Wholesome Morning Bites

Deliciously Healthy Cookies: A Wholesome Twist on a Classic Treat

What makes these breakfast cookies truly remarkable is that they are secretly healthy! Your kids will simply know they’re enjoying a delightful cookie, while you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing they’re fueling up with a nutritious meal. These wholesome cookies are packed with the goodness of whole grains, essential protein, and natural fruit sugars, making them an ideal choice for a balanced breakfast or a satisfying snack.

Unlike many store-bought options that are loaded with refined sugars and artificial ingredients, these homemade delights are dairy-free and rich in whole grains, contributing to sustained energy throughout the morning. We often enjoy peanut butter, banana, and apple sandwiches on whole wheat bread for a quick breakfast or snack, so I took those beloved flavors and baked them into a soft, chewy oatmeal cookie. For an extra touch of magic, especially on special occasions like the first day of school, a handful of chocolate chips makes them irresistible. These cookies aren’t just a treat; they’re a thoughtful, nutrient-dense option that supports a healthy lifestyle without compromising on taste.

Breakfast Cookies Ingredients and Supplies: Everything You Need

Crafting these wholesome breakfast cookies requires a simple list of ingredients and basic kitchen supplies. Each component plays a vital role in creating their delicious flavor and perfect texture, ensuring a nutritious outcome.

Essential Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour – This provides a robust, nutty flavor and a significant boost of fiber and nutrients compared to all-purpose flour. It forms the foundation of our healthy cookie. Feel free to substitute with all-purpose flour for a lighter texture, almond flour for a gluten-free and higher protein option, or a gluten-free all-purpose baking flour blend to accommodate specific dietary needs.
• Old-fashioned rolled oats – Rolled oats are key to the chewy texture and hearty nature of these cookies. They add complex carbohydrates for sustained energy and a good dose of soluble fiber. While old-fashioned oats offer the best texture, quick-cooking oats can be used if preferred for a slightly finer crumb.
• Baking soda – This leavening agent is crucial for helping the cookies rise slightly and achieve a soft, tender interior.
• Kosher salt – A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and bringing out the depth of the ingredients.
• Cinnamon – This warm spice adds a delightful aroma and a subtle depth of flavor that complements the fruit and peanut butter beautifully. It can be omitted if you prefer a simpler flavor profile.
• Creamy peanut butter – Beyond its delicious taste, peanut butter provides healthy fats and protein, making these cookies truly satisfying. It also acts as a binder and contributes to the chewy texture. You can use crunchy peanut butter for added texture or substitute with an alternate nut or seed butter like almond butter, sunflower butter (for nut-free), or granola butter, if desired.
• Dark brown sugar – Dark brown sugar imparts a rich, caramel-like sweetness and contributes to the cookies’ moistness. You can use light brown sugar for a milder sweetness or reduce the amount, or even omit it entirely for a less sweet, more naturally sweetened cookie.
• Egg – The egg acts as a primary binder, holding the ingredients together, and adds richness and moisture. For an egg-free or vegan alternative, you can replace the egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce, mashed banana, or plain yogurt.
• Vanilla extract – A touch of vanilla brightens and enhances all the sweet flavors in the cookie.
• Mashed banana – This is a natural sweetener and a fantastic source of moisture, allowing us to reduce added sugars. The riper the banana, the more natural sweetness and moisture it will contribute to the cookies. It can also be substituted with pure pumpkin puree or unsweetened applesauce for a different flavor profile and similar moisture.
• Shredded peeled apple – Adds a lovely natural sweetness, a hint of tartness, and a delightful texture to the cookies. The shredded apple can be substituted with firm pear or shredded zucchini for a different twist.
• Chocolate chips – While optional, chocolate chips add a touch of indulgence, making these cookies feel like a special treat. Dark chocolate chips can offer a slight antioxidant boost. You could also add chopped nuts, various seeds (like chia or flax), or other dried fruits for diverse flavors and nutrients.

Necessary Supplies:

• Two baking sheets – Essential for baking multiple batches efficiently.
• Parchment paper – Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze, ensuring perfectly baked cookies every time.
• Medium bowl – For combining dry ingredients.
• Whisk – To thoroughly blend dry ingredients.
• Electric mixer – Simplifies the creaming of wet ingredients, ensuring a smooth, well-combined dough.

Substitutions and Additions: Customizing Your Breakfast Cookies

One of the best aspects of these breakfast cookies is their adaptability. You can easily adjust ingredients to suit dietary preferences, allergies, or simply to experiment with new flavors. Don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen!

Creative Substitutions:

• For whole wheat flour: All-purpose flour will yield a softer, lighter cookie. Almond flour can add a richer flavor and boost protein content, while a gluten-free all-purpose baking flour blend ensures the cookies are suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• For peanut butter: Almond butter offers a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor, while sunflower seed butter is an excellent choice for a nut-free alternative, perfect for school lunchboxes.
• For mashed banana: Pure pumpkin purée provides a lovely autumnal flavor and moisture, especially good for fall baking. Unsweetened applesauce can also be used as a direct swap, adding natural sweetness and moisture.
• For shredded apple: Shredded zucchini (ensure it’s well-squeezed to remove excess moisture) can be a clever way to add extra vegetables, or shredded firm pear can offer a different fruit note.

Delicious Optional Additions:

• Crunchy nuts: Incorporate chopped walnuts, pecan pieces, or even slivered almonds for added texture and healthy fats.
• Nutrient-dense seeds: Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or flax seeds can boost the nutritional profile with omega-3s and fiber.
• Dried fruits: Raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or other dried fruits can add bursts of sweetness and chewiness. Just be mindful of added sugars in some dried fruit varieties.

Make Ahead Directions: Simplify Your Mornings

These breakfast cookies are perfect for meal prepping, allowing you to enjoy a quick, healthy breakfast even on the busiest mornings. Preparing the dough in advance means less stress and more time for what matters.

To store the prepared cookie dough: Once you’ve mixed the cookie dough, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This flexibility means you can whip up a batch on a Sunday and bake fresh cookies throughout the week. When you’re ready to bake, simply scoop the chilled cookie dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets and bake straight from the refrigerator. No need to wait for it to come to room temperature!

To freeze the cookie dough for longer storage: For ultimate convenience, scoop the cookie dough into individual balls and place them in a single layer on a sheet pan. Flash freeze them for about one hour until they are firm. This prevents them from sticking together. Once flash-frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe container or a large plastic bag. You can place parchment paper between layers of cookie dough balls to keep them separate. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months, ensuring you always have a ready-to-bake breakfast option.

Frozen cookie dough balls offer versatility in baking. You can defrost them in the refrigerator overnight, or let them sit at room temperature for a few hours before baking. However, for the best texture and a slight chewiness, I highly recommend baking the cookie dough straight from frozen. When baking cookies directly from frozen, simply add an extra 3-5 minutes to the instructed baking time to ensure they cook through perfectly.

More Breakfast Treats They’ll Love: Creative Morning Meals

If your family loves these breakfast cookies, then you’re sure to enjoy exploring more fun and wholesome ways to kickstart your day. Here are a few other delightful breakfast recipes that combine nutrition with excitement:

• Start the day off right with hearty, delicious Breakfast Brownies! Made with nourishing bananas, wholesome oats, and satisfying peanut butter, these breakfast treats are as healthy as they are incredibly tasty. They’re a fantastic way to sneak in good-for-you ingredients in a form kids adore.
• A simple cake mix, ripe bananas, applesauce, and a handful of sprinkles are all it takes to make these fun and yummy Birthday Breakfast Muffins for a special birthday celebration or just to make any morning feel festive! It’s an easy, delightful way to bring extra joy to the breakfast table without much effort.
• It’s nacho average breakfast, y’all! These Breakfast Nachos take ordinary tortilla chips and pile them high with savory breakfast sausage, fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh avocado for a deliciously unique and surprisingly hearty breakfast. It’s a creative and fun way to serve a complete meal that kids will beg for.

Breakfast Cookie Recipe