Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe That's Natural and Easy
Veganism has been charging full steam ahead into our collective Zeitgeist this last decade — with prominent people such as Bill Clinton, Mike Tyson and Michelle Pfeiffer boasting the benefits of plant-based eating. Even scrolling through social media these days you’ll be inundated with the latest vegan doughnut craze, best vegan brunch spot, or environmentally-friendly vegan clothing. This January, over 160,000 people have pledged to follow the Veganuary campaign, devoting a month of their lives to vegan eating. Whether you identify as an occasional vegan or full-time animal advocate, we can all agree on one thing — cookies are pretty fab!
Now, just because something is vegan, it doesn’t automatically mean that it’s healthy; and this is especially true in the case of sweets. Food marketers have a smart way of convincing us that certain packaged foods are good for us, but it’s time to see past the vegan package label and be aware of what we’re putting into our bodies. When in doubt, make it from scratch yourself, so we’re serving up our very own vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe that checks all boxes — healthy, delicious, easy, fun and vegan!
Healthy and wholesome ingredients
Imagine the scent of freshly baked cookies wafting through your home. Now imagine these fragrant baked treats nourishing your body, mind, and soul. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, lactose-intolerant or gluten-free, the following ingredients come together, to create a symphony of flavors that will make your heart sing.
Banana
Bananas give these cookies their sweet essence and sticky texture. Pectin, a type of fiber, lends the banana its spongy quality, perfect for chewy cookies. Pectin also helps stabilize blood sugar by slowing the absorption of sugar. Bananas are also an excellent source of resistant starch, which helps feed healthy bacteria in the gut. Not to mention its call to fame, being high in potassium — great for blood pressure management.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is packed with powerful antioxidants that help heal damage caused by free radicals. It also holds anti-inflammatory qualities, lowering the risk of heart disease and cancer. Some studies evidence that eating cinnamon on a regular basis can even help improve blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
Peanut butter
Organic or homemade peanut butter is full of plant-based protein and healthy fats. Although not a complete protein, peanuts offer a variety of amino acids. The healthy fat is mainly monounsaturated, which helps improve cholesterol levels. Peanuts are also rich in vitamin E for radiant skin.
Oats
Oats are high in soluble fiber, the kind that’s absorbed in water. This can reduce cholesterol levels and as such prevent the risk of coronary heart disease. Since fiber helps keep things moving through your digestive tract and feeds healthy bacteria, oats can support colon cancer prevention.
Dark chocolate chips
Keep in mind that if you’re sensitive to coffee and caffeine, you may also be sensitive to chocolate. Dark chocolate is rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese. Aim for a minimum of 70 percent dark chocolate. The higher the percentage, the more health benefits!
Vegan chocolate chip cookies recipe
With the holiday season at the door, this vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe is perfect for parties, as a gift, or to create that hygge feeling at home. Baking is a perfect winter activity, keeping your brain happy and making your kids or friends even happier.
Vegan chocolate chip cookies recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter (plain, without added sugar)
- ½ cups rolled oats (uncooked)
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 ½ banana
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- dash of salt
Method
- Preheat oven to 350° F (175 ºC).
- In a bowl, peel, cut and mash the bananas with a fork.
- Add rolled oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, cinnamon, and salt and combine.
- Roll, then flatten as many cookies as you can with the dough and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
- Bake them at 350° F (175 ºC) for about 12 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown, as in the picture.
- Serve and enjoy!
Vegan alternatives
Can’t live without your favorite family cookie recipe but want to modify it for your vegan-friendly lifestyle. Try substituting the animal-based ingredients for our vegan ones!
Eggs
Flaxseed egg Combine one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water. Mix and let sit for 5-10 minutes until it forms a gel.
Chia seed egg Combine one tablespoon of chia seeds with two and a half tablespoons of water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it forms a gel.
Butter
Coconut oil: This high heat fat is best for baked goods. Simply substitute 1:1 butter for oil.
Plant-based oil: When substituting oil for butter, use ¾ the amount of oil. For instance, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, substitute ¾ cup of oil.
Dairy
Yogurt: Use ½ cup of cashews, ¾ cup of water, and a bit of lemon juice and salt. Soak the cashews in water for at least 30 minutes until they get soft. Blend all ingredients until it forms a paste.
Buttermilk: Mix one cup of unsweetened non-dairy milk with one teaspoon of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes until it curdles.
Need even more sweetness in your life? Then give these vegan chocolate chip cookies a go or sign up for 8fit and dive into more delectable vegan desserts. Get tropical with Mango Coconut Chia Yogurt which can be transformed into ice cream when frozen. Take Tahini Chocolate Biteswith you for a plant-based protein-packed sweet snack. Or amp up the winter coziness with Banana Bread in a Mug.
