Oatmeal Cookies: Healthy and Gourmet Recipes

What are oat flakes?

Oat flakes are a processed form of the cereal oat (Avena sativa), obtained from whole dehulled oat grains, steamed, then flattened.

Considered a whole food, oat flakes are particularly appreciated for their richness in soluble fiber. From a nutritional point of view, oat flakes also provide good quality plant proteins, B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.

The benefits of oat flakes

Oat flakes are known for their many health benefits, thanks to their composition rich in fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals.

Here are the main benefits of oat flakes:

• Helps support digestion,
• Helps maintain optimal digestive comfort,
• Helps maintain good transit,
• Contributes to strengthening mental and physical capacities,
• Helps you feel more energetic.

But also, oat consumption promotes satiety and helps control weight due to its filling effect.

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Oat flakes in the kitchen

In the kitchen, oat flakes are extremely versatile; they can be cooked as porridge, added to smoothies, used as a muesli base, or incorporated into pastry recipes, such as the famous cookies.

Their naturally soft texture and mild flavor make them an ideal ingredient for creating snacks that are both nutritious and delicious.

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Oat flake cookie recipes

One of the great advantages of oat flake cookies lies in their adaptability. They can be customized to suit different dietary preferences, from vegan to gourmet, including athletes and the healthy and soft version.

1. Chocolate oat flake cookies

• Ingredients (for 10-12 cookies)
  - 120 g oat flakes
  - 1 egg 60 g whole sugar (or coconut sugar)
  - 80 g unsweetened apple sauce
  - 1 tsp vanilla flavoring
  - 80 g dark chocolate chips
  - 1/2 tsp baking powder
  - A pinch of salt
  
  
• Preparation
  - Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan-assisted).
  - In a bowl, mix the oat flakes, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  - Add the egg, applesauce, and vanilla. Mix well.
  - Incorporate the chocolate chips.
  - Form balls with a tablespoon, flatten them slightly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  - Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.
  
  
• Texture tip:
  - For softer cookies, add 1 tbsp of vegetable milk to the dough.
  - For a crispier texture, increase baking time slightly (+2 minutes).
  
  
• Oat flour alternative:
  - Replace half of the flakes with 60 g of oat flour for a finer texture.
  
  
• Storage:
  - Up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature.

2. Banana oat flake cookies

• Ingredients
  - 2 ripe mashed bananas
  - 150 g oat flakes
  - 60 g chocolate chips or raisins
  - 1 tsp cinnamon
  - 1 pinch of salt
  
  
• Preparation
  - Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  - Mash the bananas in a bowl, add the flakes, cinnamon, salt, and chips.
  - Mix until a homogeneous dough is obtained.
  - Form small mounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  - Bake for about 15 minutes.
  - Let cool.
  
  
• Texture tip:
  - Add a spoon of applesauce if the banana is small for more softness.
  
  
• Oat flour alternative:
  - Replace 50 g of flakes with 50 g of oat flour for more melting cookies.
  
  
• Storage: 3 days in a box in the refrigerator.

3. Healthy peanut butter oat flake cookies

• Ingredients
  - 120 g oat flakes
  - 80 g 100% pure peanut butter
  - 1 egg
  - 2 tbsp maple syrup
  - 1/2 tsp baking powder
  - 1 pinch of salt
  
  
• Preparation
  - Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  - Mix the peanut butter with the egg and maple syrup.
  - Add the flakes, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
  - Form balls and flatten slightly.
  - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.
  
  
• Texture tip:
  - For a melting texture, do not overbake.
  - For more crunchiness, add crushed peanuts.
  
  
• Oat flour alternative:
  - Replace 40 g of flakes with 40 g of oat flour for a smoother texture.
  
  
• Storage: Up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature.

4. Applesauce oat flake cookies

• Ingredients
  - 150 g oat flakes
  - 100 g unsweetened apple sauce
  - 1 egg
  - 60 g whole sugar
  - 1/2 tsp baking powder
  - 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
  - 60 g raisins or chocolate chips
  
  
• Preparation
  - Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  - Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
  - Form small mounds on a baking sheet.
  - Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool.
  
  
• Texture tip:
  - Add a tablespoon of vegetable milk if the dough is too compact.
  - Partially blend the flakes for a more uniform texture.
  
  
• Oat flour alternative:
  - Replace 50% of the flakes with oat flour for a softer result.
  
  
• Storage:
  - Up to 4 days in the refrigerator, in an airtight container.

5. Healthy oat flake cookies: athlete version

• Ingredients
  - 100 g oat flakes
  - 50 g oat flour
  - 30 g protein powder (plain or vanilla)
  - 2 ripe bananas
  - 1 tbsp peanut butter
  - 2 tbsp seeds (chia, flax, or sunflower)
  - 40 g dark chocolate chips
  - 1/2 tsp baking powder
  
  
• Preparation
  - Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  - Mash the bananas, add the peanut butter.
  - Incorporate the flakes, flour, protein, seeds, baking powder, and chocolate.
  - Form cookies and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
  
  
• Texture tip:
  - If the dough is dry, add a little vegetable milk.
  - For denser cookies, blend some of the flakes.
  
  
• Storage:
  - Up to 4 days in the refrigerator, perfect for a post-workout snack.

6. Vegan oat flake cookies

• Ingredients
  - 120 g oat flakes
  - 1 tbsp ground flax seeds, with 3 tbsp water
  - 100 g apple sauce or mashed banana
  - 50 g coconut sugar
  - 2 tbsp melted coconut oil (or almond puree)
  - 1/2 tsp baking powder
  - 1 tsp vanilla
  - 60 g vegan dark chocolate chips
  
  
• Preparation
  - Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  - Mix the flax seeds and water, let stand for 5 min.
  - Add all other ingredients. Mix.
  - Form cookies and bake for 12 to 14 minutes.
  
  
• Texture tip:
  - For softer cookies, add a little vegetable milk.
  - For a crispier texture, extend baking time slightly.
  
  
• Oat flour alternative:
  - Replace 50 g of flakes with oat flour for a more uniform texture.
  
  
• Storage:
  - 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, in an airtight container.

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When to eat oat flake cookies to get the most benefit?

Oat flake cookies can easily be integrated at different times of the day, depending on energy needs, lifestyle, or nutritional goals. Here are the most suitable times for their consumption:

• For breakfast and snacks: One or two oat flake cookies can be a practical and balanced option for breakfast or a snack, especially if they are enriched with dried fruits, banana, or peanut butter.
  
  
• Before a sports session: Oat-based cookies, especially those containing peanut butter, banana, or plant proteins, are perfect before exercise. Ideal for athletes, about 30 to 60 minutes before training.
  
  
• Post-workout: After exercise, an oat cookie combined with a protein source (protein drink, yogurt, etc.) is ideal after a sports session.
  
  
• In the evening, as a light snack: Lighter versions (with applesauce, unsweetened, vegan) can be consumed at the end of the day as a small sweet treat without excess.

Oat flake cookies: in summary

Oat flake cookies are an excellent alternative to industrial biscuits. Simple to prepare, customizable, and naturally rich in fiber, they adapt to all times of the day. Whether it's banana, chocolate, peanut butter, or vegan versions, these recipes combine pleasure and nutritional balance.

Integrated into a balanced diet, they bring a gourmet touch without compromising on quality.