Description
Healthy Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies bring nostalgic flavors to your kitchen. These wholesome bites are packed with apples, oats, and spice for a guilt-free joy.
Ingredients
Scale
- Base Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- Flavor Boosters:
- 1 medium apple, finely chopped (about ¾ cup)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional Extras:
- ¼ cup raisins or dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Prep the Dry Mix:: First things first, grab a big bowl. Toss in your rolled oats, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and that tiny pinch of salt. Give it a good whisk, making sure everything is nicely combined. I always tell myself this is the easy part, but I’ve still managed to spill flour on the counter more times than I can count. It’s just part of the baking charm, right?
- Combine Wet Ingredients:: In another, slightly smaller bowl, pour in your unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and well-incorporated. This is where you really start to smell the deliciousness coming together. I always take a little sniff at this stage; it’s a preview of the goodness to come, honestly.
- Bring It All Together:: Now for the fun part! Pour your wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix here, or your Healthy Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies might turn out tough. This is where I usually get a little dough on my nose, but hey, that’s what being a home cook is all about!
- Fold in the Apples & Spices:: Next, add your finely chopped apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the cookie dough. Fold them in until they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture. I love seeing those little apple bits peeking out; it just promises flavor! This step really makes the dough smell heavenly, reminding me of cozy autumn evenings.
- Chill the Dough:: This is a step I used to skip, and trust me, it makes a huge difference! Cover the bowl and pop the dough into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the oats absorb moisture and prevents the cookies from spreading too much. My cookies used to be flat pancakes until I started doing this. Don’t be like past me!
- Bake Your Healthy Apple Pie Oatmeal Cookies:: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Once chilled, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared sheet, leaving a little space between each. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. They should smell absolutely incredible, like a whole apple pie just baked!