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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies

    Published: Sep 3, 2022 by Rosa · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

    258 shares
    JUMP TO RECIPE

    Chewy, sweet, and delicious air fryer oatmeal cookies! When you don’t want to overindulge, this small batch of cookies makes the perfect treat. Only four ingredients are needed and it’s ready in 10 minutes!

    Oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips on cooling rack.

    Oatmeal cookies make a great breakfast cookie, snack, and/or dessert.

    After such fantastic feedback on our air-fried peanut butter cookies, I felt it was time to add another air-fried cookie recipe to the blog.

    Jump to:
    • Why you’ll love these
    • Ingredients + Substitutions
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Expert Tips
    • More delicious air fried snacks
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why you’ll love these

    • Wholesome: These oatmeal cookies are healthier than most, using applesauce and pure maple syrup instead of oil/butter and refined sugar.
    • Quick + easy: These are SO easy to make. They only require four ingredients and the magic of air frying has these delicious bites “baked” in just 5 minutes.
    • Small batch: I particularly love a small-batch cookie recipe so I don’t overindulge and eat 12 cookies to myself. 😉
    • Delicious: They’re lightly sweetened, chewy, moist, and flavourful. The perfect oatmeal cookie.
    Air fryer oatmeal cookies on cooling rack after cooking them.

    Ingredients + Substitutions

    Here’s everything you’ll need to make these amazing air fryer oatmeal cookies.

    Bowls of rolled oats, applesauce, maple syrup, cinnamon, baking soda, cranberries and chocolate chips.
    See recipe card for quantities.
    • Oats: Use rolled oats, old fashion oats or quick-cooking steel cut oats, but not instant oats. Oats do not contain gluten in their natural form, but if you require gluten-free, make sure to choose oats that are certified gluten-free to prevent cross-contamination.
    • Applesauce: I prefer unsweetened applesauce. This acts as our binder and moisture, to make these cookies oil-free and egg-free. Plus, it adds natural sweetness.
    • Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup to sweeten the cookies using unrefined sugar.
    • Baking soda: Helps lift and slightly spread the cookies.
    • Optional fill-ins: For extra flavour, add the cinnamon, and a filler of choice. I love these with dark chocolate chips or dried cranberries.

    Instructions

    (This is a summary with step by step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)

    Rolled oats inside blender.

    Add the oats to a blender or food processor. (photo 1)

    Ground oats inside blender.

    Gently blend/pulse to break them down. (photo 2)

    NOTE: Don’t overprocess the oats, you don’t want to make flour. You want a mix of powder and whole oats. If you’re worried about overprocessing, add about half of the oats to your blender and process them into flour. Then combine the flour and the remaining whole oats in your mixing bowl.

    Oats, chocolate chips, baking soda, applesauce and maple syrup in large bowl.

    Add the processed oats and ALL remaining ingredients, including optional fill-ins to a bowl. (photo 3)

    Cookie dough mixture inside large glass bowl.

    Mix well to evenly distribute the ingredients and form your cookie dough. (photo 4)

    Cookie scoop scooping up cookie batter from large bowl.

    Use a cookie scoop to divide the batter and then shape and flatten each cookie in your hand. (photo 5)

    Cookies inside basket of air fryer.

    Place the flattened cookies into your parchment-lined fryer basket and air fry for 4-6 minutes. (photo 6)

    NOTES: Divide the mixture into 7 portions for smaller cookies, or 3-4 portions for large cookies. Wet your hands in between shaping every 1-2 cookies to prevent the batter from sticking to your hands.

    Once air fried, remove the basket from your fryer and let the cookies rest, undisturbed for at least 10 minutes before handling. They will appear underdone but they will firm up as they cool.

    After 10 minutes or so, transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling, or enjoy them warm.

    Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on cooling rack.

    Variations

    Change up your air fryer oatmeal cookies every time!

    • Plain: The basic recipe and no added fill-ins or flavours.
    • Chocolate chip: Add 2-3 tablespoons of dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips to the mix.
    • Cranberry: Add 2-3 tablespoons of dried unsweetened OR sweetened cranberries to the mixture.
    • Oatmeal raisin: Add 2-3 tablespoons of dried raisins.
    • Nutty: Add 2-3 tablespoons of chopped pecans or walnuts to the cookie batter.

    Or check out these oatmeal cookie variations!

    • Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
    • Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
    • Healthy Vegan Oatmeal Cookies
    • Zucchini Oatmeal Cookies

    Equipment

    I use a Ninja Foodi 8qt basket-style model. However, like most air-fried recipes, you can make these air fryer oatmeal cookies in any model of fryer including toaster oven styles.

    As always, different models will cook at different speeds, so make sure to watch your cookies carefully and start checking on them around the 4-minute mark.

    Can I bake these in the oven?

    Yes. If you don’t have a fryer, these work beautifully in the oven as well.

    Preheat your oven to 350°F/163°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the cookies in a single layer with space in between each one.

    Then bake them for 10-11 minutes. (They will look underdone, but take them out anyhow.)

    Remove from the oven and let them rest at room temperature, undisturbed for 10 minutes before handling.

    Storage

    Keep leftovers in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

    Store them in the refrigerator to keep for up to 5 days.

    Or freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months.

    Expert Tips

    • Don’t overprocess the oats. You don’t want to make flour or this will alter the cookie’s texture.
    • Use wet hands to roll and shape the batter. This helps prevent the cookie dough from sticking to your hands.
    • Don’t overdo it on fill-ins. More than 2-3 tablespoons of any fill-in will make these difficult to shape and they’ll fall apart more easily.
    • Do not overbake the cookies. They may appear underdone and soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
    • Let the cookies rest for 10 minutes before handling them. This brief cool-down helps them completely set.

    More delicious air fried snacks

    • Air Fryer Peaches [With Oven Instructions]
    • Healthy Air Fryer Popcorn [Oil Free]
    • Air Fryer Pecans [Two Ways!]
    • Air Fryer Pineapple (Tastes Like Grilled)

    If you tried this recipe, please let me know about it in the comments below. I always love hearing from you! Don’t forget to Subscribe to This Healthy Kitchen to be among the first to get my new recipes! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to see more delicious food and get all the latest updates.

    Buon appetito

    Rosa

    📖 Recipe

    Oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips on cooling rack.

    Air Fryer Oatmeal Cookies

    Chewy, sweet, and delicious air fryer oatmeal cookies!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine: American, Canadian
    Servings: 7 Cookies
    Calories: 69kcal
    Author: Rosa

    Equipment

    Picture of blender on white background.
    Vitamix Blender
    Ninja Foodi appliance on white background.
    Ninja Foodi Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda

    Optional

    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 2-3 tablespoons chocolate chips, chopped pecans or walnuts, raisins, or dried cranberries
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Add the oats to a blender or food processor and process for about 5-6 seconds to break them down. Do not overprocess. You want to have some floury bits with some whole oats, but you're not making flour, so don't overdo it.
    • Add the blitzed oats and all remaining ingredients, including any optional ones, to a medium bowl. Mix well.
    • Line your air frying basket with parchment paper. Then, divide the batter into 7 portions for small cookies or 3-4 portions for large cookies. Roll each portion into a ball and flatten and shape it in your hand. Then place it in the basket.
    • Air fry the oatmeal cookies at 325°F/163°C for 4-6 minutes, until slightly golden. Then remove the basket from the fryer and set it aside to let cool for at least 10 minutes before handling.
      NOTE: The cookies will appear underdone at first, but they will set as they cool, so don't overcook them.
    • After the 10 minutes, transfer to a warming rack to continue cooling or enjoy them warm.

    Notes

    Don’t overprocess the oats. You don’t want to make flour or this will alter the cookie’s texture.
    Use wet hands to roll and shape the batter. This helps prevent the cookie dough from sticking to your hands.
    Don’t overdo it on fill-ins. More than 2-3 tablespoons of any fill-in will make these difficult to shape and they’ll fall apart more easily.
    Do not overbake the cookies. They may appear underdone and soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
    Let the cookies rest for 10 minutes before handling them. This brief cool-down helps them completely set.
    The cookies will keep in a sealed container at room temperate for 2-3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze them airtight for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
    DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?Mention @this.healthy.kitchen on IG and tag #thishealthykitchen!
    *Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools and does not include optional ingredients unless otherwise indicated.
    258 shares

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    1. Niki

      September 04, 2022 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      I made them and they turned out to be very nice. I made a few changes to the recipe; added a small amount of olive oil, a couple spoons of hemp seeds, dried cranberry and baked them in an oven at 340 for 20 minutes. Thank you for your idea!

      Reply
      • Rosa

        September 06, 2022 at 9:54 am

        Thrilled you enjoyed Niki! Thanks for sharing your process with us. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Doris Cripps

      September 03, 2022 at 9:27 am

      Can they be baked in a regular oven? For how long and temp.

      Reply
      • Rosa

        September 03, 2022 at 9:38 am

        Hi Doris, see our section in the post titled “Can I bake these in the oven?” here: https://thishealthykitchen.com/air-fryer-oatmeal-cookies/#equipment

        Reply

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    258 shares