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Are Butter Oatmeal Cookies Healthy?

dietrikona's picture

butter oatmeal cookiesButter is the most commonly used fat for baking oatmeal cookies. In fact, several bakers and food connoisseurs swear by butter and oatmeal when it comes to making cookies. However, a weight watcher may argue about the side effects of adding a saturated fat to a seemingly healthy snack. So, does butter nullify the nutritional benefits of oatmeal? Read on to find out…


Comparison of nutritional composition of oatmeal cookies baked with butter, margarine, and shortening


Butter, margarine, and shortening are the 3 most commonly used fats for baking oatmeal cookies. These are known as the bakers’ solid fats, the other less common options like vegetable oil, simulated fat, etc. are liquids, which greatly affect the texture and crumble of the cookies.


Butter oatmeal cookie

Margarine oatmeal cookie

Shortening  oatmeal cookie


105 Kcals

113 Kcals

110 Kcals

Total fat

4 gm

5 gm

5 gm

Saturated fat

1 gm

1 gm

1 gm


5 mg

2 mg


Trans fats


1.5 gm

1.5 gm


1.5 gm

1 gm

1 gm


100 mg

95 mg

115 mg


17 gm

17 gm

15 gm


The chart expresses the typical values of popular commercial cookies available in the market. The nutritional composition may vary depending upon the proportion and quantity of ingredients used. Other factors like baking temperature and preparation techniques can affect the amount of trace elements found in each product.


oats and butterHealth benefits of butter oatmeal cookies:


  • Unlike margarine or shortening baked oatmeal cookies, butter ones are devoid of trans-fat. Several studies have shown that presence of trans-fat in food leads to significant raise in LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, which in turn leads to a manifold increase in the risk of Atherosclerosis (clogged blood vessels).


  • Consumption of small amounts of cholesterol and saturated fats (the ones found in butter baked oatmeal cookies) is desirable. Total restriction of these fats leads to brittle nails, dry hair, flaky scalp, and dandruff.


  • Unlike other baking fats, butter is a good source of Vitamin A, D, and E. Butter and oat cookies typically contain more fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidant chemicals than other varieties.


  • Along with the high fiber, content of the oats, the dairy fat in butter double the satiety effect of the cookies. Thus, one feels fuller with each bite and ends up eating less in the next meal.


Disadvantages and Other Points to consider

Butter adds a huge amount of saturated fat and cholesterol to the cookies. Depending upon the amount of fat used, the cholesterol lowering effects of oatmeal is nullified due to the presence of direct cholesterol in the cookies. Moreover, butter contains traces of milk proteins, making it unsuitable for people allergic to dairy proteins. Due to the high concentration of unhealthy fats in the dairy fat, butter oatmeal cookies if consumed in large numbers can increase the risk of Cardio vascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and other lifestyle related health problems


To conclude, butter oatmeal cookies when compared with those baked with other solid fats, are lesser of the two evils. These cookies are not devoid of health benefits; however, due to high calorie concentration one must practice caution and consume them as occasional treats.


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Are Butter Oatmeal Cookies Healthy?