Earlier this month, my mom and I drove to Lowe’s to pick out a new washer and dryer for me. Upon arriving, we headed straight for the back of the home improvement store, narrowly dodging some of the overly zealous cars driving to IKEA in the back of the same parking lot.
Armed with information from Dad, we quickly narrowed down our choices to two similar models, and once the helpful sales associate explained the different options between them, we picked out the one with a few more features. Since I’m constantly baking (and somehow ending up with chocolate stains on my clothes), we thought that’d come in handy!
As the second part of our Lowe’s mission, we needed to find special metal table leg supports. Because I want to create more recipe how-to videos for you, I’m setting up a designated “video table” in my dining room… But my parents accidentally misplaced those metal fasteners that prevent the table from wobbling, and I don’t exactly want my cupcake batter to spill all over the table as I mix!
When we realized the store didn’t stock those extremely unique supports, we walked to the front to pay for just the washer and dryer. As we stood in line, my mom spotted king-sized Snickers bars on the shelves, each with a slightly different label, and she laughed as she pointed out the one with the “Princess” printed across it. That’s our nickname for my little dog with her oversized personality!
As we drove off, we both started craving something with chocolate and caramel… And I bet these Healthy Caramel Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies easily would’ve satisfied our sweet tooth moment! They’re supremely soft and tender, just like traditional oatmeal cookie recipes, but they’re only 99 calories!
Which is pure cookie heaven in my book! ??
I’m guessing I’m not the only Cookie Monster out there… Because my healthy oatmeal cookie recipes have been the most popular treats on my blog for the past 2 ½ years! They’re all low-calorie and made without butter, refined flour or sugar—and countless readers have called them even better than their previous go-to indulgent recipes! After you try this recipe, I highly recommend checking out my carrot cake, apple pie, and classic oatmeal raisin recipes!
So let’s briefly talk about how to make these! For starters, put away your mixers—you just need two bowls and a fork or spoon! You’ll measure out whole wheat flour (or gluten-free!) and instant oats (like these!) to put in the first bowl. Be sure you measure both the flour and oats correctly, using this method or a kitchen scale. Too much of either will dry out your dough and make your cookies cakey or crumbly, especially if you add too many oats. They act like sponges and soak up tons of moisture from the cookie dough!
For this reason, I highly recommend a kitchen scale. ← That’s the one I own and love! I only spent $20 on it, but it’s basically my favorite kitchen tool because it ensures all of my treats turn out with the perfect taste and texture every time I make them. I use it every single day!
To sweeten your cookies, you’ll skip the refined sugar and use pure maple syrup (like this!) instead. The only ingredient on the label should be “maple syrup,” and it generally comes in thin glass bottles or squat plastic jugs. Skip the pancake and sugar-free syrups because those contain corn syrup or artificial ingredients, which we’re avoiding in this healthy recipe!
For the finishing touch, you’ll mix in miniature chocolate chips (like these!) and “nature’s caramel”… Fresh dates! I’ve used dates to make this and this caramel sauce, and they’ve fooled my family and friends. Cut your dates to be about the same size as the mini chocolate chips to help the cookies bake evenly!
Is your inner Cookie Monster shouting, “Me want cookie!!” too?? ?? And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! ?) I’d love to see your oatmeal cookies and feature them in my Sunday Spotlight series!
| Healthy Caramel Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies | | Print |
- 1 cup (100g) instant oats (gluten-free if necessary and measured like this)
- ¾ cup (90g) whole wheat or gluten-free* flour (measured like this)
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tbsp (21g) coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120mL) pure maple syrup, room temperature
- 2 ½ tbsp (35g) miniature chocolate chips, divided
- 2-3 tbsp (20g) diced fresh dates
- Preheat the oven to 325°F, and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, egg, and vanilla. Stir in the maple syrup. Add in the flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Fold in 2 tablespoons of miniature chocolate chips and the dates. Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes.
- Drop the cookie dough into 15 rounded scoops onto the prepared sheet, and partially flatten to about half of their original heights using a spatula. Gently press the remaining miniature chocolate chips into the tops. Bake at 325°F for 9-11 minutes. Cool on the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.
Instant oats are also known as quick-cooking or minute oats. They come in large canisters, just like old-fashioned oats. They are not the ones in the small flavored packets of oatmeal. To make your own, add the same amount of old-fashioned oats to a food processor, and pulse 10-12 times.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free instant oats and the following gluten-free flour blend: ½ cup (60g) millet flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) tapioca flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) brown rice flour, and ½ teaspoon xanthan gum. Most store-bought gluten-free flour blends will also work, if measured like this.
Dried dates may be substituted for the fresh. Make sure to cut the dates to be the same size as the miniature chocolate chips to ensure they’re evenly distributed and the cookies bake evenly.
For answers to all other questions regarding substitutions and tips, see my Oatmeal Cookies FAQ Page.
{gluten-free, clean eating, low fat}
View Nutrition Information
You may also like Amy’s other recipes…
♡ Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
♡ Healthy Two-Ingredient Caramel Sauce
♡ The Easiest Ever Salted Caramel Sauce
♡ Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Oatmeal Cookies
♡ Chai Spice Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
♡ …and the rest of Amy’s healthy oatmeal cookie recipes!
Hi Amy, I hear ya about the washer! I bought the biggest size washer with all the bells and whistles earlier this year. I love it! We are all cookie monsters in this household! I will be making these either tonight or tomorrow. Will let you know how they turn out 🙂
With your lovely family, I can imagine a big washer would come in handy! I’m so glad you’re loving it! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what everyone thought of these cookies!
With 30+ years of service from my appliances, I’m in the market for a washer and dryer too. What kind did you get? I thought I might benefit from your dad’s research.
I bought LGs! The washer is model #WM3670H*A, and the dryer is model #DLGX3371*W. 🙂 I hope that helps Donna!
These sound amazing! I absolutely adore your apple pie oat cookies so I know these will be fantastic! Caramel and chocolate = heaven!
You’re so sweet Emma — that means a lot to me! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of these cookies if you try them too!
Hi! I was looking for a healthy oatmeal cookie recipe and came across this upgraded version (anything with chocolate and caramel is an upgrade). In your recipe, I didn’t see how much, what brand of caramel, and when you add to the cookie mixture. Can you please provide that detail/step? Thank you, looking forward to bake these soon!
I really appreciate your interest in my recipe Elaine! If you read the full text of the blog post above the recipe, that will answer your question. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of these cookies!
I read through your whole blog post multiple times (and tried to read it through another internet browser) and I can’t see the quanity needed or when it’s folded into the cookie mixture. I did see you mentioned the recipe for the caramel sauce…am I missing something here?!?!?
Look above the recipe in the text of my blog post for the paragraph with “nature’s caramel” in bold. That’s the type of “caramel” that these cookies use! 🙂
Morning Amy, we all died and went to heaven after eating these cookies!! They are fantastic. I love all your recipes because they are never overly sweet. You only taste the healthy goodness yet satisfies the sweet tooth! Thanks again! Luv ya heaps!
Awww yay!!! My heart is SO happy to hear that Carmelina!! Your family is so sweet — thank you for being my #1 fans! ♡
Two questions:
I am battling to find Maple – can I use honey instead?
Then, the same goes for fresh dates – can I use pitted, dried dates instead?
I really appreciate your interest in my recipe Tammyn! I’ve actually answered both of your questions in the Notes section underneath the Instructions. That section can be easy to miss! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of these cookies!
Hi Amy! I’m fourteen years old and love to bake, especially when it’s healthy! These cookie were amazing, and tasted just like my moms oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, but healthy! I have tried some of your other recipes and cant’s wait to find more. Thanks for all your delicious, healthy recipes!
You’re so sweet Emily — that means the world to me!! I’m truly honored that you’ve tried so many of my recipes already, and I’m so glad you enjoyed these cookies! I can’t wait to hear what you try next! 🙂
I make cookies about 2-3 times a year – I haven’t made ANY this year, though, but I’ve been craving rolo cookies for SO LONG. I’m going to be naughty and cheat – these cookies look healthy enough, and admittedly delicious as they are, but I’m going to replace the chocolate and dates with rolos. :B
I love that substitution idea Kim! I can’t wait to hear what you think of these cookies! 🙂
i really love your recipes because they all low in calories and looks gorgeous!! but how do you scoop your cookies? do u use ice cream scooper, spoon or do u weigh them? i can’t tell just by looking at the mouth-wathering photos hehehe. wishing you all the best of luck on your blog!! <3
You’re so sweet — thank you Jessica! If you watch the videos on my Oatmeal Cookie FAQ Page (there’s a link to it at the bottom of the Notes section of the recipe!), then you’ll see exactly what I do. In a nutshell… No scale or ice cream scoop, just a spoon and spatula! 🙂 I’d love to hear what you think of these cookies if you decide to try making them!