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    Home » Dessert

    Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

    October 1, 2023 by Chrissy Carroll 35 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Need a treat to satisfy your sweet tooth? These healthy oatmeal raisin cookies are a wholesome dessert made with whole grains, less butter, and less sugar than many traditional recipes. The result is a soft, chewy, cake-like cookie that the whole family will love.

    I actually really want to call these “healthy soft and chewy oatmeal raisin cookie muffin tops”, because they’re kind of like a hybrid between a crisp cookie and a soft muffin top – but I thought that would be the longest recipe name ever. But semantics aside, you’re going to appreciate this quick, delicious recipe.  

    Note: This post was originally written in 2015. The recipe and photos have been updated in 2023. If you’re looking for the original recipe that was slightly different, don’t hesitate to contact me.

    A plate with four stacked healthy oatmeal raisin cookies, and one with a bite taken out of it.

    Ingredients

    Here’s a photo of all the ingredients you’ll need, along with selected ingredient notes:

    All of the cookie ingredients spread out on a countertop next to a kitchen towel.
    • Oats – You’ll want rolled oats or plain instant oats for this recipe. Do not use steel cut oats; they are too firm for these cookies.
    • Honey – This makes a perfect unrefined sweetener for these cookies, and you’ll only use ⅓ cup total to sweeten the batch.
    • Applesauce – This replaces some of the butter in the recipe, adding moisture, and also allows the use of slightly less sugar.
    • White whole wheat flour – White wheat is a type of wheat; the other common strain used in flours is red wheat. White whole wheat flour is a whole grain, unlike all-purpose flour which is stripped of some parts of the grain. I like King Arthur Flour’s White Whole Wheat Flour.

    Instructions

    You’ll find the full recipe amounts and instructions in the recipe card below, but here’s a quick overview with step-by-step photos.

    Start by mixing together the honey, applesauce, softened butter, and egg.

    Honey, applesauce, egg, and butter in a glass mixing bowl.

    In another bowl, mix together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

    Oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a glass mixing bowl.

    Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, and fold in the raisins.

    A glass mixing bowl with cookie dough.

    Portion out heaping tablespoons on a non-stick or parchment-lined baking sheet.

    Bake for about 10-12 minutes, let cool on the pan, then enjoy!

    Note: It’s important let these cool almost fully on the pan, then if you’d like, you can move to a cooling rack just for the last few minutes. Because these are cake-like, cooling on the pan will help prevent them from crumbling. If you move them too early, they can become crumbly.

    A bunch of cookies on a cooling rack.

    Recipe FAQ

    Here are some common questions that may pop up as you prepare this recipe:

    How should you store healthy oatmeal raisin cookies?

    Store the cookies in an airtight container or zip top bag at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

    How can you make these cookies gluten-free?

    To make gluten-free oatmeal raisin cookies, use certified gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour.

    Can you substitute raisins with other dried fruits or nuts?

    Yes. While raisins provide classic oatmeal raisin cookie flavor, you can get creative with your add-ins. Try chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips if you prefer a different flavor profile.

    Great Cookie for Athletes

    While this recipe is for everyone, athletes in particular should take note! You can use these as a quick pre-workout snack an hour or two before your sweat sesh if you need a last-minute bite to eat. You can enjoy ‘em for a recovery snack, paired with a big ‘ol glass of milk (for protein)!

    I hope you enjoy these healthy oatmeal raisin cookies as much as I do! If you get a chance to try ‘em, feel free to leave a recipe rating or comment below.

    Three healthy oatmeal raisin cookies on a cooling rack.

    Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

    Snacking in Sneakers
    These healthy oatmeal raisin cookies are soft and chewy, with a somewhat cake-like texture. They’re a welcome treat as an afternoon snack or great for packing along on a hike.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 27 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 cookies
    Calories 94 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ⅓ cup honey
    • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 3 tbsp butter, softened
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • ⅔ cup white whole wheat flour, spooned and leveled (or regular whole wheat flour)
    • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
    • 1 ¼ tsp cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ⅓ cup raisins, packed

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, applesauce, softened butter, and egg.
    • In another mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
    • Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the raisins.
    • The dough will be a bit wet compared to other cookie doughs; this is normal. Place in the fridge for about 15 minutes to help it firm up a little.
    • Portion out the cookie dough in heaping tablespoons. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Let cool on the pan, then enjoy!

    Notes

    • White wheat is a type of wheat; the other common strain used in flours is red wheat. White whole wheat flour is a whole grain, unlike all-purpose flour which is stripped of some parts of the grain. I like King Arthur Flour’s White Whole Wheat Flour.
    • The texture of these cookies is soft, chewy, and somewhat cake-like. Letting them cool on the pan is important as moving them too early can cause them to crumble.
     
    Nutrition analysis (approximate per cookie): 94 calories, 3 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 105 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrate, 1.5 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 2 g protein, Vitamin D: 0%, Calcium: 3%, Iron: 3%, Potassium: 2%

    Nutrition

    Calories: 94kcal
    Keyword healthy oatmeal raisin cookies
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Feel free to pin this post to save for later!

    A white plate with four stacked healthy oatmeal raisin cookies, and a text overlay with the name of the recipe.
    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    Chrissy Carroll
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    Comments

    1. Amanda

      August 27, 2015 at 8:10 pm

      Wow, what a great option for fuel before and during runs! I’m adding this to my list of foods to try. Looks delicious 🙂

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 28, 2015 at 11:11 am

        Yes, I love them. And it would be easy for me to eat about 12 in a row if I let myself, haha, so I feel like eating 2-3 before a race would sit well.

        Reply
    2. Jenna

      August 28, 2015 at 6:53 am

      Those cookies look devine. I’m glad you didn’t put raisins in them, those aren’t my favorite. I’m always looking for good healthy dessert recipes, send any more my way if you have them!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 28, 2015 at 11:10 am

        I did put raisins in ’em, but I know the pics look like I didn’t haha. You could totally leave the raisins out though!

        Reply
    3. Rachel @ A Forever Change

      August 28, 2015 at 7:43 am

      These look AMAZING!!! I have to try them!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 28, 2015 at 11:10 am

        They are super tasty. I love that I can eat one and it still feels like a treat, but I still know the ingredients are pretty clean!

        Reply
    4. Emily @ Sinful Nutrition

      August 28, 2015 at 10:15 am

      Love all your posts about running & fueling! It actually makes me want to sign up for another half marathon just to experiment with different fueling options. #nutritionnerdalert.

      Love me some oatmeal raisin cookies too! I’m training for a 10k right now, so while I may not need it mid-run it would be a welcome treat after a long run. 🙂

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 28, 2015 at 11:09 am

        You could always join me for RnR Brooklyn in October! 🙂 And yes, they definitely make an awesome post-run treat.

        Reply
    5. Artney @ My Pretty Brown

      August 28, 2015 at 5:03 pm

      Wow! These look amazing! I will definitely be trying these soon. I’ll have to pin these and let you know when I make them. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:07 am

        You’re so welcome! I hope you’ll pop back over after you make them and let me know what you think 🙂

        Reply
      • Karen

        May 27, 2020 at 1:33 pm

        We can’t have coconut oil. What can I use as a replacement?

        Reply
        • Chrissy Carroll

          May 27, 2020 at 7:46 pm

          Butter or a vegan butter replacement should both work. 🙂

          Reply
    6. Diane @runninrocker

      August 28, 2015 at 6:14 pm

      I love baking this kind of cookie and they are perfect before a run or for any day breakfast. Easy to take for travel runs too! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:06 am

        Yes, so true Diane!!

        Reply
    7. Nicole @ Fitful Focus

      August 28, 2015 at 6:16 pm

      oatmeal raisin cookies are my fave! I need to make these!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:06 am

        I hope you’ll give them a try Nicole! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Lex @ Flecksoflex

      August 28, 2015 at 7:11 pm

      Yummy! I will definitely give these a go. I’ve been thinking about recipes for our office’s healthy potluck, and this might be the one!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:06 am

        Let me know how you like them! I like that they have that really soft kinda different texture. My husband really likes them too.

        Reply
    9. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes

      August 28, 2015 at 8:35 pm

      Yum! These would have been perfect for my recipe roundup!!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:04 am

        I loved your roundup Sue – it had so many great ideas!

        Reply
    10. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home

      August 28, 2015 at 8:47 pm

      I love the idea of a cookie as a prerace fuel! I’d substitute chocolate chips for the raisins, tho! Not a fan of raisins and chocolate is my jam!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:04 am

        Mmmmm, chocolate…that sounds like a substitution I can get down with.

        Reply
    11. Marcia

      August 28, 2015 at 9:03 pm

      Wow! I love oatmeal raisin and these look divine!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:04 am

        I love oatmeal raisin too! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Natalie

      August 28, 2015 at 9:40 pm

      Drooling. I want one right now!! You can see the moistness in the awesome photos. Pinning!!!!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:03 am

        Aw thanks Natalie!! I hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    13. jill conyers

      August 29, 2015 at 4:06 am

      How did you know I’ve been craving cookies? I’m sure I can easily make them gluten free without losing the yumminess. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:03 am

        Yes, I think you could definitely do a g-free version Jill!

        Reply
    14. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running

      August 29, 2015 at 7:23 am

      These look delicious, and I love that you made them without raisins. I don’t have much of a taste for them.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:02 am

        They do have raisins in them, but you could totally leave those out if you don’t like them.

        Reply
    15. GinaB @ Mirror Watching

      August 29, 2015 at 8:41 am

      I love oatmeal raisin cookies. To be able to fuel with these would be awesome.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        August 29, 2015 at 10:02 am

        Awesome Gina! I hope you give them a try (then come back and let me know what you think!).

        Reply
    16. Sandra Laflamme

      August 29, 2015 at 10:33 am

      Those cookies look purely delicious. And yes, I think you should call them muffin tops 🙂

      Reply
    17. Ilka

      July 12, 2016 at 11:54 pm

      Chrissy – I just love this cookie recipe. It’s amazing how healthy delicious cookies can be! Pinning!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        July 15, 2016 at 8:38 pm

        So happy that you like it! 🙂

        Reply

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    Welcome to Snacking in Sneakers! That’s me, Chrissy, and I’m here to share all my favorite fitness, food, & wellness stories & tips. I’m a dietitian, personal trainer, runner, triathlon coach, foodie, not-so-extreme couponer, and all around fun lovin’ gal.

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    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
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    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    Chrissy Carroll
    Latest posts by Chrissy Carroll (see all)
    • Protein Gingerbread Cookies - November 27, 2023
    • 12 Days of Christmas Workout - November 13, 2023
    • Chicken Vegetable Soup - November 11, 2023
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