Waking up to a blaring alarm clock is a terrible way to start the day. Waking up to a fresh batch of breakfast cookies? Much better. We’re thinking we might finally leave the house with a smile instead of the usual we-need-coffee-now face, and it’s all thanks to ingredients like blueberries, cranberries, and oats that make these nine breakfast cookie recipes perfect healthyish treats.
1. Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies
Cookies have a reputation as a not-so-great treat for those with gluten allergies, but times are changing. These breakfast bites are not only gluten-free, they’re also vegan. And delicious. To make them even healthier, try substituting fresh blueberries for dried cranberries.
2. Protein-Packed Monster Breakfast Cookies
Why stick to breakfast shakes when you can get protein from cookies? Made with sunflower-seed spread (though any nut butter would work), flax meal, chocolate chips, hemp seed, and shredded coconut, this power breakfast provides as many healthy fats as flavor bursts. To help muscles recover from an extra tough workout, make open-faced cookie sandwiches topped with extra nut butter and sliced banana.
3. Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cookies
Whether it actually is the season to go apple picking or you just wish it were, these bites of fall heaven are everything you want and more. This recipe uses maple syrup, coconut oil, applesauce, and dried cranberries to create the ideal breakfast treat. Pair with your festive coffee drink of choice.
4. Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Gluten-free, vegan, and most importantly, pumpkin. This recipe takes advantage of the best fall flavors: Oats, pumpkin, nutmeg, and cinnamon all have starring roles in this cookie. We like them crumbled on top of Greek yogurt, but they also work great as an on-the-go snack.
5. Blueberry Coconut Pecan Breakfast Cookies
Sure, banana bread is a delicious way to make use of overripe bananas, but this sweet fruit has a variety of uses beyond the loaf. Next time your bananas go brown, try this gluten-free and vegan recipe. Full of dried blueberries (hello, antioxidants!), coconut, pecans, and oats, these cookies will make you forget banana bread even exists (for the moment, at least).
6. Zucchini Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
This cookie’s name is a mouthful, which is actually kind of apt given all the crazy-good things packed into every bite. Filled with nutrient-rich zucchini, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, and oats, these breakfast cookies provide a healthy dose of veggies while tasting like dessert. Tip: Use agave or honey instead of granulated sugar for an extra healthy snack.
7. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Breakfast Cups
Why dunk cookies into milk when you can pour milk over them instead? These adorable cookie cups make breakfast that much tastier (and more fun to eat). Use a muffin tin to get the perfect cup-like mold and top with the fruit and dairy of your choice. We love to pair these cookies with fresh berries and Greek yogurt.
8. Peanut Butter Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies
Combining peanut butter and banana is a breakfast no-brainer. Whether using the duo as a toast topper, smoothie addition, or oatmeal mix-in, peanut butter and banana make any breakfast food taste better. (Well, maybe not scrambled eggs.) This recipe uses coconut oil, oats, and chocolate to create a guilt-free, vegan cookie packed with nutrients. Talk about a breakfast of champions.
9. Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
This recipe isn’t just a cookie—it’s a cookie that’s flavored like a cake. Twice the treat power! But don’t let the name fool you. Made with flaxseed, banana, carrots, nuts, and oats, these vitamin-rich bites will satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you full until lunch.
Originally published September 2014. Updated March 2017.
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