I was trying to come up with a way to get more nuts and seeds into my kids’ mouths, since they usually refuse to eat them unless they’re covered in chocolate.
I tried putting them in oatmeal, in smoothies, in cereal – anywhere I could sneak them in, but they always seemed to know, and they hated that I “tricked” them.
Even though I explained that they needed to eat their nuts and seeds in order to be healthy and get all of the nutrients these foods provided, they didn’t care.
They are kids, afterall. And kids don’t like it when you’re right and they’re wrong.
I asked them how I could make them eat these seeds and nuts, and the only thing they agreed to try was if they were in cookies.
So, cookies it was. Of course, I didn’t want them to be loaded with sugar, so I loaded them up with lots of healthy options instead.
And a few chocolate chips. Because a few chocolate chips never hurt anybody.
And wouldn’t you know it – they ate the cookies! Which means they ate the seeds & nuts. Success!
The funny thing about this story is that they now ask for raw nuts on a regular basis. These cookies won them over! Thank you, trail mix cookies.
Adapted from Oh She Glows.
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water)
- 1 cup oat flour (just take rolled oats and throw them in your food processor)
- ½ cup almond flour (just take almonds and throw them in your food processor until they resemble a "crumb-y" flour)
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (or finely chopped chocolate)
- 2 tbsp sunflower seeds
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp dried cranberries
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup maple syrup or agave (I used maple syrup)
- 1¼ tsp vanilla
- Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.
- Mix together the ground flax and water in a small bowl and set aside for about 10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rest of the ingredients, including the flax egg. Yes, add every last ingredient to your bowl!
- Scoop about 2 tbsp of the cookie "dough" and form into balls. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, and flatten slightly with your hand.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until lightly browned on the bottoms. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before handling.
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