Applesauce Breakfast Cookies: Soft and Chewy Morning Treats
These applesauce breakfast cookies rely on a flaxseed gel to bind the oats and fruit without using eggs. You must whisk the flaxseed meal with water and let it sit for a minute to thicken. This ensures the dough holds its shape during baking. Bake at 175°C (350°F) until the edges are golden but the centres remain soft. This balance prevents the cookies from drying out, keeping the texture chewy and moist.
Applesauce Breakfast Cookies: Soft and Chewy Morning Treats
Recipe cardIngredients
Watch how it's made
Instructions
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Prepare the oven
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a 23 cm x 33 cm baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents the cookies from sticking to the metal.
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Make the flax gel
Whisk 7 g ground flaxseed meal and 15 ml water in a small bowl. Let the mixture sit for one minute until it becomes thick and glossy. This creates a vegan binder to hold the dough together.
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Mix dry ingredients
Combine 90 g rolled oats, 45 g oat flour, 1.5 g ground cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk them well to ensure the cinnamon is distributed evenly.
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Combine the dough
Stir 120 ml unsweetened applesauce, the flax gel, 5 ml virgin olive oil, and 3 ml vanilla extract into the dry mixture. Mix until a moist, cohesive dough forms.
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Fold in fruit
Gently fold 30 g chopped dates, 30 g raisins, and 30 g dried cherries into the dough. Use a spatula to ensure the fruit is spread evenly without overworking the batter.
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Shape the cookies
Scoop rounded balls of dough onto the sheet, spacing them 2.5 cm apart. Use the back of a spoon to flatten them to a 2.5 cm diameter. Flattening them manually ensures they bake evenly since they will not spread much on their own.
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Bake the treats
Bake for 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Turn the baking sheet halfway through the process to avoid uneven hotspots. The centres must remain soft to keep the cookies chewy.
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Cool the cookies
Leave the cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy due to trapped steam.
Check the edges of the cookies at the ten minute mark. If they are already dark brown, remove them immediately to prevent the centres from drying out. Overbaking will turn these from soft, chewy treats into hard biscuits, ruining the breakfast texture.
What to serve with it
Serve these cookies warm with a dollop of plain Greek yoghurt and a sprinkle of toasted coconut. You can also drop them into a bowl of oats with a splash of almond milk for a hearty breakfast parfait or pack them as a portable snack for school lunches.
Making it ahead
Hold the dough in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before baking to achieve a chewier texture. This resting period allows the oats and flaxseed gel to hydrate fully. You can also bake the batch in advance and store the finished cookies for your morning routine.
Storing and reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 1 month. Thaw them at approximately 4°C (39°F) overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours before eating.
Getting the texture right
Lightly flatten each ball of dough with the back of a spoon so they reach a 2.5 cm diameter. Bake until the edges are lightly golden but the centres remain soft. This ensures the cookies stay chewy and do not dry out in the oven.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 118
- Protein
- 3.2 g
- Carbs
- 18.4 g
- Fat
- 3.1 g
- Fiber
- 4.1 g
- Sugar
- 7.8 g
Estimated, and offered as a guide rather than a medical figure.
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Questions people ask
What does adding applesauce to cookies do?
It provides moisture and natural sweetness. The applesauce replaces refined fats and sugars, creating a soft, chewy crumb while adding a subtle fruit flavour to the breakfast cookies.
What is an easy recipe for breakfast cookies?
Combine oats, oat flour, cinnamon, and salt with applesauce, flax gel, olive oil, and vanilla. Fold in dried fruits and bake at 175°C (350°F) for 12 minutes for a wholesome morning treat.
What are the ingredients for 4 ingredient applesauce cookies?
No, this specific recipe uses more than four ingredients to ensure a balanced flavour and structure. It relies on oats, applesauce, flaxseed, and dried fruits for a nutrient-dense result.
