This recipe is vegan, easily gluten-free and made just with oats (no flours needed), as well as being sweetened only with fruit. It’s the perfect breakfast cookie but just sweet enough to be a light dessert.
I like to fill these with blackberry jam that my godmother makes and the pairing of apple and blackberry is just right. You can, of course, fill the thumbprints with whatever you like – see below for some suggestions.
Try more gluten-free cookies: trail mix cookies, gluten-free peanut butter cookies (my favourite), double chocolate chickpea flour cookies, or holiday special gluten-free gingerbread.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chia seeds: this hasn’t been tested, but I think ground flax could be subbed for the chia. Use slightly less (maybe 1 1/2 tablespoons) and it should be fine.
- Oats: rolled oats will give the best texture to the cookies. Quick oats can be used in a pinch but steel-cut won’t work, and I haven’t tested with any other flake types like quinoa or spelt.
- Milk: I always use oat milk, but any kind of pourable milk can be used without any change in amounts.
- Jam: the blackberry jam could be replaced with raspberry if that’s easier for you to find, but definitely look for something that isn’t extremely sweet or even just make some speedy chia seed jam (definitely go that route if you’re looking to keep these free of added sugar).
Recipe Notes
If you dampen your thumb slightly, it’s easier to make the thumbprints in the centre of each cookie. The cookie edges might crack slightly when pressed, but can simply be pushed back together gently before baking.
This is more of a breakfast cookie and not so sweet or short like butter cookies. They’re on the moist side of things with the apple and dates, and more chewy than anything from the oats.
How to Store
Storage: the cookies can be kept in a sealed container on the counter for a couple of days if the temperature is cool. Otherwise, store in the refrigerator for several days.
Freezing: place cooled cookies in an airtight container and freeze for up to three months.
Newsletter
Expert Tips
- Don’t worry about over mixing: this is a gluten-free recipe and since the base doesn’t include any flour at all, there’s no gluten to overwork. Mix until combined and no need for concern about toughness.
- Change up the filling: any type of jam you like will be good. Something with a bit of tartness (blackberry, raspberry, and mirabelle are my favourites) is best. Lemon curd might even work.
- Try a blender: if you don’t have a food processor, an immersion blender will work just as well. A large blender might be fine, but I think it may not work due to the low liquid content.
More Oat Recipes
No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Balls
Honey Oat Bread
Gluten-Free Date Squares
Almond Butter Granola
If you make these Oatmeal Thumbprint Cookies or any other dairy-free cookie recipes on Occasionally Eggs, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. For more OE, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, purchase the Occasionally Eggs cookbook, or subscribe for new posts via email.
Oatmeal Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 200 grams rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 if fresh
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 large soft dates seeds removed
- 60 ml non-dairy milk
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or another light-tasting oil
- 1 large tart apple shredded*
- 12 teaspoons blackberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- Place the oats, chia, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl and stir to combine.200 grams rolled oats, 2 tablespoons chia seeds, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Blend the dates in a food processor until a smooth paste forms, then add the milk and oil. Blend again until everything is fully incorporated.6 large soft dates, 60 ml non-dairy milk, 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Add the date mixture and the shredded apple to the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until the dough sticks together easily. You will likely have to use your hands as it’s difficult to mix.1 large tart apple
- Form approximately equal balls of dough, about 2 tablespoons per cookie. Place on the cookie sheet (they won’t spread so don’t worry about leaving too much space between them) and use your thumb to make an indent in the centre of each cookie. You may need to gently push the sides back into place after making the thumbprint.
- Fill each thumbprint with a teaspoon of jam, and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for ten minutes before moving them to a rack to cool completely. Store on the counter for up to three days or in the fridge for a week.12 teaspoons blackberry jam
Notes
Nutrition
This post was first published in September 2016. It has been updated with no changes to the recipe as of January 2023.
Caroline says
Hiw do you shred the apple? Do you de-skin it as well??
Alexandra | Occasionally Eggs says
I usually just use a normal box grater! No, I don’t remove the skin, but it’s up to you. You won’t notice the skin in this recipe if it’s left on.
Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land says
How exciting – Germany!! These are totally beautiful photos – and I love a good jammy thumbprint cookie! This one sounds plentiful and healthy too. Congrats on the big move and so nice to be closer to family, one of the reasons I don't think I could ever leave Vancouver as my entire family lives here… 🙂
Karly says
Adorable and so darn fall! Love me a good cookie recipe… this one's definitely being added to the "gotta try" list!
Gena says
I love these wholesome cookies, Alexandra. I wouldn't have thought to pair blackberry and apple, but it seems like a great marriage to me! Can't wait to try (and thanks for the head's up about Traci's book — I love her work).
Sarah Fraser says
After we worked so hard to get that computer packaged safely! Fingers crossed (I'm sure it's fine) and best wishes from Canada! ��
Also, definitely making these cookies this weekend!
Mardi Michels says
I LOVE apple and blackberry together. And there's just something so lovely about thumbprint cookies!
Marisa's Italian Kitchen says
What delicious looking thumbprint cookies…I'll take a dozen please?
Kimberlie Robert says
Beautiful cookies and tack sharp photos. I can really see how they taste: crunchy and not too sweet. My kind of cookie. Great job.
Amanda Orlando says
Your new apartment sounds fantastic and your photographs look great!
Ayngelina says
This looks like my kind of cookie. Definitely pinning this to make this weekend.
Sofia | From the Land we Live on says
These look amaaaazing! I love how they're sweetened with dates and that there's apple baked in. Gorgeous pictures, as always, and your new space is lovely! No props or surfaces needed.