If you’re craving a cookie adventure that truly lives up to its name, this Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. Packed with a little bit of everything delightful—from oats and almond flour to pockets of chocolate chips, colorful M&Ms, and crunchy pretzels—these cookies deliver a perfect harmony of texture and flavor in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these chewy, crunchy, sweet, and salty morsels make snack time an absolute celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Though this Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe might sound like a medley, the ingredients are simple and each plays an essential role. From wholesome oats to creamy coconut oil, every component works together to create that coveted chewy texture and rich flavor you’ll crave.
- 1.5 cups old fashioned oats: Provide hearty chewiness and a wholesome base texture for the cookies.
- 1 cup fine almond flour: Adds a subtle nutty flavor and tender crumb without overpowering the mix.
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder: Boosts the protein content and enhances the sweet vanilla undertones.
- 1 tsp. baking powder: Gives the cookies a gentle rise, keeping them light and fluffy.
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon: Infuses warmth and a hint of spice for added depth.
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted): Brings moisture and a subtle tropical note that complements the other flavors.
- 1 egg: Binds the ingredients together and provides richness.
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce: Keeps the cookies moist while adding natural sweetness.
- 1/4 cup honey: Sweetens the mix and contributes to that glossy, chewy finish.
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract: Enhances the overall aroma and flavor complexity.
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Offers gooey, melty chocolate pockets throughout.
- 1 oz. M&Ms: Adds bright color and fun bursts of sweetness that everyone loves.
- 1 oz. pretzel pieces: Introduces an irresistible salty crunch balancing the sweetness.
How to Make Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first: get your oven warmed up to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to keep your cookies from sticking and make cleanup easier. This simple prep step sets you up for baking success.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your oats, almond flour, protein powder, baking powder, and cinnamon. Mixing these dry ingredients well ensures that every cookie has a balanced flavor and texture, so don’t rush this step—it’s the foundation.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil, egg, applesauce, honey, and vanilla extract. This combination brings moisture, sweetness, and binding elements that make your dough come together perfectly.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Over-mixing can toughen cookies, so gentle folding is key to maintain tenderness.
Step 5: Add the Fun Stuff
Time to fold in the chocolate chips, M&Ms, and pretzel pieces. These extras create the signature “kitchen sink” feeling—like a delightful surprise in every bite. Mix just enough to distribute them evenly without breaking the chips and pretzels too much.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form balls of dough and place them on your prepared baking sheet. Give each cookie a gentle flattening so they bake evenly and develop a perfect golden edge.
Step 7: Optional Toppings
For an extra pop of color and chocolate goodness, press a few additional M&Ms onto the top of each cookie before sending them into the oven. It’s a small step that makes a big visual and taste impact.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 8-10 minutes, watching for golden edges. Remember, they will continue to set as they cool, so it’s better to take them out when they’re just barely golden rather than overbaking.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then move them to a cooling rack. This ensures they finish setting nicely without losing their chewy center.
How to Serve Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Serve these cookies with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top for an elevated sweet-salty flavor profile. For a festive touch, add a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of melted peanut butter to the plate—both complement the diverse flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
These cookies are delightfully versatile and pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk, a rich cup of coffee, or a creamy latte. For a fun dessert platter, serve alongside fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For celebrations, stack the cookies into a rustic tower or arrange them in colorful layers alternating with mini cupcakes or brownies. You can also use them in an ice cream sandwich by splitting cookies and adding your favorite frozen treat in the middle—a total showstopper.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Kitchen Sink Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This helps maintain that satisfying chewiness and crisp edges, so you can enjoy them fresh-tasting throughout the week.
Freezing
To make these treats last even longer, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to indulge.
Reheating
If you love warm cookies, pop frozen or leftover cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds. This revives their softness and melts the chocolate just right—almost like fresh from the oven.
FAQs
Can I substitute the almond flour?
Absolutely! If you’re allergic or prefer a different texture, all-purpose flour or oat flour can work, but expect a slightly different bite and flavor profile. Almond flour adds a lovely nuttiness that’s part of the cookie’s charm.
What if I don’t have vanilla protein powder?
You can omit it or replace with an equal amount of more almond flour or all-purpose flour. The protein powder adds a bit of nutrition and helps with texture but isn’t critical to the cookie’s success.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use certified gluten-free oats and ensure the other ingredients are gluten-free. This recipe is naturally accommodating to gluten-free diets while remaining delicious.
Can I swap the honey for another sweetener?
Definitely! Maple syrup or agave nectar are excellent liquid sweetener alternatives that provide a slightly different flavor twist but maintain the cookie’s moisture and sweetness.
How do I make these cookies more chewy?
Be careful not to overbake—taking them out when the edges are just golden and the centers look slightly underdone yields the chewiest texture. Also, the applesauce helps retain moisture, which is key for chewiness.
Final Thoughts
This Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe is a wonderful excuse to get a little playful in the kitchen, tossing in your favorite mix-ins and savoring every multi-textured bite. Whether you bake them for family, friends, or solo treat time, these cookies never fail to bring smiles and satisfy hunger. Go ahead, try it out—you’ll wonder why you didn’t make kitchen sink cookies sooner!
Print
Kitchen Sink Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 21 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Kitchen Sink Cookies are a delightful mix of oats, almond flour, and vanilla protein powder combined with a medley of chocolate chips, M&Ms, and pretzel pieces for a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. With a touch of cinnamon and coconut oil, these cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with delicious texture, perfect for a satisfying snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1.5 cups old fashioned oats (120g)
- 1 cup fine almond flour (110g)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (31g)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted (48g)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (60g)
- 1/4 cup honey (80g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (48g)
- 1 oz M&M’s (approx. 2 individual fun sized bags)
- 1 oz pretzel pieces
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the old fashioned oats, fine almond flour, vanilla protein powder, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, egg, unsweetened applesauce, honey, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and well-blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Add Mix-ins: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, M&M’s, and pretzel pieces gently until evenly incorporated throughout the dough.
- Form Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or your hands to shape the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, flattening each slightly to ensure even baking.
- Optional Topping: For added visual appeal and texture, press a few extra M&M’s on top of each cookie before baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown. Remember that the centers will remain soft and will set as the cookies cool.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and chewy.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy removal and cleanup.
- For a nut-free version, substitute almond flour with oat flour and check the protein powder ingredients.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing the dough balls before baking can help maintain shape and improve texture.