Looking for a feel good cookie? One that won’t make you sugar crash shortly after eating it? There is no white sugar in these little gems. Soft, sweet, tart, and nutty. These Cranberry Pistachio Oatmeal cookies are the perfect healthy holiday treat.

This recipe is a spin off my husband’s grandmother’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Grandma Van always had these deliciously soft and full of flavor cookies on hand when we would stop by for a visit. Oats, raisins, and walnuts just taste like Maryville, Missouri.

Cookie Ingredients

Need a little more chocolate in your life, try these healthy Fudgy Brownie Bites.

Oats & Almond Flour

Oats are a whole grain and an excellent way to get in your fiber and carbs. A few other worthy notes about oats according to Hrefna Palsdottir’s article on Healthline.com, 9 Health Benefits of Eating Oats and Oatmeal:

• Oats are rich with Magnesium
• Contains powerful Antioxidants
• High in soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol

Almond flour is also high in magnesium, which helps control blood sugar levels. Although almond flour is higher in fat and calories, the health benefits out weigh it. According to WebMD:

Almond flour is rich in monounsaturated fat, which can help keep cholesterol under control. Reducing cholesterol significantly lowers the risk of heart disease.

Health Benefits of Almond Flour, WebMD

Almond flour is also full of Vitamin E, which is great for cognitive health and reducing the risk of Alzheimer Disease.

If you like these festive cookies, you’ll love Creamy Pumpkin Pie Bars.

Coconut Sugar

What is coconut sugar, anyway? It is derived from the sap of the coconut palm flower. The flower is cut and the sap is collected. Sap is heated until the liquid has evaporated and all that’s left are the granules we called coconut sugar.

Coconut sugar is slightly better than white sugar, since it is less processed. However, it is still a form of sugar and should be consumed in moderation.

Eggs, Butter, Greek Yogurt

Eggs add a bit of protein and serve as the “glue” that holds cookies together. They add a level of richness, as well.

Most cookie recipes call for copious amounts of butter. Don’t get me wrong, I love butter. REAL BUTTER. But these are healthier cookies, so they have half the amount of butter than most cookies. I promise you, they are still just as tasty.

To keep that rich taste without sacrificing the healthiness of the cookies, we add in Greek yogurt.

Mix Ins

This is the fun part. Pick out your favorite morsels to create your cookie. I’ve tried this recipe several ways, and settled on the first option below as my favorite with dried Cranberries. No matter which bits you pick, always choose Orange Zest to go with. Cranberries and Orange go together like Doc and Marty.

Swap out any of these combinations in this Cranberry Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies recipe.

• Pistachios, and Chia Seeds
• Pecans and Mini Chocolate Chips
• Almonds and Hemp Seeds
• Walnuts and White Chocolate Chips

Spices

Anyone see that Everyone Loves Raymond episode where Raymond’s mom, Marie, gives Raymond’s wife, Debra, his favorite cookie recipe? Debra can’t seem to make the recipe as good as his mother. In the end, we find out that the recipe Marie gives Debra leaves out the secret ingredient: Ginger.

Ginger really does take this cookie to another level. The other 2 spices in these fit and festive cookies are Cinnamon and Vanilla. This is a beautiful combo mixed with orange zest.

How to Make

When baking with dried fruit, like raisins of cranberries, it’s best to soak them in water before to plump them up. This keeps your baked goods moist. I learned this while working in a bakery many moons ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see Grandma Van’s recipe suggest the same.

1.) To start, in a small sauce pan bring 1 cup of dried cranberries with 1 cup water to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, drain cranberry water, reserving 1/2 cup of the water for the recipe. Place hot reserved liquid in refrigerator to cool down.

2.) Measure out dry ingredients, whisk and set aside. Using a stand mixer (or handheld), cream together coconut sugar and butter until fluffy. Add in eggs, Greek yogurt, vanilla, orange zest, and cooled cranberry water. Mix until incorporated.

3.) Mix in dry ingredients until just incorporated, then add in mix ins. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. They will be lightly golden brown.

Substitute Options

Butter

You can sub coconut oil for the butter. Avocado oil will also work. If you would like that buttery taste, in a plant based option, go for Earth Balance.

Flour

Besides the oats and almond flour, there is 1 cup of flour in this recipe. Gluten free flour works amazing in these cookies. Go for the 1 to 1 baking flour. I like Bob’ Red Mill. Whole wheat flour can also be used.

Pistachios & Chia Seeds

As mentioned above, pick your favorite bits for these cookies. There are several options. Chocolate chips and pecans are my second favorite in these Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies. Here are a few other options:

• White Chocolate Chips
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Mini Chocolate Chips
• Almonds
• Hemp Seeds
• Flax Seeds
• Macadamia Nuts
• Pumpkin Seeds

How to Store

Store these cookies in an air tight container on the counter for up to 4 days. Freeze in a zip top bag for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave on counter until room temperature, or defrost in microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

More Healthy Cookie Recipes

If you like these Cranberry Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies, you’ll love these…

Pumpkin Cookies

Apple Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies

Healthy & Hearty Banana Cookies

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