When I discovered the idea behind this no flour chocolate chip cookie recipe, it changed my life in the way learning about dates and making Lara Bar Balls did. My food paradigm was, again, shifted. We simply don’t need to use flour for everything. Our mindset says flour, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We can make little changes, one at a time to transition to a healthier lifestyle. It’s those little changes that have sticking power.
Do you want to guess the base of this recipe?
It is beans. BEANS!! Can you believe it?? I have just never would have thought…. On my food journey I have had a blast discovering new recipes re-thunk in a different light. Love it!!
You can make these vegan by using sugar instead of the honey.
No Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1-15 oz. can white beans or chick peas garbanzo beans, well rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup honey vegan options: can also use brown sugar * update 3/21/13-can use Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, too
- 1/2 cup natural cashew butter almond butter works, too
- 2 T vanilla
- 1/2 cup of chocolate chips
- optional 3 T TriMix (1 T Wheat Germ, 1 T Wheat Bran, 1 T Oat Bran) omit for G-F
- optional 1 T flax seed
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Grease baking sheet.
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Combine all ingredients except the chocolate chip cookies VERY well in a blender (a high powered blender like a Vitamix is best). If you are afraid it won't work in your blender, you can just grind up the beans first with the honey and vanilla and then add the cashew butter. Or you can use a hand mixer.
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Scoop by the tablespoon onto your baking sheet.
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Bake for 12-18 minutes until cookies start to brown.
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Store in an airtight container.
The Verdict: I really am amazed that as long as the beans are completely pureed, and I use enough vanilla and chocolate chips, I don’t even know that the foundation of the cookie is beans!!! Several friends I’ve shared this recipe had NO IDEA!! The cookies do come out of the oven like they were made with margarine, flat and cake-like. I don’t prefer my cookies that way, but if it means I can make a cookie without the white flour, I’m in. When I made the recipe with almond butter this didn’t happen.
A side note, you can also eat this raw, as a dip with graham crackers!
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
YUM! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Hope your week is great! Can’t wait to see what you link up this week!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
Sonja says
Thanks, Cindy, and thanks for pinning and visiting!
Tammy/Our Neck of the Woods says
Wow, I am very intrigued! I’ve never tried cookies made with beans before. I’m trying to get away from flour, so this would be a neat recipe to try.
Visiting from the From the Farm Blog Hop 🙂
Sonja says
Hi Tammy. You’ve gotta try it! Hope you enjoy it and can fool some people with the recipe!
Karen@NourishWithKaren says
Wow! I just happen to have a pot of beans soaking right now. I am going to try these! Thanks for sharing.
Sonja says
Hi Karen. Divine! I hope you enjoy, and thank you for visiting!
Dineen says
I can’t wait to give these a try. No expensive flours, just pantry staples (if I substitute peanut butter) . I have also tried a GF flour chocolate chip cookie mix (free trial coupon), that while it was was gritty with the rice flour I assume even if it was acceptable.
Sonja says
Hi Dineen, I hope you enjoy, and thanks for visiting!
Jen says
These look great!! One question—do you drain the canned beans or use the liquid too?
Thanks so much!!
Sonja says
Hi Jen,
Yes, they are drained. I will update the post. Thank you for visiting, and for asking!
Sarah Skinner says
Have you ever used dry beans? Maybe after soaking them over night they would be ok to use. … what do you think?
Sonja says
Hi Sarah, No I haven’t ever tried dried beans before. I know chickpea flour exists, so maybe you could try using chickpea flour. You can make chickpea flour by whirling dried chickpeas in a high powered blender. If you make this with chickpea flour, I’d love to know how it goes. Thanks for visiting!
Laurie@glutenfreeyummy says
My sister follows a grain-free diet. I can’t wait to share this recipe with her!
Sonja says
Thanks for sharing, Laurie, and I for visiting!
Sarah C says
Whoa, I’ve made black bean brownies before, but in cookies too? You’re blowing my mind!!
Sonja says
Hi Sarah, My mind was blown, too, the first time I made these! Thanks for visiting!
Tiffany says
I love this idea! I am trying to convince my husband to eat more beans, so this is a great way to sneak them in. My youngest is sensitive to gluten, so this will make a nice treat everyone can share!
Sarah @ Nature's Nurture says
OMG I’m so excited to try these! I never would’ve thought you could really make a cookie without flour, let alone beans! Have you tried both the white beans and the chick peas? Which do you prefer, or does it not really matter? Also, I’m thinking of using peanut butter in place of the cashew butter, what do you think?
Thanks for the awesome recipe. Can’t wait to try it! I’m definitely pinning this 🙂
Sonja says
Yes, I’ve used both types of beans. I think the white bean blend in better. I also tried it with butter beans today just as a cookie dough (not baking it), and I couldn’t tell it was beans either. I used almond butter this time. Peanut butter will work, but it will just have a more peanut buttery taste and less chocolate chip cookieish.
Sophie says
Hi there! Thanks so much for linking up to Sweet Saturdays last week! Hope to see you again this week! These were the MOST viewed link! So come on by and grab a button or link. Thanks! Have a great day:) -Sophie
Sonja says
Thanks so much, Sophie! Will do!
Sophie says
OOOH those look yummy! I like the way that they’re healthier than the regular ones… Thanks for linking up to Sweet Saturdays {#5}! Hope to see you again next week! Have an awesome day:) -Sophie
Sonja says
Thanks! I love finding healthier alternatives.
Amee says
Love these bean-based cookies!!! They sound delicious! Thank you for sharing them with us at Fit and Fabulous Fridays! I hope to see you this weekend. 🙂
Sonja says
It really is amazing!! Thanks for visiting!
jolie hall says
S, I can’t imagine how these would taste. I am curious enough that I may experiment. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sonja says
You TOTALLY have to try this!!! I am amazed. I gave someone some cookies that thought the main ingredient was flax seed. She was surprised when I said BEANS!!!