Apple Cookies (Soft-Baked And Naturally Sweetened)
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These soft-baked apple cookies are the perfect, cozy, and whole-food treat for fall. They are soft, with just a hint of cinnamon, and made with oat flour and almond flour. You’ll bite into a cookie filled with delicious apple pieces, and no refined sugar. They are the perfect afternoon snack or a healthy fall dessert.
Soft, cinnamon-spiced apple cookies made with oat and almond flour, and sweetened naturally with honey. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and perfect for a cozy fall snack or healthy dessert.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cookies
- Soft, chewy, and warmly spiced
- Naturally sweet with no refined sugar
- Gluten-free & dairy-free
- Great for snacks, lunchboxes, or breakfast cookies
Every fall, when apples are at their sweetest and the air starts to cool, I crave simple, homemade snacks that make the house smell amazing. These apple cookies are just that kind of recipe. A cozy, wholesome treat that’s easy to make and feels like a warm hug. They’re sweet enough for dessert, but wholesome enough for breakfast.
How To Serve Apple Cookies
- Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Crumble one over cottage cheese for a fall-inspired breakfast.
- Pack them in school lunches. They travel well and stay soft.
- Serve as a dessert with a cup of warm apple cider.
What You’ll Need To Make These Healthy Apple Cookies
- An egg
- Unsweetened almond milk – You can also use oat milk or regular dairy milk.
- Honey – Any type you have on hand.
- Diced apples – I used Pink Lady apples for their sweetness, but Honeycrisp or Fuji will work as well. If you use a Granny Smith, you may want to add an extra tbsp. of sweetener.
- Almond flour – This is not the same as almond meal. You want almond flour here.
- Oat flour – If you are gluten-free, make sure to purchase oat flour labeled as such.
- Ground flaxseed – I grind my own, but you can purchase them already ground.
- Baking powder – If you are gluten-free, make sure to purchase this labeled as gluten-free.
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Salt
How To Make Apple Cookies (Step-By-Step Instructions)
Step 1 – Preheat
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2 – Mix Wet Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk egg, milk (or water), and sweetener.
Step 3 – Add Dry Ingredients
Stir in almond flour, oat flour, flax, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix into a thick batter.
Step 4 – Add The Apples
Fold in the diced apple.
Step 5 – Scoop
Place six equal spoonfuls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 6 – Bake & Cool
Bake for 20 minutes. Cool completely before serving.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Don’t over-mix the dough. Stop the moment everything is combined.
- Measure the apple after fine-dicing. Measure a flat cup. Too much apple will make these fall apart.
- Line your pan with parchment. It helps them bake evenly and prevents sticking.
- Let them cool fully. They fall apart when warm. Cooling them completely before removing them from the baking pan is critical.
Flavor Variations
- Apple Pie Flavor: Add a pinch of clove and ½ tsp allspice.
- Apple Oatmeal Cookies: Add 2 tbsp rolled oats for texture.
- Apple Walnut Cookies: Fold in ¼ cup chopped walnuts along with the chopped apples.
Storing And Freezing Soft Baked Apple Cookies
- Refrigerate: Keeps up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Keeps up to 3 months; thaw at room temp or warm in a low oven.
FAQs About Apple Cookies
Can I make these vegan?
Yes. Simply replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp. flaxseed + 3 tbsp. water, rest 5 minutes), or with a vegan egg replacement.
Can I use whole-wheat flour instead of oat and almond?
Yes, but the texture will be denser and less tender. Use 1/2 cup whole wheat flour.
Can I use applesauce instead of diced apples?
That is not recommended for this recipe.
Can I add a glaze on top?
Yes. Mix 2 tbsp. powdered sweetener with 1 tsp. unsweetened almond milk and a pinch of cinnamon for a light drizzle.
More Healthy Cookie Recipes
Apple Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- 1 standard sheet pan
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tbsp. honey
Dry Ingredients
- ¼ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup oat flour (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 tbsp. ground flaxseed
- 1 tsp. baking powder (gluten-free if needed)
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch salt
Apples
- 1 cup diced apples (peeled and diced small)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, whisk egg, milk (or water), and sweetener.
- Stir in almond flour, oat flour, flax, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix into a thick batter.
- Fold in the diced apple.
- Place six equal spoonfuls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Cool completely before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
