“Oatmeal” Cream Pies – amazingly without any oats or sugar! Just as tender and delicious, but grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, and made with simple, healthy ingredients! (Low-Carb/Keto, Paleo and Vegan options!)

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Move over, Little Debbie!

I got the request from a follower on Insta to make low-carb Oatmeal Cream Pies and I am SO GLAD I did! It has been a dream of mine to recreate this childhood FAVORITE using healthy ingredients and I am BLOWN AWAY by the outcome. Seriously ON POINT.

• These cookies are tender, soft and definitely have that warm oatmeal flavor. There’s just the right amount of chewiness to them — not too hard, not too soft. PERFECT.
• And the cream is SO good I could just eat it with a spoon! (and I do!! haha.)

These cookies were a HUGE hit with my family who begged for more as soon as they ate one. I have a feeling they’ll be a regular at our house!!

Disclosure: As an affiliate I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through referral links in this post (at no additional cost to you). 

How to Make Healthy Oatmeal Cream Pies

I took my sugar-free sugar cookie recipe combined with my recent baking experience to come up with the ultimate oat-free oatmeal cookie.

If there are no oats, WHAT is in it??

It’s a magical combination of

• *Superfine* almond flour, ground flaxseed, tapioca flour (For the BEST outcome, I do not recommend substituting any of these ingredients. However, if you must sub out the tapioca, you can use more flax or almond flour, however I have not tested these and can’t say for sure if it will have the same result)
• and my secret “oat” replacer: coconut shreds like I used in my new energy bites/granola balls and pumpkin oatmeal cookies! I promise it really works! 

This combination of “flours” creates a SOFT cookie that’s not too soft. It doesn’t crumble or fall apart, and it tastes SO GOOD.

I have not found a perfect sub for almond flour, unfortunately, although that’s on my list to find. And please for the love of baking, DO NOT use coconut flour. It is a nightmare to substitute. 

Important Almond Flour TIP

As a recipe developer that goes through a LOT of almond flour every month, I have tried a lot of different brands either due to trying to save a little $$, or because my desired brand was out of stock.

And what I can honestly tell you is that NONE compare to Bob’s Red Mill Superfine Almond Flour (and no, this isn’t sponsored lol. I wish!)

The cheaper “fine” almond flours out there ARE NOT GOOD. They do not have the fine consistency you NEED for the best results. They are GRITTY, weird tasting, and DO NOT give you the amazing baked goods you desire. Trust me on this, friends 😉

My other secret oatmeal cookie ingredients?

• A pinch of cinnamon for delicious warmth
• ‘Maple Syrup’ for soft sweetness and a hint of flavor (I use monkfruit maple syrup which is sugar-free)
• Brown ‘Sugar’ for crispness and flavor (I use Lakanto Golden monkfruit granules which are sugar-free and taste amazing!)
• and Molasses for that classic flavor and color. (Yes, I used regular molasses. There is only a tiny bit in the recipe so I am not worried about the small amount of sugar it adds.)
  • However, if you must replace it, use more monkfruit maple syrup. Just keep in mind, if you don’t use molasses, your cookies will be lighter in color and not have the authentic flavor

The Dairy-Free CREAM Filling

To make this thick and creamy AMAZINGLY delicious cream filling, I used my go-to frosting recipe, which is in my cookbook (but I’m sharing it here, too!)

What’s the main ingredient for dairy-free cream that tastes JUST like a bakery? Organic palm shortening! It’s an oil that’s solid at room temp, neutral tasting, and super creamy and delicious!

(Please only use a sustainable palm oil that is Rainforest Alliance Certified like Spectrum brand. You can find it on Amazon and at most Target Superstores or other major grocery stores.)

Need an alternative to palm oil?  You could try a light-tasting butter (dairy-free or not) or refined coconut oil + a little melted coconut butter OR tapioca flour. (Please NOTE if you don’t add anything to your coconut oil frosting, it will taste BAD and oily in texture. You have been warned ***)

To make this cream filling, simply add in your favorite powdered sweetener and a splash of vanilla with a dash of salt and this whips up in a minute flat. Super simple, super easy.

And if you like your cream pies LOADED up with cream, you may want to increase your frosting by 1.5x. (and if you have any leftovers, you can eat it with a spoon like I do lol!)

Lazy Method

You don’t have to use a stand mixer or even an electric hand mixer. I guess I’ve been feeling lazy and didn’t want to get out my equipment and the result was perfectly FINE haha.

For cupcakes, I would use an electric mixer to get it super smooth, but for these, it’s great to just stir together. Save yourself the time and energy 😉

Cream Tip: make sure your palm oil is stored at room temp so it’s easy to mix. If your house is really cold, you may want to use an electric mixer to soften it up first.

Cookie Baking Tips

You have choices! You can make your cookies big or small. I tested both and they work great either way!

• To make them large (3″ size), I used a standard size cookie scoop, which I have learned equals roughly 1 1/3 Tbs.
• To make small-ish (2 1/4″) cream pie cookies, use a 1/2 Tbs measuring spoon to scoop your dough.

You also have the option to make your cookies thick or thin by how much you flatten them.

Some things to keep in mind as you’re baking:

• THIN and/or small cookies cook FASTER — around 7-8 minutes.
• THICK and/or big cookies take longer — around 10-12 minutes.
• To make your cookies SOFTER, use a SHORTER cooking time.
• To make your cookies FIRMER, bake them LONGER.

Secrets Revealed

After these cookies come out of the oven, one side will have a very smooth, uniform, flat look to it. The reverse (the bottom that touches the parchment) will be a little more textured and to me, it looks more “authentic” to the original Little Debbie version.

So you can choose which side you want to be on the outside of your cream pies — just remember to put that side face down when you’re frosting (and only frost one cookie.)

This is the same as my Keto Oreo Cookies — one side looks much more like a REAL oreo so I recommend putting that side facing out, just so it looks prettier, but it’s obviously not a requirement, ha.

DOUBLE

Can you double this recipe? YES. And if you’re gonna make the larger (3″) cream pies, I highly recommend it! 🙂

For the large cookies, I got about 9 cookies, which makes 4 1/2 cream pies. (This obviously only lasted a day at my house lol).

If you make the small size (using a half a tablespoon) you’ll obviously get a much bigger batch — approximately 28 cookies and 14 cream pies)

Either way, they’re DELICIOUS. Let me know if you try them!! I can’t wait for you to taste these 🙂 ENJOY, friends!

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Low-Carb "Oatmeal" Cream Pies

These tender and scrumptious "Oatmeal" Cream Pies will surprise you! No oats, No sugar! Just as delicious as Little Debbie, but a whole lot healthier. Made with simple, healthy ingredients! (Low-Carb/Keto, Paleo and Vegan options!)

4.70 from 10 votes

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Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 11 minutes

Total Time: 26 minutes

Servings: 14 cream pies

Author: Emily

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

"Oatmeal Cookies"

• 1 cup fine almond flour
• 3 Tbs ground flaxseed
• 2 Tbs tapioca flour
• 2 Tbs coconut shreds
• 1  tsp  baking powder
• 1/16  tsp  pink salt
• 2 Tbs golden monkfruit granules - or coconut sugar for non low-carb
• 2 Tbs monkfruit maple syrup - or water + a pinch of pure stevia or monkfruit extract and a splash of maple extract
• 2 Tbs avocado oil - or other neutral tasting oil
• 1 Tbs water
• 1  tsp  vanilla
• 3/4 tsp molasses - or more monkfruit maple syrup
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon

"Cream Filling"

• 1/2 cup palm shortening
• 1/4 cup powdered monkfruit - homemade - see notes
• 1 tsp vanilla
• dash of pink salt

Instructions

To make the cookies:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Use a measuring cup or spatula to press out any lumps.
  
• In a small bowl, stir together wet ingredients. Pour wet ingredients over dry and mix. If dough is too wet/sticky, add a sprinkle of almond flour.
• Scoop balls of dough using a standard 1 1/3 Tbs cookie scoop for large or 1/2 Tbs measuring spoon for small, and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
• Place another piece of parchment on top and roll or flatten each cookie with a flat measuring cup (for large, flatten to roughly 2 3/4" for large or 2 1/4" for small. Cookies will not spread)
  
• Bake about 10-13 minutes for large cookies, or 8-9 minutes for small. Bake until the edges are firm and centers are not doughy. (The color will darken slightly as it cools) Cool completely before frosting.
  

To make the cream:

• Add palm shortening, sweetener, salt and vanilla to a mixing bowl. Stir vigorously until fully mixed. (optional for extra smooth consistency, use an electric mixer)
  
• Place a spoonful of cream on a cookie and top with another cookie.
  
• (Optional for firmer cream, chill for 15 minutes) Enjoy!

Notes

To store:

Stays fresh at room temp for about 3 days. Refrigerate in an airtight container for 1 week. Cookies may be frozen unfrosted for 1 month. Frosting stays fresh at room temp for 1 month. 

If refrigerated, frosting will harden. Set at room temp to thaw/soften.

To make homemade powdered monkfruit or any powdered sweetener:

Blend "Classic" monkfruit granules in a small blender for about 10 seconds until powdered.

If you use Lakanto brand powdered monkfruit, reduce by HALF since their product is twice as sweet. You can add a bit of tapioca flour to thicken your cream, if needed.

Use code PRETTYPIES at Lakanto.com for a sweet 20% discount on every purchase!

The macros listed are approximate for small size (based on 14 oatmeal cream pies). Macros will vary based on the size of your cookie and the amount of frosting you add 🙂 

Nutrition Facts

Low-Carb "Oatmeal" Cream Pies

Amount per Serving

Calories

115

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

15

g

23

%

Saturated Fat

 

4.9

g

31

%

Carbohydrates

 

8.8

g

3

%

Fiber

 

1.7

g

7

%

Sugar

 

0.6

g

1

%

Sugar Alcohol

 

5.08

g

Net Carbs

 

2

g

Protein

 

2

g

4

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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