Healthy Monster Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These Healthy Monster Cookies are packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, flaxseed, and peanut butter, making them a nutritious treat you can feel good about. They offer a perfect balance of chewy texture and sweet chocolatey bites in every mouthful.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups Bob’s Red Mill Organic Gluten Free Oats
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter (the drippy kind)
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup candy coated chocolate pieces
- 1/4 cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, hemp hearts, flaxseed meal, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Step 3: In a larger bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add the eggs and whisk again until fully incorporated. Stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
- Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix gently with a rubber spatula just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips, candy coated chocolates, and chopped peanuts evenly through the dough.
- Step 5: Scoop the dough into 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt.
- Step 6: Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until the edges are slightly golden and the tops are set. For the best texture, it’s ideal to slightly underbake these cookies.
- Step 7: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with more flaky sea salt if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use natural creamy peanut butter with a runny consistency for easier mixing and better texture.
- Swap the candy coated chocolates for raisins or dried cranberries for a different flavor.
- For a nut-free version, replace peanuts with sunflower seeds or omit them entirely.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help the cookies hold their shape better.
Storage
Store your monster cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10 seconds if you prefer them warm.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular oats instead of gluten free oats?
Yes, regular oats work fine if gluten sensitivity is not a concern. Just be sure they are old-fashioned or rolled oats for the best texture.
How can I make these cookies vegan?
To make these cookies vegan, replace the butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) instead of eggs, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips.
Print
Healthy Monster Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Healthy Monster Cookies are a nutritious and delicious twist on the classic treat, featuring gluten-free oats, natural peanut butter, hemp hearts, and a mix of chocolate chips and candy-coated chocolates. Packed with wholesome ingredients and lightly sweetened, they offer a perfect balance of texture and flavor, ideal for a snack or dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth without the guilt.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups Bob’s Red Mill Organic Gluten Free Oats
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter (the drippy kind)
Mix-ins and Toppings
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup candy coated chocolate pieces
- 1/4 cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prep the oven and baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (177℃). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free oats, hemp hearts, ground flaxseed meal, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until they are evenly combined. Set this bowl aside.
- Create wet mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted and slightly cooled butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Crack in the eggs, whisking again until the mixture is fully combined and smooth. Then add the creamy natural peanut butter and whisk thoroughly until the mixture is homogenous.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry oat mixture to the wet peanut butter mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold and stir until everything is just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Fold in mix-ins: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips, candy coated chocolate pieces, and chopped roasted salted peanuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Portion cookie dough: Using a tablespoon measure, scoop out dough balls about 1 1/2 tablespoons each. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing each dough ball about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Lightly sprinkle each dough ball with flaky sea salt for a salty contrast.
- Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes. The cookies should have edges that are just slightly golden, and the tops should be set but not overbaked. Slight underbaking is preferred for a tender texture.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. Once cooled, sprinkle additional flaky sea salt if desired to enhance flavor.
Notes
- For best texture, do not overbake the cookies; they will firm up as they cool.
- You can substitute natural peanut butter with almond butter if desired, but be mindful it may alter the flavor.
- Use gluten-free oats to keep the recipe gluten-free; regular oats work if gluten is not a concern.
- Adjust the amount of candy coated chocolates or chocolate chips based on sweetness preference.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Healthy Monster Cookies, gluten free cookies, peanut butter cookies, oatmeal cookies, low sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, snack recipes
