Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookies (That Are Actually Good for You)

Make mornings easier with these wholesome oatmeal raisin breakfast cookies—naturally sweetened, freezer-friendly, and made with pantry staples.

Homemade oatmeal raisin breakfast cookies on a rustic wooden surface with scattered oats and raisins.

Let me tell you, mornings on the homestead aren’t always slow and cozy. Sometimes they’re chaotic, rushed, and fueled by the hope that I remembered to make something ahead of time. That’s where these oatmeal raisin breakfast cookies come in.

They’re soft and chewy, just sweet enough, and packed with good-for-you ingredients like oats, flaxseed, applesauce, and whole wheat flour. And the best part? My kids think they’re getting cookies for breakfast—while I’m secretly handing them a wholesome, energy-packed start to the day.

If you’re looking for a make-ahead breakfast that feels like a treat but eats like fuel, you’ve got to try these.

Why You’ll Love These Breakfast Cookies

  • Quick & Easy – One bowl, no fancy tools, and minimal cleanup.
  • Wholesome Ingredients – No refined sugar, just natural sweetness from honey, applesauce, and raisins.
  • Perfect for On-the-Go – Grab one (or two!) on your way out the door or tuck them into lunchboxes.
  • Kid-Approved – Soft and chewy with just the right amount of cinnamon.

How to Make Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookies (Step-by-Step)

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a reusable baking mat to make cleanup a breeze and help prevent sticking.

In a large mixing bowl, combine your vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, unsweetened applesauce, and honey. Use a fork or whisk to stir everything together until it’s smooth and the eggs are fully incorporated. This is your wet mixture—and it’ll smell sweet and cozy right off the bat.

In a separate medium bowl, mix together the whole wheat flour, rolled oats, ground flaxseed, baking soda, cinnamon, and raisins. Stir until everything is well combined. Make sure the raisins are coated with the flour mixture—this helps keep them from sinking to the bottom of your cookies while baking.

Now pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Stir the mixture gently with a spoon or spatula until everything is just combined. The dough will be thick but sticky.

A mixing bowl filled with oatmeal raisin breakfast cookie dough, loaded with rolled oats and raisins, and a spatula resting inside.
Thick and hearty oatmeal raisin cookie dough ready for scooping—this wholesome mix is packed with fiber, natural sweetness, and feel-good ingredients perfect for breakfast.

Using a spoon or small scoop, drop portions of dough onto your prepared cookie sheet. Leave about two inches between each cookie to allow room for spreading. If you like a flatter cookie, you can gently press each mound of dough down with the back of the spoon.

Slide the cookie sheet into your preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are set and the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look soft—that’s okay! They’ll finish setting as they cool.

Remove the pan from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This gives them time to firm up so they don’t fall apart when you move them. After that, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Freshly baked oatmeal raisin breakfast cookies cooling on a wire rack.
Let your cookies cool completely on a wire rack to keep their crisp edges and tender centers just right.

Tips for Making the Best Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookies

These cookies are pretty foolproof, but here are a few tips to get the most out of your batch:

  • Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Instant oats will make the cookies too soft and mushy.
  • Don’t skip the flaxseed—it adds nutrition and helps bind the cookies together.
  • Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving. They firm up as they sit.
  • Add mix-ins if you want—a handful of chopped nuts or a few dark chocolate chips can totally work here.

How to Store & Freeze

Store your oatmeal raisin breakfast cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months and thaw beautifully overnight on the counter.

Recipe Variations to Try

Want to switch things up? Try these tweaks:

  • Swap raisins for dried cranberries or chopped dates
  • Use maple syrup instead of honey
  • Add a pinch of nutmeg or clove for a warmer spice profile
  • Toss in a tablespoon of chia seeds for added crunch and nutrition

Troubleshooting Your Breakfast Cookies

Dry cookies usually mean there’s too much flour or not enough moisture. Be sure to measure your flour correctly (spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off), and don’t overbake. Slightly underbaking helps them stay soft and chewy.

Yes! You can substitute each egg with a “flax egg” (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) or use a store-bought egg replacer. This keeps the texture soft and binds the dough without compromising the flavor.

If your cookies are spreading too much, the dough might be too warm or wet. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking. Also double-check your baking soda measurement—too much can cause excessive spreading.

You can reduce the honey slightly, but cutting too much can affect the texture and moisture. Maple syrup works as a 1:1 swap, or try mashed banana for a lower-sugar, fruit-sweetened option—just expect a softer, more cake-like cookie.

These cookies are naturally light due to the ingredients (no refined sugar or butter), so they won’t brown like traditional cookies. If they’re baked through and slightly golden on the bottom, they’re done—even if the tops still look pale.

Don’t forget to pin these breakfast cookies for next week’s meal prep.

Overhead view of oatmeal raisin cookies cooling on a wire rack, featuring golden, chewy texture and visible raisins.

Breakfast doesn’t have to be boring—or boxed. These oatmeal raisin breakfast cookies are proof that a little prep goes a long way toward easier mornings and happier bellies. Whether you’re rushing out the door, packing school lunches, or just craving something wholesome with your morning coffee, these cookies deliver. They’re soft, naturally sweetened, and packed with ingredients you can feel good about—no refined sugar, no mystery ingredients, just simple, nourishing goodness.

What’s your favorite make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings? I’d love to hear what keeps your mornings running smoothly—bonus points if it feels like a treat!

A close-up of oatmeal raisin cookies broken in half on a wooden cutting board, revealing their soft centers.
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Oatmeal Raisin Breakfast Cookies

These soft and chewy oatmeal raisin breakfast cookies are naturally sweetened and full of wholesome ingredients—perfect for busy mornings or a quick afternoon pick-me-up. Easy to prep, freezer-friendly, and made with pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
Print Recipe
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:25 minutes

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Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, vanilla, applesauce, and honey.
    ½ cup Vegetable Oil, ½ cup Applesauce, 2 large Eggs, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, ¼ cup Honey
  • In another bowl, mix flour, oats, flaxseed, baking soda, cinnamon, and raisins.
    1 ½ cups Whole Wheat Flour, 1 cup Rolled Oats, ½ cup Raisins, ¼ cup Ground Flaxseed, ½ teaspoon Baking Soda, ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • Combine wet and dry ingredients until fully incorporated.
  • Drop by spoonfuls onto prepared sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
  • Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.
  • Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

  • These cookies freeze beautifully—store in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
  • You can swap raisins for dried cranberries, chopped dates, or mini chocolate chips.
  • Great for school lunches or quick snacks—no crumbly mess!

Nutrition

Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: breakfast cookies, healthy cookies, kid-friendly, make-ahead breakfast
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 116kcal
Cost: $6

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2 Comments

  1. Judith Gibson says:

    I have always loved oatmeal cookies, and they are my 6 year old grandson’s favorite. I thought all of the ingredients in this recipe were great until I saw vegetable oil. Even if you can even find organic vegetable oil, it is considered to be a trans fat, which clogs arteries, and contains zero nutrition. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable_oil Vegetable oils are made using soy or corn, which are sprayed heavily with pesticides. Then, glyphosate is sprayed on them for desiccation, to make harvesting easier. Then, there’s canola, made from Rape Seeds, which is so toxic, livestock and insects won’t touch it. A better, option would be to use organic, cold pressed coconut oil, which is loaded with Omega 3, and has great nutritional value.

    Then, when I saw that a microwave is used to heat up the cookies, I was shocked. Microwaving renders any food into dead food. So, that all of the vitamins, minerals and enzymes are completely destroyed.

  2. PintSizeFarm says:

    Yum, hubby is always looking for new quick breakfast options. Thanks for the idea.