When you need something sweet but don’t want to sabotage your healthy eating, these cranberry oatmeal cookies are the answer. Made with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats and naturally sweetened with applesauce, these cookies give you the comfort of a cookie with fewer calories and WW points!
I’ve always been a cookie lover but finding recipes that satisfy my sweet tooth while keeping my nutrition goals in check can be tough. That’s why I’m excited to share this Weight Watchers version that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE HEALTHIER CRANBERRY OATMEAL COOKIES
There’s something so comforting about homemade oatmeal cookies but traditional recipes can be loaded with butter and sugar. These healthier cookies have that classic taste and chewy texture but cut back on the not so good stuff.
What makes these cookies special is the perfect balance of brown sugar sweetness and dried cranberry tartness. The reduced butter and addition of applesauce makes them lighter in calories and creates a moist texture that’s hard to resist.
Plus they’re super versatile! You can enjoy them as a breakfast treat with your morning coffee, pack them for a midday snack or satisfy your evening sweet tooth without guilt.
ARE OATMEAL COOKIES ACTUALLY HEALTHY?
While traditional oatmeal cookies aren’t necessarily “unhealthy”, they do contain a lot of butter and sugar which adds up calorie-wise. The good news is oatmeal cookies have a head start in the nutrition department compared to many other cookies because of the oats!
Oats are packed with fiber, especially beta-glucan which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. They also provide important nutrients like manganese, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin B1.
This lightened up version takes the nutritional benefits even further by reducing the butter by half and using unsweetened applesauce as a natural sweetener and moisture adder. The result is a cookie with fewer calories and fat but still that homemade taste.
Are they as healthy as a bowl of vegetables? Of course not! But when you need a sweet treat that aligns with your nutrition goals these cookies are a great option you can feel good about eating.
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS
For all my WW friends out there here are the points: These healthier cranberry oatmeal cookies are 2-3 PersonalPoints™ each. Points may vary based on your personal plan so I always recommend adding the recipe to your WW app while logged in to get your points.
INGREDIENTS
Below you'll find all the ingredients needed for these WW-friendly cranberry oatmeal cookies that offer the perfect balance of sweetness and nutrition:
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- Baking Soda
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Nutmeg
- Butter
- Light Brown Sugar
- Unsweetened Applesauce
- Large Egg
- Vanilla Extract
- Dried Cranberries
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHIER CRANBERRY OATMEAL COOKIES
STEP ONE: PREHEAT AND LINE BAKING SHEETS
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg and whisk together to combine.
STEP TWO: CREAM BUTTER AND SUGAR
Beat the soft butter and light brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Make sure your butter is at room temp but not melted for best results.
STEP THREE: ADD WET INGREDIENTS
Add the egg, vanilla and applesauce to your butter/sugar mixture and beat 2-3 minutes until combined. Don’t worry if it looks a bit curdled after adding the applesauce – that’s normal.
STEP FOUR: COMBINE WET AND DRY INGREDIENTS
Fold in the oat mixture into your wet ingredients until just combined. Don’t overmix. Let the batter rest 5-10 minutes to allow the oats to soak up some liquid and thicken the batter.
STEP FIVE: ADD CRANBERRIES AND BAKE
Fold in the dried cranberries and drop tablespoons of batter onto your prepared baking sheets, about an inch apart. Bake 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden brown, knowing the centers will firm up as they cool.
STEP SIX: SERVE
Transfer cookies to a plate and enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea!
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHIER CRANBERRY OATMEAL COOKIES
Now that you know all about these Healthier Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies, it's time to print the recipe or save it for later.
You can print off the complete ingredients and instructions for Healthier Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies via the recipe card below.
- 1 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
- 1/4 cup of Butter softened
- 1/4 cup of Light Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup of unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 Large Egg
- 1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 cup of Dried Cranberries
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Mix oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl and set aside.
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Cream softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy (3-4 minutes).
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Add egg, vanilla, and applesauce, beating for 2-3 minutes more.
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Incorporate oat mixture by folding gently.
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Let batter rest 5-10 minutes to thicken as oats absorb liquid.
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Fold in dried cranberries.
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Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Drop tablespoons of batter about an inch apart.
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Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
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Yield: 18-20 cookies
If you don't have time to print it off right now, no worries! Just save the pin to your Pinterest account by clicking the pin button located in the recipe card below.
If you make this recipe and LOVE it… please come back and leave a 5-star rating. It would mean so much to me!
If you liked this delicious WW-friendly cookie recipe, be sure to check these other great recipes out:
- Easy Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies
- Cranberry and Brie Triscuit Snacks
- Weight Watchers Diabetic Meal Plan
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