Chewy, fluffy, and perfectly sweet, these homemade oatmeal creme pies are satisfying and so easy to make from scratch! This Little Debbie’s copycat starts with soft-baked oatmeal cookies sandwiched between a vanilla creme filling and are so nostalgic. These cookies are gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free.
Oatmeal creme pies, oatmeal cream pies, however you want to spell them, are SO easy to make from scratch! Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Creme Pies were my favorite childhood treat. I remember walking home from school and eating them squished out of my backpack (why was that even more satisfying?! Lol). As someone who is gluten and dairy-free, they are obviously no longer something I can enjoy. If you are in the same boat, or just want a better-for-you option, these healthy homemade oatmeal creme pies are just as satisfying!
Typical oatmeal creme pies are made with butter and marshmallow fluff, but this healthier version opts for a more whole-foods approach. Made with just a handful of healthier ingredients like oats, almond flour, and coconut sugar, you can still enjoy all the textures, flavors, and satisfaction of the classic! They’re moist and squishy just like the classic Little Debbie’s Oatmeal creme pies!
Make these if you want to evoke all of those childhood memories! If you love nostalgic treats, try my copycat 3 ingredient fudge stripe cookies, easy homemade ice cream sandwiches, or strawberry shortcake ice cream bars! These are all vegan and gluten-free!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Taste: Just like the childhood classic! Sweet with little notes of cinnamon. I will say, I feel like Little Debbies has a bit of an artificial taste. Not these! So fresh!
- Texture: Chewy, soft, fluffy, squishy, these cookies are a flavor and texture explosion! Perfection!
- Ease: These are perfect for beginners or more experienced bakers! No fancy equipment needed.
- Ingredients: These cookies are made with better for your, quality ingredients. They are gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free, sweetened with coconut sugar. The filling is free of artificial flavors, dyes, and preservatives.
homemade Oatmeal creme pies recipe video
How to make homemade oatmeal creme pies
Full measurements and steps are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
Ingredients & substitutions
- Organic old-fashioned rolled oats
- Almond flour: The only 1:1 substitutes for almond flour are Tiger nut flour (great nut-free option!) and cashew flour.
- Tapioca flour: This creates that soft chewy center and crispy outside! Arrowroot flour may work as a 1:1 substitute!
- Coconut sugar: You can also use regular brown sugar or monk fruit as a sugar-free option!
- Egg: We use one egg in this recipe. I have not tried an egg substitute. I would think Bob’s Red Mill egg replacer may work.
- Baking staples: Vanilla extract, sea salt, cinnamon, baking soda
- Dairy-free/vegan or grass-fed butter: I have made these cookies both with vegan butter and avocado oil. They both turn out great, but the butter option cookies did turn out better! If you’re looking for a good vegan butter with clean ingredients, check out Monty’s! Myokos also makes one. Regular butter also works.
- Creme filling: You can use a store-bought frosting or homemade buttercream or cream cheese filling, it’s really up to you! I like to use Miss Jones frosting as the creme filling as it makes these even easier and is made with quality ingredients.
Tips for making homemade oatmeal creme pies
- I like to use either a 2 or 3 tbsp cookie scoop to make scooping the cookie dough easier!
- How to measure flour: Scoop your measuring cup into the flour and then tap it against your hand to have an extra fall out. You don’t want to pack it in!
- Let the cookies cool completely before filling them to prevent the filling from melting everywhere.
- Don’t leave out the sweetener. The coconut sugar really gives these a nice flavor and texture – don’t skip it!
FAQ’s
- Can I add chocolate chips or raisins to my oatmeal cookies? Sure! But they won’t taste exactly like Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Creme Pies! Keep in mind adding these may change the texture.
- Why did my cookies turn out flat? You’ll want to make sure your melted butter or oil is at room-temp/cooled before using in the recipe. Melt it, then lit it sit on the counter for a few minutes to bring it to room temp.
- Does the cookie dough need to be chilled? Nope! Just mix, scoop, bake!
How to store oatmeal creme pies
Store oatmeal creme pies in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. They can also be stored in the fridge. They will become stale if left out on the counter, not in an air-tight container.
More healthy, gluten-free cookie recipes to try
- Girl Scout Cookie Copycat Tagalong Cookies
- No bake samoas cookies (girl scout copycat)
- 3 ingredient fudge stripe cookies
- Banana caramel cookies
- Healthier magic cookie bars
- Homemade ice cream sandwiches
- Homemade strawberry shortcake ice cream bars
- Sticky bun cookies
Gluten-Free Homemade Oatmeal Creme Pies
Ingredients
Oatmeal cookies
- 1 cup organic, quick oats or old fashioned rolled oats *I like to use a mix
- 1 cup blanched almond flour
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour
- 1/2 cup unstalted vegan butter, grass-fed butter, melted **or avocado oil. I use the Monty's Brand dairy-free/vegan butter! Great ingredients.
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 egg, room temp
- 1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- good pinch of sea salt
Creme filling
- 1 container Miss Jones Buttercream Frosting (11.29oz container) *OR your favorite homemade buttercream frosting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the egg, butter or oil, sugar, and vanilla. Beat with a hand mixer or using a whisk vigorously, for a minute or two until it's fluffy and mixed well.
- Add in the remaining ingredients, folding in the oats last. Let the cookie dough sit for 5 minutes or so.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop cookie dough onto the cookie sheet, leaving a few inches between each one. They'll spread out a little. Bake for 9-10 minutes, until golden around the edges. The centers may still seem soft -that's okay! They'll continue cooking while they cool on the cookie sheet.
- Let the cookies cool completely for 30 minutes or so, to prevent the filling from melting off the cookies. Once cooled, Add a little filling to the tops of half of them. You can simply spread it on with a knife or use a piping bag to pipe it on. Then sandwich the other halves over top. Enjoy!
- Store oatmeal creme pies in an air-tight container on the counter for up to 5 days. They can also be stored in the fridge.
