10 Healthier Holiday Cookie Recipes Under 135 Calories (2024)

Get festive and make Santa Claus’s “nice” list with a batch of jolly holiday cookies! We know you have a lot of options so we’ve put together a list of cookies that trim down on the traditional high calorie, high sugar, high fat versions using nutritious ingredients like sweet potatoes, nuts and oats! Bake some of these more nutritious cookie recipes–they’re sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and will also make beautiful gifts for your friends. Each serving is less than 135 calories and each recipe makes a lot so be sure of share the love!

1. CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT SHORTBREAD | MYFITNESSPAL’S RECIPES

These festive cookies are full of holiday cheer and delight kids and grown-ups alike. Your taste buds will thank you for these holiday treats: They use a combination of butter and canola oil so they taste buttery-rich, but have less saturated fat. Recipe makes 24 servings at 1 cookie each.

Nutrition (per serving):Calories: 103; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 6mg; Sodium: 24mg; Carbohydrate: 11g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 5g; Protein 1g

2. GINGERBREAD CHRISTMAS TREE COOKIES | SKINNYTASTE

Make delicious gingerbread cookies using half the butter, but still keeping the same great flavor and texture. And, no cookie cutter required! These adorable gingerbread Christmas tree cookies are decorated with a smattering of green frosting and sprinkles on top. Recipe makes 30 servings at 2 cookies each.

Nutrition (per serving):Calories: 104; Total Fat: 1g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 9mg; Sodium: 49mg; Total Carbohydrate: 21g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugars: 11g; Protein: 2g

3. SWEET POTATO MOLASSES COOKIE|WHITE ON RICE COUPLE

Humble sweet potato plays a central role in this soft, festive cookie made with molasses and raisins soaked in rum. Yum! Buttermilk gives the cookies moistness, but if you don’t have any on hand, substitute with 1/4 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of whole milk then stir and let sit for 5 minutes. Recipe makes 24 servingsat 1 cookie each.

Nutrition (per serving):Calories: 123; Total Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 18mg; Sodium: 194mg; Total Carbohydrate: 18g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugars: 8g; Protein: 2g

4. SKINNY CUT OUT SUGAR COOKIES|KIM’S CRAVINGS

Cut out sugar cookies are a Christmas staple! You can make these light, vegan version with flavorful coconut oil anddecorate them with icing made from raw cashews, vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup and almond milk. This recipe makes 18 servings at 1 cookie each.

Nutrition (per serving):Calories: 103; Total Fat: 5g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 145mg; Total Carbohydrate: 13g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugars: 6g; Protein: 2g

5.WHOLE WHEAT GINGERBREAD BISCOTTI|EVERYDAY MAVEN

Sweet and spicy gingerbread biscotti is delicious dipped in a cup of hot coffee or tea. These sturdy cookies travel well and can be mailed as homemade holiday goodies. Recipe makes 32 servings at 1 biscotti each.

Nutrition (per serving):Calories: 75; Total Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 6mg; Sodium: 51mg; Total Carbohydrate: 13g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugars: 7g; Protein: 2g

6.NUTCRACKER COOKIES|OH SHE GLOWS

Hearty, nutty and vegan–these nutcracker cookies have a crisp, toffee-like exterior followed by a chewy, doughy middle. Mixed nuts, dates and ground flax give great texture to this holiday treat. Recipe makes 14 servings at 1 cookie each.

Nutrition (per serving):Calories: 134; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 116mg; Total Carbohydrate: 15g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugars: 9g; Protein: 3g

7. LINZER THUMBPRINT COOKIES | HEALTHY SEASONAL COOKIES

These bite-sized rendition of a linzer torte is a healthier holiday treat. Thumbprint cookies are made with whole-grain flour then baked with raspberry jam nestled in the middle for a gorgeous presentation. Recipe makes 24 servings at 1 cookie each.

Nutrition (per serving):Calories: 121; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 18mg; Sodium: 162mg; Total Carbohydrate: 17g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugars: 9g; Protein: 2g

8.RASPBERRY OATMEAL COOKIES|AMY’S HEALTHY BAKING

Want a cookie without refined sugar or refined flour? Make a batch of these soft and chewy raspberry oatmeal cookies. If you don’t have fresh raspberries available, frozen berries work equally well. What’s more, each sweet cookie is less than 100 calories! Recipe makes 15 servings at 1 cookie each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 98; Total Fat: 3g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 12mg; Sodium: 108mg; Total Carbohydrate: 18g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugars: 10g; Protein: 2g

9. NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CHEWY TRUFFLE COOKIES |FOOD NETWORK

Quick and easy, this no-bake cookie recipe calls for just three steps: Combine all ingredients, roll dough into sweet balls and refrigerate. This no-fuss treat is a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Recipe makes 24 servings of 1 ball each.

Nutrition (per serving):Calories: 67; Total Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 1mg; Sodium: 59mg; Total Carbohydrate: 13g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugars: 6g; Protein: 1g

10.ESPRESSO CRINKLES|COOKING LIGHT

Add little caffeine buzz with your holiday treat by making these espresso crinkles. The coffee adds a layer of depth to the chocolate cookie dough and powdered sugar creates a beautiful crackled look. Recipe makes 24 servings at 1 cookie each.

Nutrition (per serving):Calories: 99; Total Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 156mg; Total Carbohydrate: 20g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugars: 13g; Protein: 1g

Originally published December 2016, updated December 2022

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10 Healthier Holiday Cookie Recipes Under 135 Calories (1)

MyFitnessPal's Recipes

Healthy, delicious and simple: That’s what we’re about at MyFitnessPal! We make ourrecipes in our own test kitchen or our registered dietitian hand-selects them personally. Look for nutrition information at the bottom of the recipe or log it directly to MyFitnessPal through the “Log-It” button. Check out our entire collection or explore: low-carb,high-protein • high-fiber • gluten-free • dairy-free • vegetarian • vegan • low sodium

10 Healthier Holiday Cookie Recipes Under 135 Calories (2024)

FAQs

What is a healthier option for cookies? ›

Because oats are high in fibre, they make a filling and heart-healthy basis for your cookies. Mix in extras such as mashed bananas, unsweetened applesauce, or chopped carrots to increase the natural sweetness and moisture. Add a few dark chocolate pieces or dried fruit for an additional flavor and antioxidant boost.

Can I eat oatmeal cookies on a diet? ›

Both whole grain oats and raisins are a good source of fiber. The presence of whole grain oats will also help you stay fuller longer. That said, oatmeal raisin cookies are still cookies with higher butter and sugar content than other snacks, so they should only be considered a healthy snack in moderation.

What cookies have the least calories? ›

10+ Low-Calorie Cookies
  • Oreo Chunk White Chocolate Chip Cookies.
  • Chocolate Crinkle Cool Whip Cookies.
  • Key Lime Pie Cookies.
  • Peanut Butter Cookies.
  • Oatmeal Cookies Without Eggs.
  • Maple Oatmeal Cookies.
  • White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies (with protein powder)
  • Kitchen Sink Cookies (with protein powder)
Oct 31, 2023

Can homemade cookies be healthy? ›

Additionally, you can increase the nutritional value of homemade cookies by substituting ingredients, such as refined sugar and white flour, for healthier alternatives. You can also add nuts, oats, or dried fruit to your chocolate chip cookie for a protein and antioxidant boost.

Can I eat cookies everyday and still lose weight? ›

BOTTOM LINE: The Cookie Diet may result in short-term weight loss, but no studies support its effectiveness. It relies heavily on prepackaged cookies, is highly restrictive, and does not provide guidance on how to maintain weight loss without cookies.

Can I eat one cookie a day and lose weight? ›

Of course you can. Simply pay attention to consistently eating the amount of calories that keeps you at the weight you'd like to be, and make the majority of your foods “healthy.” The cookies (or whatever treat you love) are part of the diet—not the entire diet.

How many calories are in 2 oatmeal cookies? ›

Oatmeal cookies, homemade (2 each - approx 2 5/8" diameter) contains 20.9g total carbs, 20.1g net carbs, 4.7g fat, 1.8g protein, and 131 calories.

What are 3 healthy substitutes for cookies if you are craving something sweet? ›

Here are ten healthy (and tasty!) alternatives to sweets:
  • Fruit. Fruit is nature's candy, after all! ...
  • Greek Yogurt. ...
  • Peanut Butter and Banana Ice Cream. ...
  • Chia Pudding. ...
  • Low-sugar Popsicles. ...
  • Nut Butter. ...
  • Baked Pears or Apples. ...
  • Chocolate Dipped Banana Bites.
Jan 9, 2023

What can I snack on instead of cookies? ›

After-school snacks
  • Banana wraps with nut, seed or soy butter.
  • Fruit skewers dipped in Greek yogurt.
  • Steamed edamame (green soy beans you buy frozen)
  • Homemade snack bites (mixtures of seeds and dried fruit with nut, seed or soy butter, rolled into balls)
  • Low-salt whole wheat tortillas and homemade guacamole.

What is the equivalent of I don't care about cookies? ›

Get rid of cookie warnings from almost all websites

The best alternatives to I Dont Care About Cookies are Hush for Safari, Super Agent, and CookieServe.

Can I have a cookie on a diet? ›

Of course you can. Simply pay attention to consistently eating the amount of calories that keeps you at the weight you'd like to be, and make the majority of your foods “healthy.” The cookies (or whatever treat you love) are part of the diet—not the entire diet.

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