Healthy Oat Cookies With Dried Fruit & Nuts

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• ¾ cup whole wheat flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅓ cup coconut oil or olive oil, melted
• ⅓ cup honey or pure maple syrup
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup chopped dried fruit (e.g., cranberries, raisins, apricots)
• ½ cup chopped nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
• Optional: 2 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds for extra fiber

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and flaxseed/chia if using.
3. In another bowl, mix wet ingredients: melted coconut oil, honey/maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined. Fold in dried fruit and nuts.
5. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie onto the baking sheet. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.
6. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.
7. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.