Make a batch of these Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies—loaded with dried fruit, oats, chocolate, and coconut—to share with the family. They’re a perfect dessert or special snack that the kids and the adults in the family will dig into.

stack of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

We love to bake year-round, and while we definitely do more cooking and baking during the holiday season, these are always on our must-make list. These are my best version of a chocolate chip cookie that’s chock-full of add-ins for the best chewy texture—with a little less sweetness than most other recipes.

There is plenty of flavor from the fruit and chocolate. And they manage to be both chewy and crispy and whole grains to boot.

These healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of our favorite cookie recipes and comes together in one bowl. They make enough to share with friends and keep some for your own family, no matter the occasion.

TIP: The range of add-ins help the cookies have a really awesome texture, without the need to rely on sugar for chewiness. It’s such a great mix!

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Ingredients You Need

To make these cookies you’ll need some pantry staples including the following ingredients:

ingredients in oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
  • Butter: You’ll want to soften this at room temperature so it’s ready to be blended.
  • Sugar: I use granulated and brown sugar in combination for the best chewy texture here.
  • Baking soda: This helps the cookies spread and rise nicely.
  • Salt: A little salt ensures the cookies have an even flavor.
  • Egg: An egg helps the cookie batter bind together.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Flour: I use whole wheat flour here for a little extra flavor.
  • Oats: Rolled or “old-fashioned” oats work well. You can use quick oats, too, if that’s what you have.
  • Coconut: Shredded unsweetened coconut adds nice texture and flavor.
  • Dried fruit: I prefer dried cherries and cranberries, but there are a lot of options.
  • Chocolate chips: You can use semisweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips here. Or try chocolate chunks.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • If you aren’t a fan of coconut, you can use additional oats, dried fruit, or chocolate instead.
  • For the dried fruit you can use cherries, cranberries, raisins (regular or golden), cut-up dried apricots, or cut-up dried apples.
  • Use quick oats in place of the rolled oats if that’s what you have.
  • Use coconut sugar in place of the brown and granulated sugars if you prefer.
  • Dairy-free: Use a vegan butter in place of the regular.
  • Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 style of gluten-free baking mix for the whole wheat flour.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process involved in making these cookies. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full information.

how to make healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in grid of 4.
  1. In a large bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until it’s nice and fluffy.
  2. Add the dry ingredients including the sugars, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt, and beat until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  3. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  4. Add the remaining ingredients to the cookie dough. Stir together well.
healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough on cookie sheet.

From there, scoop out balls of cookie dough and place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paperPlace them about an inch apart so they have a little room to spread.

Flatten and bake. The baked texture on these is best if you press the balls flat before you bake them. It helps the cookies have crisp edges and a chewy middle.

baked healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on cookie tray.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these chocolate chip cookies ahead of time?

Yes, there are a few options:
You can make these cookies ahead of time and freeze them in a zip top freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature. Or, make them 3-5 days ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Or make the dough ahead and store it in a zip top bag for up to 5 days in the fridge. Let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking so it softens.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

I love using this King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten-free flour blend so that’s what I would suggest you use to make these cookies gluten-free.

Are oatmeal cookies healthy?

It depends on your definition of healthy. I use the term here to signify that these cookies have less added sugars and contain rolled oats and fruit. They are a great option if you love a classic chocolate chip cookie!

baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on tray

How to Store

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze cooled cookies in a freezer bag, with as much air removed as possible, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Best Tips for Success

  • You can make the dough ahead of time if you prefer. Store it in a storage bag, with as much air removed as possible, in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before rolling into balls so it softens.
  • Gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour blend instead of the all-purpose flour.
  • Use all chocolate chips or a mix of chocolate chips and dried fruit.
  • If you don’t love coconut, you can use additional dried fruit or chocolate chips.
  • Explore more of my healthy cookie recipes to share with the kids.

Related Recipes


I’d love to hear what your family thinks of this recipe if you try it, so please comment below!

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stack-of-healthy-loaded-chocolate-chip-cookies

Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

These classic Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies have lower sugar but all the flavor and texture you crave. Choose your add-ins based on the kinds your family enjoys most.
5 from 77 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 169kcal
Servings 15 (Makes about 30 cookies)

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds.
  • Add sugars, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt and beat until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Beat in egg and vanilla to combine.
  • Beat in flour.
  • Stir in oats, coconut, chocolate chips, and dried fruit.
  • Scoop out teaspoon-size balls and place onto a baking sheet 2 inches apart. Press down slightly.
  • Bake about 10 minutes or just until edges are set. Cool on pan for 1 minute, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Notes

  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze cooled cookies in a freezer bag, with as much air removed as possible, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
  • You can make the dough ahead of time if you prefer. Store it in a storage bag, with as much air removed as possible, in the fridge for up to about 5 days. Let sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before rolling into balls so it softens.
  • Use 1 tablespoon per cookie to make them a little larger.
  • Gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour blend instead of the all-purpose flour.
  • Use all chocolate chips or a mix of chocolate chips and dried fruit.
  • If you don’t love coconut, you can use additional dried fruit or chocolate chips.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cookies, Calories: 169kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 70mg, Potassium: 105mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 112IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 32mg, Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

This post was first published December 2018.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Overall, very good texture and flavor combo! I like the coconut addition and added a little almond extract to my batter for an Almond Joy vibe.

    My only issue with this recipe is its wayyyy too sweet for our taste! I’ll probably halve the sugars next time. (For context, we are a dark chocolate and unsweetened coffee/matcha kind of family.)

  2. 5 stars
    These Are SO TASTY . I make them for myself. I’m not usually a coconut person but the ones in these oatmeal taste so good. I would say this recipe would be a little harder to do together w a young one just cus it involves a machine n my little one is impatient.

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