Effect of the Addition of Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) on the Physicochemical, Antioxidative, and Sensory Properties of Oatmeal Cookies

Edible insects are receiving increased attention as a new food source, although research on their implementation in confectionary products remains scarce. The study analyzed the chemical composition, physical parameters, antioxidative, and sensory characteristics of oatmeal cookies reformulated with yellow mealworm larvae (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i> L.; TM) at 0% (TM0), 10% (TM10), and 30% (TM30). The inclusion of TM in the cookie recipe increased the protein and fat content, improved the ratio of n-6/n-3 acids, and raised oleic acid levels while reducing palmitic acid. Oatmeal cookies were rich in K and P, and including TM significantly increased the content of most minerals, except for Mn and Na. The cookies held significant antioxidant capacity that increased as the concentration of TM increased due to hydrophilic antioxidants. Although lightness decreased with the increase in mealworm substitution, the yellowness, chroma, and hue angle remained similar for TM0 and TM10. The TM30 cookies were significantly darker and softer, which was further confirmed by panelists. The cookie formulation effectively masked the taste and smell of TM since there were no evident differences between the control and TM10 cookies. Cookies with TM30 received high enough ratings to be considered attractive if differentiated sensory characteristics are desired.