Looking for an easy applesauce oatmeal cookie recipe? These soft oatmeal cookies combine unsweetened applesauce, old-fashioned oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. The applesauce adds moisture, while the oats give the cookies a hearty texture.
This recipe makes about 18 cookies and takes around 22 minutes from start to finish. For the best texture, take the cookies out of the oven while the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
Why This Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Recipe Works
This applesauce oatmeal cookie recipe keeps the ingredients simple and the preparation straightforward. In addition, you can customize the cookies with several easy add-ins.
- Uses common baking ingredients
- Requires no special equipment
- Uses unsweetened applesauce for moisture
- Uses old-fashioned oats for a hearty texture
- Adds cinnamon and vanilla for flavor
- Takes about 22 minutes from start to finish
- Works with raisins, chocolate chips, nuts, or dried cranberries
If you enjoy soft oatmeal cookies, you can also try this soft and chewy oatmeal cookie recipe.
What Does Applesauce Do in Oatmeal Cookies?
Applesauce adds moisture and mild sweetness to cookie dough. As a result, it can help create a softer cookie while adding a subtle fruit flavor.
Bakers also use applesauce in some recipes to replace part of the butter or oil. However, this particular applesauce oatmeal cookie recipe contains neither butter nor oil. Therefore, applesauce mainly provides moisture and helps shape the texture of these cookies.
For better control over sweetness, use unsweetened applesauce.
Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Recipe Ingredients
Main Ingredients for Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1½ cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Old-fashioned oats give these cookies their intended texture. However, different oat varieties can behave differently during baking. Therefore, changing the oats can also change the finished texture.
For more information about oats and their uses, see the USDA WIC Works guide to oats.
Optional Add-Ins for Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
You can bake the basic cookies without any extras. Alternatively, add one of the following:
- Raisins
- Chocolate chips
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Dried cranberries
These add-ins can change the flavor and texture. However, they remain completely optional.
How to Make This Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
First, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The parchment makes the cookies easier to remove and also simplifies cleanup.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Add the applesauce, egg, vanilla extract, and brown sugar to a mixing bowl.
Then, stir until the ingredients combine evenly.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients for the Oatmeal Cookies
In a separate bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
Next, stir the dry ingredients until the baking soda, cinnamon, and salt distribute evenly.
Step 4: Combine the Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Dough
Add the dry mixture to the applesauce mixture.
Then, stir gently until the ingredients come together and no visible streaks of flour remain. Stop mixing once the dough forms.
The dough should look soft and moist.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake the Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
Now, scoop the dough into portions and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between each portion.
Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes.
The edges should look set, while the centers can still look slightly soft. However, do not wait for the centers to become completely firm in the oven. They will continue to set as the cookies cool.
Step 6: Cool the Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
After baking, leave the cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
Then, transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool completely. This short cooling period helps the cookies finish setting and makes them easier to handle.
Tips for Soft Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
Use Unsweetened Applesauce for This Cookie Recipe
Unsweetened applesauce gives you better control over the sweetness. In contrast, sweetened applesauce can make the finished cookies sweeter than intended.
Use Old-Fashioned Oats for Better Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
This recipe calls for old-fashioned oats. They give the cookies a noticeable oat texture and a chewier bite.
Quick oats can produce a softer texture. Therefore, expect a different result if you replace the old-fashioned oats.
Measure the Applesauce and Flour Carefully
Applesauce adds moisture to the dough. Because of that, extra applesauce can make the dough too wet.
For consistent results, measure both the applesauce and flour accurately instead of adjusting the amounts by eye.
Avoid Overmixing the Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Dough
Mix the dough only until the ingredients come together.
Once you no longer see dry flour, stop stirring. This simple step helps prevent unnecessary mixing.
Do Not Overbake Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
Keep an eye on the cookies near the end of the baking time.
For softer cookies, remove them while the centers still look slightly soft. Afterward, the residual heat will help the cookies finish setting as they cool.
Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Recipe Variations
Chocolate Chip Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
Add chocolate chips to the dough before scooping the cookies. The chocolate adds sweetness and pairs well with cinnamon and oats.
For another chocolate-chip option, try these mini chocolate chip cookies.
Raisin Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
Raisins pair naturally with oatmeal cookies. So, you can stir them into the dough before portioning the cookies.
If you prefer a dedicated oatmeal raisin recipe, try these easy oatmeal raisin cookies.
Nutty Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
Chopped walnuts or pecans add crunch to these soft cookies. However, use a moderate amount so the nuts do not overpower the oats.
Cranberry Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
Dried cranberries add a sweet-tart flavor that works particularly well with cinnamon and oats.
Are Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies Healthy?
The word “healthy” can mean different things depending on the ingredients, portion size, and overall diet. This recipe contains oats and applesauce, but it also contains brown sugar and all-purpose flour.
Oats provide dietary fiber and make a useful whole-grain ingredient. Therefore, they add nutritional value to the recipe without turning the cookies into a health food.
For that reason, it is more accurate to describe these as homemade oatmeal cookies made with applesauce rather than making a broad health claim.
The exact nutrition also varies with ingredient brands, portion sizes, and optional add-ins. Therefore, this article does not provide estimated calorie or macronutrient numbers without a reliable calculation.
How to Store Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
Room Temperature Storage for Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
First, let the cookies cool completely before storing them.
Then, place them in an airtight container and keep the container in a cool, dry place. This helps protect the cookies from drying out and helps maintain their texture.
Can You Refrigerate Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies?
You do not need to refrigerate the cookies for normal short-term storage. However, if your kitchen becomes particularly warm, you can place the cookies in an airtight container and refrigerate them.
Keep in mind that refrigeration can change the texture slightly.
Can You Freeze Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies?
Yes, you can freeze baked applesauce oatmeal cookies for longer storage.
First, let them cool completely. Then, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. If you stack the cookies, separate the layers as needed to prevent sticking.
Finally, thaw the cookies before serving.
For comparison, King Arthur Baking also recommends airtight room-temperature storage for its oatmeal cookie recipe and freezing for longer storage. King Arthur Baking oatmeal cookie recipe
Common Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Mistakes
Adding Too Much Applesauce
Extra applesauce adds more moisture and can make the dough too wet.
Therefore, measure the applesauce carefully and follow the recipe amount.
Changing the Oats Without Expecting a Texture Change
Old-fashioned oats and quick oats can produce different textures.
For the texture intended in this recipe, use old-fashioned oats. If you choose quick oats instead, expect a softer result.
Overmixing the Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Dough
Mix the dough only until the ingredients come together.
Once the flour disappears into the mixture, stop stirring. As a result, you avoid unnecessary mixing.
Overbaking the Cookies
Do not wait for the centers to become completely firm in the oven.
Instead, remove the cookies when the edges look set and the centers still look slightly soft.
Moving the Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies Too Soon
Fresh cookies can feel delicate right after baking.
So, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Frequently Asked Questions About Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies
Can I Use Sweetened Applesauce in This Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Recipe?
Yes, but unsweetened applesauce gives you better control over the sweetness.
If you use sweetened applesauce, the finished cookies may taste sweeter. Therefore, unsweetened applesauce remains the better choice for this recipe.
Can I Use Quick Oats in Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies?
Yes, but quick oats can change the texture.
Quick oats generally create a softer texture, while old-fashioned oats provide more noticeable oat texture. For the most predictable result, use old-fashioned oats as written.
Can I Make This Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Recipe Without Eggs?
The recipe includes one egg, so removing it will change the structure and texture.
You can experiment with an egg substitute. However, the finished cookies may not match the original recipe. If you need a dependable egg-free cookie, choose a recipe designed specifically without eggs.
Why Are My Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies Too Soft?
Too much moisture can make the cookies softer than expected.
For example, extra applesauce, too little flour, or insufficient baking can affect the texture. Therefore, measure the ingredients carefully and bake until the edges set while the centers remain slightly soft.
Can I Freeze Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Dough?
You can freeze portioned cookie dough. However, the baking time may change when you bake the dough from frozen.
For the most predictable result, test a small batch before freezing a large quantity.
How Long Do Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies Stay Fresh?
The cookies are best within a few days when you store them properly in an airtight container.
For longer storage, freezing provides a better option.
Can I Use Homemade Applesauce?
Yes. Homemade applesauce can work well as long as its consistency resembles the applesauce used for this recipe.
However, very watery applesauce can add extra moisture and change the texture of the dough.
Can I Make Gluten-Free Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies?
The recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free as written.
If you need a gluten-free version, use a suitable gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free oats. However, flour blends vary, so the final texture may differ from the original recipe.
More Oatmeal Cookie Recipes to Try
If you enjoy applesauce oatmeal cookies, you may also like these recipes:
Each recipe offers a different way to enjoy homemade oatmeal cookies.
Final Thoughts on This Applesauce Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
This applesauce oatmeal cookie recipe keeps the process simple. Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture, while old-fashioned oats provide the hearty texture that defines these cookies.
For the best result, measure the ingredients carefully, avoid overmixing, and watch the cookies closely during the final minutes of baking.
Once you have the basic recipe down, you can add raisins, chocolate chips, nuts, or dried cranberries. As a result, you can create several flavor variations without changing the basic cookie dough.
