these cookies are so delicious it's hard to believe they are HEALTHY for you too! they contain healthy ingredients such as rolled oats (cholesterol fighter), raw peanuts (good source of protein), dark chocolate chips (antioxidants), coconut oil (best natural nutrition for hair and skin, helps maintain cholesterol levels, and helps reduce stress) , and bananas (great source of potassium and natural source of sweetness). and there is absolutely no added sugar!! these cookies totally fit the circus and carnival theme of the night and are even good the next day (i'm currently snacking on one now!)
ps. these are really fun and easy to make with kids!
what you'll need: (makes about 3 dozen)
- 3 large, ripe bananas, well mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, barely warm - so it isn't solid (or alternately, olive oil)
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2/3 cups shelled peanuts
- heaping 1 1/2 cups caramel or kettle corn
- 2/3 cup almond meal
- 1/3 cup coconut, finely shredded & unsweetened
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 6 - 7 ounces chocolate chips or dark chocolate bar chopped
do it!:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl combine the wet ingredients: bananas, vanilla extract, and coconut oil. Set aside.
3. In another bowl whisk together dry ingredients: the oats, almond meal, peanuts, popcorn, shredded coconut, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined.
5. Fold in the chocolate chunks/chips.The dough is a bit looser than a standard cookie dough, don't worry about it.
6. Drop dollops of the dough, each about 2 teaspoons in size, an inch apart, onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12 - 14 minutes.
8. Pop in your circus themed movie (optional), pop in a cookie, or four (definitely not optional!) and enjoy!
