Wholesome Pumpkin Treats

Healthy Pumpkin Cookies are a delightful, guilt-free treat perfect for any occasion. These cookies stand out as a wholesome choice, being entirely flourless, free of refined sugar, and prepared without any added oils or butter. Designed for convenience, the entire recipe comes together in just one bowl and is ready to enjoy in under 30 minutes. Whether you’re seeking a quick snack, a healthier dessert option, or a way to incorporate more pumpkin goodness into your diet, these simple yet incredibly satisfying cookies are an absolute must-try.

Author’s Note

One Bite = Hooked on These Healthy Pumpkin Cookies!

The creation of these Healthy Pumpkin Cookies was truly a serendipitous moment. One afternoon, I found myself with an open can of pumpkin puree in the fridge, and I absolutely detest food waste! My usual go-to recipes for leftover pumpkin were bread or muffins, but I wasn’t in the mood for either. What I craved was something quick, genuinely easy, and satisfyingly sweet – a treat that felt indulgent without the guilt. That’s when the idea for these cookies sparked, leading to a delightful culinary adventure.

I experimented with several variations to perfect the recipe. Some batches included rich dark chocolate chips, others featured crunchy walnuts, and some I left delightfully plain. To my absolute joy, every single version disappeared almost instantly in my household. The ultimate validation came when my kids, usually picky eaters, started requesting these pumpkin cookies for their school lunches. That, for any parent, is the biggest win!

What I love most about these flourless, refined sugar-free pumpkin cookies is that they offer the comforting, cozy indulgence of a classic dessert, but they are crafted with wholesome ingredients I can truly feel good about serving. They’re a testament to the fact that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. These cookies are a staple in our home, especially during the fall season, but honestly, they’re so good we enjoy them year-round!

Key Ingredients for Healthy Pumpkin Cookies

Crafting these delectable healthy pumpkin cookies requires just a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Each component plays a vital role in achieving their incredible flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for each.

With these simple, wholesome ingredients, you’re well on your way to baking a batch of the most delicious and healthy pumpkin cookies that everyone will love!

How To Make Healthy Pumpkin Cookies: A Simple Guide

Making these healthy pumpkin cookies is incredibly straightforward, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. The magic happens in just a few simple steps, resulting in a batch of warm, fragrant, and utterly delicious cookies. Follow these instructions to create your new favorite wholesome treat!

1. Prepare Your Workspace and Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone mat. This step is crucial for preventing sticking and ensuring easy removal of the delicate cookies once baked. Set your prepared sheets aside.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, a single large egg yolk, smooth almond butter, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and ground cinnamon. Stir all these ingredients together until the mixture is completely smooth and well-incorporated. This forms the flavorful base of your cookie dough.
3. Incorporate the Dry Ingredients (Oat Flour): The secret to these flourless cookies is homemade oat flour. Grind old-fashioned or quick oats in a blender or food processor until they achieve a fine, flour-like consistency. Important: Measure 1/2 cup of this freshly ground oat flour *after* blending, not before, to ensure accurate proportions. Add the oat flour to your wet ingredient mixture. Using a wooden spoon or a hand mixer on low speed, blend until the dough is smooth and everything is thoroughly combined.
4. Fold in Your Favorite Extras & Chill: Now for the fun part! Gently fold in your coarsely chopped dark chocolate chips or any other desired add-ins like nuts or dried fruit. Once everything is mixed in, cover the cookie dough and refrigerate it for about 10 minutes. This brief chilling period helps the dough firm up slightly, making it easier to handle and contributing to a better cookie texture.
5. Shape, Bake & Cool to Perfection: Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the dough. The dough will be a bit sticky, so use a clean finger or another spoon to help coax the dough from the measuring spoon onto your prepared baking sheets. Lightly smooth and flatten the tops of each cookie dough ball. Ensure they are spaced approximately 2 inches apart on the tray to allow for even baking. Bake one tray at a time for 6–7 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; the cookies are done as soon as their tops appear set and are no longer wet or glossy. Be careful not to overbake, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.
6. Cool Completely for Best Texture: Once removed from the oven, allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheets for at least 10 minutes without touching them. This crucial cooling period on the warm sheet allows them to firm up and solidify properly. If desired, gently press a few extra chocolate chips onto the tops of the warm cookies for an appealing finish, and sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt for a gourmet touch. After resting, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack using a metal spatula to cool completely. These cookies are quite delicate when hot, so patience during cooling is key for them to hold their shape.

Following these steps will ensure you achieve perfectly baked, healthy pumpkin cookies that are wonderfully soft, chewy, and bursting with fall flavor. Enjoy every single bite!

Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Rating: 4.88 from 31 votes

Healthy Pumpkin Cookies

By
Chelsea Lords

With no refined sugars or flour, these Healthy Pumpkin Cookies are both simple and delicious, making them a perfect guilt-free treat for any season!

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
6 minutes

Total Time:
21 minutes

Servings:
15 cookies

Equipment

• 2 Sheet pans (15″ x 10″) with parchment paper or silicone liners
• Blender or food processor for making oat flour
• Large mixing bowl
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree (100% pure, not pie filling)
• 1 large egg yolk (discard the egg whites or use in a different recipe)
• 1/2 cup almond butter (creamy, natural, stir well before measuring)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (pure, amber or dark grade for best flavor)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup oat flour (made from old-fashioned or quick oats; measure after blending, see Note 1)
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (coarsely chopped for better distribution)
• Flaky sea salt (optional, for sprinkling on top)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 large sheet pans with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat and set them aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, egg yolk, almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and ground cinnamon. Stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated.
3. To make oat flour, grind your old-fashioned or quick oats in a blender or food processor until they have the fine consistency of regular flour. Crucially, measure the 1/2 cup *after* grinding the oats to ensure you have a leveled 1/2-cup of blended oat flour. Add this oat flour to your wet cookie dough mixture. Mix the dough with a wooden spoon or hand mixer until it is smooth and well combined, with no streaks of dry ingredients.
4. Gently fold the coarsely chopped dark chocolate chips into the batter. If you’re adding other mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit, now is the time. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 10 minutes; this helps it firm up slightly for easier handling.
5. Use a tablespoon to scoop out evenly sized balls of cookie dough. The dough will be somewhat sticky, so use a finger or another spoon to carefully push the dough from the spoon onto the prepared baking sheets. Lightly smooth and flatten the tops of the cookie dough balls to ensure even baking. Space them approximately 2 inches apart on the tray, fitting about 8 cookies per sheet. Bake one tray at a time for 6–7 minutes. The cookies should still appear very soft; watch them carefully to prevent overbaking. They are done as soon as their tops are no longer wet and glossy.
6. Remove the baking trays from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the cookie sheet for at least 10 minutes without touching them. This is vital because the cookies are very fragile and will fall apart if handled while still hot. They will set and solidify as they cool. If desired, you can press a few more chocolate chips into the tops of the warm cookies for an aesthetic touch and sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt for enhanced flavor. After resting, use a metal spatula to carefully transfer the now-firm cookies to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely before serving.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Making Oat Flour: It is crucial to measure the oats *after* they have been blended into flour, not before. This ensures you have the precise 1/2 cup of finely ground oat flour needed for the correct cookie texture. If you measure before, you will end up with too much flour.
Note 2: Recipe Evolution: This recipe has been thoughtfully modified over time to completely remove all refined sugars and to enhance the overall texture, making these cookies even healthier and more satisfying. For those curious, here’s the original recipe from 2014 if you wish to see its prior version.
Safety: Gluten-Free Assurance: While all the ingredients listed in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, it’s essential to be diligent about checking product labels. Some ingredients, particularly oats and nut butters, might be processed in facilities that also handle gluten-containing grains, leading to cross-contamination. To ensure these healthy pumpkin cookies are truly gluten-free for those with sensitivities or celiac disease, always opt for certified gluten-free products.
Storage for Freshness: These healthy pumpkin cookies store beautifully, allowing you to enjoy them for days.

• Room Temperature: Store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain their softness and flavor.
• Refrigerate: For extended freshness, place the cookies in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Freeze: To enjoy these treats even longer, wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a delicious, ready-to-eat snack.

Nutrition

Serving: 15cookies |
Calories: 137kcal |
Carbohydrates: 14g |
Protein: 4g |
Fat: 8g |
Saturated Fat: 3g |
Cholesterol: 12mg |
Sodium: 86mg |
Potassium: 150mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 6g |
Vitamin A: 328IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 62mg |
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used only as an approximation.

Enjoyed this recipe? Leave a comment below!
Your feedback helps us create more delicious recipes like this one.

Pro Tips for Perfect Healthy Pumpkin Cookies

Achieving the best possible results with these healthy pumpkin cookies is easy with a few expert tips. Keep these in mind as you bake to ensure every batch is as delicious as the last!

• Press Extra Chocolate Chips on Top: For an irresistible bakery-style appearance, gently press a few extra dark chocolate chips onto the tops of the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven. The warmth of the cookies will slightly melt the chips, making them look beautifully gooey and picture-perfect.
• Do Not Overbake: These cookies are best when they are just set in the center. Overbaking can lead to a dry, crumbly texture. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of baking; they should still look very soft and slightly glossy on top. The edges may be lightly golden, but the center should remain tender.
• Cool Completely for Optimal Texture: Patience is a virtue when it comes to these cookies! They are delicate when hot and firm up significantly as they cool. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling process helps them set properly and prevents them from falling apart.
• Customize Your Add-ins: While dark chocolate chips are a classic choice, don’t hesitate to get creative with your mix-ins. Chopped pecans, walnuts, dried cranberries, or even a sprinkle of shredded coconut can add delightful flavor and texture variations. For a different twist, try white chocolate chips or a mix of nuts and dried fruit.
• Use Fresh Pumpkin Puree: Ensure your pumpkin puree is fresh and not expired. The quality of your pumpkin will significantly impact the flavor of your cookies. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which contains extra sugar and spices that can throw off the recipe’s balance.