Vegan Soft Kale Cookies (Printable Version)

Soft, slightly sweet cookies enriched with fresh kale for a wholesome, flavorful snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour)
02 - 1/2 cup rolled oats
03 - 1 tsp baking powder
04 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
05 - 1/4 tsp salt
06 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted (or neutral vegetable oil)
08 - 1/2 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
09 - 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
10 - 1/4 cup non-dairy milk (e.g., almond, oat)
11 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

→ Add-Ins

12 - 1 cup finely chopped kale, stems removed
13 - 1/3 cup raisins or vegan chocolate chips (optional)
14 - 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, applesauce, non-dairy milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
05 - Fold in the chopped kale and optional raisins, chocolate chips, or nuts if using.
06 - Scoop tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart.
07 - Gently flatten each mound of dough with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
08 - Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until the edges turn golden and centers are set.
09 - Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're genuinely healthy without tasting like a health food—soft, chewy, and subtly sweet.
  • The kale disappears into the dough, making these perfect for sneaking greens into your day without any fuss.
  • They come together in under 30 minutes, and your kitchen will smell incredible.
02 -
  • Don't skip chopping your kale finely—large pieces will stay tough and chewy in an unpleasant way, whereas fine pieces soften into the cookie beautifully.
  • These cookies are softer and more delicate than chocolate chip cookies, so handle them gently and store them in an airtight container to keep them that way.
03 -
  • If your kale is especially thick or fibrous, massage it gently with a little lemon juice before chopping—it softens the leaves and makes them easier to incorporate.
  • Don't flatten your cookies too much; they should be about 1/2 inch thick so the edges get crispy while the centers stay chewy and tender.

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