If you love oatmeal cookies but want to make a vegan-friendly version, then this recipe for vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies will be the perfect answer! Not only are these oatmeal cookies amazing, but they’re also super easy to make. This vegan wonder is filled with tart cranberries and hearty oats that come together to create an irresistible cookie that is sure to please.
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Vegan Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
Delicious- The combination of tart cranberries and sweet oatmeal creates a delicious cookie with irresistible flavor.
Doesn't Require Fancy Equipment- These oatmeal cranberry cookies can be made with a couple of mixing bowls and a hand mixer!
30-Minute Recipe- From start to finish, these vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies can be made in just 30 minutes.
Simple Ingredients- Most of the ingredients in this vegan cranberry oatmeal recipe you should already have at home.
What Are Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies?
Traditional oatmeal cranberry cookies are classic cookies with a chewy texture. They combine the hearty flavor of oats with the tartness of dried cranberries, along with sugar, cinnamon, and baking soda. They are typically baked in the oven on a baking sheet until golden brown. Cranberry oatmeal cookies make for an excellent snack or dessert. This vegan version is sure to satisfy any cranberry oatmeal cookie craving!
Equipment Needed
- Baking Sheet/Cookie Sheet
- Silicone Baking Mat (Optional)
- Parchment Paper (Optional)
- Medium Bowl
- Large Bowl
- Hand Mixer
- Stirring Spoon
- Cooling Rack
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
Vegan Butter- Vegan butter is used to give the oatmeal cookies their classic texture and flavor.
Coconut Sugar- Coconut sugar helps to add sweetness and a caramel-like flavor to these vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies.
Brown Sugar- Brown sugar helps to add an extra layer of sweetness.
Vanilla Extract- Vanilla extract adds a hint of sweetness and enhances the flavors in the cookies.
Dairy-Free Milk- Helps to bind the flour, oat, and dried cranberries, as well as gives the cookies a bit of extra moisture.
Whole Wheat Flour- Used to give the cookies a heartier texture.
Baking Powder- Helps the vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies to rise and become light and fluffy.
Rolled Oats- Provide texture and bulk to the cookies while adding extra crunch when they bake.
Dried Cranberries- Creates a tart flavor that pairs wonderfully with the oatmeal.
How To Make Vegan Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
To begin, set your oven to 350F and prepare a baking sheet by lightly greasing it, line with parchment paper, or use a silicone mat. Next, in a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the vegan butter and sugars until they become light and fluffy. Then, mix in the vanilla and milk.
Hand-mix the flour and baking powder in a separate bowl using a spoon. Combine the wet ingredients with all of the dry ingredients in the same large bowl and stir in the rolled oats and cranberries by hand.
Place tablespoons of cookie dough on the prepared cookie sheet, keeping them about 2 inches apart. Use the bottom of a flat drinking glass to gently flatten each tablespoon of cookie dough.
Bake the oatmeal cranberry cookies in the oven for around 12 minutes or until golden brown. After that, let them cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Finally, serve the cookies as desired and enjoy!
Note: For firmer cookies, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. For more chewy cookies, bake for 2-3 minutes, less than the recipe notes call for.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
If you want to customize this recipe, here are a few ideas:
- Nuts- Add in some chopped pecans, almonds, walnuts, or peanuts for an added crunch.
- Dark Chocolate Chips- You can swap out the cranberries and add in some dark chocolate chips for an extra sweet treat.
- Flour- Use oat flour, almond flour, gluten-free flour, or coconut flour in place of the flour the recipe calls for.
- Banana- Add some mashed banana to give your vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies some natural sweetness.
- Spices- Enhance the flavor with ground cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm and comforting cookie.
- Cranberries- Use fresh cranberries in place of dried cranberries for a more tart flavor. Just make sure to chop the fresh cranberries into small pieces before adding them to the cookie dough.
- Coconut- Swap out the oats and add some shredded coconut for an extra tropical twist.
- Sweetener- Use maple syrup, agave syrup, coconut sugar, or white sugar in place of brown sugar in the cookie dough.
- Vegan Milk- Your favorite dairy-free milk, like soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk, will all work with these vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies.
No matter what you decide to do, these vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies are sure to be delicious!
Can You Freeze Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies?
Yes, you can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months. To freeze them, let the vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or baggie. When you’re ready to eat them, just let them thaw at room temperature and enjoy!
Vegan Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies FAQs
Can I make these vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies without vegan butter?
Yes, you can substitute vegan butter with plant-based oil like coconut oil or olive oil. Just be aware that this will change the flavor and texture of the cookies.
Is it possible to make this vegan oatmeal cranberry cookie recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend to make this vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies entirely gluten-free.
Do I have to use old-fashioned oats?
No. You can use quick oats or steel-cut oats if that is what you have on hand. Just keep in mind that the texture of your vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies will change depending on the type of oats you use.
How do I store leftover cranberry oatmeal cookies?
Store leftover vegan oatmeal cranberry cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to a week.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup dairy free butter
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup dairy free milk
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Lightly grease a baking sheet or use a silicone baking mat.
- In a medium bowl and with a hand mixer beat the dairy-free butter and sugars together until light an fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla and dairy-free milk.
- In a large bowl mix flour and baking powder. Stir.
- Add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- By hand, stir in the oats and cranberries.
- Spoon tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet 2" apart.
- Flatten slightly with the bottom of a flat drinking glass.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let set a minute or so and then remove them to a cooling rack.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
These cookies look wonderful, Ginny! Cranberry with oatmeal is such a great combination.
Stephanie
It seems pretty ridiculous, but I do NOT have a cookie jar!! I need to fix that and fill it with these cookies!
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
It's getting cooler here so it's cookie season for me! Can't wait to try these! I also need to get myself a cookie jar. 🙂
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen
These look like the perfect fall afternoon treat!
Jenn
I could so go for a stack of these right now! They look absolutely perfect! I'm thinking I might have to make these for Thanksgiving this year!
Michelle
Cookies really are the perfect comfort food, as far as I'm concerned! My son would love these...he prefers oatmeal cookies to chocolate chip.
katerina @ diethood.com
These are such an amazing treat!! I can't wait to try them!!
Becky Striepe
These look so good! I love cranberries in a cookie.
Michelle | A Latte Food
Cranberry cookies are a Christmas staple around here! These are absolutely gorgeous!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks so much Amy! Glad you like them 🙂
Ginny McMeans
They are fun to have and thanks for your visits Stephanie!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks so much Jocelyn. That means a lot to me.
Ginny McMeans
Yes! That's what we all need. A cookie season! Thanks Mary Ellen.
Ginny McMeans
You've sold me on that idea Dianne. Cookies in the afternoon. My new motto 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Oh, I hope you do Jenn. Thanks so much!
Ginny McMeans
Now that's a smart boy!
Ginny McMeans
Fantastic Katerina! You're going to love them.
Ginny McMeans
Me too Becky! I put them in my cereal too 🙂
Ginny McMeans
That's great Michelle and thanks so much!
eat good 4 life
I am so jealous. These cookies look superb. This is what I need right now! I need to get my cookie apron on!
Ginny McMeans
Hahaha! Yes, get that apron on!
Mel |avirtualvegan.com
I haven't had a cranberry cookie in years! I need to change that. These look so hearty and delicious!
Melissa @ Vegan Huggs
These look and sound scrumptious! I'm a big oatmeal cookie fan and these are making me drool! I love the addition of cranberries, too. These are on the must-make list 🙂
Sarah
These look so good! I might try them with chocolate chips too—you know, just to compare and test 😉
Ginny McMeans
They really are Mel and thanks!
Ginny McMeans
Fantastic Melissa! The combination is so good and festive too.
Ginny McMeans
Of course Sarah. I always play with my recipes too.
Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet
It has been way too long since I made cookies! Definitely need to give these a try!
Ginny McMeans
I hope you do Nancy! Happy baking.
Jordan
I love all the ingredient, I definitely want to try these! I love oatmeal cookies!
Dana
These sound unreal! I love chewy oatmeal cookies and I *love* putting raisins in them — so incorporating cranberries would be a welcomed addition or sub-in in this house.
Hannah Hossack-Lodge
I've been on the lookout for a good dairy free cookie recipe and these look like they might just be it! They look utterly scrumptious!
Hannah Hossack-Lodge
I've been on the lookout for a good vegan/dairy free cookie recipe and these look like they might just be it! They look utterly scrumptious!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
This looks like a delicious fall treat and I know my kids would love to see these when they come home from school.
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy
Yum these look so moist and soft!! I love oatmeal cookies, and adding cranberries is even better!!
Christine
What milk alternative works best in sweets ( other than soy)? Definitely going to make these!
Thanks
Ginny McMeans
Almond Milk and Coconut milk would be perfect Christine. Just pick the one you like the most.
Sara
Have you tried this with coconut oil in place of non- dairy butter?
Ginny McMeans
No I haven't but it wouldn't work Sara. It needs to whip into a light an d fluffy mixture which wouldn't work with wet coconut oil.
Molly
These were delicious! I added coconut flakes and walnuts.
Trina
Can i use a different flour?