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

Scale

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