Introduction
These naturally sweet oatmeal cookies are made entirely without flour and without added sugar. The sweetness comes only from fruit: fresh apple, grated carrot, raisins, and apricots. The mixture forms a moist, wholesome dough that bakes into soft, nourishing cookies suitable for breakfast, snacks, and healthy desserts. This recipe is perfect for anyone who prefers clean ingredients and wants a nutritious treat that still feels comforting and satisfying.
Ingredients
2 cups (200 g) rolled oats, chopped in a blender
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (240 ml) milk of your choice
1 carrot, grated
1 medium apple, peeled and grated
9 dried apricots, rinsed with hot water and finely chopped
4 tablespoons raisins, rinsed with hot water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Chop the rolled oats in a blender until they become coarse oat flour, not completely fine.
- Place the ground oats in a large bowl and add the baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the grated carrot, grated apple, chopped apricots, and rinsed raisins. Stir to distribute the fruit evenly.
- Pour in the milk and add vanilla if using. Mix until the dough becomes thick and moist.
- Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes to allow the oats to absorb moisture and thicken further.
- Scoop spoonfuls of the dough onto the baking sheet and gently flatten each portion into a round cookie shape.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the tray before transferring them to a rack.
Methods
Using chopped oats creates body and structure in cookies without flour. Hydrating the fruits and letting the oats absorb milk gives the dough a cohesive texture. Baking at a moderate temperature ensures the moisture from the apple and carrot evaporates slowly, allowing the cookies to firm up without drying out.
History
Flourless oat cookies have origins in older kitchen traditions where oats were used as the main binder long before commercial flours were common. Adding fruit for natural sweetness is a method found in many cultures that relied on dried fruits as the only sweeteners available. This modern version continues that heritage, adapted for today’s health-focused kitchens.
Benefits
Naturally sweet without any added sugar
Fiber-rich due to oats, apple, carrot, and dried fruit
Suitable for breakfast, snacks, or lunchboxes
No flour, ideal for those who avoid refined carbs
Moist, soft texture that stays fresh for several days
Nutrient-dense with vitamins from fruit and vegetables
Formation
The dough forms a thick, soft mixture with visible fruit pieces. When baked, the cookies hold shape, remain tender, and develop a gentle golden colour. The texture is chewy in the center with a light crispness on the edges.
Conclusion
These oatmeal apple carrot cookies offer a wholesome alternative to traditional sweets. They rely on simple, natural ingredients that create flavor, aroma, and comfort without added sugar. Easy to prepare and versatile, they fit perfectly into a healthy lifestyle while still feeling like a treat.
Lovers
Ideal for healthy eaters, children, families, fitness enthusiasts, people avoiding sugar, and anyone needing a nutritious snack that supports energy throughout the day.
Nutrition (approx., per cookie depending on size)
Calories: 75 to 90
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 1.5 g
Fiber: 2 to 3 g
Natural sugars only from fruit
If you want, I can also give you a baked bar version, a muffin version, or a no-bake version.