Healthy Kitchen Sink Cookies

Skip plain sugar cookies and go for something more flavorful and fun with these Healthy Kitchen Sink Cookies. Made with loads of mix-ins and delicious ingredients, these are pretty much guaranteed to be your new favorite cookie.

Your new favorite healthy cookie recipe

If you’ve ever had the Panera Bread kitchen sink cookie, you know. That’s alI have to say… you just know. A ginormous cookie made of delicious ingredients, it’s the best bakery item that they make.

And now, we’re making our very own copycat version! These cookies come together in a pinch (only about 20 minutes) and taste like absolute heaven. We’ll be going a little crazy with the mix-ins (a bit moreso than Panera does) to give the cookies a rocking combination of salty and sweet.

Trust me when I say that after trying these delicious little concoctions, no other cookie will ever taste as good.

Ingredients in healthy kitchen sink cookies

Healthy kitchen sink cookies are made of standard baking ingredients like butter, sugar, egg, and flour. It gets fun when we add the toppings, a tasty mixture of salty and sweet!

• Butter
• Coconut sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla
• Flour
• Rolled oats
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Mix-ins: Pretzels, M&Ms, coconut flakes, chopped walnuts, mini chocolate chips

Note: See below for more delicious mix-in ideas! For this recipe, the more, the better.

Tools needed to make this recipe

Though this kitchen sink cookie recipe calls for way more mix-ins than regular cookie ingredients, the kitchen item list is pretty much standard. Nothing unusual to see here, folks! Just grab your baking sheet, mixing bowls, and a few other items and you’ll be ready to go.

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Large mixing bowl
• Hand mixer
• Medium mixing bowl
• Stirring utensil

Finally, you will need a chopping block or cutting board for chopping the mix-ins, as well as the following measuring cups: 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 3/4 cup.

How to make copycat Panera kitchen sink cookies

If you have about 20 minutes to spare, you have time to whip up a batch of these healthy kitchen sink cookies. And that includes the hands-off baking time! Just mix everything together, place the dough on a tray, bake, and BAM. Delicious, jam-packed cookies that are ready faster than you can say “healthy kitchen sink cookies!”

To begin, preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and coconut sugar using a hand mixer.

Next, add the egg and vanilla and beat until creamy. Set it aside.

In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet until everything is combined.

Stir in your mix-ins of choice.

Scoop 1/4 cup of dough per cookie, roll into a ball, and flatten/press slightly onto the baking sheet. Top with more mix-ins if desired.

Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until golden brown.

Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before eating.

You’ve got recipe questions, and I’ve got the answers! Below are common kitchen sink cookie Qs.

What are some additional mix in options?
The options are endless! Kitchen sink cookies are a treat where you can literally get as creative as you want. Additional ideas include sprinkles, crushed up candy (like Kit Kats!), or even a caramel drizzle.

Can I use vegan butter?
Definitely! Feel free to sub the regular butter with a dairy-free option if preferred. If you’d like these cookies to be completely vegan, see below for subbing the egg.

Will sea salt taste good on top?
Oh, yes! Sea salt always tastes good atop chocolate cookies and sweets, and these are no different. Sprinkle it on and enjoy!

Wondering how to make these cookies your own? It’s easy! Here are a few ingredients that allow you to mix things up.

• Butter: As mentioned above, any plant-based or dairy-free butter will work in these cookies. Use a 1:1 ratio.
• Coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be swapped with any other sugar.
• Egg: Skip the egg by using 1/4 cup applesauce, or make a chia seed “egg” by mixing 1 tbsp of seeds with 3 tbsp of water.
• Baking soda: Out of baking soda? Use powder! For this recipe you’d need 1.5 tsp of baking powder to replace the soda.

How this is a healthy cookie recipe

In all of my baked goods I use a number of ingredients that are more nutrient-rich than their standard alternatives. For this recipe, I chose to use coconut sugar, whole wheat flour, and rolled oats.

The rolled oats, for example, add protein and fiber. Coconut sugar contains magnesium and potassium and has a lower glycemic index, meaning it won’t spike your blood sugar as drastically as white sugar.

All in all, these simple swaps do a bit to make these cookies a better option than most!

More treats to satisfy your sweet tooth

Can’t get enough sweets? I know the feeling! Below are some of my favorite sweet tooth-approved recipes that you’re guaranteed to love!

• Healthy Salted Caramel Blondies
• Healthier Walnut Magic Bars
• Double Chocolate Mint Paleo Cookies
• Healthy Mini Apple Pies

Photos by Moriah Sawtelle and recipe by Erin Antoniak.