Cookie Mix Hack: My Favorite Healthy Snack Idea for ADHD

I love to make healthy cookies as a snack for my two teens with ADHD. I use gluten free flours, pumpkin puree, healthy fats and then stuff them with superfoods.

But sometimes I am lazy and want things to be easier.

Not to mention healthy gluten free or grain free cookie mixes can be expensive and often just a bit too sweet for my liking.

So, I’ve come up with a cookie mix hack that I use all the time!

It’s easy, healthy, and by stretching the mix, I can make even the most expensive mixes pretty affordable and MUCH less sweet.

The Best “Healthy” Cookie Mixes for an ADHD Diet

Because we follow an ADHD Diet and are just pretty healthy in general, I only buy mixes that are gluten free or grain free, and free of pesky preservatives. I have a few brands that are my favorites:

Otto’s Grain Free Ultimate Cookie Mix – We love this mix because it is grain free and just about the best mix you can buy, in my opinion! Normally, it’s pretty much out of our budget, but I buy this at Imperfect Produce for about 4 dollars less than in the store!

If you don’t know about Imperfect Produce, I save a lot of money using them on a weekly basis for lots of groceries. Check them out HERE( and use their coupon to get us each 10 bucks off!)

Pamela’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Mix – My son has made his birthday cake from a Pamela’s mix for the last two years. High quality and yummy!

King Arthur Cookie Mix – This is last on my list because it has corn starch, which we avoid when possible. But, still head and tails above conventional cookie mixes.

Choose Your Veggie to Add In

Adding veggies to cookies is one of the things that makes these super healthy and great for kids who normally do not like to eat loads of veggies.

My teenagers have done a 180 on me in the past year and seem to be reverting back to toddlerhood in terms of their palate. So I love to make these cookies and let them eat them whenever they want!

I don’t purposefully hide what’s in them, I just don’t always tell them! They never ask because they are so good!!

Good Veggies to Add:

Any mild veggie works really well and will blend in seamlessly.

I like to puree zucchini or carrots in my blender and freeze in jars so I’m ready, but you can puree before you start making the cookies.

A can of pumpkin or pureed, cooked sweet potato works super well, too.

Don’t Forget the Superfoods!

While you are baking you might as well add in some other superfoods, too!

There are so many great superfoods that add even more good stuff to feed your kids brain.

I love to add Chia Seeds for their good fat, and Flax Seed Meal for the fat and fiber.

Let’s Make Healthy Cookies From a Mix

Even with the convenience of a cookie mix, it can be super easy to make your cookies much, much healthier. All it takes is a few extra steps and a few extra ingredients and a little confidence that they will turn out GREAT!

Remember, you’ll need:

1 Healthy Cookie Mix
2 or 3 eggs
3/4 cup total of superfoods(chia seeds, flax meal, hemp seeds)
1 to 1 1/2 cups of pureed mild veggies, like pumpkin or zucchini
1 cup or so of non dairy milk
2 to 3 cups oats
1 cup or so add ins, like chocolate chips

The Simple Steps to Make Healthy Cookies from a Mix!

Now that you have your ingredients, let’s get baking!

First, prepare the cookie mix as directed.
Then add 2 or 3 more eggs (or flax egg replacement).
Add about a cup and a half (or more!) of a mild pureed vegetable.
Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup total of superfoods
Add about a cup of non dairy milk
Blend until smooth.

Your batter should resemble more of a very runny cake batter than a dense cookie batter.

Now add enough organic oats (about 2 to 3 cups) to bring it back to a dense cookie batter.
Add chocolate chips, raisins, cranberries, etc to your liking.
Scoop batter with a 1/4 c. measuring cup onto a parchment covered baking sheet.
Smoosh with the back of the measuring cup and sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Mom Tip: If your kids are used to sweet things, add a bit of raw honey or maple syrup to the mix and you can slowly add less sweetener over time.

This is Not An Exact Science

If your batter is thick enough to drop by big spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet, they should be okay!

As you use this technique to make healthy cookies, you’ll get a sense of how the batter should look and feel. But, honestly, you kinda can’t go wrong here.

This Healthy Snack is Completely Customizable

The best thing about these, is that you get to make them exactly how you’d like!

Use what you already have on hand. There are so many other options for things you can add, like nut butter or coconut oil for a richer cookie. Sometimes I add a bit of coconut flour, as well.

Adding protein powder gives makes them into a great meal!