Craving cookies but want to keep things clean and simple? These Healthy Cookies – No Sugar, No Flour! are your answer. Made with wholesome ingredients, skip the refined flour and added sugar, yet still deliver the sweet, satisfying cookie experience. Whether you’re after a snack for yourself or something kid-friendly and nourishing, this recipe brings the comfort with a healthy twist.
What Is Healthy Cookies – No Sugar, No Flour! / Why It’s Special
These cookies avoid typical dessert ingredients no all-purpose flour, no white sugar and instead rely on natural sweetness (bananas, applesauce, or other fruit base) and hearty oats or nut-based elements. What makes them special is that they feel like a treat but without the heavy refine d sugar or gluten-heavy flour. They’re ideal for snack time, lunch boxes or just when you want a dessert that aligns more with wholesome eating.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup almond milk (or choice of milk)
- ¼ cup raisins or chopped nuts (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
Optional Add-Ins:
- ½ cup dark chocolate chunks (sugar-free if desired)
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons almond butter or peanut butter (for extra richness)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Stir in the applesauce, almond milk and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
Add the rolled oats, cinnamon and salt into the banana mixture. Stir gently until oats are well coated and you have a thick cookie-dough like batter. If desired, fold in the raisins or chopped nuts.
Step 4: Scoop & Shape
Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. For a more cookie shape, gently flatten each mound with the back of a spoon.
Step 5: Bake Until Set
Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies feel mostly set with a slight jiggle in the centre. Remove from oven and allow to cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Tips / Variations / Why You’ll Love It
- Tip: Use very ripe bananas (with brown spots) for maximum natural sweetness and easier mashing.
- Tip: If your mixture feels too loose, add another ¼ cup of oats to firm it up before baking.
- Variation: For a nut-free version, omit nuts and use sunflower seed butter instead of almond milk or butter.
- Variation: Swap raisins for sugar-free chocolate chunks or dried cranberries for a different flavour profile.
- Why You’ll Love It: These cookies offer the texture of classic cookies (oats create chewiness) but with a thoughtful ingredient list enjoy a treat that fits snack time, breakfast or dessert all in one.
FAQs
Q1. Can I use gluten-free oats or a nut flour instead of oats?
Yes. Using certified gluten-free rolled oats makes the cookies gluten-free. If you prefer nut flour (e.g., almond flour) instead of oats, you may need to adjust the binding and moisture slightly.
Q2. Can I freeze the cookie dough or baked cookies?
Absolutely. After baking and cooling, store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To bake from frozen, allow thawing slightly and warm in the oven for a few minutes.
Q3. Are these cookies completely sugar-free?
They contain no refined sugar, but natural sugars from bananas and applesauce are present. If you need strictly zero sugar, consider using sugar-free fruit purée or omit raisins/chocolate.
Q4. How should I store the cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze as noted above.
Conclusion
These Healthy Cookies No Sugar, No Flour! let you indulge without guilt. With simple ingredients like bananas, oats and applesauce, you get sweet, chewy cookies that satisfy without the heaviness of traditional dessert. Bake a batch, enjoy the aroma and treat yourself to something good.
✨ Try it this week and tag @EatTreatsRecipes on Pinterest or Instagram because comfort should always be this delicious!