This no-bake cookie dough recipe is very simple and nutritious. Composed of inexpensive, pantry-friendly ingredients you likely already have on hand, it requires no fancy equipment or cooking skills. I’ve designed it to be a guilt-free way to enjoy a sweet treat, substituting honey for sugar.
By making your own oat flour blend at home from standard oats, you control the ingredients and save money over pre-packaged options. Speaking of ingredients, feel free to adjust to taste – for example, salted nut butter can replace added salt.
Best of all, the ease of simply mixing together and portioning out dough balls means you can satisfy a craving without much fuss or cleanup. So whether eaten raw or baked, I hope you and your family will find both pleasure and nourishment in this naturally wholesome dessert.
Ingredients
- Oat Flour: Acts as the base for the dough, giving it structure. It’s gluten-free (if using certified GF oats) and provides a mild, nutty flavor.
- Nut Butter: Options like almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter work well.
- Walnuts: You can use chopped walnuts or substitute them with pecans or almonds if preferred.
- Honey: You can substitute maple syrup for a vegan option.
- Coconut Oil: When chilled, it helps firm up the dough.
- Vanilla Extract
- Salt
- Chocolate Chips: Use dark chocolate chips for a healthier option, or dairy-free chips for a vegan version.
How To Make Healthy Cookie Dough
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- Combine oat flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. This ensures that the salt is evenly distributed throughout the dough. The oat flour acts as the dry base that will absorb the wet ingredients, giving the cookie dough its texture.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the nut butter, melted coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
- The coconut oil must be melted to blend seamlessly with the other wet ingredients. You can melt it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or over a stovetop on low heat.
- The nut butter should be creamy and slightly runny for easy mixing.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the oat flour and salt. Stir the mixture gently but thoroughly until everything is well combined.
- The dough will start to take shape as the oat flour absorbs the moisture from the wet ingredients. It should have a thick, pliable consistency.
4. Refrigerate the Dough
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes. This step is essential as it allows the oat flour to absorb the moisture fully, resulting in a firmer and easier-to-handle dough. The coconut oil will also solidify slightly in the cold, helping the dough hold its shape better.
5. Add Mix-ins
- After the dough has chilled, fold in the chopped walnuts and chocolate chips. Mix gently to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Adding these after chilling prevents the chocolate chips from melting and ensures the walnuts stay crunchy.
6. Shape or Serve
- For cookie dough balls: Scoop out portions of the dough and roll them between your hands to form evenly sized balls. This step is perfect if you want pre-portioned bites for easy snacking.
- For immediate indulgence: Skip shaping and simply serve the dough in small bowls or shallow dishes with a spoon. It’s ready to eat as-is!
How To Store
For best storage and individual portion control, gently form the dough into evenly sized balls prior to refrigeration. Place the dough balls in an airtight container and keep them chilled in the refrigerator for up to a week to maintain freshness.
When you’re ready to enjoy one, simply remove a ball from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for several minutes. This brief counter time allows the dough to soften slightly for an optimally chewy texture.
For long-term storage and convenience, portion the dough into an airtight, freezer-safe container built for flat storage. With optimal freezing technique, this delicious dough can be perfectly preserved for enjoyment later. Simply seal and slide it into the coldest part of the freezer, where it will keep for half a year or longer.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Healthy Cookie Dough
- Use Fresh Oat Flour:
- For the best texture, make your oat flour fresh by blending rolled oats in a food processor or blender until finely ground. Pre-ground oat flour can sometimes be too coarse.
- Nut Butter Consistency:
- Make sure your nut butter is smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, you can microwave it for a few seconds to soften it.
- Adjust Sweetness:
- Depending on your preference, you can adjust the sweetness. Taste the dough before chilling and add more honey or vanilla extract if needed.
- Chill the Dough:
- Do not skip the refrigeration step. It helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and giving it a more traditional cookie dough texture.
- Customize the Mix-Ins:
- Experiment with different mix-ins like shredded coconut, dried fruit (e.g., raisins or cranberries), or seeds (e.g., chia or flaxseeds) for added nutrition and flavor.
- Serving Temperature:
- The dough is best served chilled or at room temperature. If stored in the fridge for longer periods, let it sit out for 5-10 minutes before eating to soften slightly.
- Storage Tips:
- Store the cookie dough balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze them for up to 3 months. They make excellent make-ahead snacks!
- For a Vegan Option:
- Replace honey with maple syrup and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
Final Notes
This healthy cookie dough recipe is versatile, quick to make, and packed with nutrients from wholesome ingredients. Whether you shape it into bite-sized balls or serve it straight from the bowl, it’s a delicious and satisfying treat that’s perfect for any time of the day!
Healthy Cookie Dough
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup nut butter almond or peanut
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour and salt.
- In another bowl, mix the nut butter, melted coconut oil, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring until well combined.
- After blending the dough ingredients together, it is important to let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts and chocolate chips.
- Gently form the dough into evenly sized balls by hand. Alternatively, for an easy one-bowl meal, simply scoop the dough into bowls or shallow dishes without shaping it first if you plan to dig right in while it's fresh.
Notes
- Keep remaining portions in the refrigerator for about a month, or sealed at room temperature for approximately 3 days.
- Dairy can be omitted by using non-dairy butter and chocolate alternatives.
- Option to include mix-ins similar to coconut flakes, cashew butter, almond butter, peanut butter or any nut butter, walnuts, finely chopped pecans.