Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies

Daughter trying to steal a pumpkin oatmeal cookie

Pages on this site may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! Learn More


Also note: While I am a certified nutrition coach, I am not a medical doctor. Information here is not intended to be a replacement for the advice you should seek from your doctor.

Craving pumpkin pie 🍂 as the fall season approaches, but looking for a quick and easy whole food recipe for an on-the-go breakfast, healthy dessert, or snack? Look no further! My Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies are here for you! 🍪

These gluten-free oatmeal pumpkin cookies will become one of your favorite healthy pumpkin recipes and even one of your favorite healthy dessert recipes. Moreover, with the addition of dark chocolate chips, your kids will love them too!

Let’s discover what makes them so special!

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies – A Healthier Pumpkin Spice Treat

Store-bought oatmeal cookies often contain way too many sugars and refined oils, which are certainly not the best for our overall health.

For example, a pre-packaged pumpkin pie generally contains around 25 grams of sugar per slice, while a Starbucks pumpkin latte contains 50 grams of sugar (here is my healthier Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup)!

To put it in perspective, this is respectively about six and four tablespoons of sugar. Imagine putting six tablespoons of sugar in a cup and eating it. This is certainly not good for you – and not pleasant either!

Consider instead enjoying one of my soft and chewy chocolate chip pumpkin oatmeal cookies, vegan, low in sugar, and totally gluten-free 😋 .. a whole different story!

Indeed, for this recipe, I went completely refined sugar-free. In its place, are grade-A maple syrup, pumpkin pureè, vanilla extract, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg – all of which naturally sweeten these vegan pumpkin cookies.

Curious to know more about all the other amazing ingredients contained in these Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies? Well, look no further!

Oats – a Super Nutritious Cereal

Oats are one of the most nutritionally-dense grains. Indeed, they are rich in “good” complex carbs and fiber, while at the same time being higher in protein and healthy fats than most other grains.

In addition, they contain several different vitamins and minerals, such as Manganese and Vitamin B1, and antioxidants, like beta-glucans. These latter are particularly helpful in reducing blood pressure as well as reducing inflammation in the body and combating free radicals.

Last but not least, oats are a naturally gluten-free cereal, suitable for celiac or gluten-intolerant people. However, make sure to check the nutritional label, as some types of oats are manufactured in facilities that are shared with other grains that do contain gluten, and can therefore be contaminated with gluten.

If you want to learn more about the amazing health properties of oats, this article is for you!

Almond Flour – A Great Source of Vitamin E!

The second amazing ingredient of these Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies is almond flour! Almond flour is one of the healthiest and least processed flours on the market.

Indeed, it is composed of just blanched (without the skin) and grounded almonds (you can even prep it yourself at home!). This makes it not only naturally gluten-free but also richer in nutrients than whole-wheat flour.

Among them are soluble fiber, as well as minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, potassium, iron, and, most remarkably, vitamin E. Vitamin E is one of the most powerful antioxidants, as it can help protect human cells from oxidative stress and from the damages caused by free radicals. In addition, it is essential for proper immune function and cellular signaling.

In addition, almonds contain unsaturated fats that – when consumed in moderation – can help you improve blood cholesterol. The emphasis is on “moderation” because almonds are a very calorically and nutritionally dense food, so you don’t need to eat a whole bag to reap all their benefits.

Pumpkin – Low in Calories, but High in Nutrients!

Pumpkin is a veggie low in calories but certainly not in nutrients! Indeed, it is high in vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene, a carotenoid that is then converted into vitamin A, precious for boosting immunity and promoting eye and skin health.

Moreover, pumpkins are also high in soluble fiber, precious in helping us feel fuller and in promoting good gut health. This is why pumpkins are great when trying to lose or maintain our weight!

To know more about all the other amazing benefits of pumpkins, consider reading this article!

Spices – a powerhouse of antioxidants

As said above, spices (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg) are key ingredients in the preparation of these vegan pumpkin treats. Not only do they help give flavor and natural sweetness to the cookies, but they are also jam-packed with precious antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

For instance, cinnamon is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that can combat free radicals; ginger contains enzymes that can ease an upset stomach; cloves are a great source of manganese, an immune-boosting mineral; and, finally, nutmeg, a spice that can increase libido. Don’t expect that a little bit is going to get you excited though! 😜

If you want to know more about the amazing benefits of cinnamon, here is an article for you! 5 Health Benefits of Cinnamon, The Most Loved Autumnal Spice!

Dark Chocolate Chips: To Add Them, Or Not To Add Them?

Yes, you can definitely add dark chocolate chips to your gluten-free pumpkin cookies! However, when possible, prefer dark chocolate – with a higher content of cocoa and a lower content of refined sugar. Besides being delicious, dark chocolate is also highly beneficial for our overall health!

It is packed full of essential minerals, including iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and phosphorus. Zinc is great for supporting immunity, phosphorous can help keep your bones and teeth healthy, and magnesium can contribute to better sleep quality,

In addition, cocoa is a powerful source of antioxidants, helpful in promoting good heart health and lowering blood pressure.

Will you add some dark chocolate chips to your pumpkin spice cookies? Of course, if you don’t mind a touch of extra-indulgence, you can go ham on white chocolate chips. However, I would suggest doing half-half for a more balanced taste and nutritional profile!

An Easy and Healthy Pumpkin Dessert with Few Ingredients

Caitlin's daughter helping with making the Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies only involve five minutes of prep and about 30 minutes in the oven! Plus, they also only require five ingredients in addition to the spices.

I had my little sidekick help me bake these cookies. One of my other kids said they were the best cookies he’s ever had. Exaggeration? Perhaps, but he gets brownie points! 😄

For complete instructions, head to the recipe card below!

mixing pumpkin maple syrup mixture with oats and other dry ingredients

First of all, we mix all the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry in another.

You will then pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold them together.

Folding prevents bubbles, but you most likely won’t have to worry about that since these cookies are pretty dense!

healthy pumpkin oatmeal cookie batter mixed together

Once the wet and dry ingredients are mixed, this is what the batter should look like.

pumpkin oatmeal cookies before being pressed down

Place then the batter on the cookie sheet, and space them out about an inch. We will need room to press them down but they won’t rise a whole lot while cooking. I used a quarter measuring cup, but you can also use an ice cream scoop!

These cookies are pretty big, so feel free to make them smaller. I would just cook them for a slightly shorter duration (max of 30 min).

pressed down pumpkin oatmeal cookies

Here is what the cookies look like when I press them down with the flat end of a fork. Again, the cookies don’t rise a whole lot, so even a tiny amount of space between should be okay. 👍

A side note: my cookie sheet did not fit all of the cookies, so there are actually more than are shown here. The recipe makes about 14 to 16 large cookies.

If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my other Fall-inspired recipes, such as this earthy Curried Pumpkin Lentil Soup and this flavorful Kale Apple Beet Coleslaw!

pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies overhead

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Cookies

Craving pumpkin pie 🍂 as the fall season approaches, but looking for a quick and easy whole food recipe for an on-the-go breakfast, healthy dessert, or snack? Look no further! My Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies are here for you! 🍪
4.86 from 7 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 16 cookies
Calories 166 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
  • Pulse the oats in food processor until roughly chopped. Put in a mixing bowl and mix with all of the other dry ingredients: almond flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk all of the wet ingredients together: pumpkin (better if room temperature) and maple syrup. If you please, you can also add some vanilla extract.
  • Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients and blend. Add chocolate chips if you would like!
  • Use a 1/4 measuring cup to drop the batter onto the baking sheet. Space one inch apart and press down lightly.
  • Bake in the center of the oven for 30-35 minutes or until the sides and bottom are lightly browned.

Notes

Very Wellfit

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Cookies
Serving Size
 
1 cookie
Amount per Serving
Calories
166
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
3.4
g
5
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.8
g
5
%
Sodium
 
61
mg
3
%
Potassium
 
149
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
29.5
g
10
%
Fiber
 
3.6
g
15
%
Sugar
 
8.7
g
10
%
Protein
 
4.4
g
9
%
Calcium
 
34
mg
3
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword American, Chocolate, Oatmeal, Pumpkin
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

9 thoughts on “Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies”

  1. Mack

    The ingredients say baking powder, while the instructions say baking soda. Can you clarify?

  2. Lynette

    Can you use reg syrup or honey?

    1. Yes! I wouldn’t recommend most store syrups as they really are just high fructose corn syrup! Honey would be better. However, either would work. 🙂

  3. Carmen

    5 stars
    I just made these cookies and they are absolutely delicious! I added one tbsp of ground flax seeds and 1/2 cup of walnuts. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!

    1. Thank you! I’m so glad you liked them! The ground flax and walnuts sound delicious. Adds lots of healthy fats! I might have to do that when I make them again too! 😀

  4. Pingback: Steel-cut, Rolled, Instant: different types of oats for different needs!

  5. Kathy Gunyula

    Can you use monk fruit instead of maple syrup?

    1. Marta Benigni

      Sure! The conversion is around 120 grams of monk fruit (or 4 oz) for 1/2 cup of maple syrup (16 cookies) 🙂

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top