Healthy Cookie Dough Bites

If a cookie recipe says it makes 24 cookies then it really only makes 20… because I’ll eat at least 4 cookies worth of dough. I mean, the cookie dough is the best part. (It’s also a great reason why vegan cookie recipes are awesome. No raw egg to worry about!) So when my sweet tooth was calling last night, I decided to skip the whole preheating-the-oven thing and just make some little cookie dough balls that could be enjoyed straight from the fridge!

And the bonus? They’re made with whole grains and healthy fats!

• 1 cup of whole grain oats (or gluten free oats)
• 1 tbsp honey (or agave if you’re vegan)
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• ¼ cup crunchy peanut butter
• ½ tsp vanilla
• pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips (optional)

1. If you’re using whole grain oats, pulse them in a food processor for a bit to make them into smaller bits. If you’re using quick cooking oats, then you can just leave them as-is.
2. In a small microwave safe bowl, heat the honey, coconut oil, and peanut butter for 15 seconds at a time, stirring each time until just melted.
3. Stir in the oats, vanilla, salt, and chocolate chips.
4. Pop the dough in the fridge for a few minutes, then roll into individual balls.
5. Let them set for at least 15 minutes before eating.
6. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge.

The dough might seem a little crumbly, but once you put it into the fridge for a bit, the coconut oil and peanut butter firm up. It’s best to store them in the fridge, but you can pick them up without them crumbling everywhere.

I might have to make these a Thursday tradition, for the extra burst of energy. We had our first Upward Basketball practice of the season yesterday, and it reminded me that kids seem to have endless amounts of energy. (Seriously, how do you keep up with them?!) Alex is coaching 4th grade basketball, and I’m coaching the cheerleaders so I might need one or two of these in the afternoon in order to keep up with them.

For now, I’m sipping on some coffee and trying to stay warm. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Do you eat the cookie dough when you bake?

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