Healthy Oatmeal Apple Drop Cookies- Gluten Free, Vegan, & Delicious

First-Please understand that you do not have to be gluten-free to enjoy these oatmeal apple drop cookies! They are perfect no added sugar recipe for everyone! Oats + apples = the easiest healthy cookies ever.

There’s something about fall that makes me want to turn on the oven and do a little baking with apple or pumpkin. But here’s the thing — I’m not really much of a baker, so simple has to be the key word for anything I bake.

"Diwali 101 for Americans: Understanding the Holiday + Recipe

I shop at T.J Max, Marshalls, and Home Good's . In the past few years, I've noticed beautiful festive items being sold for the holiday of Diwali (pronounced Dee -Val -Lee) this time of the year. 

75% OFF EASTER Cookies and Candy

Can you divide by 2 in your head? 

This post is a rant, so if you are not in the mood just skip it!

This morning I entered our local supermarket and saw a large display of Easter candy and related items spread across a large table with a sign that read 75% off! 

I like a bargain, so I stopped and took a look. I found some cute boxes of cookies that were originally $4.48 marked down price of $2.24. 

When it rang up at that price, I mentioned to the 19 year old (-ish) cashier that $2.24 was only a 50% reduction off of $4.48, not the 75% as marked. 

She looked at the item and said, "no- that is the 75% off the original price of $4.48" We went back and forth a few times and I was AMAZED that she was not able to calculate that $2.24 was 50% of $4.48. She insisted that it was 75% off of the original price of $4.48. She was very pleasant and nice about it- but she was also convinced it was the right price. She did suggest that I could talk to a manager. 

Is it me?? Will this new generation not be able to do ANY math in their heads? I don't think she even knew that dividing by 2 is the same as 50%

As I said, this post is a  rant -but I am curious if you have any thoughts to share. Thanks.

In case you are curious. I did not buy the cookies. We are better off not eating them, and I didn't want to wait for a manager. It was 7 AM and staffing was light, if almost not existent. 

MY NOTES: 

I am assuming that the sign for 75% off was recently changed from 50% off, but no one bothered to reprice the merchandise. 

Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies - oil-free and vegan

Soft and chewy, these simple cookies make a delicious and nutritious breakfast. 

Do you like eating oatmeal for breakfast? 

These easy to make mashed oatmeal breakfast cookies are a tasty and healthy alternative to a bowl of oatmeal. Without sugar, flour or any processed additives, this flourless cookie recipe could become a family favorite.

Oats are a whole grain, and studies show eating oats may provide many health benefits including reducing risks of heart disease, lowering blood sugar levels, and helping with weight loss. Oats are also loaded with nutrients and antioxidants and just a 1 cup of dry oats supplies 8 grams of fiber and 13 grams of protein.

The convenient gluten-free cookies (I always use these certified gluten-free oats-affiliate link) are prepared by using just a fork for mashing the banana and a small bowl. 

The best part of making these cookies is that they can be made on the spur of the moment since they use so few ingredients and require very little work. The base of the cookie is oatmeal and mashed banana which I then sprinkle with cinnamon and ground cardamom. Of course any seasoning or additions of your choice would be a nice addition such as raisins, chopped dates, chopped apples, or chopped walnuts.

I picture eating them when I don't have time for a proper breakfast or when I'm traveling or on the run.

Yesterday, we went to visit my 96 year old mother in law in her assisted living facility.  

I had to be out most of the day, so I kept these cookies in a baggie in my purse for a healthy snack on the drive home. Having these healthy cookies on hand kept me from making a less healthy choice and filling up so I wasn't starving when I walked in the door.

The amazing thing is that they actually taste sweet and delicious. 

They are a soft cookie and don't usually get hard and crisp up- but I actually like soft cookies. 

A friend, (Stephanie S.), said that she adds a little gluten-free flour to the mix to achieve a crispier cookie.

You can make them in advance and they will last up to three days. 

They are very allergy friendly as they are naturally gluten-free, oil-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and nut free. 

It's a great treat when you are having company and someone has a food restrictions. This may be a safe cookie.

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup of rolled oats (I use certified gluten-free oats-affiliate link)

1 large ripe banana 

1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon of ground cardamom

Optional: chopped apple, chopped walnuts, raisins, chopped dates, etc. 

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

In a small bowl, mash a large ripe banana. Stir in the rolled oats, cinnamon, and ground cardamom and any other mix-ins of your choice. Using a tablespoon, spoon heaping tablespoons onto a parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, checking to prevent burning. Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow to cool . Using a spatula remove and place on a plate.

Sharing this post on Weekend Cooking  where everyone is welcome to share a food related post. Come see what's cooking this weekend.

My Notes: 

1. This recipe makes about 9-10 cookies . Double the recipe for a larger amount. 

2. When I use a tablespoon to drop the cookie batter, I round out the mound. 

3. Make sure your banana is ripe and large- otherwise use two bananas.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and am not trying to give medical advice. The information in this blog post and all my blog posts are for informational and educational reasons only. Always check with your medical doctor before making changes in your diet and for medical advice.

I am an affiliate for Amazon and if you follow a link from my site and make a qualified purchase, I may receive a small compensation at no charge to you. It helps defray the cost of running a blog. Thank you for your support.

Fall in Love with These Vegan Gluten-free Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies are all the rage this season. I love that this  tasty treat is healthy and yet low in calories and Weight Watcher points! 

With only 3 ingredients, this basic pumpkin cookie has 1 point per serving of 2 cookies.  (without the chocolate topping).  I use whole oats ( gluten-free oats ), pumpkin puree and or applesauce and pumpkin spice. 

How To Make Almond Flour in Minutes

Got Almonds? You can make almond flour in minutes in your food processor.

Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal raisin cookies were one of my favorites when I was growing up.

This healthy recipe is quick and easy to make and uses wholesome ingredients and very allergy friendly with no sugar, flour, eggs or milk.. Everyone will love them because they taste amazing!!

Do you have some ripe bananas that you want to use up?  You will need four bananas for this recipe. 

These cookies are sweetened with fruit, you don't have to feel guilty eating them or giving them to your kids for snacks.  Be sure to buy certified gluten free oats, which are available in most health food stores, Trader Joes , and Whole Foods.

Are you in a hurry? This recipe can be whipped up and baked  in less than 1/2 hour. 

Whenever I make these cookies, everyone, whether gluten free or not, loves them. In addition, the recipe lends itself to many variations, so you can be as creative as you choose. Depending on what you decide to add, you can change the taste of the cookie. If you add chocolate chips it will be sweeter. If you add chopped walnuts, it will be a little chewier. If you add dried cranberries, It will be a perfect cookie for Thanksgiving.



Basic Recipe
2 cups certified gluten free rolled oats ( I get mine at Trader Joe's )
4 ripe bananas, mashed
4 tablespoons of olive oil 

2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1/2 cup add ins of your choice ( raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, walnuts, etc.)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix gluten free rolled oats, mashed banana, oil and cinnamon with a spoon in a large bowl. ( batter will be chunky)
Add raisins (or any add- in of your choice), mix with spoon and allow to sit in refrigerator for at least 10 minutes (or up to 8 hours covered)

Drop spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake for about 15 minutes at 350 or until tops brown a little.

Step by Step

Assemble Ingredients

Add caption

Mix mashed banana, rolled oats, olive oil and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Eat immediately or store in a little baggies to keep them soft and chewy!


How to know if oats are gluten free click to read the article.

Variations: Using the same batter, fill muffin tins 3/4 full and bake for about 15 minutes. Cool and can be kept in a plastic bag for about 3 days. Since the recipe contains no sugar ( unless you use choc chips or sweetened dried fruit) it makes a great convenient breakfast on the run.


Disclaimer: If you are gluten free, check with your doctor before using gluten free oats. Some people may react to even gluten free oatmeal. Read my July 2010 post on gluten free oats.

I am an affiliate for Amazon and I do receive a small compensation if you purchase on Amazon through my blog. I appreciate the support to cover the expenses of running the blog.

Figs, Strawberries and Goat Cheese Appetizer

We have been playing poker with two other couples for many years.
We play every other month and rotate houses.  It is a friendly group ( we don't play for money), and it is all about the food and socializing. The cards are just an excuse to get together.

We serve appetizers and snack food before and during the game- dessert when we finish playing .
When the guests arrive, the first thing they do is head directly for the refreshment table. It is kind of like a tradition, and it is actually funny. We stand around, eat, have a glass of wine, and chat for about 45- minutes to an hour before we start to play cards. ( of course everyone has just had dinner before they came).

As I said, its all about the food .
Each host/hostess tries to use his/ her imagination to think of some intriguing  appetisers or snacks.
I made it easy for myself- I purchased basic foods and simply assembled!

                                                                         Fresh Figs and Feta

Moist Black Mission figs and creamy goat cheese is a simple idea, but is really delicious. 

How I assembled

I lined up the black mission figs alongside the cheese log. The idea being that you would eat the figs with the goat cheese. ( of course I added more of the wonderful figs as we devoured them) The sweet taste of the figs really blended well with the tangy goat cheese. Or how about some walnuts to stuff the figs!

 I also had two little dishes on the side. One was filled with pitted Calamata olives ( traditionally Mediterranean)  and in the other little dish I had a sweet and sour cranberry apple chutney

The olives, the figs, and the cranberry chutney  each provided an interesting taste  with the goat cheese. I also used some fresh strawberries for garnish.Not shown: gluten free crackers.

I also had a platter of cilantro and jalapeno humus , roasted eggplant garlic dip, sweet peppers and flax seed chips ( Trader Joe's)

I try to keep the appetizers low in carbs so I choose peppers, humus, and eggplant dip. Everything on this plate is from Trader Joes'. ( love that place!!)  They have a wide selection of gluten free or gluten friendly foods. These adorable peppers are sweet, not hot! And I do mean sweet. We used them as dippers for the spicy eggplant garlic dip and the cilantro humus dip. 

Did you notice how I put the humus in a bell pepper? I just cut off the top, cleaned out the seeds, and filled it with cilantro humus... yum and pretty. The chips are flax seeds and soy and according to my guests , " you just can't eat one. "

 In addition, I had some little snacks.

 This trio is composed of dark chocolate covered almonds,  peanut brittle and  mini Hershey bars- all gluten free. ( you gotta have chocolate)

There were six of us and by the end of the evening,  EVERY morsel on those plates were gone!  Gone...!


For dessert, I made a traditional Northern Italian dessert ( Panna Cotta) that I topped with fresh strawberries soaked in Amaretto liquor. I am not going to show you the dessert because  the Pann Cotta is going to be one of my next blog posts with step by step pictures.

Some additional desserts:
sugar free, gluten-free, egg-free, and milk-free - moist and tender oatmeal raisin cookies

coconut flour , gluten free- banana muffins or banana loaf

Gluten Free Pumpkin choc chips torte

My favorite; 3 minute cake in a mug- gluten free of course and easy

A quick gluten free, egg free, milk free, nut free cake made in a mug AND it is GOOD!

(If you are not gluten free, you can make it with regular flour and still enjoy)

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