Lemon Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Lemon Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies make a quick and healthy treat, packed with wholesome ingredients. Using only 5 ingredients – lemon, oats, honey, cashews, and protein powder – you can prepare a batch of these yummy cookies in about 20 minutes.

If you’ve been around for a while, you know that I love lemon, especially during the spring. I will put it in everything from breads and cakes to chicken and potatoes. These no-bake lemon cookies are perfect for adding a little brightness to your day. Plus, they are made with nutritious ingredients, so you can feel good about enjoying these cookies any time of day. Rolled oats, protein powder, and cashews make the base of the cookies while honey and lemon add sweetness and flavor. Sprinkled with a little shredded coconut, these cookies are hard to resist!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Allergy-friendly: These cookies don’t contain any dairy, gluten, or peanuts, making them a great option if you deal with dietary restrictions.
• No-bake: All you have to do is combine the ingredients in a bowl, roll the dough into balls, and refrigerate them for a bit to firm up. So simple.
• 5 ingredients: Besides the coconut topping, you really only need 5 ingredients – lemons, oats, protein powder, honey, and cashews. All simple and wholesome ingredients that will fuel your body well.
• Quick and easy: These cookies only take about 20 minutes to make. Whip up a batch on Sunday, then keep them in the fridge so you can enjoy these healthy snacks on the go throughout your week.
• Healthy Option: Each cookie has about 9 grams of protein depending on the protein powder you use. Plus, they are free of refined sugars and contain fiber, healthy fats, and even some Vitamin C from the lemon. They’re a great option when you need a little extra energy!

Tips for making Lemon No-Bake Cookies

• These lemon cookies are naturally gluten-free, but if you have celiac or are very sensitive to gluten, make sure to use gluten-free oats.
• If you don’t like cashews, feel free to swap out other nuts instead. Almonds, walnuts, or pecans would all be great options.
• The cookie dough can be sticky. If you’re having a hard time rolling it into balls, you can add extra oats or try refrigerating the batter for a few minutes before you roll it into balls.
• If you don’t have protein powder, you can replace it with another 1/2 cup of oats, 1/2 cup of flaxseed, or 1/2 cup of chia seeds. You can also just add 1/2 cup of flaxseed or chia seeds to these cookies for added nutrition.
• For the protein powder, I used an unflavored collagen protein powder. You could also use a plant-based protein powder if you prefer.
• You can keep these cookies in the fridge for a week in an air-tight container. They make a great snack or breakfast on the go!

Tools you will need

To make these cookies, you’ll need a blender, mixing bowl, measuring cups, and a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Ingredients you will need

• 2 cups oats – Rolled or old-fashioned oats work well here. I used a blend of oats and chia seeds from Trader Joe’s for a little extra flavor.
• 2 lemons – Meyer lemons are my favorite for this!
• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp protein powder – You can use your favorite unflavored or vanilla protein powder here. I used collagen powder.
• 1/2 cup cashews – These can be raw or roasted.
• 1/4 cup honey – Feel free to substitute maple syrup to make these vegan.
• Shredded coconut for topping – This is optional, but it makes the cookies look a little prettier. 🙂

How to make Lemon Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Place the cashews in a bowl and cover them with warm water. Let them soak for 10 minutes to soften them before you blend them.

While the cashews soak, combine the oats and protein powder in a mixing bowl.

Zest the lemons and add the zest to the dry ingredients.

Drain the cashews and blend them with the juice of one of the lemons. This will take between 30 – 60 seconds, and a smooth cashew butter should form.

Add the cashew butter to the dry ingredients along with the juice of the other lemon and the honey. The dough will be pretty sticky at this point. If the dough isn’t coming together, add more honey or lemon juice.

Roll the cookie dough into 20 balls and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. If you find the dough too sticky to work with, you can refrigerate it for a few minutes before rolling it into cookies.

Sprinkle the cookies with shredded coconut and refrigerate them for at least 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Looking for more healthy no-bake snacks?

If so, make sure to head over to the Kitchen Counter for more yummy recipes. Here are a few you might enjoy:

• Peanut Butter Protein Cookies
• Banana Bites
• Pumpkin Protein Bites
• Pecan Clusters
• Fruit and Nut Bars

If you make this recipe and enjoy it, let me know in the comments section below! You can also tag me on instagram @oldfashionedinspiration with a picture of your creation.