Apple Oatmeal Cookies with Cranberries and Pecans

Apple oatmeal cookies made with freshly grated apple are tender, cakey and warmly spiced. Rolled oats and toasted pecans give them a wonderful texture.

Apple oatmeal cookies are the first thing I bake every September.

I have tweaked this recipe a few times over the years. I now like to use whole wheat flour and oats instead of all-purpose flour, and coconut oil instead of butter. To this day, it’s still the one my family asks for every fall.

As a retired dietitian, I like recipes where a treat still pulls its weight nutritionally. The whole wheat flour and oats add fiber, the grated apple brings natural sweetness and moisture, and the pecans contribute a bit of healthy fat. These cookies feel indulgent without being empty calories.

It’s the same philosophy behind most of what I bake: real ingredients first, and the results taste better for it.

Jump to:

• Quick Overview
• What You’ll Need
• How to Make Apple Oatmeal Cookies
• Tips
• FAQ
• More Apple Recipes to Try
• Recipe Inspiration
• More Oatmeal Cookie Recipes to Try
• Recipe

Quick Overview

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Total Time: 36 minutes (includes a 10-minute chill)
• Yield: 32 cookies
• Method: One-bowl mixing, brief chill, then bake
• Special Touch: Coconut oil in place of butter, and whole wheat flour and oats in place of all-purpose flour.
• Dietary Note: Dairy-free as written; a flax egg swap makes them fully vegan (see FAQ)
• Serving Suggestions: Pair with a warm mug of apple tea or your favorite hot beverage.

What You’ll Need

• Whole wheat flour: Provides structure with added nutrients and fiber.
• Oats: I like to use old-fashioned oats for a chewy texture.
• Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent to help the cookies rise.
• Salt: Enhances the flavors.
• Cinnamon, allspice, cloves: Adds warmth and spice for depth of flavor.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together.
• Brown sugar: Sweetens the cookies while adding moisture.
• Coconut oil: Provides moisture and a slight coconut flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Adds flavor and richness.
• Apple (grated): Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and texture.
• Dried cranberries & pecans: Add tartness and crunch.

How to Make Apple Oatmeal Cookies

• In a medium bowl, whisk together 1¼ cups (195 grams) of whole wheat flour, 1½ (110 grams) cups old-fashioned oats, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground allspice, and a pinch of ground cloves.
• In a large bowl, beat 1 egg (room temperature), ⅔ cup brown sugar, ½ cup melted coconut oil (make sure it’s cooled to room temperature), and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.

• Mix 1 cup grated apple (about 1 medium apple), ½ cup chopped dried cranberries, and ½ cup chopped toasted pecans into the wet ingredients.
• Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until fully combined.
• Cover the dough and refrigerate it for 10 minutes while preheating the oven.
• Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Once the oven is preheated, remove the dough from the fridge. Use a medium-sized scooper to create small portions of dough. Place them onto the parchment paper. Roll them into smooth balls.
• Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips

• For the best flavor and texture, opt for tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Their acidity balances the sweetness of the cookies.
• Don’t skip chilling the cookie dough before baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape. 
• Depending on the moisture content of your apples, you may need to adjust the flour slightly. If the dough seems too wet, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it comes together.
• Feel free to add ingredients like raisins, chocolate chips, or different nuts for a unique twist.
• Ovens vary significantly, so check for doneness a minute or two before the recommended baking time. Look for golden edges and a slightly soft center.

FAQ

More Apple Recipes to Try

Here are a few more of my favorite apple recipes for you to try.

Recipe Inspiration

Over the past few decades, I’ve subscribed to a variety of food magazines.

Googling recipes is convenient, but I love the feel of magazines, especially pictures of food that I didn't know I needed to try!

One recipe that caught my eye was in Martha Stewart’s October 2010 issue of Everyday Food. Since then, I’ve been making these apple cookies regularly.

Over the years, I’ve tweaked Martha’s original recipe to suit my taste, and today, I'm sharing my updated version. (The original recipe used raisins, by the way) If you’re interested, you can check out Martha's original recipe.

Using coconut oil makes these cookies quick and easy to prepare-giving you more time to enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

I hope everyone is enjoying the fall season!

More Oatmeal Cookie Recipes to Try

Love oatmeal cookies? Here are a few more to bake.

Recipe

I originally published this post on October 4, 2015, and republished on September 27, 2024, and again on September 7, 2026 with updated content Thanks for sharing!.