I made these apple oatmeal raisin cookies as a healthy apple snack for my daughter’s school lunchbox. I love adding fresh apple chunks and raisins for extra texture and natural sweetness in these nut-free oatmeal cookies.
I used to always pack nuts in my daughter’s preschool lunch box, but now that she is in kindergarten and in the regular school system, her lunches have to be nut-free. I wanted to make a healthy snack with healthy fats and fiber instead of relying on store-bought granola bars that are loaded with sugar.
These apple oatmeal raisin cookies are refined sugar-free and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, while cinnamon, raisins, and fresh apples add even more natural sweetness. I also added ground chia seeds for extra fiber and beneficial plant-based omega-3 fats.
I used gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free oats to make these gluten-free oatmeal raisin cookies and kept them completely nut-free—just not seed-free. :) I store them in a glass container in the fridge and will definitely be making a double batch next time because they went so quickly. Not gonna lie, I had some too, but when the whole family likes them, they go fast!
Apple Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Ingredients
Oats: These give the cookies their classic oatmeal texture, add fiber, and make them more filling. Be sure to use gluten free oats if you want these cookies to be gluten free.
Apple: Fresh apple chunks add moisture, texture, and natural sweetness. I used a Fuji apple because it is naturally sweet and holds up well in baking.
Raisins: Add little pockets of chewy sweetness that pair perfectly with the apple and cinnamon.
Ground chia seeds: One of my favorite additions for boosting the fiber and adding plant-based omega-3 fats.
Gluten-free all-purpose flour: Gives the cookies structure while keeping the recipe gluten-free.
Maple syrup: Naturally sweetens these maple oatmeal raisin cookies without refined white or brown sugar.
Cinnamon and vanilla: Add warmth and sweetness that complement the apples, raisins, and maple syrup.
Butter: I keep the butter to just one tablespoon because I personally like to keep my saturated fat intake lower, but I still love that slightly buttery richness and texture that a little real fat gives a cookie. Butter also helps make the cookies tender and gives them a more satisfying mouthfeel.
Egg: Helps bind everything together and gives the cookies structure.
Baking powder and salt: Baking powder helps the cookies rise a little, while a little salt balances the sweetness.
Apple Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Recipe
- 2 tablespoons ground chia seeds
- 1 cup dry oats
- ¾ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 dash salt
- 1 tablespoon salted butter, melted
- 1 medium egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 medium Fuji apple, chopped into small pieces
- ⅓ cup raisins
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the oats, gluten-free flour, ground chia seeds, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, vanilla, and maple syrup.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
- Fold in the chopped apple and raisins until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
- Scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet and gently shape and flatten each cookie.
- Bake for 15 minutes at 350°F.
- Allow the apple oatmeal raisin cookies to cool before transferring them to a glass container for storage.
Nutrition Info And Macros For 1/15 The Full Recipe (Approx 1 Cookie)
- Calories: 97
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 2g
- Fat: 2g
Top 5 Vitamins and Minerals
- Manganese – co factor for the SOD enzyme to help reduce oxidative stress.
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) – co-factor for the MTHFR gene.
- Magnesium – One of the most common nutritional deficiencies and beneficial for blood sugar.
- Selenium
- Copper
Healthy Apple Oatmeal Cookies for an Easy Snack
These apple oatmeal raisin cookies are such an easy way to turn fresh apples into a healthier homemade treat. The apples, raisins, maple syrup, and cinnamon give them plenty of natural sweetness, while the oats and chia seeds add fiber and make them more satisfying than a basic sweet snack. Plus there are many health benefits from both oats and chia seeds!
They have quickly become one of my go-to nut-free snacks for my daughter’s lunch box—and since the rest of us keep eating them too, I’ll definitely be doubling the recipe next time. If you love cooking with apples, check out my apple recipes roundup for more delicious ways to use fresh apples.
Apple Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Equipment
- 1 pot
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 baking tray & parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup dry oats
- ¾ cup gluten free flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 dash salt
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 red apple peeled and chopped into small peices
- ⅓ cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the oats, gluten-free flour, ground chia seeds, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, egg, vanilla, and maple syrup.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
- Fold in the chopped apple and raisins until evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
- Scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet and gently shape and flatten each cookie.
- Bake for 15 minutes at 350°F.
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