The oats and wholewheat flour will give these a lower G.I. than other cookies (raising blood sugars more slowly, so there won't be a quick spike.)
Wholesome Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
1/2 cup wholewheat flour
1/2 cup plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup rapeseed/canola oil *
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup oats
(1/3 cup chocolate chips or raisins, if you like)
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 180ºC (160º fan oven)
In a medium bowl, whisk both flours and baking powder. Set bowl aside.
In a large bowl, whisk oil, sugar, egg and vanilla.
Add flour mixture into large bowl and stir to combine.
Mix in oats. (Mix in chocolate chips or raisins, if using).
Line baking tray with baking paper.
Using approximately 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, place dough onto baking trays. Leave a little room between cookies; they’ll spread a little.
Bake about 15 minutes, until cookies are a little browned. Cool on wire rack.
Makes approximately 12 large cookies.
* A few notes: This recipe uses Rapeseed/Canola oil instead of butter or sunflower oil. Simply, I use it here because it is substantially lower in saturated fat and higher in polyunsaturated fats (omega 3 & 6). Researching the possible benefits and/or disadvantages of this oil, I found a huge amount of information, misinformation and opposing views.
To simplify: Originally, rapeseed oil was used industrially (as many oils are) and had high levels of erucic acid - which is toxic. Since the 1970's, plant breeders have been able to breed seeds that have low levels or no erucic acid, yet maintain the positives of high levels of omega 3 & 6 (which the body needs to get from diet; they're called essential fatty acids because it's essential we consume them as our body won't produce them. Read this article to learn more. ) This safer variety of the oil is called Canola in the US and Canada. Great. However, I would still be cautious and only use the organic, cold pressed varieties. There are many available here in Ireland as rapeseed is indigenous - you've seen the gorgeous yellow fields.
Bottom line - Rapeseed oil can be a great addition to your food - but if you're not using the organic, cold-pressed varieties, you're not doing yourself any favours.