These easy healthy Anzac biscuits are my spin on the traditional recipe which are crunchy along with being vegan.
These Healthy Anzac Biscuits are my spin on the classic recipe which has always been one of my favorites since childhood. They’re an Australian and New Zealand biscuit that is traditionally made to commemorate Anzac Day.
I'm sharing my healthier version of the iconic biscuit which is super easy to make in less than 25 minutes, which is also vegan.
They’re golden with a caramel flavor making them perfect to eat with your morning or afternoon coffee and tea.
The traditional biscuit has a crunchy texture which I have to admit is my preferred way of making them. There’s a huge divide on whether people like them chewy or crunchy, but not to worry as you can alter to your liking with the cooking time. These are a crunchier version however they can be made softer when baked less.
If you love cookies as much as me, then you must also try my healthy 4 Ingredient Cookies.
Table of Contents
What is Anzac Day
Anzac Day falls on 25 April and is one of Australia’s important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. Source
It has been known that Anzac biscuits were sent by wives to soldiers abroad during the war as the ingredients do not spoil easily and the biscuits can keep well for a long period of time.
Ingredients to Make Healthy Anzac Biscuits
- Rolled oats are the main ingredient in making Anzac Biscuits. Ensure you use traditional rolled oats and not quick or instant oats.
- Desiccated Coconut, gives a nice little crunch to the Anzac Biscuits
- Coconut oil is my preferred oil for most of my baking. I like the subtle taste and also the health benefits
- Rice malt syrup or honey is used as they're a natural sweetener, rather than using sugar or golden syrup. They also have a slight caramel taste.
- Vanilla extract gives a nice subtle smell and flavour
- Baking powder helps the biscuits rise when baked
- Water is added to assist the mixture to bind, you will only need a small amount
How to Make Anzac Biscuits
Time needed: 25 minutes
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Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F
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Add dry ingredients in a bowl and mix together
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In a separate small bowl add wet ingredients and mix together
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Add wet ingredients to the dry bowl ingredients and mix until well combined
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Using wet hands, roll mixture into 12 equal balls, place on a baking tray and gently flatten each ball into a round biscuit shape
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Put in the oven for 10 minutes for a softer biscuit or up to 15 minutes for a crunchy biscuit. Bear in mind, Anzac biscuits will become harder the longer they are kept.
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Remove from oven and rest on the baking tray for 5 minutes followed by 5 minutes on a cooling rack then enjoy!
Important Tips for Crunchy Anzac Biscuits
- Shape the biscuits with wet hands when rolling into balls to help them stick together. Be gentle when flattening the mixture into round shapes so that they don’t crumble
- If the mixture is too dry or crumbly when shaping, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or additional coconut oil. This is due to rolled oats having different absorption levels depending on the brand
- Make sure to allow the biscuits to cool down before removing them off the tray so that they don't break apart. Then ensure to follow the full resting time as per the recipe below
- The longer the biscuits are baked, the crunchy and harder they become. I’ve cooked these for 15 minutes as I prefer mine crunchy however if you like softer Anzac biscuits, reduce the time to 10 minutes. Remember with Anzac biscuits, the longer they are left to rest they will harden.
More Baking Recipes
- Healthy Banana Bread
- Baked Oats
- Healthy Granola Clusters
- Banana Chocolate Slice
- Breakfast Cookies
- Healthy Apple Crumble
- Baked Donuts
- Panettone Bread Pudding
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to tag @cookingwithayeh and share a photo on Instagram so I can share the love.
Recipe
Healthy Anzac Biscuits
Video
Ingredients
- 3 cups traditional rolled oats
- ¾ cup desiccated coconut
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- ⅓ cup rice malt syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon warm water
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°FBlend 1 cup of the rolled oats in a blender into a fine oat flour
- Add rolled oats, oat flour, coconut, baking powder and salt in a large bowl and mix
- In a separate small bowl, add the melted coconut oil, honey or rice malt syrup, vanilla and water and mix
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry bowl and with a large spoon mix until well combined
- Scoop a heaped tablespoon (or you can also use a cookie scooper) of the mixture into one of your hands and press into a ball shape using both hands. It helps if your hands are wet. *Note, if the mixture is too dry or crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or additional coconut oil. This is due to rolled oats having different absorption levels depending on the brand
- Add the balls to a baking tray lined with baking paper, making sure to leave some gaps in between
- Using wet fingers and hands, gently flatten each ball into a round biscuit shape. Be super gentle when doing so as the mixture can break easily
- Put in the oven for 10 minutes for a softer biscuit or up to 15 minutes for a crunchy biscuit if you prefer them like me 🙂 Bear in mind, this recipe is for a crunchier biscuit.
- Rest biscuits on the tray for 5 minutes then on a cooling rack for an extra 5 minutes and enjoy your Healthy Anzac biscuits!The longer they are left, the more crunchy they will become!
Kerby says
Hi ayeh, you mentioned oat flour in the steps but not in the ingredients. Can you tell me how much is required?
Thanks
Ayeh says
Hi lovely, In step 2 you blend one cup of the rolled oats into oat flour xx
caitlin says
what if i don’t have rice malt syrup, can i use something else?
Ayeh says
You can also use maple syrup but they will be a little sweeter x
Cherryl-Moanna Falk says
i used honey x
Ayeh says
Honey is a great substitute 🙂
Clair says
Could i use, almond flour and how much?
Ayeh says
Hi Lovely, do you mean for the oat flour portion or for the whole thing? They're traditionally made with rolled oats for the texture so I'm not sure how the final product will be if not using them xx
Preetusha says
Such amazing and healthy recipes by ayeh !!! In love with this biscuits!!!
Ayeh says
So glad you like these too sweety xx
Sienna says
These Cookies are incredible. I have no words just incredible. I made these for my family as I love baking, and all I got was amazing and give me more .I have been trying to find good healthy recipes and I have found my favourite. I absolutely love your recipes but this has to be my favourite by far.
Making these every week now. Even though it’s not Anzac Day.
Thank you soo much for the recipe.
Can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Ayeh says
I love making these all year round too! Yay cant wait to hear what you think xxx
Simran says
What else can 8 use instead of rice malt syrup?
Ayeh says
You can also use maple syrup but they will be a little sweeter x
Hema says
Hi Ayeh
I made them today and turned out so good and crunchy. In love with them.
xx
Ayeh says
Yay so glad you like them too xxx
Agnes says
Super yummy and very easy to make! Made this with dates instead of the rice malt syrup. In love with them, and the coconut flavor is amazing!! Will definitely make them again in the future!
Ayeh says
Sounds so nice I must try that too xx
Nicola says
Amazing! I cooked these up yesterday for Anzac Day! Super easy and absolutely delicious! Not to mention made my house smell amazing in the process I managed to eat half of the batch guilt free !
Thank you so much for the recipe will definitely be making them again
Ayeh says
Omg yes! I was the same when I made them hehe
Marco says
So good and crunchy!
Ayeh says
Yay so nice and crunchy 🙂
ell says
super healthy and delicious Anzac cookies
accidentally added too much rice malt syrup but I will know for next time! thanks for the amazing recipes, keep them coming!
Ayeh says
You're most welcome dear xxx
Stephanie zygouras says
They were amazing!! These crunchy, chewy and healthy biscuits lasted 5 mins in the house and were polished off by everyone!!
Ayeh says
Hehe love that! You'll need to make a 2nd batch next time 🙂
Ankita says
I tried these Anzac biscuits, tasted amazing. Thank you for such a simple and healthy recipe. Love all your recipes <3
Ayeh says
So happy you love this recipe too 🙂
Tash says
Thank you for the recipe. I used puréed dates in place for half the rice malt syrup. They definitely taste more like breakfast cookies rather than the traditional Anzac cookies but I still love anything with oats and coconut and I’m glad they weren’t too crumbly when baked either. I will probably make again. Thanks again
Ayeh says
So happy you liked it too, yum the dates sound like a great addition
Angela says
Loved them I added some chopped up dates.
Ayeh says
Oh yum i need to try that too!
FEDERICA says
they are amazing! how and where should I store them? and for how long would they be good in that storage?
THANKS
Jen says
So yummy and so easy to make 🙂
Ayeh Manfre says
So happy to hear Jen 🙂