Wholesome Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies: Quick, Easy, and Delicious!

Are you tired of the same old breakfast routine? Looking for a convenient, nutritious, and utterly delicious way to start your day? Look no further than these amazing oatmeal breakfast cookies! Packed with wholesome ingredients and incredibly easy to make, these cookies are a game-changer for busy mornings, grab-and-go snacks, or even a healthy dessert. Forget sugary cereals and processed bars; these oatmeal breakfast cookies are the perfect way to fuel your body and satisfy your sweet cravings, guilt-free.

This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your liking with your favorite add-ins, making it a perfect option for catering to different dietary needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a vegan, gluten-free, or simply a healthier alternative to traditional cookies, these oatmeal breakfast cookies are a winner. Get ready to bake up a batch of these delightful treats that will quickly become a staple in your kitchen!

## Why Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why oatmeal breakfast cookies are such a great choice:

* **Nutritious and Filling:** Oatmeal is a fantastic source of fiber, which helps keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer. It also provides essential vitamins and minerals, making it a much healthier option compared to processed breakfast foods.
* **Quick and Easy:** This recipe requires minimal effort and time. You can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy mornings or when you need a quick snack.
* **Customizable:** The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. You can add your favorite fruits, nuts, seeds, chocolate chips, or spices to create your own unique flavor combinations.
* **Portable:** These cookies are perfect for on-the-go snacking. Pack them in your lunchbox, take them to work, or enjoy them as a post-workout treat.
* **Kid-Friendly:** Even the pickiest eaters will love these cookies. They’re a fun and delicious way to sneak in some healthy ingredients into your child’s diet.

## Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to create these delicious oatmeal breakfast cookies. Don’t worry, most of these are pantry staples!

* **Oats:** 3 cups of rolled oats (old-fashioned oats). *Note: Quick oats will work in a pinch, but rolled oats provide a better texture.* Consider gluten-free certified oats if you have a gluten intolerance.
* **Flour:** 1 cup of all-purpose flour. *Note: For a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.*
* **Brown Sugar:** ½ cup packed brown sugar. *Note: Light or dark brown sugar can be used depending on your preference. Dark brown sugar will provide a richer, molasses-like flavor.* You can also use coconut sugar or maple syrup (see recipe adjustments below).
* **Baking Soda:** 1 teaspoon. Baking soda helps the cookies rise and provides a light and airy texture.
* **Baking Powder:** ½ teaspoon. Baking powder works in conjunction with baking soda to give the cookies a nice lift.
* **Salt:** ¼ teaspoon. Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **Cinnamon:** 1 teaspoon. Cinnamon adds warmth and a touch of spice to the cookies.
* **Eggs:** 2 large eggs. *Note: For a vegan option, use flax eggs (2 tablespoons flaxseed meal mixed with 6 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes to thicken).* I also sometimes use applesauce to replace eggs (1/4 cup applesauce per egg).
* **Butter:** ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened. *Note: For a vegan option, use coconut oil or vegan butter.*
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon. Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
* **Add-Ins (Optional):** Up to 1 cup of your favorite add-ins, such as chocolate chips, dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, chopped dates), nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds), seeds (sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds), or shredded coconut.

## Equipment Needed:

* Large mixing bowl
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Baking sheet
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
* Ice cream scoop or spoon (for portioning the dough)
* Wire rack (for cooling the cookies)

## Step-by-Step Instructions:

Now, let’s get baking! Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of delicious oatmeal breakfast cookies.

**Step 1: Preheat and Prepare**

* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
* Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup easier.

**Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients**

* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Make sure everything is well combined.

**Step 3: Cream Butter and Eggs**

* In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this step. If you don’t have a mixer, you can use a fork, but it will take a little more effort.
* Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

**Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**

* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.

**Step 5: Add Your Favorite Mix-Ins**

* Fold in your favorite add-ins, such as chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, or seeds. Distribute them evenly throughout the dough.

**Step 6: Scoop and Bake**

* Use an ice cream scoop or a spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. The size of your cookies is up to you!
* Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times may vary depending on your oven.

**Step 7: Cool and Enjoy**

* Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This will prevent them from sticking to the baking sheet.

## Recipe Variations and Customization:

The best part about these oatmeal breakfast cookies is that you can easily customize them to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

* **Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies:** Add ½ cup of chocolate chips (milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or semi-sweet) to the dough.
* **Raisin Oatmeal Cookies:** Add ½ cup of raisins to the dough. For a more intense flavor, soak the raisins in warm water or rum for 30 minutes before adding them to the dough.
* **Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies:** Add ¼ cup of dried cranberries and ¼ cup of chopped walnuts to the dough.
* **Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies:** Add ¼ cup of peanut butter to the wet ingredients and reduce the butter to ¼ cup.
* **Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies:** Add ½ cup of finely chopped apple and ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg to the dough.
* **Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies:** Mash one ripe banana and add it to the wet ingredients. Reduce the butter to ¼ cup and add ½ cup of chopped nuts to the dough.
* **Vegan Oatmeal Cookies:** Replace the eggs with flax eggs (2 tablespoons flaxseed meal mixed with 6 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes to thicken) and use coconut oil or vegan butter instead of regular butter.
* **Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies:** Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free.
* **Lower Sugar Oatmeal Cookies:** Reduce the brown sugar to ¼ cup or substitute it with a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
* **Maple Syrup Sweetened Oatmeal Cookies:** Replace the brown sugar entirely with 1/4 cup of maple syrup. You may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of flour to adjust the dough consistency if it becomes too wet.

## Tips for Success:

* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Using room temperature butter and eggs will help them cream together more easily, resulting in a smoother dough.
* **Chill the Dough (Optional):** For chewier cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will also prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
* **Use a Cookie Scoop:** Using a cookie scoop will ensure that your cookies are uniform in size, which will help them bake evenly.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Bake until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set.
* **Store Properly:** Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

## Serving Suggestions:

These oatmeal breakfast cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your breakfast or snack:

* **With a Glass of Milk or Yogurt:** Enjoy them with a glass of cold milk or a dollop of creamy yogurt.
* **With Coffee or Tea:** Pair them with your favorite morning beverage for a satisfying start to the day.
* **As a Topping for Yogurt or Oatmeal:** Crumble them over yogurt or oatmeal for added flavor and texture.
* **With Fruit:** Serve them alongside a bowl of fresh fruit for a healthy and balanced breakfast.
* **As a Dessert:** Enjoy them as a guilt-free dessert after dinner.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate):

*Note: Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients and add-ins you use.*

* Calories: 150-200 per cookie
* Fat: 8-12 grams
* Carbohydrates: 20-25 grams
* Fiber: 2-4 grams
* Protein: 3-5 grams

## Final Thoughts

These oatmeal breakfast cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re a versatile and convenient way to fuel your body with wholesome ingredients. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent on the go, or simply looking for a healthier breakfast option, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of these delightful treats. Your taste buds (and your body) will thank you!

## Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies Recipe (Printable)

**Yields:** Approximately 18-24 cookies
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 10-12 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 3 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
* 1 cup all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
* ½ cup packed brown sugar (or coconut sugar/maple syrup)
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon baking powder
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 2 large eggs (or flax eggs/applesauce)
* ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil/vegan butter)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Up to 1 cup of your favorite add-ins (chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, etc.)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In a separate bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Fold in your favorite add-ins.
6. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set.
8. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your delicious and wholesome oatmeal breakfast cookies!