Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, naturally sweetened, and made in one bowl with simple pantry ingredients.
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!
Ingredients In Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
| Ingredient | Let’s Chat About It |
|---|---|
| Coconut oil & peanut butter | Make 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 & cinnamon | Don’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 chips | Use dark, milk, or semi-sweet. For completely naturally sweetened cookies, use coconut sugar-sweetened chocolate chips like Pascha or Hu Chocolate. |
How To Make Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Prep: Preheat oven and line pan.
- Mix wet: Melt oil, measure ingredients, and mix everything together.
- Add chocolate: Stir in chocolate chips with a spatula.
- Shape: Scoop, pack, and roll into balls; place on pan spaced apart.
- Bake & finish: Bake until just set, tap pan, add remaining chips, and cool.
Featured Comment
“Wow these cookies were amazing and this recipe is outstanding I have been looking for a healthy option to sub out flour butter and white sugar. All of my expectations were met plus more definitely my new go to cookie recipe”
– Dani
Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Tips
- 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:
Desserts
Healthy Cookie Dough Cups
Muffins And Quick Breads
Healthy Chocolate Chip Muffins
Desserts
Date Brownies
Snacks
Banana Bites (2 Ways!)
Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip 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!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These were SO SO yummy. Best advice is to take them out when they still look undone because they are best gooey. Subbed brown sugar for coconut sugar and still delicious. They are now my go to chocolate chip cookie recipe!!
Will it matter if I use virgin coconut oil vs. a refined coconut oil? Thanks!
I would recommend using a refined coconut oil in these cookies. I use LouAna pure coconut oil and have had great success with this brand. Hope that helps!
mmmmm I MUST give these a try! sooo gooey and delicious and they’re healthy so wedding diet approved! 😛
These are so good! Eating them warm out of the oven as we speak. I adjusted it a bit to lower the oil- I just added an egg (so I used 2 eggs) and only used 1/3 cup coconut oil, and added another 1/2 cup of oats to make the batter thicker – you can’t go wrong with more oats! These were such good cookies! This recipe is a keeper for sure for me. I’m always looking for new cookie recipes that are low in sugar and “healthier” :). Thanks so much for the recipe!
Kari – thanks so much for the kind comment! SO glad you enjoyed these cookies and your changes worked out – I appreciate you sharing them too for other readers 🙂 Thanks again!
I just made them for a playdate and the kids loved them. I was a bit concerned when I got them out of the oven as they looked under cooked but you were right, they cooled down crunchy and very light, they are absolutely divine! best cookies I’ve even done!
Hey Mrs. P, thank you so much for the comment! I’m so thrilled the kids loved them 🙂 Thank you!
these look amazing! I LOVE that you used oat flour 😉 it gives it a completely different texture that I love! almost chewy-er! 😉 and I bet the the coconut oil added a really nice flavor as well!
These look delicious! I hate raisins so I don’t usually eat oatmeal cookies, but when there are chocolate chips involved I’m all about them!
I am definitely going to be making these! Simple, minimal ingredients but they look freaking awesome!
Awesome!! Hope you love them Kate 🙂
Did someone say healthy cookies!? Yes, please! Anything to make me feel better about eating 10 cookies in a sitting makes me fall in love.
Sooo basically you had me with all that melty chocolate. Truly the perfect cookie right here! I love how you used oat flour, it’s one of the best!
I’ve made these cookies yesterday evening.
I’ve scooped the dough with an ice-cream spoon an packed them tightly with an other spoon.
They stayed firm in the oven and didn’t flatten out.
I also had to bake them longer, I estimate approximately 15 minutes total. I flattened them out of the oven.
They are crumbly and taste very sweet. I actually wonder if I could make them with less sugar or maybe with some sirop. . You’re quite right in saying that choclate and salt go well together. It’s awesome.
Thanks for the comment! So glad to hear you enjoyed these!
Wow oh my Gosh I truly need these cookies right now! Like you I love oat flour lover for the same reasons than you. It is cheap, flavourful and so easy to make. Have to try this recipe soon 😉