Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.

When it comes to cookies that are delicious and healthy, these healthy oatmeal raisin cookies are the gold standard. They are soft, chewy, and naturally sweetened. I use simple ingredients that pack impressive health benefits, like dates, nut butter, oats, and chia seeds. They are perfect for quick breakfasts, healthy snacks, or even as a dessert. 

These healthy oatmeal raisin cookies deliver that iconic flavor without relying on refined sugar and other overly processed ingredients. If you love the classic flavor of these cookies, I recommend making my vegan baked oatmeal with fresh berries for your next nutritious breakfast. My oatmeal cookies may have a longer baking time, but they are definitely worth the wait. 

I first started making these healthy oatmeal raisin cookies when I looked at the ingredients in mass-produced versions. Since their first creation in the early 1900s, oatmeal cookies have been considered a health food due to their high fiber and vitamin content. As our knowledge of nutrition evolved, so did the recipe. But somewhere along the way, they lost their supreme health status. If I am in the mood for the oatmeal flavor but with a more indulgent flair, I make my vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Balance is key in life, so I recommend making both kinds of oatmeal cookies. Ha! 

Latest Recipe Video!

🥘 Ingredients

These healthy oatmeal raisin cookies are made with wholesome ingredients that provide their signature flavor, texture, and nutritional benefits. This is what I use: 

Dry Ingredients

Oats: I use rolled oats blended into a flour to create a soft and chewy texture while keeping this recipe gluten-free.

Coconut: Unsweetened coconut adds a natural sweetness and subtle chewy texture.

Dried fruit: I use soaked dates and currents or sweet raisins to sweeten the cookies instead of refined sugar.

Chia seeds: Chia seeds provide a little bit of plant-based protein and fiber while also acting as a binding agent in the mixture.

Cinnamon: This gives my cookies that warm classic oatmeal cookie flavor.

Wet Ingredients

Almond butter: Almond butter adds richness, healthy fats, and helps hold everything together. 

Applesauce: I use unsweetened apple sauce to add moisture and keep the cookies soft without relying on butter. Store-bought apple sauce works, but I prefer using my own homemade Instant Pot applesauce with cinnamon. 

Vanilla: This rounds out all the flavors in the cookies and enhances the natural sweetness.

Coconut oil: I use this as a plant-based fat to help create a soft, slightly crispy texture. 

🔪 How To Make

The textures and flavors of these healthy oatmeal raisin cookies may seem complex, but this recipe is surprisingly easy. This is the process I follow when I make them:

Soak dates and grind oats: I start by soaking my dates in a medium bowl with water. Then I grind the oats and coconut into a fine powder using a blender or food processor. Next, I combine all my dry ingredients in a large bowl and set them aside.

Combine wet ingredients: I add my applesauce, soaked dates and their water, almond butter, vanilla, and coconut oil to a food processor and blend until smooth.

Mix wet and dry ingredients: Then I add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix by hand until fully combined.

Form cookies: Once my batter is combined, I use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to place batter onto my prepared baking sheet. I spread the batter out into a rustic but round shape. Repeat with any leftover mixture. 

Bake cookies: I bake my cookies in a preheated 200F oven for 1 1/2  – 2 hours. The cookies will appear slightly browned and crisp on the outside when they are done. I let them cool on a wire rack before serving. 

📖 Variations

Below are 3 of the variations I have tried with these healthy oatmeal raisin cookies. Each one tried, tested, and loved: 

Nut butter swap: I have made these cookies using peanut butter, cashew butter, and macadamia nut butter. It is important to use only pure nut butters, and to make sure you stir them well before using. Be sure to check out my nut butter buying guide. 

Nutty additions: For added texture, I like adding 1/3 cup of finely chopped walnuts into the dry ingredients. The last time I did this, I replaced my raisins with dried, soaked cranberries, and the combination was superb! 

Chocolate chip version: Since this recipe cooks at a low heat for a long time, I like using high-quality dairy-free chocolate chips as they retain their shape and texture best. Make sure your chunks or chips are at least 60%-70% cacao. I made this version when my kids were younger, to distract them from the raisins. 

🍽 Serving Suggestions

These healthy oatmeal raisin cookies are great for a quick, nutritious breakfast, an on-the-go snack, or even as dessert. Historically, cookies have always paired well with a cold glass of milk, but I recommend serving them with drinks that enhance the flavors, like a warm mug of my rich and creamy oat milk hot chocolate. This is great for a pre-bedtime treat in the winter. Or you could have it with a healthy protein coffee smoothie on busy work mornings, making sure you start the day with a delicious kick.

The last time my kids were home from school on vacation, they were searching through the pantry for something sweet to snack on while they watched a movie. Unfortunately, I was not as organized as I had planned to be and had to get creative with whatever there was. Luckily, I had a trusty batch of oatmeal cookies, which I used to sandwich a few spoonfuls of my tofu ice cream, before drizzling with healthy vegan chocolate sauce. It was impressively well-balanced, and I did not even mind that they were not that hungry at dinner time. 

🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating

Refrigeration: These can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days in an air-tight container. 

Freezing: I transfer the oatmeal cookies into an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for up to six months. I allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheating: To reheat, I place the oatmeal cookies in the microwave for a few seconds until warmed through, but they can also be enjoyed at room temperature. 

❓Recipe FAQs