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Finding the perfect cookie recipe that satisfies both your sweet tooth and your desire for wholesome ingredients can feel like an endless search. Between juggling work deadlines and family commitments, we often reach for store-bought options that leave us wanting something more homemade and heartfelt.
That’s why these applesauce oatmeal cookies have become a staple in my kitchen – they’re wonderfully chewy, naturally sweetened with applesauce, and so easy to make that you can whip up a batch even on busy weeknights. Plus, they’re the kind of treat you can feel good about packing in lunch boxes or enjoying with your afternoon coffee.
Why You’ll Love These Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
- 4-ingredient simplicity – With just oats, applesauce, peanut butter, and cinnamon, you can whip these up even when your pantry is nearly empty.
- Quick preparation – These cookies come together in less than 30 minutes, perfect for when you need a sweet treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Healthier option – Made without refined sugar or butter, these cookies use natural sweetness from applesauce and protein-rich peanut butter for a more nutritious treat.
- Allergy-friendly potential – You can easily make these cookies gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats, and swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter to make them nut-free.
What Kind of Applesauce Should I Use?
While the recipe calls for sweetened applesauce, you actually have quite a bit of flexibility here. Regular store-bought sweetened applesauce works perfectly fine, but you could also use unsweetened applesauce if you prefer to control the sugar content.
Homemade applesauce can work great too – just make sure it’s smooth and not too chunky for the best cookie texture. If you’re using store-bought, check that it doesn’t have excess liquid on top (give it a quick stir if it does) since this could affect how well your cookies hold together.
For the best results, stick with plain or cinnamon-flavored applesauce rather than other fruit blends.
Options for Substitutions
These simple cookies are pretty adaptable! Here’s what you can swap if needed:
- Old-fashioned oats: While old-fashioned oats give the best texture, you can use quick oats in a pinch. Just avoid instant oats as they’ll make your cookies too mushy. Steel-cut oats won’t work here as they’re too hard and won’t soften enough.
- Sweetened applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce works fine – your cookies will just be a bit less sweet. You can also use mashed banana or pumpkin puree, though this will change the flavor profile. If using banana, reduce the amount to 3/4 cup as it’s thicker than applesauce.
- Peanut butter: Any nut butter works great here – try almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter for allergies. Just make sure to use the same amount and pick one that’s well-stirred and not too runny.
- Cinnamon: Feel free to skip it or try other warm spices like nutmeg or apple pie spice. Start with the same amount and adjust to taste.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking
The biggest challenge with applesauce oatmeal cookies is getting the right texture, as too much moisture from the applesauce can make them fall apart – stick to the exact measurements and avoid the temptation to add extra applesauce, even if the mixture seems dry at first.
Temperature matters more than you might think, so make sure your applesauce is at room temperature before mixing, as cold ingredients can affect how well the cookies hold together.
When dropping the cookie dough onto your baking sheet, resist the urge to flatten them too much, as they’ll spread naturally during baking, and remember to let them cool completely on the baking sheet for at least 15 minutes – they’re quite delicate when warm and will firm up as they cool.
For the best texture, use old-fashioned oats rather than quick oats, as the larger flakes provide better structure and a more satisfying chew to your finished cookies.
What to Serve With Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies?
These hearty oatmeal cookies are perfect for pairing with your favorite hot or cold drinks!
A cold glass of milk is the classic choice, but they’re also really nice with a warm cup of coffee or tea, especially on chilly days. If you want to make these cookies extra special for dessert, try serving them slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top or sandwiched between two cookies.
For a quick breakfast or afternoon snack, I like to pair them with some fresh apple slices or a small bowl of yogurt to keep things balanced.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These applesauce oatmeal cookies stay good at room temperature for about 2 days when kept in an airtight container. Because they’re made with applesauce, they tend to be quite moist, so I like to place a paper towel in the bottom of the container to absorb any extra moisture.
Refrigerate: For longer storage, pop these cookies in the fridge in a sealed container – they’ll stay fresh for up to a week. Just remember to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
Freeze: These cookies are perfect for freezing! Place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-12 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1800-2000
- Protein: 40-50 g
- Fat: 90-100 g
- Carbohydrates: 200-220 g
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup sweetened applesauce
- 1 cup peanut butter (or alternative nut or seed spread)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Step 1: Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Lightly grease a baking sheet to prevent sticking, and set it aside for later use.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweetened applesauce, oats, peanut butter, and cinnamon.
Stir the mixture well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and you have a cohesive dough.
Step 3: Shape and Arrange the Cookies
Using your hands, form the dough into 12 equal-sized balls.
Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet.
Press each ball down gently to flatten into a cookie shape.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are firm around the edges.
Keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet or transfer them to a wire rack.
Once cooled, they are ready to enjoy.
Serve these delightful, easy-to-make cookies as a snack or dessert!