Can I use unsweetened applesauce?

Yes! Just taste the dough and add 1–2 teaspoons of maple syrup or honey if you want them a bit sweeter.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, just make sure your oats are certified gluten-free.

Can I use another nut or seed butter?

Absolutely. Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter work well, and each brings a unique flavor.

Can I make these with quick oats?

You can! The texture will be softer and less chewy, but still delicious.

Can I bake them in a pan instead of cookies?

Yes! Just press the dough into a small square pan, bake a few extra minutes, and slice into soft bars.

4-Ingredient Applesauce Cookies: Healthy & Soft Baked

Recipe by Liliya

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Total Time15 minutes
Yield12 cookies 1x
DietVegetarian

These soft-baked applesauce cookies are made with just 4 simple ingredients and no refined sugar. Naturally sweet, kid-friendly, and perfect for snacks, breakfast, or school lunches.

Ingredients

Scale

1½ cups rolled oats
1 cup sweetened applesauce
1 cup peanut butter (or any nut or seed butter)
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and lightly grease or line a baking sheet.
In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, applesauce, peanut butter, and cinnamon. Mix until fully combined.
Form 12 equal balls of dough and place them on the baking sheet. Press each ball gently into a cookie shape.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are set.
Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. They’ll firm up as they rest.

Notes

Use unsweetened applesauce if preferred, but add 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup if you want more sweetness.
These are great with add-ins like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit.
Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days at room temp or freeze for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 145 kcal
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 70mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Find it online: https://wearerecipes.com/applesauce-cookies/