These healthy chocolate chip cookies have NO flour and very little added sugar! They're also gluten free, grain free and paleo friendly, while satisfying your cookie cravings.
Sometimes I like to go super extra with my desserts, like these Healthy Cinnamon Roll Cookies or Chickpea Protein Brownies, but sometimes I like to keep it simple.
Today I decided to remake a classic: chocolate chip cookies! As always, they're super healthy; high in healthy fats, low in added sugar, and no flour! Nope, not even almond or oat!
They're also gluten free, grain free, and paleo friendly with no refined sugar!
Of course, I'll always be 100% honest with you. If I told you these taste EXACTLY like a traditional chocolate chip cookie, I'd be lying. But I WILL tell you that these are extremely delicious and always satisfy my cookie cravings!
So with that being said, let's get into the ingredients and method on how to make these super tasty chocolate chip cookies healthy!
Ingredients in Healthy Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies
Most cookie recipes need sugar, butter, and flour, but this one has none! Here are the substitutions I made to make them healthy.
Sugar
I find that when creating healthy dessert recipes, replacing sugar is the hardest part.
My favorite healthy sugar replacement that I use in many of my recipes is medjool dates. Unlike natural sweeteners such as maple syrup or honey, dates are not considered added sugar by the FDA (they're a fruit!)
Medjool dates are full of fiber and nutrients that really keep you full, but add a sweetness that's very similar to regular sugar.
The second sugar replacement I use in this recipe is coconut sugar. It's an unrefined natural sweetener with a lower glycemic index than regular sugar. Unlike dates, they are considered added sugar, but you only need 3 tablespoons for the entire batch.
Butter
One of my favorite butter substitutes is nut butter. It's full of healthy fats, protein, and fiber and provides much more nutrients than dairy butter.
Usually I like to use cashew butter. It's the creamiest, and has the most neutral taste so you won't notice it. You can substitute peanut butter, but it will taste like a peanut butter cookie. Almond butter is too runny to use here, and I have not tried any other substitute.
The second butter replacement is another favorite of mine: avocado oil! It's also a high fat replacement, but with more unsaturated fats and omega-3s.
You can also use extra-light tasting olive oil, but make sure the taste is mild.
Both of these butter replacements are high in fat, just in healthier fats. I don't believe in replacing butter with low-fat options; it won't taste the same. Plus, the healthy fats keep you full and satisfied!
Flour
Flour usually acts as a binder, but this recipe has none! Sometimes I like to use whole wheat flour to replace white flour, but in this case it will end up making a grainy texture and not as soft.
And nope, there's not even oat flour, almond flour, or coconut flour! The secret includes 2 ingredients I already mentioned: cashew butter and medjool dates! They're thick and act as a binder in place of flour, but not alone!
Eggs are the most important ingredient to bind the cookies, since they thicken up when cooked. They also add protein and nutrients!
Finally, one of my favorite ingredients (I say that a lot, don't I?😂): flaxseed meal! Flaxseed meal is just ground up flax seeds, which are full of healthy fats, omega-3s, protein, and fiber! They also help to combine the ingredients.
How to Make Healthy Flourless Chocoalte Chip Cookies
Since the ingredients are different than most cookie recipes, the method is a little different too.
You'll start with a food processor, blending the dates with cashew butter and oat milk (or any milk) to form a smooth paste. It's important that there are no chunks so that the cookie does not taste like dates, and of course has the right texture.
Add in the oil, salt, and vanilla, then transfer to a large bowl. Beat in the eggs with an electric mixer. This is necessary to make sure the eggs are fully combined, and the cookies are not dense.
Fold in the flaxseed meal, baking powder, and chocolate chips, then cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, so that it firms up.
Place on a baking tray and shape, then top with chocolate chips and bake!
After 10 minutes, take them out and bang the pan on a counter top a few times. It's a little unusual, but it makes sure it has the right cookie texture, instead of fluffy like a muffin. Put it back in the oven and bake the rest of the way!
Then you let them cool sightly and enjoy!
I really hope you like this recipe! If you decide to make it, be sure to post a picture and tag me @nutritiousdelights on Instagram--I'd love to see it!❤
More recipes you might love:
Healthy Flourless Brownie Cookies
Healthy Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup pitted medjool dates about 18
- ½ cup cashew butter
- ¼ cup avocado oil or light-tasting olive oil
- 3 tablespoons oat milk or any milk
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown/cane sugar
- 3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6-8 tablespoons dark chocolate chips plus more to top
Instructions
- In a food processor, blend the dates with cashew butter and milk until very smooth. Blend in the oil, salt, and vanilla. Transfer to a large bowl, then beat the eggs in with an electric mixer, about 2 minutes until fully combined. Fold in the baking powder, flaxseed meal, and chocolate chips. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly grease and set aside.
- Scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough on the prepared sheet and flatten into a cookie shape. Leave room because they will spread. Top with extra chocoalte chips. Bake for 18 minutes total--after 10 minutes, take them out and slam against a counter top about 5-10 times.* Put back in the oven and bake for 8 more minutes.
- When they're done, let cool slightly before transferring to a cooling rack. Let them cool or enjoy right away.
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