Recipe: “No Bake” Chocolate Chia PB Cookies

by Clare | Jan 24, 2014 | Food | 17 comments

Well, do I have a nice little treat for you! Many people ask me how I satisfy a sweet tooth if I don’t want to eat something really unhealthy. The answer is, I make something that works for my nutrition goals! (And yes, I do eat an occasional Kit Kat!) These Almond Butter bites are one of my “go-to’s” along with these Popsicles but this recipe is added to the rotation!

They are a spin on the traditional “no bake” cookies. If we’re being honest, I can pound more of those down than the other 3 members of my family combined. The peanut butter and chocolate–oh my word!

Before we move on, I want to note two things:

1.) Chia Seeds: You do not have to use these, however it may be a great way to get them in your (and your family’s) diet. If you want to find out why you should add them, check out this link. Be sure to keep their nutrition panel in mind in case you want to eat the whole batch, like I am tempted to do. 🙂

2.) Cacao vs. Carob vs. Cocoa Powder: The original recipe calls for cacao but you can use cocoa. (I actually used carob) If you are wondering what the different is between the three, then check out this link.

Now, onto the goods!

“No Bake” Chocolate Chia PB Cookies

Ingredients:

♦ 1 cup of nut butter (peanut, almond, sun etc. I mixed half PB and almond butter in a batch once. YUM)

♦ 1/3 cup raw honey (or whatever honey you have. Original recipe called for 2/3 cup, but I didn’t think it needed it)

♦ 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)

♦ 1 tablespoon vanilla

♦ 1/4 cup chia seeds

♦ 1/4 cup raw cacao powder (or cocoa, or carob)

♦ 1/4 teaspoon salt

♦ 1 1/2 – 3 cups oatmeal (Adjust depending on how dense you want it. If you use more, you may want to use more honey)

Mix all the wet ingredients together into a bowl. Then add the dry ingredient and mix evenly. Chill the dough in the fridge for about an hour, then take out and either roll into balls, or place in an 8×8 pan to slice and serve as bars. Good luck not eating all the dough before you actually chill it! Store them in an airtight container and keep in the fridge.

Here they are as balls. The kids enjoyed rolling them!

Amber E.on January 28, 2014 at 12:14 pm
I’m going to be trying these – thanks for the recipe!!!
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Mackenzieon January 28, 2014 at 9:51 pm
See Also
Thumbprint Twix Cookies Recipe French Macaron Recipe for Beginners ~Sweet & Savory Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars Recipe No Bake Pecan Praline Bourbon Balls Recipe
Delish! Just as good as the traditional ones just without the refined sugar and guilt!
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theresaon January 29, 2014 at 9:04 am
Does coconut oil have to be used or can canola or olive oil be a substitute???
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- Clareon January 31, 2014 at 7:14 am
  Hi Theresa:
  Great question–I’m honestly not sure–I probably would not use it. The taste may not be as good. I would probably veer on butter if I subbed anything.
  Clare
  Reply
  - Heatheron January 18, 2015 at 12:11 am
    Coconut oil is solid at room Temperature, where the other oils mentioned are liquid, even in the fridge. Except for butter of course. But once melted butter never really becomes just like butter again.
    These raw cookies hold their shape mostly due to the coconut oil.
    Reply
- Ashlingon May 28, 2014 at 9:32 pm
  I can’t have oatmeal right now. Do you know of a gluten free substitute for the oatmeal?
  Reply
  - Amyon May 28, 2014 at 9:41 pm
    See Also
    Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe
    Quinoa flakes. And apparently my comment is ‘a bit too short’.
    Reply
  - Clareon May 29, 2014 at 6:22 am
    You could try these Ashling. http://www.bobsredmill.com/gluten-free-rolled-oats.html
    This may help too. http://myvega.com/vega-life/vega-blog/three-delicious-oatmeal-substitutes/
    Clare
    Reply
Beckyon May 29, 2014 at 1:16 pm
Where do you find your chia seeds? I know I can find them online as I have looked, but I am just wondering if stores carry them.
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- Clareon June 3, 2014 at 10:07 am
  I get them at my local organic store, but generally online at amazon.
  Clare
  Reply
  - Beckyon June 4, 2014 at 1:45 pm
    Thanks! I actually forgot to come back and see if you answered, but I ended up finding some at Kroger in the organic foods section! 🙂
    Reply
Lizon May 30, 2014 at 2:10 am
Oats are gluten free as long as the label says that they are “pure, uncontaminated oats” and “free from wheat, barley and rye”. Most celiacs can have them when they are labeled like this. The one I use is Avena…or Aveda? not sure…Only Oats. The bags are blue. Available in Canada, usually in Health food stores I think. not sure about other stores or countries.
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Pamon June 2, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Made these, they are dynamite. I substituted the oatmeal for protein powder. Also added raw shredded coconut.
I need to find out the calories, fat, carb count….any idea?
My husband is Racing Across America on his bicycle next week and we must log all everything that goes into his body. He LOVES these though.
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- Clareon June 3, 2014 at 10:06 am
  HIi Pam! That’s great! I don’t have the nutritional info, but I would recommend going into a program like My Fitness Pal, entering all the information that you made for whole batch, then divide them up by the portions you get out of it. Good luck to your husband!
  Clare
  Reply
Deanon July 13, 2015 at 7:50 pm
I have this recipe to my 13 yr old daughter who LOVES to bake. She made them today and they were a hit for the whole family!! I’m trying to eat cleaner. It’s so hard to stay on track.
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mandi milleron July 17, 2015 at 1:33 pm
I used dark cocoa powder (that’s what I had) and they are delicious! Thank you so much for this yummy recipe! 🙂
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