My inner fat kid loves baked goods.
So does my outer fat kid.
I really could eat baked goods all day long.  Keep your Twizzlers and Sour Patch Kids, I’ll take the homemade oatmeal cookies.
Sadly, cookies aren’t exactly on my training plan.  Until now.  I strange’d it up in a storm of “use everything in my pantry.”
I balled up a version of one of my favorite cookies because everything’s better as balls.  I also altered the ingredient list a bit so it can be eaten guilt-free.  Not that I feel guilty about eating dessert… but sometimes my abs do.
These chocolate chip-laced treats are just as good as the real thing.  Really!  My boss ate one and said “oh my god… these are good!” with a only slightly suppressed tone of  surprise.
You could probably use any flour here – try coconut flour to make it gluten free.  They can easily be made vegan with a flax egg.  And, if you’re not ready to bring back pumpkin yet, try mashed sweet potato or banana!
Oatmeal Protein Cookie Balls
- 1 C almond meal
- 1 C rolled oats
- 1/2 C spelt flour
- 2 scoops (62 g) vanilla protein powder (I used Growing Naturals rice protein)
- 1/4 C Â brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 C pumpkin puree
- 1/4 C water
- 3 T coconut oil
- 3 T egg white (or flax egg)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 C chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine.
In a small bowl mix coconut oil (softened in micro if necessary), syrup, egg white, water, and extract. Pour wet mixture into the dry.  Stir until well-combined (you can use your CLEAN hands).
Fold in the chocolate chips. Make balls of ~2 T of dough, place on cookie sheet and and flatten with your palm.
Bake for 10-12 mins at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and let cool.
Makes about 30 cookies.
*See notes in post above for gluten-free, vegan, and other options!
How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.
Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂
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I’m thinking I need to finally try a clean(er) cheesecake of my own next!
Baked goods or candy?
What childhood favorite would you like to health-ify?
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
These look delicious!! Definitely baked goods over candy for me. Love them! Can’t wait to try this!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats says
I heart baked goods. And that is why I am excited for fall already, he he
Laura says
I was just thinking that this morning… though I know I’m going to regret it when I’m cold! 😉
GiGi Eats says
I LOVE TRANSFORMING JUNK FOOD LOVERS into LOVERS OF healthy treats!!! TRYING SO HARD to transform a certain someone, who is addicted to that FU**IN’ CHICK FIL A, TACO BELL, and Kdawiuegfbdskfniaueifhneishkfiseruhfndejkdb — And lets just say, it’s probably easier to train a Rhino how to draw a picture of every single little detail of the villi inside a human’s small intestine.
Laura says
Healthy junkies!!!
Courtney V BENTLEY says
Yum! I made my own stevia cinnamon syrup so will try baking with it! I got my iced coffees cinnamoned up but wanted to make a treat so this is a must! ♡ I am a home baked goods kinda gal candy used to be my favorite but now I love a warm fresh out of the oven cookie 🙂
Laura says
That sounds so good! I will put cinnamon in anything. Literally.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
Seriously, you can’t go wrong with balls! 🙂
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Looks like you and I had balls…oatmeal balls on the brain! 🙂
These sound awesome – love the pumpkin!
Khushboo says
I love chocolate, I love baked goods but I will definitely pass on sweets…just the idea of a Twizzler makes my teeth hurt! I like my balls so you know I’m digging this recipe :)!
Laura says
I just tried Twizzlers again. Still hate ’em. Pass the balls!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Baked goods > Candy.
Stop blaming ur plan for bastardizing goods…it’s a given with you, stunner!
Cat says
I seriously need to put in another batch order of pumpkin puree from amazon… How about some candy in baked goods? JELLY BABY MUFFINS.
Now that’s a strange but good to be working on… 😉
Laura says
I dunno… but if you make it, I’ll try it.
AmyC says
Looks yummy!
Lucie@FitSwissChick says
Yes to balls, tehehe.
Baked goods!! I also love no bake stuff, but I ditched sour candy for good – after ruining the roof of my mouth (you know why that is an issue for me (omg haha)) – I swear I will never touch this shit again!
These sound great – love almond meal!!
Laura says
How did I know you’d like my balls? LOL!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
bake goods for sure!
Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy says
There’s something about hand food that is so appealing. To ne! 🙂
Kim @ FITsique says
Two thumbs up! One of my favorite things is making healthier versions of treats that I can fit into my macros!
Laura says
It’s like a part time job over here! 😉
lindsay says
um… you don’t have to ask me twice to try you balls. 😉
Laura says
Wine-fueled ball party? 😉
Kierston says
These look yummy! Cookies are best when they come out straight from the oven 🙂
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
yum, yum, yum!! I’m always ready for pumpkin!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
I can always pass up candy – it’s just kind of ‘meh’ to me! So baked good are the way to go, in my mind 😉 these look awesome!
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
Cookie vs candy for me too. These sound great. I have everything but the brown sugar!
Lauren says
I love cookie balls and these sound so yummy! I’m glad I have everything on hand already to try these out. I definitely prefer baked goods over candy. Anything with chocolate chips has me interested 🙂
Laura says
I’m the same way with chocolate chips! Let me know if you try them! 🙂
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says
ooooo….I’ll make these today! What’s a good sub for the spelt flour? I have none.
Laura says
I emailed you already… but any flour would work. Did you try it?!
Heather @ FITaspire says
I’m going to make these for Kirk’s breakfast! I have him on a nutrition plan to build and he has to eat a TON of carbs. He’s already sick of extra oatmeal at breakfast and I was thinking of what should be next. Perfect!
Laura says
Did you do it?! I have a really hard time doing oats in the summer.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
Yum! Love these balls!!!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak says
omg I have such a sweet tooth – especially for cookies. I actually just finished eating a bag of famous amos cookies lol oops. I will definitely have to try these out!
Laura says
Haha – those are like crack!
RavieNomNoms says
NOMS!
Bonnie says
Looks delish! And way to make those healthy! Although I have to say, I’m all for the fake stuff. I’d take candy and licorice over chocolate and pie any day – even though it’s so much less real! I am what I am. 😉
Laura says
I know you are. You and gummy bear is like me with cookies. They don’t stand a chance. 😉
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says
Yummy. I am totally craving something sweet like this right now.
Tess Moore says
Yah!I love this recipe….I think I CAN do this one. Yummy!! Thanks for sharing.
Laura says
Good! Let me know if you try it!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Those look DEEEE-licious!! Oatmeal Chocolate chip cookies were ALWAYS my favorite!
Jody - Fit at 56 says
COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Course I don’t have all the ingredients! 🙂
Choc Chip Uru says
Perfect energy balls to eat on the run 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
Oh me too on the cookies! I make a version of these oat cookies constantly- I think I have to try yours today. Can’t get enough!
Laura says
Thanks Laura! Let me know if you do. They’d be a good quick snack – I know you have your hands full!
Megan (The Lyons' Share) says
Everything in my pantry into a recipe is the story of my life … Most times, I don’t really plan recipes, just see what I have that needs to be used up and go for it :). These look amazing!
Laura says
Same here. Whatever happens, happens! Pantry hakuna matata.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
So I like baked goods and candy. Guess I’m in trouble then. 🙂
Laura says
You ARE trouble.
Cassie @ Rural Running Redhead says
These look amazing. And it’s never too early for pumpkin.