These Healthy No-Bake Cookies are nutritious and delish bites made with just 5 ingredients including dried fruit and granola. Plus: You can make them ahead and serve them even when you’re short on time during the busy holiday season!
Healthy No-Bake Cookies
We love making and sharing holiday cookies with the kids, but for the sake of balance (and avoiding too much of a good thing), we try to incorporate a few lower sugar options into the mix. You can make a batch of these healthy cookie bites in just 10 minutes and feel great about serving up a treat that packs in some fiber and produce.
They are perfect for younger toddlers who might not be ready for straight up holiday cookies quite yet. The first time I first made these, I couldn’t believe how much they tasted like a recipe that my grandmother used to make. But since the added sweetener is minimal, they are much less sweet. Even so, they do taste like a treat and the subtle crunch from the granola gives them a nice texture.
Ingredients in Healthy No-Bake Cookies
These healthy toddler cookie bites are super straight forward as far as the ingredients go and they don’t require baking. You need:
- granola
- dried apricots
- coconut oil
- honey
- shredded unsweetened coconut
TIP: The kids can help make them and, since they are egg-free, it’s okay if they eat the batter!
What kind of granola is best to use in these no-bake cookies?
We often start with our Nut-Free Granola Sprinkles, our Applesauce Granola, or the Purely Elizabeth brand. It works best with a granola that doesn’t have giant chunks or big nuts, but otherwise, it’s pretty versatile. And if you choose a nut- and/or gluten-free granola, you can adjust them for food allergies.
How to Make Healthy No-Bake Cookies Step-by-Step
Here’s a look at the process involved in making these healthy no-bake cookies.
- Place the granola into a blender or food processor.
- Blend until well chopped.
- Add the dried fruit, oil, and sweetener, and blend.
- Roll out little balls and roll into coconut.
TIP: Stack them into little snowmen with pretzel arms if you want to get extra festive for the holiday season!
Can I use another dried fruit besides apricots?
Yes! You can customize the flavors to suit your toddlers, using whichever type of dried fruit they (or you!) like best including apricots, cherries, cranberries, raisins, or prunes.
Healthy No-Bake Cookies
These healthy toddler cookie bites have some complex carbohydrates from the granola and vitamins from the fruit. They also contain fats which are vital for a toddler’s development and fiber to help keep things moving (which is always helpful!). They have a soft texture that’s ideal for toddlers too. Using just a few healthier ingredients results in a better-for-you treat that is fun to share during the holidays.
How long can I store these cookies?
You can store these balls in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge. They hold up well!
I’d love to hear your feedback if you try this recipe, so please comment below to share.
Healthy No-Bake Cookies with Oatmeal and Apricots
Prep Time: 15
Total Time: 15
Yield: about 18 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Description
Ingredients
- 1 cup granola
- 1 1/2 cups dried fruit like apricots (snipped), dried cherries, or raisins
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Place the granola into a blender or food processor. Blend until well chopped.
- Add the dried fruit, oil, and sweetener, and blend, stopping frequently to scrape down the sides of the bowl, or if you have a Vitamix, use the stick to help things move around. Blend until starting to clump together and are finely chopped.
- Place the coconut into a bowl and portion out 1-tablespoon balls. Roll in your hand, then roll in the coconut. Place on a plate and repeat to finish the batch.
- Chill in the fridge to firm up. Serve.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
ohh looks and sounds delicious oatmeal bites !