Healthy Applesauce Cookies

4.66 from 20 votes

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Healthy Applesauce Cookies are the perfect breakfast for a busy morning. They are delicious and so easy to make your kids can help with them in the kitchen. 

A dozen baked Healthy Applesauce Cookies on white parchment paper on a white enamelware baking sheet with a black rim.

These simple and wholesome cookies are made with whole grains and natural sweetener. Not only are they nutritious, but they are also perfect for enjoying as part of an easy breakfast on a busy morning or as a healthy treat in a lunch box.

While you’re in prep mode, make a batch of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Energy Balls, a few Fruit-on-the-Bottom Yogurt Cups, and these Snacks in a Jar so you have easy and healthy breakfasts and snacks all week. 

Two kids making Healthy Applesauce Cookies where one is mixing the dough and the other is pouring in the chocolate chips from a small white bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This recipe is easy to follow and perfect for beginner bakers and little helpers. 
  • Filled with whole grains, natural sweetener, and are dairy-free.
  • Fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen. 
  • Perfect addition to lunch boxes.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Applesauce, unsweetened
  • Coconut oil
  • Egg
  • Honey 
  • Oats, uncooked
  • Whole wheat flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Chocolate chips

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Healthy Applesauce Cookies

  • Step #1. Put all of the wet ingredients in a bowl and stir them together well. 
  • Step #2. Add the dry ingredients and mix until they are incorporated. 
  • Step #3. Fold in the chocolate chips. 
  • Step #4. Put the cookie dough in the fridge for 10 minutes. 
  • Step #5. Place rounded tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet. 
  • Step #6. Bake at 325 degrees for 11 to 13 minutes, remove from the oven and let the cookies cool 5 minutes before removing them from the cookie sheet. 

Recipe FAQs

Does the chilling time really matter in a recipe?

Yes. This step is very important. Don’t skip the chilling time because the whole grains in this recipe (oats and whole wheat flour) need some time to absorb the liquids before being baked.

What kind of rolled oats should I use in Applesauce Cookies? 

I use old-fashioned oats in these cookies but you could use quick-cooking oats as well (also called one-minute oats). They are rolled oats that have been cut up more. Avoid instant oats if you want to maintain the whole grains in this recipe. 

Can I make this cookie recipe gluten-free?

Yes. Using a one-to-one gluten-free flour blend is the best way to make them gluten free. Bob’s Red Mill and King Arthur Baking Company both have great blends. You might be able to replace the flour with oat flour but I haven’t tested it yet. 

How do I freeze Healthy Applesauce Cookies?

Let the cookies cool completely, put them in an airtight container, and store in the freezer for up to three months. You can take a few out and let them thaw on a plate on the counter as you want them. 

A dozen baked Healthy Applesauce Cookies on white parchment paper on a white enamelware baking sheet with a black rim.

Expert Tips

  • Use a cookie scoop to ensure evenly baked cookies.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container (once they are cooled) for three to five days or freeze for up to three months. 
  • Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat so they are easier to remove after baking. 
  • If you want these cookies to be gluten-free, make sure to check all the ingredients you are using are gluten-free, especially the rolled oats. 
A hand holding a Healthy Applesauce Cookie with a bite taken out of it.
Applesauce Cookies Recipe
4.66 from 20 votes

Healthy Applesauce Cookies

Healthy Applesauce Cookies are the perfect breakfast for a busy morning. They are delicious and so easy to make your kids can help with them in the kitchen. 
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 11 minutes
Total: 21 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 cup uncooked oats
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1-2 cups chocolate chips
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Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 325℉. In a large bowl, add the applesauce, coconut oil, egg, and honey, and mix to combine well.
  • Add the oats, whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir to combine well. Add the chocolate chips and stir to combine.
  • Refrigerate the dough for 10 minutes (this give the oats a little time to absorb some of the liquid).
  • Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to place a rounded tablespoon of dough on a parchment or baking mat lined cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 11-13 minutes, until the edges of the cookies are lightly browned and the center is set.
  • Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes.

Video

Notes

  • Don’t skip the chilling time, the whole grains in this recipe need some time to absorb the liquids before being baked.
  • If you have cinnamon chips, they are really good in this recipe.
  • I have tried this with gluten free flour and  it worked well with a 1-to-1 gluten free baking blend. Bob’s Red Mill and King Arthur Baking Company both have good blends. 
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature once they have cooled or freeze for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 24 cookies, Calories: 108kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Trans Fat: 0.001g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 75mg, Potassium: 65mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 15IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 0.4mg
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4.66 from 20 votes

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64 Comments

  1. Belinda says:

    When my daughter was in 3rd grade she loved to make blueberry muffins. Now that was a “messipe” for disaster if there ever was one! I’ll certainly try this healthy cookie recipe. Looks yummy as well as healthy. Thanks!

  2. deb c says:

    I make a mess anytime I am in the kitchen….but my favorite messipe is chocolate oatmeal peanut butter and mm energy balls……totally addicted! I love the old Palmolive commercials with Madge…she was special!

  3. Stephanie says:

    Those look great! If I have apple sauce, I’m going to go make some now ? I love your new blog layout too!

  4. Amy says:

    These look great! I love the pictures of your girls.

  5. Summer p says:

    I did know Freddy P was a foodie. He’s married to Sarah Michelle Geller and she created Food stirs. Pretty cool. And these cookies sound good. And that kid of yours sure is pretty! 🙂

  6. crystal says:

    Your new blog looks great, I’m headed back for an hour or so to explore! Great job!

  7. Erika C says:

    These look delicious! Can’t wait to try them with my kids!

  8. katie w says:

    These look super good! And oh my gosh, I love your new site so much! The dinner tool at the top is so fantastic!!! For some reason, your new posts weren’t showing up in my blog-reader (I use Feedly). I reentered your site in it, maybe it was having a glitch for some reason. Can’t wait to try these!

  9. DeDe says:

    Thanks Melissa! I SO need a healthy cookie in my life!

  10. Laney M says:

    Wow these look sooo good! I will definitely need to try them. This is my FAVORITE blog by the way 🙂