Last Updated on September 19, 2021
Skip straight to my recipe for chocolate chip oat cookies with nuts
I’m working on the perfect oat cookie recipe. You know, the one that has chocolate, nuts, a good chewy texture and a lovely buttery taste. And no calories. That’s what matters of course…
Now, while we all know that’s not a realistic proposition, it is not that difficult to reduce the calories in a cookie and gradually eat less sugar. This chocolate chip oat cookie uses chopped hazelnuts for a filling and healthy alternative to some of the chocolate. It substitutes honey for golden syrup and reduces the amount of refined sugar. So, the end result is better for you if not significantly lower in calories.
Like most people in the UK when I bake any recipe, I use scales and I’ve been sent a really special set of scales to try. These are battery-free digital scales that are powered by kinetic energy. They are small, light and would be perfect as a present for someone going back to college or living in a flatshare. To get them to work, you simply power up by using the moveable arm as a lever.
We love them at the Frugal Flexitarian because the ‘battery free’ element means they are much better for the planet. And, of course, they never go flat!
I start my cookies by weighing out the butter, sugar and honey. Then, I melt the mixture in the microwave, using one-minute bursts at half power and stirring in between until the butter was liquid. You could use a small pan on the hob if you prefer.
Next, mix the oats, flour and bicarbonate of soda together with the chocolate chips and hazelnuts in a large bowl.
Then, with a well in the middle of the dry ingredients, all you have to do is pour in the cooled melted, sweetened butter and mixed with a large fork.
I form the cookies using two dessertspoons to make very rough quenelles – egg-shaped blobs, which I put onto a silicone baking sheet and then popped into the oven at 175C (fan oven). You could use your hands and make small balls of the mix if you prefer.
These oat cookies take about 12 minutes to cook and will spread out in the oven. Once you take the tray out, you need to leave the cookies to cool in the tray for at least 5 minutes because they will still be very soft and crumbly. After about 5 minutes carefully lift the cookies out and pop them onto a cooling tray.
Hazelnuts are high in protein (15g per 100g of nuts), iron, vitamin B6 and magnesium. Oatmeal is also good for you – the soluble fibre helps to reduce LDL cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
Chocolate, of course, we know is good for you. Well, good quality dark chocolate is rich in fibre and in minerals including iron, magnesium, copper, manganese. And, it has a wide variety of antioxidants. I use Callebaut 70% chocolate chips for this recipe…
So, these are healthy cookies. Just remember that when you reach for yet another!
Meanwhile, if you’d like to try for yourself at home, here’s a printable recipe
chocolate chip oat cookies
Ingredients
- 125 g salted butter
- 125 g oats
- 80 g caster sugar
- 50 ml honey
- 125 g self-raising flour
- 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 50 g dark chocolate chips
- 25 g hazelnuts chopped
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 175C (fan) or 180C (regular)
- Put the honey, butter and sugar into a small microwavable bowl
- Heat the mixture in the microwave on low for 1 minute bursts, stirring in between.
- Once the butter is melted, put to one side.
- Mix together the remaining ingredients in a large bowl
- Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the sweetened melted butter
- Mix well together with a fork
- Line one or two baking trays with silicone
- Put dessert spoon sized balls at regular intervals on the trays and flatten slightly with the bowl of the spoon
- Put in the oven and cook for 12 minutes or so until the cookies have started to turn golden at the edges
- Take out of the oven and leave to cool in the tray for at least 5 minutes, before transferring to a cooling rack
- Store in an airtight tin once completely cool
Nutrition
Check out these other cookie and biscuit recipes – ginger chocolate chip cookies and almond shortbread
You can buy the stellar scales from reputable department stores or online here
delicious and nearly healthy! The perfect treat
A nearly healthy cookie, with chocolate! I simply have to try this cookie. It sounds delicious.
I love the heartiness — and I dare say healthiness — that the oats lend to these cookies! Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are my #1 favorite dessert.
Oats ARE healthy – I think they are particularly good if you have high cholesterol!
Yes, I think you have perfected the recipe. I did make some a bit bigger and they were perfect too.
not only does this recipe look so good but that ‘battery free’ scale – i need one! Hook us up with a link please!
There’s a link right at the bottom – I’ll update it with more stockists when I find them!
I love the oatmeal cookies, and the chocolate chip variety is definitely the best one! Your cookies look delicious.
I love baking and would use dairy free alternatives in this recipe
It would be easy to do I think – substitute coconut oil for the butter perhaps? Or use a dairy free spread
These look delicious and I love anything with nuts in it.