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Yield: 25 cookies
Ready In: 30 mins
Raise your hand if you’re always looking for easy and healthy snack options for the kids… That don’t come out of a package.I thought I had hit the jackpot when I found out about energy bites (you know, the little balls made from fried fruit and nuts), but turns out my kids don’t tolerate them well. But these Zucchini Bread Breakfast Cookies? They are really saving my butt this summer, with two always-hungry wild childs to feed.
Recommended Equipment:
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups quick oats
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup oat flour OR ground grain of your choice
- 1/4 cup ground golden flax OR chia seeds
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 4 tablespoons melted coconut oil OR butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup shredded zucchini (excess moisture squeezed out)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Ready In: 30 mins
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 360°Line two baking sheets.
- Make Cookies: Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until well combined. Scoop the cookies with a cookie scoop or tablespoon, placing about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough per cookie. Slightly flatten and shape the cookies (they will not change during baking).
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, or until lightly golden. Cool on a rack, then store in an airtight contianer for up to 3 days.
Step by Step Recipe Video
Nora’s Tips
Baking Tips:
- if you don’t have any oat flour and don’t want to bother with making your own, you can use regular whole wheat flour instead
- instead of the zucchini, you can use grated apple or carrot. Add 1 extra tablespoon of oil if using carrots.
- try adding mini chocolate chips in place of the nuts for an extra treat!
DO YOU HAVE TO SQUEEZE THE SHREDDED ZUCCHINI?
Fellow moms in the thick of the early years: I know every little step can feel like an overwhelming mountain. But yes, you have to squeeze the excess water out of the shredded zucchini, or you’ll end up with soggy cookies. You COULD squeeze the zucchini in a clean tea towel. But these days I use some paper towels. They’ll fall apart a little, but I’ve never experienced the zucchini sticking to it.Storage Tips:
On the counter: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. In the freezer: Place the cookies in a freezer friendly bag or container, label with the name and use-by date (freeze for up to 3 months). To defrost, remove the cookies from the container and place on a rack on the counter for 1-2 hours.How I serve these:
My kids love these Zucchini Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies for a quick breakfast with a glass of milk on the side before they go run over the flowers n the backyard, ahem. But they also love eating them by themselves as a healthy afternoon snack. And I definitely eat a few, too!A few notes about my equipment:
My favorite box grater:
My Microplane box grater makes it super easy to shred any fruit and veggies in seconds – one of my most loved kitchen tools. See which one I have here on Amazon!Silpat Mats:
I’ve been using Silpat mats for years now (and I still have the same ones after over 4 years!) and love them because I don’t need to use a new sheet or baking parchment every time I bake something. Click here to order Silpat mats on Amazon – just make sure you’re picking the right size!Cookie Scoop:
Busy mom tip: I love using a cookie scoop for even and mess-free cookies! I have a cookie scoop similar to this one on Amazon! (This is an affiliate link and I earn a commission for purchases made after clicking through.)Nutrition
Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.8mg
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Niki
I don’t have any applesauce on hand. What could I sub?
Nora Rusev
Mashed banana or yogurt would both work! You could also try shredded apple, if you have that on hand.
Mandy
My family and I love these so much that make these weekly now! We freeze them individually for a wholesome grab and go addition to lunch or snack during the work day. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Beverly
Hi I put paper towels over my tea towel or kitchen towel then I squeeze the zucchini.
Brooke
Really like this recipe, I cooked mine for 14 min and they’re a little underdone, may have just made them a little too big! Taste is great, especially with added chocolate chips 😉
Anne
What can I substitute for honey?
Nora
Anne, you could use maple syrup. You could also use brown sugar, but then increase the apple sauce by 2 tablespoons. Hope that helps!
Connie
I really liked these cookies. Do you have a version with protein powder in them? I am trying to get more protein into my diet and would love a breakfast cookie that had more protein.
Suzanne
I’ve been looking for some healthy make-ahead breakfast ideas now that school is starting. I can’t wait to give these a try!
Pam
Could you use all regular oats?
Nora
Yes! They’ll just have a less hearty texture, but will be perfectly fine.
Beckie
These are so yummy! My second batch made we had warm with a poached egg for brunch! My daughter wouldn’t dream of eating courgettes for breakfast 😂 these are a ĺovely alternative. Going to try with Carrots next!
Nora
Yay, so glad you enjoyed the cookies, Beckie! And I love the idea of eating them with a poached egg, yum. You’ll love them with carrots, my kids call them rabbit cookies and devour them by the dozen, haha!
Mimi
I’m going to try with craisins!
Nora
That sounds so good, too, Mimi! Adding to my list of variations I have to try.
Alison
Made them for kid’s summer camp, came out perfect! Going to try with choc chips like a previous commenter said next
Nora
Glad to hear it, Alison! I’m going to make them with the chocolate chips this week, too – such a great idea!
Sue
Absoluely perfect! We added chocolate chips as an extra treat! Thanks for the recipe!
Nora
Now I want to make them with chocolate chips – what a great idea! Thanks for the review Sue, I appreciate your time.
Dara
What do you think about carrots instead of zucchini (I have those in the fridge right now)
Nora
Dara, yes! Absolutely. You might want to add a tablespoon of extra liquid to the recipe because carrots are a little drier than zucchini. And I prefer the carrots shredded quite small. I’ve made these with shredded carrots before and they’re delicious!
Anne
trid A batch for the freezer pre-baby, but already ate them all!! So good and healthy, going to make more
So I can actually freeze any
Nora
I’m happy to hear the cookies went down so well you didn’t get a chance to freeze any, Anne! Hope your next batch makes it to the freezer 😉