Black Bean Cookies

I love using common ingredients in unconventional ways. Take black beans for example. They are great for adding protein and fiber to meals and snacks, but what about using them in baking?

I know it sounds strange, but it actually works! And it is so much fun to serve people treats that aren't full of white flour and/or refined sugars.

I have a major sweet tooth, so coming up with a recipe that uses beans to make treats is super fun for me. I have previously made black bean brownies as well as s'mores brownies using the black bean brownie recipe, but I've never tried cookies.

Until now…

These black bean cookies are really quite good. They are gluten-free — using black beans and almond flour for their structure in place of flour. Honestly, the dough is my favorite. It's really sticky, but it's so delicious that you won't care that your fingers are covered in black goo. Plus, it's egg-free so you can eat it raw. 

I will warn you, however, that these are best served warm, right from the oven. The next morning, I ate them for breakfast and enjoyed them, but one of my friends found them to be a little starchy-tasting. To solve that problem, you can either pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or just crumble them over some plain or vanilla yogurt to add some chocolate flavor for a healthy snack. 


Black Bean Cookies

Recipe by Meme Inge, MS, RD, LDN

Makes 14 cookies

Ingredients
1 (15 oz.) can reduced-sodium black beans, rinsed & drained
3 TBSP peanut butter
1 tsp milk (any kind)
5 TBSP honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup almond flour
5 TBSP cocoa powder
1 TBSP ground flax meal
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Put black beans, peanut butter, milk, honey, and vanilla extract in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process until completely smooth.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk together almond flour, cocoa powder, flax meal, baking powder and salt
  3. Add the black bean mixture to the flour mixture. Stir well until completely combined. Refrigerate mixture for about 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.
  5. Drop cookie dough by rounded spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart. The cookies don't spread much so you might want to pat the dough down a little so they bake evenly. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.
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Meme Inge
Meme Inge, MS, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian in New Orleans by day, and a food writer in her free time. Read her recipes, advice and restaurant reviews on her blog, Living Well Kitchen, and follow Meme on Twitter and Pinterest.