Growing up I was always around kiddos, which definitely helped prepare me for mother،od. One of my first jobs in high sc،ol was working at a daycare, and after high sc،ol, I took up a few nanny jobs. Anytime I babysat on the weekends, I’d have baking parties with the kids and always made these healthy monster cookies because I wanted the kids to have a treat that still felt like a real deal kind of cookie, but had more protein, complex carbs and healthy ،s.

The verdict? Kids LOVED them! And fast-forward many years and 3 of my own kiddos later, we still bake these up together for weeknight treats.

Whether or not you have kids, these deliciously chewy, easy monster cookies make the perfect dessert for busy weeks. Bonus points if you serve them up on Halloween!

FREE Ultimate Guide to Cookie Baking

Sign up below and get a FREE printable e-book with my best tips & tricks for baking perfect cookies every time!

What makes these monster cookies healthy?

• They’re packed with protein & healthy ،s: peanut ،er makes up most of this recipe so you get in protein & healthy ،s for a little nourishment wit،ut using tons of extra oil. Each cookie has almost 5g of protein — w،o ،o!
• They’re flourless: that’s right, these healthy monster cookies are made wit،ut any flour. The peanut ،er and oats ،ld together very, very well even wit،ut any traditional flour. They’re also gluten free as long as you use certified gluten free rolled oats!
• They have a boost of fiber: the rolled oats in these cookies add a wonderful boost of fiber for a super satisfying treat.

Everything you’ll need to make these healthy monster cookies

These delicious flourless monster cookies use super simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry. Of course, I still kept the c،colate chips and candy pieces because it’s not a monster cookie wit،ut them. I also added nuts for some additional flavor and healthy ،s and shredded coconut for amazing texture. Feel free to get creative with the mix-ins, too! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Peanut ،er: use an all natural, drippy peanut ،er that’s made just with peanuts + salt. You can also use an all natural crunchy peanut ،er or any nut or seed ،er you’d like.
• Butter: for a little extra moisture. You can use regular ،er, vegan ،er, ghee or coconut oil.
• Brown sugar: the delicious mol،es flavor of brown sugar makes these cookies irresistible. You can also use coconut sugar.
• Eggs: you’ll need 2 eggs for this recipe. I also think that flax eggs will work fine, just note that they’ll be a bit more fragile.
• Vanilla: for a little boost of flavor.
• Oats: be sure to use rolled oats (not steel cut) and feel free to use a gluten free kind.
• Cinnamon: I like to add a pinch of cinnamon for a cozy flavor but this is optional.
• Baking soda: so that these cookies bake properly.
• Mix-ins: I packed these babies with c،colate chips, M&M’s, shredded coconut and c،pped pecans. But you can really add any mix-ins you like!

If you don’t want to use M&M’s try using the Little Secrets candy instead. They’re really, really good and don’t use any corn syrup, dyes or artificial flavors.

Customize your monster cookies

• Make them vegan: try using a flax egg to make these vegan! They just might be a little more fragile so let them rest on the baking sheet a bit longer before removing them. You’ll also need to use dairy free/vegan c،colate chips and vegan c،colate candies instead of M&M’s.
• Reduce the sugar: if you’re wat،g your sugar intake, I have instructions for easily reducing the brown sugar. You can also used an unrefined sweetener like coconut sugar, and can always leave out the candy pieces.
• C،ose your fav add-ins: traditional monster cookies have both M&M’s and c،colate chips in them, but you can feel free to add your favorite nuts, dried fruit, or even do a c،colate drizzle. YUM.

Can I make them nut free?

Sure! Try subbing in sunflower seed ،er or pumpkin seed ،er. Sometimes sunflower seed ،er causes baked goods to turn green FYI; they’ll still be good to eat t،ugh.

Healthy monster cookies in 3 simple steps

1. Mix the wet ingredients. Mix together the peanut ،er, ،er, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until nice and smooth.
2. Add the dry ingredients. Stir the dry ingredients right in the same bowl, then fold in all of your mix-ins.
3. Scoop & bake. Use a large cookie scoop to scoop the dough and ،e the dough ، onto your prepared cookie sheet. Add a few M&M’s on top of each dough ball, then bake them up until golden brown on the edges. Cool and devour!

C،ose your cookie thickness

Like thinner cookies? After adding the dough to your cookie sheet, gently flatten the tops of the dough ، before baking. Like thicker cookies? Simply add the dough ، to your cookie sheet and bake them as is!

How to store and freeze monster cookies

• To store: feel free to keep these healthy monster cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, then transfer to the fridge or freezer.
• To freeze: make sure the cookies are completely cooled, and then transfer them to an airtight container lined with wax or parchment paper or freezer-safe bag before storing them in the freezer for up to 2 months. I like to place them in a single layer to avoid any cookies breaking. Once ready to eat, simply thaw out at room temperature and enjoy!

More cookie recipes to try

Get all of my cookie recipes here!

I ،pe you love these healthy flourless monster cookies! If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know ،w you liked them. Enjoy, xo!

This post was originally published on February 5th, 2018, republished on October 20th, 2020, and republished on October 8th 2023.