Paleo Banana Coconut Almond Chip Cookies

Easy, refined-sugar free, gluten-free, grain-free, paleo, dairy-free dessert

Recently, my family has been obsessed with protein bites (you know, the ones made from peanut butter, oats, honey, and anything else you want). So, I decided to switch things up and make cookies that were just as protein packed and nutritious. Even though these cookies seem rich and induglent, they're actually filled with all sorts of vitamins and minerals to fuel your day. They're a great on the go breakfast addition, quick snack, or even healthy dessert.

They travel well too! We recently took a road trip and brought some of these in our cooler (I always pack a cooler full of healthy snacks to save money and have better options on the road). They were perfect to satisfy my snack craving and helped me not cave and buy those powered donuts at the gas station.

Now let's talk about what's actually in these little guys.I was amazed that I could taste every flavor in these cookies! Every bite bursts with banana, coconut, chocolate, and even almonds. Not only are they flavorful, they're also guilt-free since there packed with health benefits.

Bananas are full of powerful antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, and copper to name a few. They also contain a substantial amount of fiber to aid with digestion. By containing healthy carbs, they help fuel workouts and curb hunger longer, making them great additions to any meal or snack.

Coconuts are a great source of quick energy and are also full of vitamins and minerals. They also add in supporting a healthy immune system and aid in digestion. Dark chocolate contains loads of fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese with lots of antioxidants.

Not only does dark chocolate and coconut contain healthy fats, almonds do too, making you feel fuller longer. Like all the other ingredients, almonds also contain lots of nutrients like fiber, manganese, magnesium, and vitamin E. On the plus side, they are also a good source of plant-based protein.

So lets get to the good part, the recipe!

Paleo Banana Coconut Almond Chip Cookies

Yield 24 servings

Ingredients:

3 cups finely-ground almond flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup maple syrup, room temperature

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

1 mashed banana, very ripe (optional, but highly recommended)

2 eggs (or flax eggs if vegan), room temperature

1 tsp vanilla

1 heaping cup dark chocolate chunks

1/4 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened

Directions:

1. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the almond flour, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a larger, separate bowl, beat together the maple syrup and coconut oil with an electric mixer until well combined, about 1 minute. Add in mashed banana and beat until fully combined. Add in eggs and vanilla and beat again until well combined.

4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet by adding in a third of the mixture at a time and beating until mostly combined.

5. Fold in chocolate chunks and shredded coconut. The mixture will be slightly sticky to the touch.

6. Spoon even amounts of cookie dough onto each baking sheet, about 2 tbsp each. They will spread during baking so be sure to leave one to two inches in-between each ball. Bake for 15-18 minutes.

7. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. Then, remove from baking sheet and place on a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy! Store in an airtight container at room temperature when completely cooled.

Recipe notes:

These cookie are best served fresh or one to two days after baking; otherwise, place in the freezer and defrost in the microwave for 10-20 seconds or at room temperature whenever you want a sweet snack.

Make sure to bring all of the ingredients to room temperature before mixing, so the coconut oil stays liquified.

I used 3/4 72% dark chocolate with almonds and the rest 80% dark chocolate in this recipe because I had some extra chocolate bars I wanted to use up.

Coconut flakes can be substituted for shredded coconut.