Why We Love Oatmeal Cookies by Toby Amidor in Cookies & Other Desserts, Healthy Recipes, Healthy Tips, April 30, 2011
- Celebrate one of our favorite food "holidays" with a homemade oatmeal cookie.
In honor of National Oatmeal Cookie Day (officially April 30!), we’re celebrating this classic cookie. There are so many reasons we love this delectable treat — here’s how it can be part of a healthy diet.
Nutrition Facts
Size matters when it comes to cookies. A Homestyle Oatmeal Raisin Cookie from Starbucks weighs in at 390 calories, 15 grams fat and 65 grams carbohydrates while one at Subway (which is half the size) contains 200 calories, 8 grams fat and 30 grams carbohydrates. An even smaller commercially-prepared oatmeal cookie (3½ to 4-inches in diameter) contains 113 calories, 5 grams of fat, 17 grams carbohydrates. At home, you control the size of the cookie — use a teaspoon to spoon out batter and aim for 3 1/2-inch diameter after baking.
Ingredient Goodness
It’s so easy to bake your own, there’s no need to buy the store-bought oatmeal cookies with a laundry list of preservatives. Here’s the lowdown on the healthy ingredients you can add to your next batch. Freeze the extras for a wholesome snack anytime.
- Rolled Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats contain cholesterol-lowering fiber and energy-boosting B-vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin and niacin.
- Whole-Wheat Flour: Up the fiber and protein by combining whole-wheat flour with all-purpose flour. Use whole-wheat pastry flour to keep your cookies light while still getting all the whole-wheat benefits.
- Raisins: Bake a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies for an extra dose of fruit. They add chewy texture and some natural sweetness.
- Walnuts: With healthy omega-3 fats and fiber, a touch of chopped walnuts can jazz up the everyday oatmeal cookie. Add a modest amount (about 1/4 cup per batch) as the calories can add up quickly (1 cup chopped contains 765 calories).
- Other Flavor Boosters: Add fun flavors to your cookies with any of these ingredients: honey, ginger, pecans, chocolate chips or peanut butter.
Recipes to Try:
- Honey Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- The Oatiest Oatmeal Cookies Ever
- Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Ginger Oatmeal Pecan Crisps
- Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars
(pictured)
TELL US: Why do you love oatmeal cookies? What’s your favorite recipe?
Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. See Toby’s full bio >>
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This is a great recipe for oatmeal cookies. For tips to lose weight visit losing fat gaining muscle !
Where's the recipe, webmaster?
you talk about the crispy oatmeal raisin cookie…and even show a couple of pictures…. but where the heck is the recipe?
yeah, recipe???
recipe ppppppllllllllleeeeeeeaaaasssseee
The recipes are LINKS just under the list of additions… see the blue text.
My favorite oatmeal cookie had chopped walnuts and either dried cranberries or dried cherries. I prefer those fruits to raisins.
I like how there's a national day for every food
or so says Food Network. Oatmeal peanut butter cookies are my favorite and easiest to make. 1 cup of PB, 1 cup of sugar, and a packet or two of oatmeal!! mix and bake. Might to do a few experimental runs but they're simple and delicious. If anyone wants to give back in the simplest way, send a text to any cause that has a text number. It takes seconds and will help those that need you. Find a cause you like at text donate.
esfI don't like raisins so I add dried cranberries to my oatmeal cooking instead. Also, I use almonds instead of walnuts. If you want to go crazy you can even add choco chips. For some people I add everything plus coconut. Wow, what a cookie.
[...] cookie kit. Pre-measured dry ingredients, plus a few extras mаkе baking a batch οf oatmeal cookies a cinch.Oatmeal-Raisin Cookie JarCookie recipe adapted frοm Ina Garten’s Raisin Pecan Oatmeal [...]
[...] cookie kit. Pre-measured dry ingredients, plus a few extras mаkе baking a batch οf oatmeal cookies a cinch.Oatmeal-Raisin Cookie JarCookie recipe adapted frοm Ina Garten’s Raisin Pecan Oatmeal [...]