With natural sweetness from apple, carrots, and raisins, these Healthy Oatmeal Cookies are a yummy treat that you’ll love to share with the kids. And they’re a one-bowl dessert that’s a super fun way to serve up produce, too!
These Healthy Oatmeal Cookies have a batter loaded with nutritious ingredients including a full cup of carrots, a grated apple, raisins, and oatmeal—and they taste SO good. I love baking these with my girls because there’s no need for electric tools and you can mix the batter together in one bowl. The kids usually nibble on the carrots and apples as they help!
The sweetness in this recipe comes from the produce and honey. The honey also helps the batter hold together and makes it easy to form into cookies. You can use maple syrup if you prefer. These are also made without eggs or gluten, so they’re a great option for kids with allergies.
(My oldest kiddo always requests to make a batch of these, an Easter recipe for kids to leave for the Bunny in the spring!)
(You may also like my best Cookies for Kids, Healthy Sugar Cookies, Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Zucchini Cookies, and Sprinkle Cookies.)
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need
To make these Healthy Oatmeal Cookies, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go.
- Quick oats: You could also use rolled oats ground finely in a blender or food processor. This gives you a slightly more uniform texture in the cookies, which makes them very pleasant to eat.
- Whole wheat flour: I use whole wheat flour to ensure that the base of the cookies have whole grains and fiber.
- Grated carrot: I like to grate a whole carrot on a box grater. I prefer to grate the carrot myself, as it usually has a finer texture than shredded carrots from the store—though both will work in the recipe.
- Grated apple: I like to grate a whole apple, peel and all, on a box grater.
- Raisins: I love golden raisins here for their color, but any variety work.
- Seeds or chopped nuts: Choose sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts, or chopped pecans to add nutrition and texture to the healthy oatmeal cookie recipe.
- Coconut oil, melted: You can use butter instead.
- Honey or maple syrup: You can use either of these (though avoid honey for babies under age 1) to sweeten the cookie.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make this healthy oatmeal cookie recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information.
Step 1. Add the ingredients to a bowl. Stir together to make a uniform batter.
Step 2. Portion out the batter. (I used 2 tablespoons per cookie here.) Roll into a ball and place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Step 3. Press flat so each cookie is a round disc. Bake.
Step 4. Transfer to a wire rack to cool fully. Add icing, if using.
Frequently Asked Questions
The definition of “healthy” may vary depending on who you ask, though I consider these to be a delicious cookie that is also packed with nutrition.
You can stir together powdered sugar and water or a little yogurt or milk to make a simple icing to add to the cookies.
No, almond flour is not interchangeable with all-purpose flour since it absorbs moisture very differently. The cookies may not hold together.
How to Store
These Healthy Oatmeal Cookies store well for a few days, so you can make a batch on the weekend and enjoy them throughout the week. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
They get a little softer as they sit in the container and younger toddlers may prefer them warmed just slightly so they are easier to chew. (They are a little dense from all the good stuff inside!)
You can also place the uncooked dough balls into a zip-top plastic bag and store in the fridge for up to 5 days if you run out of time to bake them right away or you only want to bake half of a batch at a time. Then bake more when you are ready.
Best Tips for Success
- If your honey is very firm and not very runny, warm it slightly before adding it so it’s easier to stir together the batter.
- If the healthy oatmeal cookie batter seems crumbly, add a little more oil until it holds together. (It is not a super wet batter.)
- Use gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten free rolled oats for a gluten-free version.
- Warm slightly as needed to soften cookies that have been stored.
- Carrots that you grate yourself have a slightly softer texture than store bought grated carrots. If you want to use store bought ones, cut them up with a pair of kitchen shears before adding to the batter.
- Try this as an after school snack, as part of a summer lunch or camp lunch, or even as a make-ahead breakfast option.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it so please comment below!
Healthy Oatmeal Cookies (with Apples and Carrots)
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats (or rolled oats ground finely in a blender or food processor)
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup grated carrot (about 1 large)
- 1/2 cup grated apple (about 1 medium)
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts, or chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/2 cup coconut oil (or unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled)
- 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl using a wooden spoon to start and then using (clean) hands to bring the batter completely together if needed.
- Portion out 2-tablespoon sized balls of dough, place onto the prepared baking sheet, and press down until 1/4-½ inch thick. Space them about an inch apart—they won't spread, so close is okay.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Let cool on the baking sheet and serve.
- These are best eaten on the day they are made, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Video
Notes
- Stir together ¼ cup powdered sugar and 1/2-1 teaspoon milk to make a simple icing and drizzle it over the cooled cookies.
- You can also make the batter and portion into balls, then store in a zip top bag in the fridge or freezer until ready to bake. This is handy if you want to make just half of a batch at a time. Thaw frozen dough overnight in the fridge before baking.
- If your honey is very firm and not very runny, warm it slightly before adding it so it’s easier to stir together the batter.
- If the batter seems crumbly, add a little more oil until it holds together. (It is not a super wet batter.)
- Use gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free rolled oats for a gluten-free version.
- Warm slightly as needed to soften cookies that have been stored.
- Carrots that you grate yourself have a slightly softer texture than store bought grated carrots. If you want to use store bought ones, cut them up with a pair of kitchen shears before adding to the batter.
Nutrition
This post was first published March 2017.
I’ve made these cookies so many times with my girls and just had to leave a comment. It’s a fantastic recipe when you have big helpers. My daughter who is 3 loves baking (and helping herself to the grated carrot and apple, and raisins before it goes in the oven).
Excellent snack for kids on the go – and mom gets bonus points for giving them “cookies”!
I am so glad to hear that!
Hi there I was wondering if there was a way to make this nut free? I’d to send it to daycare on cookie day for my little guy since he is no added sugar.
Hi- There aren’t any nuts if you use the sunflower seeds. Is that an option?
I am so in love with this recipe! I can’t thank you enough. I make a batch nearly every week and my toddler eats one every afternoon as a snack. My husband and I love them too.
Instead of making them into biscuits, and just press the mixture into mini-muffin tins and put it in the oven for 11minutes. They’re like mini muffins (without the muffin top) and this saves me heaps of time. The mixture is enough for two trays (24 in total) and a spoon for the cook.
Holy moly these cookies are good. Really really good. And there’s no raw-egg and so licking the bowl is always an excellent idea.
I love the idea to make them in mini muffin tins!
Can I use olive oil instead of coconut oil?
I haven’t tried it that way so I can’t say for sure!
Gem: It turned out totally fine with olive oil. ?
Love this cookie recipe… I leave out the raisins as Ms 1.5 yrs isn’t a fan of them… but she absolutely loves these cookies and I love how much goodness are in them… Thank you Amy x
These just came out of the oven and they are wonderful! Just sweet enough (at first I wasn’t sure but then as you eat a whole cookie you find it really is perfect)! I used the food processor to chop the apples and carrots and it all came together in minutes. Thank you for this healthy, tasty recipe made with REAL ingredients!
I’m so glad!
Just made a batch of these cookies and they were delicious! We didn’t have raisins so I replaced them with dark chocolate chips (sometimes moms need a snack too, right?) They were so yummy!
Thank you for your recipes, our family loves your blog!
I’m so glad!
Yum, yum, yum
I added some macadamia nuts (blitzed) as well . The 15months old is warming up to them but my 8 year old loves them, & me. Super moist too.
I’m so glad to hear that!
My son enjoys it and so does my husband! Only thing I felt was it was too many raisins so I reduced it to 3/4cup when I made it the second time.
Thank you for the recipe!
Awesome!
I found this by googling “healthy oatmeal apple honey cookies” for Roshashana. Really good! My husband likes them, too. I used butter instead of coconut oil and 1/2 teaspoon allspice instead of cinnamon (cinnamon allergy). It took awhile to grate the carrot and apple, so prep was longer than in the description. I’ll be making them again! Thanks!
I’m so glad!
Hi! I want to try this but what if I want to put eggs. My son doesn’t like eggs and I look for ways to sneak it in. I love this recipe because my daughter doesn’t like veggies . Will chopped almonds work too? In place of sunflower seeds? Thanks!
Hi. I would try a different recipe if you’re looking for a way to offer eggs. Maybe muffins? As for the nuts, chopped almonds would work, but be sure they are finely chopped if making for kids under 4 to ensure they are easy to chew. Thanks!
Hi! I really want to try making these. How much do you suggest is One serving ? (If you know ). Thanks !
A serving would be about 1-2 cookies. (Nutrition info is per cookie if you make 20 in your batch like I did.)
can applesauce be used in this recipe
In place of the oil? I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure, but let me know if you do!
Hi – thanks so much for this. My 1 and 2.5 year olds love this. if I want to use eggs (extra protein) in the recipe, how would I do it?
Hi, I’m so glad. I haven’t tried them with eggs so I can’t say for sure. I would consider serving with a smoothie or milk or cheese for protein, rather than trying to get it into the cookies. Thanks!
Taste amazing and so nutritious!! Whole family approved!!
I’m so glad!
Hi
Thank you for the recipe..
I just made these cookies with the exact measurements and and cooked at 350f but the bottom of the cookies got burnt in just 10mins, the cookies feel soft though! So should I decrease the temp next time?
Hi- I’m sorry to hear that and have never heard of that issue. Does your oven typically run warmer? If that seems to be the case, yes, I’d try lowering the temp to 325 and keeping an eye on the baking time.
So easy and so so good! I made these for me because I was craving oatmeal raisin cookies but these turned ought so much better. And of course toddler loved them too. So much goodness in a cookie perfect for a snack.