🍪 Healthy Energy Cookies (No Sugar, No Flour)
Description
These naturally sweetened, flourless cookies are made with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits—held together by a natural binder like honey or date paste. They’re crunchy, chewy, and full of energy-boosting nutrients, ideal for a healthy snack, post-workout bite, or quick breakfast-on-the-go.
📋 Ingredients (Makes ~10–12 cookies)
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots or dates
- 2 tbsp flaxseeds or chia seeds (optional, for extra fiber)
- 1/4 cup honey or date paste (as binder)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of salt
🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Roughly chop larger nuts if desired for easier shaping.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.
- Add honey or date paste and stir until everything is well coated and sticky. Add cinnamon and salt if using.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture, press firmly into a round cookie mold or shape by hand.
- Place shaped cookies onto the tray.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool completely to firm up.
📌 Notes
- Use date paste for a fully refined sugar-free option.
- If cookies feel too crumbly before baking, chill the mix for 15 mins to help bind better.
- You can press the mixture into a tray and cut bars instead of cookies.
💡 Tips
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week at room temp, or refrigerate for longer shelf life.
- To make them vegan, stick with date paste or agave syrup.
- Great to pack for hikes, school lunches, or travel snacks.
- Add shredded coconut or a bit of dark cocoa nibs for flavor variation.
🍽️ Servings
- Makes approximately 10–12 cookies depending on size.
🔍 Nutritional Info (Per Cookie, Approximate)
Using honey version:
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 8g (mostly healthy fats)
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g (natural sugars from honey/dried fruits)
💪 Health Benefits
- No refined sugar or flour – suitable for clean eating.
- High in fiber – supports digestion.
- Packed with healthy fats – from seeds and nuts for heart and brain health.
- Energy-dense – perfect for sustained energy without blood sugar crashes.
- Naturally gluten-free – ideal for sensitive diets.
❓ Q&A Section
Q: Can I skip the honey?
A: Yes, use date paste, mashed bananas, or a combo of nut butter and maple syrup as alternatives.
Q: Are these diabetic-friendly?
A: In moderation, yes—opt for low-glycemic binders like date paste and reduce the dried fruits.
Q: Can I make these nut-free?
A: Absolutely—replace nuts with more seeds (sunflower, pumpkin) or use rolled oats for texture.
Q: How do I make them crunchier?
A: Bake a bit longer (closer to 17 minutes) or chill the formed cookies before baking to help them hold shape better.
Q: Can kids eat these?
A: Yes! They’re full of nutrients and free from refined sugar—just ensure there are no nut allergies.