Oat and Almond Flour Carrot Cookies are definitely my new favorite Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies! From the September 2001 issue of Real Simple, they have everything you want in a breakfast cookie in that they are tasty, nutritious and pretty filling thanks to the almond flour.
Real Simple calls them Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies, but I've changed the name because I posted my own Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies recipe years ago. My old recipe calls for regular flour rather than almond flour and sugar as opposed to maple syrup. These new cookies, with all the protein and healthy fat from the almond flour, will keep you fuller longer and are probably more breakfast-worthy.
Real Simple Almond Flour Carrot Cookies Notes
Before I told her they were breakfast cookies, I gave one to my daughter and she said "these have a real breakfast cookie vibe". And they do! The maple syrup adds a little sweetness, flavor and moisture. Still, they are less sweet than your usual cookies and a little sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top perks them up a bit, but is not required. One thing for sure is you really do need to let them cool for at least 20 minutes. If you nibble them right out of the oven you may be disappointed, because they have kind of a mealy texture at first. Once cooled they are much better. Also, pumpkin seeds and a bit of coconut are excellent additions, though definitely not required.
Recipe
Oat and Almond Flour Carrot Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups oats (120 grams)
- 1 cup almond flour (120 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg white
- ½ cup coconut oil, melted (use use 2 T. oil and 2 T. butter)
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated carrots (230 grams)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (optional) and/or some coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix together the oats, almond flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Make sure everything is very thoroughly and evenly blended.
- In another bowl, beat together the egg, egg white, oil, maple syrup and vanilla.
- Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture, then stir in the carrots and nuts. If you have some pumpkin seeds, those are a colorful addition as well.
- Shape the mixture into 12 equal balls and flatten slightly.
- Arrange on two parchment lined baking sheets (about 6 to a sheet) and bake sheets on middle and lower rack, switching halfway through, for about 30 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets for another 30 minutes.
Anna says
Thanks for the review, Cheryl! The batter for some of these fruit and vegetable type cookies can be very wet. I have a few where it's almost like spooning out quick bread batter, yet they bake into cookies.
Cheryl says
The batter was quite liquid so I could not make balls, but spooned them on to the parchment. But boy did they bake well and I really enjoyed them. Will definitely be making them again. Thank you Anna!
Going to check out your other healthy recipes.
Anna says
Glad to hear the oil worked! I may try making them with butter flavored olive oil.
Sue says
These turned out great! I had to sub vegetable oil for the coconut oil because I discovered my coconut oil was unreasonably old. The dough was a bit gloppy and I’m sure it’s the oil substitution to blame but the recipe still worked. I just scooped mounds onto the baking sheet and flattened the mounds. I used pepitas and a little unsweetened dried coconut. They were great additions.
My husband and I both like them. I wonder how they’ll be on day two?
Anna says
Yay! Glad he loves them 🙂
Sonya says
Simply fabulous. We made these again, and they're the only cookies I've given my son (except for the vast amount he gets at all the preschool parties, lol), because they just are so healthy with all the good ingredients. He loves them, and they're SO delicious!
Sonya says
You're welcome! That's good to know about Real Simple! 🙂
Anna says
Thanks Sonya! This recipe got buried under my other recipes, but it's a good one. Real Simple has always featured great recipes through the years.
Sonya says
Goodness, these were so delicious! My boys had a blast helping me to make them (4.5 & 1.5) and of course, to eat them. I don't usually give them sugar yet, but this was so little. Our whole family loved them. I was surprised by how amazing they were considering how healthy they are too, with the almond flour - just fabulous. Thank-you for a great recipe!!!
Sonya says
Looking forward to making these with my boys soon!
Sue says
These sound good and like a nice change for breakfast or a snack.
Anna says
Sonya, they are definitely filling.
Sonya says
You had me at "carrot cookie"! Hehe! And these are awesome; they actually look really really healthy to me! Thanks for sharing! I'm not baking much new stuff these days, but am bookmarking this for the future!