Healthy Lemon Cookies Recipe | Mid-Morning Energy Boost

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Most lemon cookies taste like a sugar bomb wrapped in artificial lemon flavouring.

But you? You deserve better. You deserve a cookie that actually tastes like real lemons. 🍋

You’ve officially entered Maybelle territory (a very sunny place where cookies are delicious, natural, and not secretly chaos for your blood sugar).

These healthy lemon cookies are made with oat flour, almond flour, fresh lemon zest (the real hero), and coconut sugar. They’re soft, zesty, and naturally sweetened.

You'll get higher fibre, better fats, lower sugar, and that golden, bakery style chew. Which is why we think it's the best cookie to tackle your mid-morning energy slumps!

Psst… want more healthy bakes like this? Join the Maybelle Cookie Club. Guilt-free joy, delivered weekly.

Why we love these healthy lemon cookies

✔ Naturally sweetened (coconut sugar gives caramel notes without overpowering the lemon)

✔ Made with real lemons. Zest and juice

✔ Soft, tender, slightly chewy texture

✔ Gluten-friendly and easily made dairy-free & vegan

✔ No refined flour, refined sugar, gums, or ultra processed oils

✔ The perfect mid-morning energy boost!

Lets now lets move on to our lemon cookies recipes:

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Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup rolled oats - Blended into oat flour for a gut friendly fibre. Your gut microbiome loves oat
• ¾ cup almond flour -  Adds protein and healthy fats
• ¼ cup coconut sugar - Adds sweetness, with a lower glycemic index (the doctors say this is a good thing)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• Pinch of sea salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan) - Binds and gives structure
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted - Richness without processed fats
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 large lemon - The flavour hero
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice - Bright acidity for real lemon punch

Optional (but highly encouraged):

• 1 tbsp maple syrup for extra moisture lemon curd like sweetness
• 1 - 2 tbsp poppy seeds if you’re feeling fancy

How to make these Healthy Lemon Cookies

1. Preheat & Prep - Heat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line your baking sheet.
2. Make Your Oat Flour - Blend rolled oats until finely ground.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients - Combine oat flour, almond flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, and salt.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients - Whisk egg, melted coconut oil, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
5. Combine the Magic – Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until a soft dough forms.
6. Scoop & Bake – Scoop 12 cookies, flatten gently (they won’t spread much), and bake for 10 to11 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
7. Cool Down – Let cool 5 minutes before transferring. The lemon flavour deepens as they cool. Trust me it's totally worth the wait.

Tips, Variations & Substitutions

• More lemon flavour? Add extra zest or ½ tsp lemon extract.
• Sweeter cookies? Add +1 tbsp maple syrup or +1 tbsp coconut sugar.
• Vegan? Swap the egg for a flax egg (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water).
• Nut-free? Replace almond flour with more oat flour (¼ - ½ cup extra).
• Lemon drizzle? Mix 1 tbsp lemon juice + 2 tbsp coconut sugar and drizzle on top.

Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy with Greek yogurt for a lemon cheesecake moment
• Pair with herbal tea (lemon + chamomile = zen)
• Chill in the fridge for a firmer, lemon-curd like texture
• Sandwich two together with Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt. This is mad, but we love it!

Storage & Freezing

• Room temp: 4 to 5 days in an airtight container
• Fridge: Up to 7 to 10 days (lemon flavour becomes deeper!)
• Freeze dough: Scoop into balls and freeze for up to 3 months
• Bake from frozen: Add +2 minutes

Nutrition (per cookie, approx.)

• Calories: 150 kcal
• Protein: 3 g
• Carbs: 14 g
• Fat: 8 g

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Ingredient Deep Dive: Lemon Zest

Lemon zest is the outermost colorful layer of the lemon peel (FYI, it's also called the flavedo) that holds most of the fruit’s aromatic oils, essential compounds, and micro-nutrients.

It’s not the bitter white pith underneath, so always avoid grating that into your mixture.

🌿 What’s in lemon zest and why we love it in cookies

• Essential oils (like limonene) that deliver the signature bright citrus aroma and flavour.
• Vitamin C and flavonoids, both antioxidants that help neutralise free radicals.
• Trace fibre and minerals, especially if you use zest along with the lemon juice.

This makes lemon zest a vibrant and healthy addition to your cookies!

Plus compared to traditional lemon cookies this recipe also has:

• Lower sugar
• Higher fibre
• Is made with whole ingredients
• No refined flour, gums, artificial flavourings, or oils
• Naturally sweetened and minimally processed

But instead of lemon if you prefer a chocolate fix check out our High Protein Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe here.

FAQs: Healthy Lemon Cookies Edition

When should I eat this cookie?

This isn’t just a cookie, it’s a moment ready snack. We think it's best as a mid morning energy boost

The bright citrus flavour and slight acidity of lemon, paired with slow release oats and natural fats, makes this cookie a way better alternative to sugary biscuits or bars when that mid day slump hits.

This cookie can help you moderate blood sugar dips before you get to lunchtime.

Are these lemon cookies actually healthy?

Yes! they’re made with whole ingredients, lower GI sweeteners, fibre rich flours, and real lemons. This ain't the cheap, high processed stuff you buy off the shelf.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Technically yes, but fresh lemons give far better flavour. Also some bottled lemon juices have added preservatives in them.

Can I make these cookies gluten free?

Yes. Just use certified gluten free oats to make the oat flour. Here's a great one I picked up from Holland & Barrett.

Do they taste coconutty?

Nope. The lemon completely takes over. The coconut oil just adds moisture.

Can I make these crispy instead of soft?

Flatten them on your baking tray before baking. Also, creating crispier cookies is all about water quantity of the cookies. The lower the water quantity, the crispier it gets. So here's what you need to do: Add 2 minutes to your baking time, then when cooling, transfer the warm cookies to a wire tray and let it cool for a minimum of 20 mins.

Can I add frosting?

It will be criminal if you don't. Mix Greek yogurt with lemon zest and a touch of honey for a healthier glaze.

PS. Before you go

Want more healthy, better for you cookie recipes?

Join the Maybelle Cookie Club. We send one delicious recipe every week.

PPS: All recipes are developed in the Maybelle kitchen and tested multiple times for taste, texture, and better nutrition. We also work with our in-house doctor and nutrition expert to validate all our health claims!