If you have some serious baking plans this weekend, consider swapping your sweets for some healthy cookie recipes. What you sacrifice in not-so-healthy ingredients you can still make up for in chocolatey, nutty goodness that the whole family will love. These health-ified cookies are all easy and tasty picks, from vegan to keto, to gluten-free and refined-sugar free. Bring them to your next potluck, give a batch as a gift, or just satisfy your sweet tooth *any* day of the week for a guilt-free fix.
What is the healthiest cookie to eat?
Cookies with less sugar or healthier ingredients like fresh fruit will naturally be healthier than sugary, chocolatey cookies, but there are hacks and swaps you can make to any cookie recipe to make it healthier. Keep reading to find out more.
Which cookies are best for weight loss?
Cookies with filling ingredients — like oatmeal and nuts — are best for weight loss. When you're fuller for longer, you might not have the same unhealthy food cravings!
Are oatmeal raisin cookies healthy?
Yes, oatmeal raisin cookies are healthy (thank goodness!). Because of the ingredients, this treat has at all – complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber.
Are oatmeal cookies healthier than chocolate chip?
Yes, oatmeal cookies are generally healthier than chocolate chip cookies. Oatmeal cookies tend to have more protein and fiber to fill you up quicker.
Make-Ahead Tropical Oatmeal Cookies
Wake up to paradise with these chewy yet crispy oatmeal cookies, studded with pineapple, mango, and white chocolate chips in every delicious bite. (via Brit + Co.)
Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
As self-appointed cookie aficionados, we have a few tricks up our sleeves here at B + C. This nutritious batch is sweetened with honey and made from oats, almond butter and – believe it or not – chickpeas. Bet you didn't think healthy cookie recipes could taste so good. (via Brit + Co.)
3-Ingredient Vegan + Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Rich and chewy cookies made simply with peanut butter, almond meal, and maple syrup mean everybody wins, no matter their dietary needs. (via Brit + Co.)
Cacao Raspberry Pistachio Cookies with Coconut Oil
These cookies use cassava flour, which is different than regular wheat flour, but still provides that same fluffiness that we love in a cookie. Plus the chocolate-raspberry-pistachio combo cannot be topped. (via Chef Bai)
Chocolate-Dipped Almond Butter Cookies
Dipping cookies into melted chocolate is a *special* kind of therapy. The only thing that's more fun? Eating them when they're done, especially when they're sweet and salty and have just six ingredients. (via Physical Kitchness)
Healthy Coconut Macaron Thumbprint Cookies
These delicious thumbprint cookies are made with shredded coconut, coconut cream, and maple syrup, and are ready to eat in just 30 minutes! (via The Endless Meal)
Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you’re trying to avoid dairy or grains, opt for healthy cookie recipes that are flourless like these chocolate chip cookies that are delicious and oh-so easy to make. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Coconut Snowball Cookies (No bake)
With shredded coconut, coconut milk, and a smidgen of your fave sweetener, these sugar-free, no-bake bites just seem too good to be true. (via The Big Man's World)
Vegan Shortbread Cookies
Made with almond flour and milk and vegan butter these shortbread cookies are delightful with *or* without the icing. Those rose petals though! (via Two Spoons)
Healthy Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies
These 5-ingredient, gluten-free cookies have an almond-butter base, but the addition of lots of chopped dark chocolate makes them taste less like almond cookies, and more like wonderfully nutty chocolate chip cookies. (via Kirbie's Cravings)
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
These baked bites are just the right treat to hit the sweet spot! They’re loaded with tons of nutritious ingredients that also come together to create that idyllic chewy, creamy, and lightly sweet cookie that *actually* satisfies. These are definitely worth adding to your list of healthy cookie recipes. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Paleo Sugar Cookies
This paleo recipe is perfect for healthier holiday dessert decorating. (via Olive You Whole)
Healthy Tagalong Girl Scout Cookies
If you've been missing Girl Scout cookie season, look no further than this better-for-you Tagalongs recipe! Each one is gluten-free, vegan, and has *zero* refined sugar. (via Rachel Mansfield)
Sweet Potato Cookies
The natural sweetness in these healthy cookies means no need for refined sugar. So, get to mashing up some sweet potatoes and throwing them in these guilt-free treats! (via Live Eat Learn)
Keto Tahini Cookies
These delightfully sweet cookies are made with tahini, eggs, nuts and sugar-free chocolate for the keto fan. (via Cilantro Parsley)
Vegan Gingerbread Cookie Bars
'Tis the season for gingerbreadeverything. These best-of-both-worlds bars are great for a healthy twist on a holiday cookie that works for every season! (via Salt & Lavender)
Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies with Granola
We're *all for* breakfast cookies, and these pack a healthier punch with just a bit of applesauce and honey for sweetness, plus granola, slivered almonds, and coconut for a crunchy-chewy texture that will wake you right up. (via Food Faith Fitness)
Healthy Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
If you need a sweet yet healthy snack, these coconut sugar-sweetened cookies, kicked up with molasses, promise to deliver – especially if you're still yearning for all things gingerbread. (via Simply Quinoa)
Vegan, Grain-Free + Date-Sweetened Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sweet dates are a magical ingredient, and it shows in these gloriously gooey chocolate chip cookies. If you're eating nut-free foods, you can even use homemade sunflower seed flour. How's that for a healthy cookie recipe? (via The First Mess)
Chewy Vegan Ginger Cookies
These cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with spices and warm molasses flavor. They're sprinkled with crunchy coconut sugar and made without butter, oil, and refined sugar.(via Munching With Mariyah)
Easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Banana Cookies
PB fans will love these cookies, made with both peanut butter and chopped peanuts. You could also add a variety of healthy goodies to these bites, like dried fruit or dairy-free chocolate chips! (via Food Faith Fitness)
Vegan + Gluten-Free Nutty Cookies
Holiday time or not, these dusted cookies are the ultimate healthy dessert due to the recipe omitting gluten and animal products. Trust us, they're *just* as yummy as your regular-schmegular cookie. (via Veggie Society)
Dark Chocolate + Olive Oil Cookies
Sweetened with honey and orange juice, these Greek-style Christmas cookies are nothing but delicious. (via Fancy Peasant)
Trail Mix Cookies
With this healthy cookie recipe, you can take trail mix on-the-go in an even easier way! Each bite is dotted generously in nuts and dried fruit for only the best textures to snack on. (via This Wife Cooks)
Tahini Cookies
Tahini isn't *just* for hummus, and these paleo-friendly almond cookies are here to prove it. They're sweetened with maple syrup (or honey), plus optional cacao powder for a chocolatey twist. (via Little Green Spoon)
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
These delicious 3-ingredient banana oatmeal cookies are vegan-friendly and gluten-free. Made with zero refined sugar, they're a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth so you won't feel bad about munching on a healthy cookie recipe. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Easy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These cookies are so delicious, so soft, and so chewy, you'll want to eat more than one as soon as they come out of the oven. The sweet flavor and rich fragrance makes this one nostalgic treat! (via Culinary Hill)
Vegan Apple Breakfast Cookies
Sometimes oatmeal gets real boring, so you have no choice but to spice up breakfast with these healthy breakfast cookies! They'll give you enough protein and fiber to tackle the day ahead – plus, they're good enough for a cheeky midnight snack! (via Rachel Mansfield)
PAIGE MAREE • low tox • wellness • recipes • lifestyle on Instagram: "Healthy Cookie recipe 🤎🍪 These cookies satisfy your cravings without loading your body with tones of sugar & additives. You could even eat them for breaky 😂 All you need is: 3 ripe bananas 1 cup of tahini (or any nut/seed butter) 1/3 cup of maple syrup 2 cups of rolled oats 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. I used @locolovechocolate's dark chocolate drops which are honestly the tastiest & cleanest ones l've seen. I also like to make these cookies with blueberries or raisins instead of choc chips.. just for something different. Method: Mash bananas in a mixing bowl, add tahini and maple, mix well. Then mix in the oats and then the choc chips. Scoop onto a lined baking tray and bake at 180 celsius fan forced for approx 20minutes. Enjoy 😘😘 #healthycookierecipe #wholefoodplantbased #healthyrecipes #vegan #plantbasedrecipes"
Banana + Tahini Cookies
BRE RUSH • Health + Fitness Journey on Instagram: "CRUMBL INSPIRED Pumpkin Banana Protein Cookie 🍁😍 I love a good Crumbl cookie - don’t get me wrong. In fact, I work them into my daily macros sometimes without a problem! It’s okay to work these foods into your day when you can! 🤗 BUT sometimes we like a lower calorie alternative that really satisfies that craving to help us hit our goals AND increase our protein a bit! Please promise me you’ll try this recipe, because oh my gosh is it amazing 🫶🏻 Ingredients: DRY: • 30g oat flour • 16g coconut flour • 30g protein powder (I used vanilla) • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • Dash of salt Mix these together 😊 WET: •122g pumpkin purée • 1 egg • 1 banana • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Powdered zero calorie sweetener of choice (I added a little bit until I reached desired sweetness) • Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice measured from the heart Beat the wet ingredients together and add dry ingredients to form dough. Form into four cookies on parchment paper and bake on 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes (make sure you watch the oven!) Macros for cookie only: 120 calories • 3g fat • 16g carbs • 9g protein For the icing, I mixed together 28g of reduced fat cream cheese, 3ml of half and half, some vanilla, and again used powdered sweetener to taste! I then topped with 3g of crushed walnuts on top! This adds a bit to the macros - just keep in mind 🤗 BUT you are still well under 200 calories and way less than a Crumbl cookie! Tag a friend who needs to try this recipe 😊 #crumblcookiedupe #healthycookie #proteincookie #proteincookies #pumpkinseason #proteincookiesthatareactuallygood #healthycookierecipe #pumpkindessert #lowcaloriecookie #macrofriendlycookie #macrocounting #macrofriendly #100poundsdown #100poundweightloss #100poundsgone #recipestotry"
Pumpkin Banana Protein Cookies
Earth Echo on Instagram: "Are they cookies or are they breakfast? 🤔 Give these Golden Oatmeal Almond Cookies a try and decide for yourself! 😘 ☀️Golden Oatmeal Almond Cookies☀️ Serves 12-15 INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup almond flour • 1 cup rolled oats • 2 tablespoons Golden Superfood Bliss (link in bio) • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla • 1 egg • 1/2 cup coconut sugar • 1/4 cup softened coconut oil • 2 tablespoons sliced almonds DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl until well-combined. 3. Drop by the rounded tablespoon onto the prepared baking sheet. Press gently to flatten a bit. 4. Bake for 9-15 minutes. 5. Allow cookies to cool before enjoying. Store leftovers in an air-tight container on the counter for 2-3 days. Golden Superfood Bliss is the perfect way to start your day in a calm, stress-free state of mind. 💛 Plus, when you spend $49 or more, you'll get Danette May's 30 Day Challenge for FREE to help you start 2022 off right. Learn more through the link in our bio. 😘"
Golden Oatmeal Almond Cookies
Mercedes | PT & Online Coach on Instagram: "~ i know you all love a #protein bake 🍪 if you dont have coconut sugar; simply swap it out for white/brown sugar (there’s no difference in the calorie content) coconut sugar is simply just less processed than your usual sugar, so it retains some of its natural vitamins, minerals & antioxidants! although; from the teeny amount you’re comsuming - you won’t notice a difference/reap any additional benefits.. something to just bare in mind 🙃 sugar is sugar at the end of the day 🤷🏼♀️ #liftyourselfwithmercedes"
Healthy PB&J Protein Cookies
RISE Athletics and Wellness on Instagram: "So you're living a healthy lifestyle and say you no longer crave cookies...riiiight 😏 Anyway, for all those times you're "not craving cookies," here is a great recipe that won't leave you overloaded with sugar. For the full recipe, go to: https://cookieandkate.com/maple-sweetened-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies/#tasty-recipes-23560-jump-target INGREDIENTS ⅔ cup natural peanut butter ⅔ cup real maple syrup, preferably grade B 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt 1 ¼ cups old-fashioned rolled oats, ground for 30 seconds in a food processor or blender 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats 2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips Let us know how it goes! #healthycookies #cookieandkate #healthycookierecipe #nutritiontips #healthyeating #nutrition #winklermb #winklergym #winklermbgym #pembinavalleygym #strengthtraining #belifestrong"
Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies with Oats + Maple Syrup
Yvonne O Sullivan on Instagram: "Method below 👇 1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, flour, sea salt & baking powder. 2. Melt the coconut oil. 3. Mix all the other wet ingredients together including eggs (whisked), vanilla extract and cooled coconut oil in a small bowl. 4. Add the wet ingredients into the large mixing bowl making a slightly wet mixture, add the chocolate pieces now and fold them in. If need add a little plant based milk. 5. Using an ice-cream scoop, place the cookie dough on a lined baking tray or silicone tray. With a wet dessert spoon gently press each cookie flat and bake for 10 minutes at 180 degrees. 6. Once cooled a little remove from the tray and place on a cooling rack and enjoy! #healthycookierecipe #nutrition #nutritionaltherapy #naturopathy #foodismedicine"
Healthy Almond Flour Cookies
P. easy_food on Instagram: "CHERRY-CHOCO OATMEAL COOKIES 🍪🍒 |healthy, sugar free, vegan| • I feel like I don’t have to give an explanation why I’m posting another cherry based recipe… we have a LOOT😅😨 but that’s good because it is a fruit that can be used in many ways, like this very healthy oatmeal cookie recipe • Ingredients: 100g very ripe banana 60g oat flour 60g rolled oats Pinch of salt 1 tsp cinnamon 30g oil (olive or coconut) Cherries and chocolate chips as preferred 1, mix the dry ingredients together: oats, flour, salt, cinnamon 2,mix the wet ingredients together: banana and oil, than add to dry ingredients and combine 3, fold in the chocolate and cherries and make little cookie shapes on a lined baking sheet 4, bake at 175 *C for 18-20 Enjoy 😉 @coconutbowls @veganbowls #coconutbowls #cocoambassador #veganbowls #healthyrecipes #healthycookies #healthycookierecipe #healthyvegan #vegancookies #cookie #veganrecipes #vegancookierecipe #sugarfree #sugarfreerecipes #sugarfreecookies #foodphotography #foodphotographer #foodphoto #foodphotographyandstyling #foodstagram #foodstylist #foodstyling #foodshot"
Cherry-Choco Oatmeal Cookies
Annerie's Healthy Kitchen on Instagram: "Sometimes you just have #sweetcravings and something that is both #healthy and #satisfying. Well, look no further, @freshwagon.ca has got you covered! For these #irrisistable #saltedcaramel #pecan #oat #chocolatechip #cookies with carrot, I simply started with the #cookiemix @goodumsfood and #pecans @jewelsunderthekilt, then put in a few "creative #healthynre" touches"... SWAPS -flax egg instead of a large egg -strong coffee instead of water -avocado oil instead of melted butter or coconut oil EXTRAS -puréed dates -finely chopped pecans in the cookie batter and whole pecans as garnish -#whitechocolate @enjoylifefoods drizzle -1/2 cup oats -1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract"
Salted Caramel Oat Cookies
Emmy Firestone, MS, RDN on Instagram: "FOUR INGREDIENT COOKIES! 🍪👏🏼There’s really nothing else to say 😂 except you need to bake these! 👩🏻🍳 • For 12 cookies: 2 cups almond flour 1/4 cup coconut sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 2 tbsp water ✨1/4 cup dark chocolate @lilys_sweets Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350F. 2. Combine all the ingredients, except the chocolate. Mix well. You can add the chocolate chips inside, or save them to melt on top. 3. Scoop 1-2 tbsp balls of batter onto a baking sheet. 4. Bake for 20-25 minutes. 5. Melt chocolate and top the cookies. If melting in microwave, do 20 second increments and mix as you go."
Chocolate-Dipped Healthy Cookies
For more healthy cookie recipes, follow us on Pinterestand check out our online baking classes!
Additional reporting by Sara Cagle and Meredith Holser.
Header image via The First Mess
This post has been updated, with previous reporting by Sara Cagle and Dana Sandonato
