Vegan Breakfast Cookies
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.These vegan breakfast cookies are my perfect grab and go option for busy mornings. I can make this easy recipe in just 20 minutes and keep them on hand for a quick meal, a wholesome snack, or even a healthier dessert. Mornings can be hectic, so having a ready to eat breakfast makes life much easier.

Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts, and fruit, these cookies offer a nourishing way to start the day. I love that they are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and protein, which helps keep me energized and satisfied through a busy work or school day.
One of the things I appreciate most is how easy these are to prep ahead of time. I often make a large batch for the week and freeze a few so they stay fresh and ready to grab. This makes them a fantastic option for quick breakfasts or snacks when time is tight. They have become a regular part of my routine, and I like pairing them with other healthy recipes such as my healthy green waffles or my easy easy vegan protein pancakes to keep breakfast varied and enjoyable.
👩🏽🍳 Why I Love This Recipe
Are you one of those people who forgets to eat breakfast and never makes it up later in the day? I hear you!. Between getting my kids dressed, packing lunches, and making sure nothing was forgotten for school, I barely had time to think about breakfast myself. Ha! That is when I reached for the vegan breakfast cookies I had made ahead of time. These have become my answer to busy mornings. They are vegan and gluten free, made with wholesome ingredients, and easy to grab on the way out the door.
These cookies are packed with healthy ingredients like oats, nut butter, chia seeds, and dried fruit. They give my kids and me fiber, protein, and healthy fats that help keep us full and energized until lunch. My kids enjoy them, and I like knowing they are eating something nourishing instead of reaching for sugary snacks on the go. For school days, they strike the right balance between convenience and nutrition, which is exactly what we need.
Even my husband relies on these cookies now. One morning he grabbed one on his way out the door, and later he told me it kept him full until lunch, even with back to back meetings. It may seem small, but knowing these cookies help my kids and my husband get through busy days means a lot to me. Now I make a big batch at the start of the week and freeze some for busy mornings. These grab and go cookies have become a staple in our home.
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🥘 Ingredients
With just a few wholesome ingredients, I can make the best homemade breakfast cookies. Here is what I use to make them.

Ground Flaxseeds and Water: When using flaxseed meal, I make sure it is finely ground for the best results. I make a flax egg using 1 tablespoon of flax and 3 tablespoons of water.
Rolled Oats: For a hearty cookie, I use old-fashioned oats.
Oat Flour: I can make my own oat flour by blending oats in a food processor, or I can buy ready-to-go flour at the store.
Chia Seeds: I add extra nutrients with chia seeds. They are a good source of fiber and plant-based protein, with about 2 grams of protein per tablespoon.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: I use baking powder and baking soda to help these good-morning cookies rise and spread.
Cinnamon and Vanilla Extract: I add cinnamon for a comforting taste that pairs perfectly with oats for the best breakfast cookie. These vegan oatmeal breakfast cookies aren’t complete without a hint of vanilla!
Maple Syrup: For a touch of sweetness, I use maple syrup. I can also use coconut sugar, brown sugar, or date paste.
Peanut Butter: Nut butter gives these gluten-free vegan breakfast cookies a good source of healthy fats and protein.
Dried Cranberries: You can use whatever dried fruit you like, or you can add dark chocolate chips for a boost of antioxidants.
🔪 How To Make
Whether I need a healthy snack or a quick breakfast on the go, this easy to follow recipe always becomes a favorite for me.
Preheat The Oven, Make The Flax Egg: I preheat the oven to 350 degrees F or 180 C. I line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. The first thing I do is prep my flax egg. I mix together the ground flaxseeds and water in a small bowl and set it aside for 5 minutes to form a gel. It only takes a little while before I start seeing it thicken.

Mix The Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, I mix together the oats, oat flour, chia seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.

Mix The Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, I whisk together the liquid ingredients, flaxseed gel, maple syrup, peanut butter, and vanilla extract, until smooth.

Combine Ingredients: Next, I add the dried cranberries and wet ingredients to the large bowl with the dry ingredients. I mix until everything is well incorporated. I place the mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.

Place Cookie Dough On Sheet: Using an ice cream scoop, I scoop out 2 to 3 tablespoons of cookie dough, I shape it into a ball, and place it on a cookie sheet. For big cookies, I use 4 tablespoons of dough per cookie. I repeat this with the remaining mixture. I lightly flatten the tops of each cookie with the back of a fork.

Bake The Cookies and Let Cool: I bake these vegan healthy cookies for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Once they are done, I let them cool on the baking tray before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling to room temperature.

💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to chill the mixture in the fridge before baking. This step gives the dry ingredients time to absorb the moisture and helps the dough firm up. I have found that when I skip this step, the dough is much harder to handle. Trust me, you do not want that!
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Use a scoop: These cookies can be sticky, so I use a small ice cream scoop or spoon instead of my hands. Lightly wetting the scoop helps keep the dough from sticking.
- Flatten before baking: I press the tops with a wet hand to slightly flatten each cookie. These cookies do not spread much on their own.
- Chocolate option: When I want a chocolate version, I use vegan chocolate chips instead of dried cranberries or mix both in. Dark chocolate still works well in this recipe.
- Gluten free check: I make sure my oats and oat flour are clearly labeled gluten free. This keeps the cookies safe for anyone avoiding gluten.
- Baking expectation: These cookies stay close to the shape I form before baking. I do not expect them to rise or spread much in the oven.
📖 Variations
I keep coming back to these vegan breakfast cookies, and I love experimenting with different flavors to keep them interesting.
Different mix ins: I often swap the dried cranberries for about 1 half cup of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, slivered almonds, shredded coconut, sultanas, walnuts, or chopped dried apricots. This is an easy way for me to change the flavor using what I have in my pantry.
Lower sugar option: When I want sugar free or lower sugar cookies, I use monk fruit or skip the sweetener completely. I also make sure my nut butter has no added sugar.
Nut free choice: For a nut free version, I use 1 half cup of tahini or sunflower butter instead of nut butter. Both work well and keep the texture soft and satisfying.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
I have to admit that I enjoy having these vegan breakfast cookies with my strawberry yogurt or my homemade vegan yogurt and a big breakfast fruit salad, especially in warmer weather when I sit on the patio with my kids and enjoy the sunshine.
I also love serving these grab and go breakfast cookies with a hot cup of coffee, or my biscoff latte on busy mornings. They also pair really well with my kale smoothie or a cold glass of almond milk when I want something quick, balanced, and easy to grab on the way out the door.
🧊 Storage Directions
Storing: I store cooled cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 5 days.
Freezing: I let the breakfast cookies cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight, freezer-safe container or a freezer bag. To help them keep even better, I like to wrap each cookie in plastic wrap before placing them in the container or bag. They can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to eat them, I either defrost the frozen cookies or warm them in the oven for a few minutes.
Reheating: I reheat these breakfast cookies in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds until just warmed through. If I want them a little crisp on the outside, I warm them in a toaster oven or regular oven at a low temperature for a few minutes instead.
❓Recipe FAQs
If my cookies turn out dry, it usually means I added too much flour or oats, or I baked them a bit too long. I reduce the flour or oats slightly and watch the baking time closely so they stay soft and chewy.
Crumbly cookies can happen when there isn’t enough binder. I make sure I measure the wet ingredients like nut butter and mashed banana accurately, and I add a splash more almond milk if the dough looks too dry before baking.
I line my baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and lightly grease it before baking so the cookies release easily once they’re done. Easy-peasy!

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🎥 Watch How to Make It
Vegan Breakfast Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseeds
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup oat flour
- ½ tbsp chia seeds
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup peanut butter or any nut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F / 180 C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Mix together the ground flaxseeds and water in a small bowl, set aside for 5 minutes to form a gel.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together the oats, oat flour, chia seeds, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flaxseed gel, maple syrup, peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Next, add the dried cranberries and wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.
- Mix until well incorporated. Place in the fridge for 10 minutes for the batter to firm up.
- Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out 2-3 tbsp of cookie mixture and shape into a ball and place on prepared tray. Repeat with remaining mixture.
- Lightly flatten the tops of each cookie.
- Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove and allow to cool on the baking tray before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 5 days.
Notes
- The cookie mixture will be a little sticky, so using your own hands to roll it into balls will be challenging. I recommend using a small ice cream scoop or spoon. Lightly wetting the spoon or scoop with water will help prevent the mixture from sticking to it.
- Using damp hands, gently press the tops of the cookies to slightly flatten them.
- A ripe banana, mashed, can be used instead of the flaxseed if preferred.
- Vegan chocolate chips can be used instead of dried cranberries.
- Use gluten-free oats and oat flour to make these cookies gluten-free.
- Placing the mixture in the fridge allows the dry ingredients to absorb the wet and for the mixture to become firmer.
- Any nut butter can be used such as almond, cashew or peanut butter or even tahini if you’re wanting a nut-free cookie.
- Try adding pumpkin seeds, slivered almonds, currants, sultanas, walnuts or even dried apricots instead of the dried cranberries, to change up the flavor of these cookies.
- These cookies won’t rise or spread much.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 5 days.
- Cookies can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.






These are so tasty and perfect for breakfast on the go. Definitely making these again.
They really are!! So happy you enjoyed them!
Enjoyed these for breakfast this morning and started my day off right! Easy, quick and delicious; the perfect pairing with my morning cup of coffee, indeed!
Yay!! I’m so glad you loved these cookies Sara!