These oatmeal pistachio cookies are quick & easy to make, relatively healthy and with a gently chewy crunch. Gluten free, dairy free & no refined sugar.
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In all honesty, cookies are not something I make all that often. In fact, I hardly ever either make them or buy them, I am more of a fan of muffins, scones and croissant-type things with my coffee or whatever excuse I have for having something sweet.
But my son is getting more in to cookies so it seemed only fair to experiment. I wanted to try making cookies that were tasty but a little different and ideally relatively healthy. These oatmeal pistachio cookies most definitely fit in perfectly.
Another confession, while I made these for a virtual cookie exchange, I have never been to a cookie exchange party nor really know what it's all about. But from what I understand, I'd want to have a bit of a story to my cookie to help them gain a bit of popularity.
I'm not sure I've got that here, but hey, they're still tasty.
I debated about making another German Christmas cookie, linking to my time in Germany as a student, or a shortbread variation to go with my Scottish roots but in the end I went for something altogether different.
These pistachio oatmeal cookies have if anything more of a flavor of the Middle East to them, an area whose cuisine I enjoy a lot and have visited a couple times but I'm afraid other than that, it's more just I thought they would taste good. And, I'm glad to say, they do.
If you're a fan of cookies with a nutty flavor, you might also like to try some pignoli cookies, Persian walnut cookies or baklava thumbprint cookies.
Making healthier cookies
As you may know by now, I prefer to make relatively healthy versions of dishes and baking - particularly since I know my older son will be digging in to them. But I only do so as far as makes sense, and some traditional recipes I prefer not to mess with.
Cookies are that bit trickier since they are in all honesty all about sweetness and there's only so many ways you can vary that in a cookie. At least with it still being a cooking rather than an energy bite (also good, but different).
I had quite a bit of success with my spiced Vermont maple cookies and like the texture oats gives, so used that as a bit of a base. I wanted a bit more crunch and do love pistachios so they seemed a great choice.
Honey and pistachios go really well together and so this seemed the ideal way to sweeten them and add to the great flavor. Coconut oil also goes well with the other ingredients, as does almond meal/flour, and it means they stay gluten and dairy free.
How to make oatmeal pistachio cookies
These cookies are incredibly quick and easy to make, being only six ingredients and the food processor doing the chopping and mixing for you.
All you really do is scoop the mixture out and bake them. They gently brown as they bake but don't really change in shape so don't worry about them being relatively close on your baking sheet.
As I said, these oatmeal pistachio cookies have a bit of a taste of the Middle East to them, with the naturally flavorful pistachios and honey giving them a wonderful sweet nuttiness. This is complimented by the oats and almonds to give a nice crunchy cookie that's pretty healthy too.
In other words, you have the perfect excuse to have another one. Or two... or more. Hey, they are so easy just make another batch and enjoy!
Tools you may find helpful for these cookies:
I'd recommend a Silicone Baking Mat on top of a Half Baking Sheet to bake these.
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
Enjoy cookies? Try some other favorites!
- Brunkager (Danish Christmas cookies)
- Kolache cookies
- Alfajores (dulce de leche sandwich cookies)
- Chocolate orange shortbread cookies
Plus see the Holiday ideas for more inspiration, both sweet and savory, perfect for the festive period.
Oatmeal pistachio cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup pistachios shelled vol/weight (unsalted)
- ½ cup ground almonds almond flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats rolled oats, not quick-cook
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted and cooled (¼ cup is 4tbsp)
- ¼ cup honey (¼ cup is 4tbsp)
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C.
- Pulse the pistachios in the food processor until they are fairly crumb-like - a few lumps are fine you just don't really want large pieces.
- Add the ground almonds, oats, coconut oil, honey and egg and pulse a few times to mix well.
- Take tablespoonfuls of the mixture and gently form into squashed balls then lay on a lined baking sheet - note the mixture is fairly sticky and doesn't really change shape when it bakes.
- Bake for around 15 minutes until gently golden and set. Allow to cool before enjoying.
Video
Nutrition
Try some more cookie ideas:
- Amaretto Apricot Oatmeal Cookies by Magnolia Days
- Amaretto Balls by Palatable Pastime
- Chewy Gingersnaps by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies by The Bitter Side of Sweet
- Espresso-Ginger Sandwich Cookies by Wholistic Woman
- Espresso Snickerdoodles by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Green Tea Macarons with Chocolate Ganache by Tara’s Multicultural Table
- Holiday Nutrolls by Delaware Girl Eats
- Mudslide Cookies by Books ‘n Cooks
- Pizzelles by The Freshman Cook
- Spiked Eggnog Cookies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Thai-Kissed Cookies by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Remember to pin for later!
Jacqueline says
Really tasty cookies. So easy to make. Have made them a few times now and they have been enjoyed by all. Thanks for sharing.
Caroline's Cooking says
So glad you have been enjoying them!
Hol57 says
very nice. My family really liked them.
Caroline's Cooking says
Glad to hear you enjoyed!
Skye says
Thanks for this superb recipe! Just baked a batch. Replaced oil with unsweetened applesauce sauce. Just wondering if its normal that the baked cookies are not super crispy?
Caroline's Cooking says
Glad you enjoyed. They are typically more chewy with a bit of a crispness, but using applesauce is definitely going to make a difference - it has a higher water content and doesn't aid crispness in the way an oil or butter would.
Skye says
Thanks for sharing ! How long can I keep these cookies?
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I'm not sure exactly how long they will keep (we got through them pretty quickly!), and some will depend how warm it is where you keep them as they will probably keep better cool, but at least a couple days should work if covered.
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
Pistachios tend to be forgotten. But now that we can buy them shelled they should be used in lots or recipes. This cookie recipes with the oatmeal sounds so tasty. Great way to use those healthful nuts.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, KC, they are definitely one of my favorite nuts, such a great flavor and I agree getting them shelled makes them a lot easier to cook with!
Faye Wilkerson says
I just keep adding cookie recipes to my list, another must try.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Faye - I know I am biased but I'd agree, these are great 🙂
Analida's Ethnic Spoon says
I love the flavors in these! Pinned for later!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Analida - hope you manage to make them and enjoy, they are so easy but tasty!
Liz says
I am the only one in my family who will eat oatmeal cookies. Don't think I had better bake these as I think I would eat the whole batch myself. Oatmeal is healthy, yes?
Caroline's Cooking says
Indeed, definitely healthy 🙂 Well, maybe make a batch and plan to give some away...but see what happens 🙂 It wouldn't be so bad if you had them all yourself!
Johanne Lamarche says
Cookie making is not my thing either Caroline but I love the short list of ingredients and wholesomeness of these. thank you for bringing them to FF and sharing all the other cookie links with us.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Johanne, and thanks for co-hosting FF this week!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
I just love these - they look like the perfect Christmas cookie with those pistachio bits peeking through.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Lauren, I agree - I am going to have to make more we got through them too quickly 🙂
Tara says
Such interesting cookies. That flavor combinations sounds perfect!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Tara, the flavors are fantastic!
Sue Lau says
I love pistachios but never thought to put them in an oatmeal cookie. Thanks for the idea!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Sue, definitely worth trying!
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
Already made these! What a nice, nutty flavor! Thanks!
Caroline's Cooking says
So glad you tried them and liked them - thanks for letting me know!
Suchitra says
Love the way you have added pistachios and honey into the regular oatmeal cookies. I am going to try this.Thanks for sharing.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Suchitra, the flavors are so tasty I hope you try them.
Liz says
I am a huge oatmeal cookie fan, and adding pistachios sounds like a wonderful idea!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Liz, the pistachios give them a great flavor.