Looking for a healthy pumpkin dessert that takes only 20 minutes to make? You need to try my easy and healthy pumpkin cookies. This crowd-pleasing fall dessert is one of my favorites, and I also make it for Thanksgiving every year. The best part: you can make these cookies beforehand and serve whenever you’re ready!
These cookies are a more wholesome take on a traditional dessert because they combine whole-grain oat flour, pumpkin, warming spices, and dark chocolate rather than relying mainly on refined flour and sugar. They still contain added sugar and fat, so they are best enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
However, the combination of fiber, whole grains, pumpkin, and flavorful ingredients makes them a satisfying option when you want something sweet without feeling guilty.
What Makes These Pumpkin Cookies Healthy?
Coconut oil – provides fat, which helps give the cookies a soft texture and rich taste. Using melted coconut oil can also be a simple alternative to butter in baking. Like all cooking oils, coconut oil is calorie-dense, so it is best enjoyed in moderate amounts.
Pumpkin puree – provides fiber and is naturally rich in carotenoids, including beta-carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A. Pumpkin also adds moisture and a naturally sweet flavor, and makes the cookies soft.
Oat flour – contains fiber, including a type called beta-glucan, which is associated with heart health and digestive health. Oat flour also provides carbohydrates for energy and makes the cookies more filling than cookies made primarily with refined white flour.
Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice contain plant compounds called polyphenols and other antioxidants. They also allow you to create a naturally sweet-tasting cookie without relying entirely on added sweeteners.
Dark chocolate chips – contain more cocoa and less sugar than milk chocolate, and cocoa naturally provides antioxidant plant compounds called flavanols. Choosing dark chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage can be a way to keep added sugar lower.
Healthy Pumpkin Cookies Recipe
Ingredients for 12 cookies | Total time: 20 minutes
- 1/4 cup of coconut oil (melted)
- 1/2 cup of maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree
- 2 cups of oats flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- a pinch of sea salt
- 1 cup of dark chocolate chips
How To Make These Healthy Pumpkin Cookies
Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, line a baking pan with parchment paper and in a mixing bowl, combine melted coconut oil and maple syrup. Whisk well to combine, and add in the pumpkin purée and the vanilla extract, and give it a mix.
Finally, add in the rest of your ingredients, combine well, and fold in the chocolate chips. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop little balls of the dough and place it onto the lined baking tray. Press gently on each scoop of dough with your fingertips to form a cookie shape. Bake for 10 minutes and enjoy.
Healthy Pumpkin Cookies Nutrition Facts
Each pumpkin cookie has | 103 calories | 5.2g total fat | 4.3g saturated fat | 0mg cholesterol | 148mg sodium | 13.8g total carbs | 0.7g dietary fiber | 8.7g total sugars | 0.8g protein | 15mg calcium | 1mg iron | 55mg potassium | These facts are based on a 2000-calorie diet.
Storage
You can store these healthy pumpkin cookies in a Tupperware on your kitchen counter for up to 5 days and up to 2 weeks in the fridge. You can also freeze them in the freezer for up to 3 months. After freezing, thaw for an hour and reheat them in the microwave before serving.
Want More Pumpkin Recipes?
- Low Calorie No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Low Calorie Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Low Calorie Pumpkin Banana Bread
- Low Calorie Pumpkin Pancakes
- Low Calorie Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Conclusion
There you go! You can now make your own healthy pumpkin cookies at home that do not require a ton of ingredients. I hope you try this recipe, and if you do, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. You can also find me on Pinterest & Facebook for more healthy, low-calorie recipes.
