Need a Hump Day pick-me-up? While I’m off exploring Ireland, I’ve got you covered with this vegan, gluten free no-bake cookie recipe!
One misconception that I’ve noticed with people trying to clean up their diets is the idea that they have to give up eating anything “fun.” They reside to the idea of eating lean protein and veggies at every meal, and I am here to tell you that this idea is total crap. You can have your cake and eat it too (pun intended!), and I’m all about moderation and “healthifying” recipes.
One way that I feed my sweet tooth while still eating clean is whipping up healthier takes on dessert – and today’s recipe is a great example of that!
So where did this no-bake cookie idea come from? Me not wanting to turn the oven on!
You see, my house doesn’t have air conditioning, and living here without AC is fine probably 345 days out of the year… I mean, San Diego weather is pretty heavenly. But there are a few weeks out of the year in the summer when the temperatures soar, and my house gets a little bit too hot. This was the case recently, when my house was regularly hitting 85 degrees in the afternoon. When I came up with these no-bake cookies, it wasn’t even all that hot inside, but I think I was still paranoid about my house getting too hot and therefore boycotted any oven use.
So just how are these babies made? They’re full of wholesome ingredients like oats, banana, almond flour, dates and peanut butter.
Whip them up by placing all of the ingredients in a food processor…
…pulsing until it forms a sticky dough.
Next, roll the dough into balls on parchment paper, adding in the chocolate chunks to each cookie.
And lastly, use the bottom of a glass to flatten out the cookies. Place the cookies in the fridge to harden for 30 minutes, and voila! Healthy, vegan, gluten free chocolate PB banana cookies at 100 calories a pop.
These cookies were big winners in my hubby’s book & only lasted a couple of days in my house!
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cookies [vegan + gluten free]
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quick rolled oats
- 1/4 cup + 2 TBSP almond flour
- 1/3 cup dates about 10 dates
- 1 medium ripe banana
- 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 TBSP cocoa powder
- 2 TBSP/30 g chocolate chunks
- 1 TSP vanilla extract
- 1/4 TSP cinnamon
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until a sticky ball of dough form.
- Line a large plate with parchment paper.
- Roll dough into 12 cookie balls, adding in the chocolate chunks to each cookie. Place the balls on the parchment paper.
- Use the bottom of a drinking glass to flatten out the dough.
- Place cookies in the fridge to harden for 30 minutes before enjoying.
Notes
**Ensure that your oats & almond meal are certified gluten free if necessary for dietary restrictions.
Nutrition
Tell me.. What dessert have you been loving lately?
Besides these cookies, I’ve been all about ice cream. Halo Top, banana soft serve, fro yo, almond milk ice cream, and the regular thing… you name it, I’ve been eating it this summer!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I haven’t turned the oven on in weeks… as we have A/C now! It’s just so very hot. Lots of white wine… I mean… cold water. 😉
Love these cookies. And those oats, of course.
Safe travels. Have a blast – GO JACKETS!
foodielovesfitness says
Oh yes, white wine is my friend in the summertime too!!!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I completely agree! You have to let yourself enjoy the food you eat otherwise you will go crazy. These cookies look like the perfect healthy treat. I love how easy they are to make!
foodielovesfitness says
Definitely! I know that you & I share a dark chocolate peanut butter cup love as a little something sweet at night 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
anything that is no bake is perfect for summer and chocolate and peanut butter just go so well together. Bring on the cookies!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
I love using dates! The first time I had them I was so surprised by how sweet and tasty they are. I bet these cookies are amazing and I won’t even miss my regular cookie 😉
foodielovesfitness says
Me too! Dates really are a great sweetener addition/alternative for baked goods & sweet dishes. I like putting a few in my smoothies as a sweetener!