These chocolate orange oatmeal cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chips and fresh orange zest. They're ready in under 30 minutes, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, gluten-free and dairy-free!
Update: This recipe, first published in 2021, has been updated with more tips and step-by-step photos showing how easy it is to make these orange chocolate chip oatmeal cookies at home!
The chocolate and orange combo in these oatmeal cookies is seriously perfect. The rich chocolate chips and the fresh orange zest just work together so well, making every bite extra special.
Inspired by my classic healthy chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, this orange version is perfect for Spring and Summer. My friends and family can't get enough!
What’s great about these cookies is how easy they are to make with simple, healthy ingredients. In under 30 minutes, you get a delicious treat that’s naturally sweetened and gluten- and dairy-free. It’s a win for everyone and perfect for kids!
Why you'll love these oatmeal cookies:
- Thick & Chewy: These cookies are soft and chewy with every bite.
- Best Flavor: The combination of chocolate chips and orange zest adds a sweet, citrusy twist.
- Quick & Easy: Made in under 30 minutes, these cookies are a breeze to whip up.
- Naturally Sweetened: Sweetened with maple syrup for a healthier touch.
- Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: You don't have to make any substitutions!
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make these orange oatmeal cookies with gooey chocolate chips:
- Egg
- Maple Syrup
- Coconut Oil
- Vanilla Extract
- Rolled Oats (gluten-free certified if needed)
- Almond Flour
- Ground Cinnamon
- Salt
- Baking Powder
- Walnuts & Chocolate chips
- Orange
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
These chewy oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips and orange zest come together in under 30 minutes. They're gluten-free and dairy-free! Here’s how:
Whisk the egg, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.
Add rolled oats, almond flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Mix until well combined using a spatula.
Gently fold in chocolate chips, walnuts, and orange zest.
Using a cookie scooper or your hands, form 12 – 15 cookie patties and place them evenly on the lined baking tray.
Bake for 15 – 17 minutes, until the cookies are golden brown, and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet.
Top tips
- Pack the Almond Flour: Tightly pack almond flour into your measuring cup for accurate measurements.
- Use Fresh Baking Powder: Expired baking powder can cause flat cookies, so make sure it’s fresh.
- Don’t Skip the Zest: Fresh orange zest is key to the bold citrus flavor, so don’t skimp!
Substitutions & Variations
- Make them Nut-Free: Use oat flour instead of almond flour and omit the walnuts.
- Maple Syrup: You can swap it for honey or agave syrup if you prefer.
- Almond Flour: Oat flour is the best substitute for almond flour in these oatmeal cookies.
- Chocolate Chips: Try using dark chocolate, white chocolate, or dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Walnuts: Pecans, almonds, or sunflower seeds make great nutty alternatives.
- Cranberry Orange: Add dried cranberries along with the chocolate chips for a fruity twist.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk + Spatula
- Cookie scoop or spoon
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Zester or grater
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but the texture may be slightly different, as quick oats are finer and less chewy.
Replace almond flour with oat flour and omit the walnuts.
If your oatmeal cookies turn out flat, the dough might be too warm, or there may not be enough oats or flour. Try chilling the dough before baking to help them hold their shape.
More cookie recipes!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you make this recipe?
Don't forget to leave a review and let me know how it turned out! And tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram with #healthfulblondie—I'd love to see and share your creations!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Orange Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup real maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup almond flour, packed into the mesuring cup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup roughly chopped walnuts
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips
- Zest of 1 large orange, about 1 - 2 tsp
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the egg, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients: Stir in the oats, almond flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Mix until everything is combined.
- Fold in the extras: Gently stir in the walnuts, chocolate chips, and orange zest.
- Shape the cookies: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough with your hands or a small spoon, then roll it into a ball. Place the balls on the baking sheet, leaving space between each one. This recipe makes 16–18 cookies.
- Bake: Put the tray in the oven and bake for 15–17 minutes, until the balls are golden brown on the outside.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the tray for a few minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy! Your cookies are ready to eat!
Notes
Nutrition
I only recommend products I love and use myself. In full disclosure, I may receive a small compensation for purchasing a product I recommend. Thank you for supporting Healthful Blondie!
Sharing is caring!
Anniebink says
These are wonderful! So glad I tried it amd can’t wait to share w my grandkids. Easy, and healthier than oatmeal cookies I’ve made before. I substituted raisins for the chocolate chips and used pecans since I didn’t have walnuts. Delicious and will make again.
Anniebink says
I meant for that to be a 5 star! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Annabella says
SUCH A FANTASTIC COOKIE RECIPE!!!!
Tati Chermayeff says
Annabella, YAY!! So excited to hear this!
Marcy says
JUST SO GOOD!!!! perfectly chewy and sweet. Love the orange and chocolate combo.
Tati Chermayeff says
Beyond excited to hear this 🙂 so glad you loved them as much as me!
Haili Fort says
So yummy!!!! Love the combo and so easy to make 😍
Tati Chermayeff says
Haili, well this made my day!!! Thank you for writing such a kind review.
Victoria Kate says
Super delicious! They were the prefect amount of chewy and soft. Plus the orange flavor was amazingggggg
Tati Chermayeff says
Aw, YAY! So happy to hear this 🙂 Thanks for your kind review.
Emily says
Made these immediately after Tati posted the recipe. OMG OMG OMG. So delicious!!! Never would have thought that chocolate and orange would go together so well in a cookie.
Tati Chermayeff says
YAY!! So hyped to hear this Emily. Such an awesome review!