Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, naturally sweetened, and made in one bowl with simple pantry ingredients.

Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies fresh out of the oven topped with flaky sea salt.
chelsea

author’s Note

The Oatmeal Cookie Glow-Up!

I have a major sweet tooth, and I don’t know many days that go by without a treat. But the older I get, the less sugar seems to like me haha.

Oatmeal cookies are my all-time favorite (am I boring?), so I wanted a version that felt a little better for me. Something naturally sweetened with good fats and a bit of protein, but still simple and easy to make with ingredients I always have on hand.

That said, it’s not worth it to me if they aren’t still delicious. And wow, these cookies are good. SO, so good. They’re not your classic bakery-style oatmeal cookies. There’s no loads of butter or sugar here, so the texture and flavor are different, but for a better-for-you cookie, these really deliver.

They come together in one bowl with pantry staples and are naturally sweetened (fully naturally sweet depending on the chocolate chips you use).

I always finish them with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. It’s truly the perfect finishing touch!

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All the ingredients in this recipe prepped out for easy assembly including the oats, oil, peanut butter, chocolate, cinnamon, baking agents, and eggs.

Ingredients In Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

IngredientLet’s Chat About It
Coconut oil & peanut butterMake sure oil is melted and slightly cooled. Use smooth, well-stirred peanut butter for best texture.
Maple syrup & egg Use pure maple syrup for the best flavor. Let the egg come to room temperature so everything mixes smoothly.
Oats (quick & old-fashioned)Use both types. Quick oats help bind, old-fashioned oats add texture.
Baking soda, baking powder, salt & cinnamonDon’t skip the salt. It balances the sweetness and boosts flavor. Cinnamon adds a subtle warmth, but it’s totally optional in these Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Chocolate chipsUse dark, milk, or semi-sweet. For completely naturally sweetened cookies, use coconut sugar-sweetened chocolate chips like Pascha or Hu Chocolate.
Wet ingredients for Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies being whisked, then dry ingredients added and mixed until combined.

How To Make Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

  1. Prep: Preheat oven and line pan.
  2. Mix wet: Melt oil, measure ingredients, and mix everything together.
  3. Add chocolate: Stir in chocolate chips with a spatula.
  4. Shape: Scoop, pack, and roll into balls; place on pan spaced apart.
  5. Bake & finish: Bake until just set, tap pan, add remaining chips, and cool.
Dough rolled into balls, then baked until golden.
  • Measure carefully: Level off measuring cups so you don’t pack in too much.
  • Follow the recipe: Best as written. Swaps can change the end result.
  • Use room-temp ingredients: Make sure the egg and coconut oil are the same temp.
  • Keep cookies the same size: Use a 1-1/2 tablespoon scoop, pack it full, and level off the top.
  • Line the pan: A silicone liner helps them bake evenly and makes cleanup easy.

storage]

Storage: These Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are best the same day, still warm from the oven! Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temp for 3 to 4 days.

Freeze dough balls: Freeze on a lined sheet until solid, then transfer to a bag or container. Bake from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes.

[/storage]

More Healthy Treat Ideas:

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4.79 from 80 votes

Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, naturally sweetened, and mixed up in one bowl with simple, everyday ingredients.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Servings: 14 cookies

Equipment

  • Stand mixer or electric hand mixers
  • Large sheet pan plus silicone liners or parchment paper
  • Cookie scoop 1-1/2 tablespoon size

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
  • 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter make sure it's smooth/not separated
  • 2/3 cup pure maple syrup see note 1
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
  • 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats see note 2
  • 1-1/4 cups quick oats
  • 1-1/2 cups dark chocolate chips divided (or use milk or semi-sweet)
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • Flaky sea salt optional, for topping

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone liner. Melt coconut oil, then measure 1/4 cup and let it cool to room temperature before using.
  • Add all ingredients except the chocolate chips to a large bowl or stand mixer. Using hand mixers or the whisk attachment, mix until fully combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
  • Switch to a spatula and mix in 1 cup dark chocolate chips and all the mini chocolate chips.
  • Use a 1-1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop to pack dough into tight balls, pressing firmly so they hold together. Place on the prepared sheet pan, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until tops are set (they don't look gooey) but still slightly soft. Do not over-bake; these are best slightly under-baked and they firm up more as they cool.
  • Remove from oven and gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to flatten cookies slightly. Press remaining chocolate chips into the tops.
  • Let cookies cool on the pan. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Best enjoyed warm while soft and chewy!
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Use pure maple syrup. The only ingredient listed should be maple syrup.
Note 2: Use both types of oats for the right texture. Quick oats absorb more liquid than old-fashioned oats, and the amounts are created for that.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 141mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

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4.79 from 80 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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278 Comments

  1. Sheryl says:

    5 stars
    Just made these today. My blender is not great so I ended up putting my “blended” oats through a sieve to make sure I was getting a flour like substance. Cookies turned out perfect, the ones on the top rack spread, the ones on the bottom rack did not but they were not crumbly and tasted great. My new go-to recipe. Thank you.

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      I’m so thrilled to hear these were a hit and your new go-to! 🙂 Thank you for the comment!

  2. Melina says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious. I happen to have two kids allergic to egg whites so I used 2 egg yolks instead of the whole egg and it coudn`t be any better and they couldn’t be any happier.
    Thanks Chelsea for the recipe. Its in my favorite recipes box! A winner!

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      So thrilled this made it in the favorites box!! 🙂 Thanks for the comment Melina!

  3. Kitty says:

    5 stars
    I made them with butter! Melted butter seemed like it would work- liquid at room temp, solid chilled. And it did- I just love the flavor of butter. These are delicious- thank you for a great recipe!

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      Kitty, i’m glad it worked out! I love the flavor of butter too so that sounds like a great combination! I’m so glad you enjoyed! 🙂

  4. Katherine says:

    Healthy chocolate chip cookies? I’ll take it.

  5. anonymous says:

    Do you have the nutrition facts for these cookies?! They look delicious!

  6. Shaylee says:

    Look nice and healthy!:) How many does it make?

    1. ida says:

      I got just over 16 cookies.

  7. Lindsey says:

    This recipe sounds great! I’m guessing it wouldn’t work with just using quick oats to make the flour and for the oat part?

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      Right.

  8. Ashley says:

    5 stars
    These are A-maz-ing! Made these today as I am just starting to introduce sugar back into my diet after a month of clean eating. These satisfy my craving without making me feel like I cheated terribly. Thank you! Even my husband keeps asking for more!

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      YAY! I’m so happy you liked these cookies! Thanks for the comment 🙂

  9. Meg says:

    5 stars
    Just made these today, they’re fantastic! Such a great flavorful cookie! I love that they’re made with healthier ingredients, and that only enhances the flavor and how good they are. I also love the consistency.

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      So happy these were a hit!! Thanks for the comment Meg! 🙂

  10. Aisha says:

    The kids get a sweet treat on Sundays so I decided to give this recipe a try.

    It’s done. I found the go-to cookie recipe for Sweet Sundays. Literally the best oatmeal chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever had. The cinnamon gives it a special kick.

    Thank you!

    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      What a compliment!! I’m so happy this is the new go-to for you Sunday treats! Thanks for the comment Aisha!