If you’re looking for a delicious, guilt-free dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth without added sugar or flour, these Healthy Energy Cookies are perfect for you. Packed with natural sweetness from dates and cranberries, combined with the crunch of almonds, peanuts, and seeds, these cookies are both nutritious and satisfying. They’re easy to make and provide a great source of energy, making them ideal for a quick snack, post-workout treat, or healthy dessert. Plus, they’re coated in rich, sugar-free dark chocolate for an extra indulgent touch.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Base:
- 120g dates (4.2 oz)
- 50g dried cranberries (1.8 oz)
- 30g oatmeal (1 oz)
- 60g almonds (2.1 oz)
- 30g peanuts (1 oz)
- 20g pumpkin seeds (0.7 oz)
- 15g sesame seeds (0.5 oz)
- 15ml honey (0.5 fl oz)
For the Chocolate Coating:
- 130g dark chocolate (4.6 oz, without sugar)
- 20ml olive oil (0.7 fl oz)
For Garnishing:
- Extra pumpkin seeds (optional)
Instructions
Preparing the Base Mix:
- Soak the Dried Fruits: Begin by placing the dates and dried cranberries in a bowl of cold water. Allow them to soak for about 15 minutes. This process rehydrates the fruits, making them easier to blend and enhancing their natural sweetness.
- Blend the Ingredients: After soaking, drain the water and place the dates, dried cranberries, and oatmeal into a food processor. Blend until you achieve a sticky, cohesive mixture. This will serve as the base for your cookies, providing natural sweetness and a chewy texture.
Adding Nutty Goodness:
- Toast the Nuts: In a dry frying pan, toast the almonds and peanuts separately over medium heat. Stir frequently to prevent burning, and cook until they turn golden brown and release their nutty aroma. Toasting the nuts intensifies their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the cookies.
- Chop or Grind the Nuts: Once toasted, allow the almonds and peanuts to cool slightly before chopping them finely or grinding them in a blender. You can choose the texture based on your preference—either finely ground for a smoother cookie or roughly chopped for more crunch.
- Mix with Base: Add the chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds to the date mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed, creating a well-balanced mix of flavors and textures.
Sweetening Naturally with Honey:
- Add Honey: Incorporate the honey into the nut and date mixture. Honey not only enhances the sweetness but also acts as a natural binder, helping to hold the cookies together. Stir until the honey is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Crafting the Cookie Spheres:
- Shape the Cookies: Using your hands, roll the mixture into small spheres, roughly the size of a walnut. Place each ball onto a silicone mold or a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently press down on each ball to flatten it to your desired thickness, shaping the cookies into small, round discs.
Tempting Chocolate Coating:
- Melt the Chocolate: In a heatproof bowl, melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler (water bath). Ensure the bowl does not touch the boiling water to prevent the chocolate from burning. Stir occasionally until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Add Olive Oil: Once the chocolate is melted, stir in the olive oil. This step gives the chocolate a glossy finish and makes it easier to coat the cookies.
- Dip the Cookies: Using a fork or spoon, carefully dip each cookie into the melted chocolate, ensuring they are fully coated. Let any excess chocolate drip off before placing the coated cookies back onto the silicone mold or parchment paper.
Decorating with Pumpkin Seeds:
- Sprinkle with Pumpkin Seeds: Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle some extra pumpkin seeds over the top of each cookie. This adds a nice visual contrast and a bit of extra crunch, along with a boost of nutrients like magnesium and zinc.
Chilling for Perfect Texture:
- Refrigerate: Place the chocolate-coated cookies in the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes. This allows the chocolate to harden and the flavors to meld together, resulting in a perfectly textured treat.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the chocolate has set, your healthy, no-flour, no-sugar energy cookies are ready to be enjoyed! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
Serving Suggestions
These Healthy Energy Cookies are perfect for on-the-go snacking or as a nutritious dessert. Pair them with a cup of green tea or a smoothie for a wholesome, energy-boosting treat. They’re also great for packing in lunchboxes or enjoying as a post-workout snack.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (based on 12 cookies)
- Calories: Approximately 150 kcal
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 20mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 14g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 9g (from natural sources)
- Protein: 3g
Conclusion
These Healthy No-Flour, No-Sugar Energy Cookies are a delightful way to satisfy your sweet tooth while sticking to a healthy diet. Packed with natural ingredients like dates, cranberries, nuts, and seeds, they offer a delicious mix of flavors and textures that will keep you energized throughout the day. The rich dark chocolate coating adds an indulgent touch, making these cookies a treat that you can enjoy guilt-free!