanks!
Debbie T
0These cookies are amazing. They have the perfect texture and are so easy to make. I just dunked one in my coffee 🙂
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thanks, Debbie! Yes, I like them with coffee, too!