These naturally sweet no-bake oatmeal cookies are made with healthier ingredients like cashews, dates, oats, and dark chocolate or cacao nibs, and without refined sugar. 

A plate of healthy no-bake oatmeal cookies on a white plate with a cup of iced coffee.

With an active family of 4, it seems like someone is always in need of a snack. Whether it’s the kids after school, hubby after work, or myself after the gym. School is back in session so I’m getting back into stocking the house with plenty of fresh produce as well as protein-rich snacks like nuts, energy balls, make-ahead smoothies, and homemade energy bars.

Yummy Hubby and the girls love store-bought bars and crackers, and lately I’ve been noticing just how much waste comes along with them. At Whole Foods last week I absentmindedly agreed to individual pita chip bags. As we go through them I’m noticing SO much packaging. There’s the outer box which is wrapped in plastic and then the inner bags. This week I made a batch of healthy no-bake oatmeal cookie energy bites to keep in the fridge and pack in lunch boxes. If anyone in your family or children’s classes have a nut allergy, I recommend this Nut-Free No Bake Energy Ball recipe instead.

No bake healthy oatmeal cookies on a plate. This easy no-bake cookie recipe is vegan and gluten free.

I had a hard time naming this recipe. Are they no-bake cookies? Those are usually made with lots of sugar. Are they bliss balls? Energy balls? Who knows!

The inspiration for these tasty little no-bake cookie balls came from a local Santa Barbara brand called Sun and Swell (isn’t that name cute?). We grabbed a bag of their Clean Cookie Bites from Backyard Bowls on a busy day over the summer and they were the perfect slightly sweet, natural, whole food snacky treats.

How to Make No-Bake Cookies

Ingredients for healthy no-bake oatmeal cookies include oats, dates, cashews, maple syrup, and dark chocolate.

The ingredients here are so very simple. These no-bake cookie bites are made with cashews, and oats, sweetened with dates (and a little maple if you’d like). They get an extra cookie-flavor boost from vanilla extract and a pinch of pink or sea salt.

As you can see, these aren’t your average no-bake cookies. These are more like energy balls and packed with fiber and plant-based protein, and sweetened naturally with dates.

Ingredients for no-bake cookies blended in a food processor.

I grind the cashews and dates together in a food processor first. This is a lot like the crust I use for my no-bake Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake recipe. You’ve got to try that one too!

Oats and dark chocolate are added to a food processor to make healthy no-bake oatmeal cookie bites.

Then, I pulse in the oats and chocolate. I like to use dark chocolate but you could use cacao nibs for an even more natural option.

The ingredients for healthy no-bake oatmeal cookies are blended together in a food processor and ready to roll into cookies.

Once all the ingredients are blended together they should hold together when pressed. Not all batches come out the same, as dates can be dry or sticky. If the mixture doesn’t come together easily, add a splash of maple syrup or a little water.

A close-up of vegan, gluten-free healthy no-bake oatmeal cookies made with cashews, oats, and dates.

Press the mixture into balls and store your no-bake cookies in the refrigerator.

More No-Bake Treats:

Yield: about 10

Healthy No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Healthy no-bake cookie bites made with natural ingredients like oats, cashews, and dates make a tasty snack or treat. These no-bake cookies are vegan and gluten-free.

Healthy No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 1/2 cup pitted Medjool dates
  • 1/2 cup oats (certified gluten free if needed)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of pink or sea salt
  • 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate (vegan/gf)

Instructions

  1. Place the cashews and dates in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until both are coarsely ground.
  2. Add the oats, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and chocolate and pulse until the mixture comes together when pressed.
  3. Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to press the mixture into balls. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

Notes

  • Please note that nutrition information is approximate and calculated by a third party. If you health depends on nutrition facts, please calculate again.
  • Please be very careful about sending nuts to school, as some children are highly allergic. I think subbing sunflower seeds would work for a nut free option, but haven't tried it.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1 ball
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 120Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 16mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 2g