The holidays are calling, and with them, the irresistible aroma of gingerbread! But what if we told you that you could enjoy those warm, nostalgic flavors in a cookie that’s not only incredibly delicious but also surprisingly good for you? Get ready to welcome the ultimate festive indulgence: **Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies**! These delightful treats are soft, chewy, perfectly spiced, and topped with a delicate, sweet icing – all while keeping your health goals in check. Say goodbye to guilt and hello to pure, wholesome gingerbread joy!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Get ready to fall head over heels for these **Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies**! Here are four irresistible reasons why they’re about to become your new favorite:

Guilt-Free Indulgence: With only 89 calories and 12g net carbs per cookie, these treats let you enjoy the festive season without derailing your healthy eating habits. They truly are a smart choice for a sweet craving!
Bursting with Festive Flavor: A harmonious blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates that iconic gingerbread warmth we all adore. Each bite is a cozy hug, perfect for chilly evenings.
Incredibly Easy to Make: Don’t let their gourmet taste fool you! These cookies are surprisingly simple to whip up, even for novice bakers. Quick oats and straightforward steps mean less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying!
Perfectly Soft and Chewy: The instant oats contribute to a wonderfully soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth, perfectly complemented by a delicate, sweet icing drizzle. It’s the ultimate satisfying bite!

Ingredients for Your Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies

Gather your pantry staples and let’s create some magic! Here’s everything you’ll need for these delightful **Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies**:

🥣 1 cup instant oats (quick-cooking)
🌾 ¾ cup whole wheat or gluten-free flour
✨ 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
🌿 1 teaspoon ground ginger
🍂 ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
🌰 ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
🌶️ ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
🧂 ¼ teaspoon salt
🥥 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
🥚 1 large egg, at room temperature
🍦 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🍯 ¼ cup pure maple syrup, at room temperature
🤎 ¼ cup molasses
🍬 3 tablespoons confectioners’ erythritol (or powdered sugar)
🥛 2 teaspoons nonfat milk (or any milk)

Detailed Step-by-Step Directions to Bake Perfection

Ready to bake the most delicious **Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies**? Follow these simple, detailed steps for a batch of festive perfection:

Whisk Your Dry Ingredients: In a spacious medium bowl, take your time to gently whisk together the instant oats, whole wheat (or gluten-free) flour, baking powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Whisking thoroughly ensures all those incredible spices are evenly distributed, creating a perfectly balanced flavor in every bite.
Combine Your Wet Wonders: Grab another bowl and lightly whisk the melted coconut oil (or butter), egg, and vanilla extract until they’re well blended. Then, pour in the pure maple syrup and the rich molasses, stirring until the mixture is smooth and beautifully combined.
Gently Bring Them Together: Carefully pour your wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir just until everything is combined and no dry streaks of flour remain. Remember, the key here is to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies! A few gentle stirs are all it takes.
Chill for Flavor & Firmness: Cover your delightful cookie dough and pop it into the refrigerator for a solid 30 minutes. This crucial step allows the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully, while also firming up the dough, making it much easier to handle and ensuring your cookies hold their shape perfectly during baking.
Prepare for Baking Brilliance: While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Then, line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or a piece of parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup an absolute breeze!
Shape Your Festive Treats: Once chilled, take your dough and drop it into 15 even, rounded scoops onto your prepared baking sheet. For uniformity, a cookie scoop works wonders! Then, using the back of a spatula or your fingers, gently flatten each scoop to about half its original height. This helps them bake evenly and gives them that perfect cookie shape.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Slide your baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-13 minutes. Keep an eye on them – you’re looking for lightly golden edges and a warm, inviting aroma to fill your kitchen. These **Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies** will smell absolutely incredible!
Cool Down Gracefully: Once baked, resist the urge to move them immediately! Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. This allows them to set up properly and prevents them from breaking. After 10 minutes, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Whip Up the Icing (Your Sweet Drizzle): While your cookies are baking and cooling, prepare your simple, sweet icing. In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ erythritol (or powdered sugar) and the milk. Stir until you have a smooth, pourable consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, a touch more erythritol.
Drizzle & Delight: Once your **Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies** are completely cool (this is important, or your icing will melt!), transfer the icing to a small zip-top bag. Snip a tiny corner off the bag. Now comes the fun part: elegantly drizzle the sweet icing over each cookie. Get creative with zig-zags or simple lines! Serve immediately and savor your wholesome, festive creation!

Creative Ways to Present and Serve Your Gingerbread Delights

These **Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies** are not just a treat for your taste buds, but also a feast for the eyes! Here are some fun and elegant ways to present and serve them:

Festive Cookie Platter: Arrange them on a beautiful holiday platter alongside other festive treats like shortbread, snickerdoodles, or even some fresh berries for a vibrant spread.
Cozy Coffee & Tea Companion: Pair these delightful cookies with a warm mug of your favorite coffee, a spiced chai, or a comforting herbal tea. They’re the perfect accompaniment for a relaxing afternoon.
Milk & Cookies Tradition: Recreate a classic! Serve a stack of these iced gingerbread oatmeal cookies with a tall glass of cold milk for a timeless, comforting snack that kids and adults alike will adore.
Individual Dessert Plates: For a more formal presentation, place one or two cookies on individual dessert plates, perhaps with a sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of extra cinnamon for an elevated touch.
Edible Holiday Gifts: These cookies make wonderful homemade gifts! Stack them in a decorative tin or tie a few together with festive ribbon. Your friends and family will appreciate the thoughtful, delicious gesture.
Icing Artistry: Get creative with your icing! Instead of just drizzling, you can try drawing small snowflakes, stars, or even little gingerbread men shapes on top for an extra whimsical touch.

How to Store Your Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies

To keep your **Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies** fresh and delicious for as long as possible, proper storage is key:

At Room Temperature: Store your fully cooled and iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Placing a piece of parchment paper between layers can prevent the icing from sticking.
In the Refrigerator: If you prefer to extend their freshness, especially if your kitchen is warm, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Let them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Freezing for Later: These cookies freeze beautifully! For best results, freeze the un-iced cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, separated by parchment paper. They will last for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature and then apply the fresh icing before serving. You can also freeze iced cookies, though the icing might become slightly softer upon thawing.

FAQs About Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you master your **Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies**:

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! The recipe specifically mentions using gluten-free flour as an option. Just ensure your instant oats are certified gluten-free if you have a severe allergy, as some oats can be cross-contaminated.
What if I don’t have instant oats? Can I use regular rolled oats?
For the best soft and chewy texture that blends seamlessly into the cookie, instant (quick-cooking) oats are recommended. Regular rolled oats might result in a chewier, more rustic texture that’s less “cookie-like.”
I don’t have confectioners’ erythritol. What can I use instead for the icing?
The recipe notes that you can use regular powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) as a direct substitute. Keep in mind that using powdered sugar will slightly increase the sugar content and calories of the icing.
Is the chilling time really necessary for the dough?
Yes, it’s highly recommended! Chilling the dough for 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld, the oats to absorb moisture, and the dough to firm up, making it easier to handle and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
How do I get my cookies to be perfectly round and uniform?
Using a cookie scoop helps with consistent sizing. After dropping the scoops onto the baking sheet, gently flatten them with the back of a spatula or your fingers to achieve an even thickness and round shape before baking.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes! You can portion the dough into scoops, flatten them, and then freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough discs to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place them on a prepared baking sheet and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Can I use a different type of oil instead of coconut oil?
Yes, you can substitute other neutral-flavored oils like avocado oil or a light olive oil. Unsalted butter is also an option mentioned in the recipe.
Are these cookies suitable for a low-carb diet?
While they are lower in carbs than traditional gingerbread cookies (12g net carbs), they are not strictly keto. They are a healthier, more moderate-carb option compared to many desserts, especially when using erythritol for the icing.
Can I adjust the spice levels in the cookies?
Absolutely! The spice blend provided offers a classic gingerbread flavor. If you prefer a stronger ginger kick, you can increase the ground ginger slightly. If you like less spice, you can reduce any of the spices to your taste.
How much icing should I drizzle on each cookie?
The beauty of the drizzle is that it’s entirely up to you! For a lighter, healthier touch, a thin, elegant drizzle is perfect. If you prefer a more pronounced sweet top, you can apply a slightly thicker layer, but remember this will impact the nutritional values.

Healthy Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies

Wholesome and festive, these gingerbread oatmeal cookies are drizzled with a sweet icing, perfect for a guilt-free holiday treat. Packed with warm spices and healthy ingredients.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Chill Time 30

Total Time 55

Servings 15 cookies

Calories 89 kcal

Equipment

Medium Bowl
Whisk
Baking Sheet
Silicone mat or parchment paper
Spatula
Wire Rack
Small zip-top bag

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

1 cup instant oats quick-cooking
0.75 cup whole wheat or gluten-free flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
0.25 tsp ground cinnamon
0.125 tsp ground nutmeg
0.125 tsp ground cloves
0.25 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

2 tbsp melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
1 large egg at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
0.25 cup pure maple syrup at room temperature
0.25 cup molasses

Icing

3 tbsp confectioners’ erythritol or powdered sugar
2 tsp nonfat milk or any milk

Instructions

Mix Dry INGREDIENTS: In a medium bowl, gently whisk together your instant oats, flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This creates your flavorful base!
Combine Wet INGREDIENTS: In another bowl, lightly whisk the melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Then, stir in the pure maple syrup and rich molasses until well combined.
Bring Together: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir just until everything is mixed, being careful not to overmix.
Chill the Dough: Cover the cookie dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and the dough firm up for perfect baking.
Prep for Baking: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Shape Cookies: Drop the chilled dough into 15 even, rounded scoops onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a spatula, gently flatten each scoop to about half its original height.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-13 minutes until lightly golden. These healthy cookies will smell amazing!
Cool Down: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Whip up the Icing (while baking): While your cookies are baking, combine the confectioners’ erythritol (or powdered sugar) and milk in a small bowl. Stir until smooth.
Drizzle & Enjoy: Once the cookies are completely cool, transfer the icing to a small zip-top bag. Snip a tiny corner off the bag and elegantly drizzle the sweet icing over each cookie just before serving. Enjoy your wholesome gingerbread treat!

Notes

These healthy gingerbread oatmeal cookies are a delightful treat for the holidays. Don’t skip the chilling step for the best dough consistency!

Nutrition per serving (1 cookie):
Calories: 89
Total Carbs: 13g
Net Carbs: 12g
Fats: 3g
Protein: 2g