These wholesome gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies are a scrumptious approach to begin the day! Supremely chewy and further cozy, they’re crammed with comfortable oats, heat spices, and festive flavors. The dough comes collectively in simply 20 minutes (or much less!), and so they’re simple to whip up any day of the week. Though a enjoyable deal with any time of the yr, these healthful breakfast cookies are particularly good for the vacation season!
All through my childhood, our Christmas mornings adopted a really related sample. My brother and I waited in his room at nighttime, watching the wood Arthur-themed clock on his nightstand like two eagle-eyed hawks. The second it reached 6 am, we burst by means of the door and ran to the brick hearth within the household room, desirous to see what Santa had nestled within our vivid crimson hand-sewn stockings.
As a result of we weren’t allowed to the touch something till the adults wakened — solely look with our eyes! — we rushed to our mother and father’ room subsequent to wake them up. In hindsight, the way in which they cheerfully greeted us as quickly as we pushed open the door most likely ought to’ve been a clue that our noisy race down the hallway a couple of moments earlier had already achieved that…
As soon as the adults gathered across the tree, steaming mugs of espresso in Dad’s and Grandpa’s fingers whereas Mother and Grandma clutched cups of sizzling tea, we plunged our fingers into the stockings and started tearing wrapping paper from the presents scattered across the festive Christmas tree skirt.
(Or, in my case, painstakingly peeling the tape off and thoroughly pulling again the paper. Even now, it’s nonetheless a working joke at how lengthy I take and the way meticulous I’m in comparison with everybody else in our household!)
The adults waited to prepare dinner a correct breakfast and sit down on the eating desk to take pleasure in it till after unwrapping each final reward, however our mother and father knew my brother and I couldn’t survive that lengthy with out turning somewhat hangry… So we frequently nibbled on bits of peanut butter toast or crunched by means of cups of dry breakfast cereal, whether or not Cheerios or Life or our favourite Fruity Pebbles, in between taking part in with our new presents and reaching for contemporary ones nonetheless lingering underneath the tree.
Trying again, these wholesome gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies would’ve been good for these vacation mornings! Stuffed with festive taste, they’re simple to organize forward of time and nice for fast snacks or grab-and-go meals.
Apart from… What little child (or grownup!) wouldn’t love consuming cookies for breakfast on Christmas? Or any day of the yr??
QUICK OVERVIEW – HEALTHY GINGERBREAD OATMEAL BREAKFAST COOKIES
Problem: Primarily simple, together with for a lot of newbie bakers.
Style: Heat and comfortable spices in opposition to a backdrop of wealthy molasses, comforting oats, and frivolously sweetened dough.
Texture: Moist and chewy with loads of comfortable oats in each chunk.
KEY INGREDIENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY GINGERBREAD OATMEAL BREAKFAST COOKIES
Let’s go over what you’ll have to make these wholesome gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies! I’ve a sense that you just already preserve many of those available. Most are pretty frequent baking substances!
Oats. They’re a very powerful ingredient in any oatmeal cookie recipe! To make these breakfast cookies, you’ll want instantaneous oats. They’re additionally referred to as “fast cooking” and “one minute” oats — however they’re not those that are available particular person packets with flavors like apple cinnamon or maple brown sugar!
As a substitute, instantaneous oats solely comprise one ingredient (oats!), identical to old school rolled oats, but they differ in a single crucial approach… On the spot oats are smaller and thinner. This measurement distinction means they soften sooner, which provides your wholesome gingerbread breakfast cookies the greatest comfortable and chewy texture!
Trace: On the spot oats are sometimes offered proper subsequent to the old school rolled oats on the grocery retailer. In case you don’t see them, search for containers with their different names: fast cooking or one minute!
Tip: You possibly can simply make these wholesome gingerbread breakfast cookies gluten-free. Swap in licensed gluten-free instantaneous oats; they work completely!
Flour. To make these breakfast cookies more healthy, I opted for entire wheat flour. It has extra fiber and micronutrients, and it additionally provides to their fantastically cozy taste.
Tip: In case you’d prefer to make these wholesome gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies gluten-free, then see the Notes part of the recipe. I’ve shared my high suggestions there!
Spices. Sure, plural! You really need 4 of them: ginger (very apparent, I’m certain!), cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
As anticipated, the ginger provides that iconic vivid and spicy gingerbread taste (together with one other key ingredient, which we’ll cowl momentarily!). The opposite three create a a lot deeper, richer, and cozier profile — particularly the nutmeg and cloves. I take advantage of them in nearly each gingerbread-flavored recipe that I share as a result of they add such an unbelievable taste!
Aspect notice… Every time I open my jar of cloves, which tends to occur a bit extra in the course of the vacation season, I chide myself for not baking with it extra typically — and even making it the star taste of recipes. I do this on a regular basis with cinnamon, so why not cloves?? It tastes and smells simply as cozy! Clove cookies, muffins, scones… Or possibly even clove rolls as an alternative of cinnamon rolls. Have you ever ever thought of doing that earlier than? Or am I the one one??
Anyway, transferring on…
Butter. Conventional cookie recipes typically name for a stick or two, however you solely want 1 ½ tablespoons to make these! That helps preserve your wholesome gingerbread breakfast cookies low calorie and low fats. They’re nonetheless fantastically comfortable and chewy although, and a part of that’s as a result of…
You’ll soften the butter! I discovered that created an excellent higher chewy texture. I additionally love how that eliminates the necessity to set out butter far sufficient upfront for it to melt naturally. Win-win!
Tip: In case you’d prefer to make these wholesome gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies dairy-free, then substitute coconut oil or stick-style vegan butter. (I like this one and this one!)
Egg white. It helps bind collectively the opposite substances. The egg white additionally provides somewhat protein increase to those gingerbread breakfast cookies!
Molasses. Apart from ginger, that is the opposite key ingredient in gingerbread cookies. Whereas ginger provides the brilliant spicy style, molasses supplies that iconic deep, wealthy, virtually earthy sweetness. I haven’t discovered something that creates the same taste, so I don’t suggest substituting something for it, if in any respect potential!
To make these cookies, you’ll want common unsulphured molasses — not blackstrap. The previous is far sweeter, whereas blackstrap molasses has a bitter style to it. I grew up utilizing Grandma’s molasses (it was an vital ingredient in my dad’s home made bread rolls!), and that’s nonetheless the sort I most frequently flip to in the present day.
Tip: You possibly can normally discover molasses on the baking aisle close to the opposite sweeteners! If it’s not there, then examine the breakfast aisle close to the oatmeal and pancake mixes. For some motive, sure shops inventory maple syrup and molasses there as an alternative.
Milk. As a result of these are gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies (not “dessert” ones — however I do have a daily “dessert” model right here!), you’ll use half the quantity of sweetener. To compensate for the “lacking” different half, you’ll add milk to your cookie dough to attain the identical consistency. Nearly any sort will work, so be at liberty to make use of what’s already in your fridge!
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST GINGERBREAD OATMEAL BREAKFAST COOKIES
Discovered your whole substances? Good! Let’s speak about the right way to make the very best gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies. This recipe is easy and easy (I promise!), however I even have some ideas for you.
Measure appropriately. I do know… You’re most likely sick of me repeating this. However even if you happen to’re rolling your eyes or skip straight previous this bit like the top credit of a Hollywood film, I’m going to emphasize it once more.
It’s extraordinarily vital to measure the entire substances appropriately. Use this methodology or a kitchen scale (← that’s the one I personal!) for the dry substances. That is notably vital for the flour and oats! An excessive amount of of both one will dry out the dough and make your cookies cakey, bready, or dry. That is very true of the oats as a result of they act like tiny sponges and take in plenty of moisture. (Too many oats is the #1 perpetrator of dry oatmeal cookies!)
For the molasses and milk, use liquid or common measuring cups — not a kitchen scale! Scales measure weights, not volumes. Nearly each liquid ingredient has a special density, in order that they have completely different weights per quantity. Due to this fact, until you’re keen to do the maths to transform each… Measuring cups are extra correct for these!
Chill the dough. This cookie dough is moist and free whenever you first combine the whole lot collectively — and that’s intentional! It helps create a moist and chewy texture in your gingerbread breakfast cookies. Chilling helps stiffen the cookie dough and makes it simpler to work with, so pop your bowl within the fridge for a bit. A quick half-hour is all it wants!
Scoop + form. The cookie dough will nonetheless be considerably sticky after chilling (once more, that yields a fantastically chewy texture!), so use a spoon and spatula to drop mounds of it onto your baking sheet. I take advantage of these mini spatulas. They’re so useful — and actually cute too!
These breakfast cookies don’t unfold whereas baking, so flatten the mounds of cookie dough and easy out the perimeters earlier than sliding the pan into the oven. They’ll look the identical earlier than and after baking — simply not uncooked!
That’s proper… I don’t use any cookie scoops or particular tools to make my cookies look this spherical. Solely these mini spatulas and a few persistence.
Bake. These gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies bake actually rapidly. I used to be stunned; they completed baking a few minutes ahead of any of my different oatmeal cookie recipes! So regulate them and don’t stray too removed from the kitchen.
These cookies are accomplished baking when the facilities nonetheless really feel somewhat comfortable and underdone. The residual warmth from the nice and cozy baking sheet will prepare dinner these facilities during when you let the cookies relaxation earlier than transferring them to a wire rack. That is my favourite trick for comfortable and chewy cookies! In case you pull them from the oven when these facilities are nonetheless a teeny bit moist, your cookies will keep comfortable and chewy for days… If not a complete week!
Reshape. That is completely elective — but it surely’s one other one in all my ideas for fantastically spherical cookies! The second you take away the baking sheet from the oven, seize a butter knife, and gently easy out any lopsided edges. Act quick! The cookie dough units rapidly, so that you solely have a few minutes to redo these edges and nudge them again into place. (This doesn’t change the way in which they style, solely the way in which they give the impression of being!)
FAQS ABOUT GINGERBREAD OATMEAL BREAKFAST COOKIES
Are these wholesome gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies gluten-free, low calorie, low fats, low sugar, or clear consuming?
Sure — to the whole lot! These gingerbread breakfast cookies are clear consuming, low fats, low calorie, and low sugar (in comparison with many conventional recipes!). I’ve additionally included choices to make them gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free within the Notes part of the recipe.
Can I take advantage of old school rolled oats?
Form of! Measure the identical quantity of old school rolled oats; then pulse them in a meals processor or blender till they’re ⅛ to ¼ of their authentic measurement. This makes them smaller and thinner (like instantaneous oats!), so your cookies ought to have about the identical comfortable and chewy texture.
What a few completely different flour?
Yup! White entire wheat flour, entire wheat pastry flour, and all-purpose flour are nice substitutes. Oat flour (gluten-free, if wanted!) additionally works, however be actually cautious when measuring it as a result of it tends to be extra absorbent than wheat-based flours.
Can I take advantage of a complete egg?
You certain can! Simply scale back the milk by ½ tablespoon to compensate for the added liquid quantity from the yolk.
Can I substitute one thing for the molasses?
I strongly suggest in opposition to it, if in any respect potential. The molasses is required to supply the traditional gingerbread taste. (See the “Sweetener” header within the “Key Substances to Make Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies” part above for extra info!)
Nonetheless… I do know that molasses might be tough to seek out exterior of the US. In a pinch, you may substitute pure maple syrup, honey, or agave. They’ll produce the identical comfortable and chewy texture — simply understand that the flavour of your cookies will probably be completely different!
What a few completely different milk?
Completely! Virtually any variety will work, so that you’re welcome to make use of no matter you have already got in your fridge.
My cookies turned out cakey, bready, or dry. Why is that?
There are a couple of potential culprits! First, too many oats or an excessive amount of flour — or not sufficient molasses or milk. Be sure to’re measuring every of those the best approach! (See the “Measure appropriately” header within the “ Make the Finest Gingerbread Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies” part above for extra info.)
Second, don’t overbake your cookies! That will even yield a cakey, bready, or dry texture. (See the “Bake” header within the “ Make the Finest Gingerbread Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies” part above for extra details about the right way to decide when your cookies are prepared to return out of the oven!)
I’d prefer to make them sweeter. Is there a approach to do this?
Sure! You possibly can substitute pure maple syrup, honey, or agave for an equal quantity of milk. (For instance, add 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, and scale back the milk by 2 tablespoons to compensate.) I even have a real “dessert” model of those gingerbread oatmeal cookies right here, if that’s extra up your alley!
How ought to I retailer these wholesome gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies? And the way lengthy do they final?
Retailer them in an hermetic container. They need to final a few days at room temperature, however I are inclined to retailer them within the fridge to make them last more (ie nearer to every week, if no more!). These gingerbread breakfast cookies additionally freeze rather well!
Now all that’s lacking is a glass of milk to go together with them… Or possibly even a mug of home made sizzling chocolate as an alternative!
And whenever you make your personal, bear in mind to snap an image and share it on Instagram utilizing #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photograph itself! (That ensures I’ll see your image! 🙂 ) I’d like to see your wholesome gingerbread oatmeal breakfast cookies!
Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
A scrumptious and healthful approach to begin the day! Supremely chewy and further cozy, these breakfast cookies are crammed with comfortable oats, heat spices, and festive flavors. The dough is frivolously sweetened (much like muffins or breakfast scones!) and comes collectively rapidly. These breakfast cookies are simple to whip up any day of the week and excellent for the vacation season! If saved in an hermetic container, leftovers will preserve for not less than 4 days (if not nearer to every week or extra) — in the event that they even final that lengthy!
Directions
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In a medium bowl, whisk collectively the oats, flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the butter or coconut oil, egg white, and vanilla till completely mixed. Stir within the molasses. Stir within the milk. Add within the oat combination, and stir till simply included. Chill the cookie dough for half-hour.
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Preheat the oven to 325°F, and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
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Utilizing a spoon and spatula, drop the cookie dough into 15 rounded scoops onto the ready sheet. Flatten to ⅜”-thick utilizing a spatula. Bake at 325°F for 7-10 minutes. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes earlier than turning out onto a wire rack.
Notes
IMPORTANT FLAVOR NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: These breakfast cookies aren’t overly candy — and that’s intentional! They’ve a sweetness stage much like muffins or breakfast scones. For sweeter cookies, substitute pure maple syrup, honey, or agave for an equal quantity of milk. (For instance, add 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, and scale back the milk by 2 tablespoons to compensate.) Alternatively, use my true “dessert” gingerbread oatmeal cookie recipe as an alternative.
For a “spicier” gingerbread taste, improve the bottom ginger by wherever from a further ¼ to 1 teaspoon.
IMPORTANT BAKING NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: These cookies don’t unfold. They’ll look the identical earlier than and after baking (simply not uncooked!).
Do not over-bake these cookies! They’re prepared to return out of the oven when the facilities nonetheless really feel barely comfortable and underdone. The warmth from the nice and cozy baking sheet will proceed to prepare dinner the facilities during when you let the cookies relaxation for 10 minutes after pulling the pan from the oven.
OATS NOTES + ALTERNATIVE: On the spot oats are also referred to as “fast cooking” or “one-minute” oats. They arrive in massive canisters, identical to old school oats. They’re not those within the small flavored packets of oatmeal.
In a pinch, to make your personal, add the identical quantity of old school rolled oats to a meals processor, and pulse 10-12 instances or till the oats are about ¼ to ⅛ of their authentic measurement.
FLOUR ALTERNATIVES: White entire wheat flour, entire wheat pastry flour, or all-purpose flour could also be substituted for the entire wheat flour. Oat flour (gluten-free if wanted) may be substituted, however be very cautious when measuring it as a result of it tends to be extra absorbent than wheat-based flours!
EGG WHITE ALTERNATIVE: In case you’d favor to make use of a complete egg, then substitute 1 massive egg, and scale back the milk by ½ tablespoon to compensate for the added quantity from the yolk.
MOLASSES NOTES + ALTERNATIVES: I take advantage of this sort. I don’t suggest substituting something for the molasses, if in any respect potential. It’s required to supply the long-lasting gingerbread taste. Do not use blackstrap molasses; it’s too bitter.
Nonetheless, I perceive it may be laborious to seek out molasses exterior of the US, so in a pinch, you may substitute pure maple syrup, honey, or agave. They’ll produce the identical comfortable and chewy cookie texture, however bear in mind your cookies can have a noticeably completely different taste. (No matter which you utilize, ensure that it’s at room temperature. If chilled, it can re-solidify the melted butter or coconut oil.)
I don’t suggest substituting sugar-free maple syrup. As a result of it’s typically water-based, it makes the cookies cakey or bready.
MILK ALTERNATIVES: Any milk could also be substituted for the nonfat milk.
GLUTEN-FREE VERSION: Use licensed gluten-free instantaneous oats (like these) and authorized gluten-free oat flour (like this). Alternatively, for a non-oat-flour model, use the next: ½ cup (60g) millet flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) tapioca flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) brown rice flour, and ½ teaspoon xanthan gum. Many store-bought gluten-free flour blends (I like this one from Bob’s Purple Mill) will even work, if measured like this.
DAIRY-FREE VERSION: Use the coconut oil choice or stick-style vegan butter (I like this one and this one). Use your favourite dairy-free milk instead of the nonfat milk.
NUT-FREE VERSION: Use the unsalted butter choice.
HOW TO STORE: Retailer leftover cookies in an hermetic container. If left at room temperature, they’ll preserve for a few days. If refrigerated, they’ll final nearer to every week (if not longer!). As soon as baked and absolutely cooled, these oatmeal cookies additionally freeze rather well!
For solutions to all different questions relating to substitutions and ideas, see my Oatmeal Cookie FAQ Web page.
{gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, clear consuming, low fats, low calorie}
View Vitamin Data + Weight Watchers Factors
You may additionally like Amy’s different recipes…
♡ Wholesome Gingerbread Muffins
♡ Wholesome Gingerbread Pancakes
♡ Wholesome Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
♡ Wholesome Gingerbread Oatmeal Snack Cake
♡ The Final Wholesome Gingerbread Cookies
♡ Wholesome Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
♡ Wholesome Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
♡ …and the remainder of Amy’s wholesome oatmeal cookie recipes and wholesome gingerbread-flavored recipes!
