Apple Cinnamon Oat Cookies

Meet the new fate of the lonely apples sitting on your counter! These fall-inspired cookies require minimal effort, chewy and soft, and naturally sweetened with coconut sugar.

Filled with chunks of seasonal apples, raw crunchy walnuts and dried cherries (you can easily sub raisins too) you can be sure to enjoy them anytime of day! Gluten & dairy-free, too…. these are one of my new favorites!! Make sure to tag me on instagram @thenaturallynatalie if you give them a try!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 4 tablespoons warm water
• 1 & 1/2 cups oat flour
• 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon * or sub pumpkin spice for an extra kick of fall flavour! I’ve tried both ways and both are delish!
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ cup raw almond butter
• ¼ cup melted unrefined coconut oil
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• 1 cup rolled gluten-free oats (I perfer to use sprouted)
• 1 finely chopped red Gala apple
• 1/3 cup crushed raw walnuts
• 1/4 cup dried cherries or raisins

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, combine the flaxseed and water. Stir and set aside to thicken for about 5-7 minutes.
3. In a large mixing bowl, add the oat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, give it a good stir.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the almond butter, coconut oil, applesauce, vanilla, and coconut sugar. Add the “flax egg” now and stir well.
5. Add the rolled oats, apples, walnuts, and raisins into the bowl of dry ingredients and give it a good stir. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir well to combine. The batter will be thick!!
6. Using an ice cream scooper or regular size spoon, drop the batter onto the baking sheet and press down slightly *You may need to have your fingertips wet to prevent you from sticking to the dough!
7. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the bottoms are nicely browned. (Note: do not under-bake or your cookies will be more likely to fall apart). Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before cooling completely on a separate plate or baking rack.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

XOXO

Natalie