Flaxseed Cookies Recipe

These flaxseed cookies are a delicious, nutrient-dense treat. They have a soft, chewy texture and a caramel-like flavor. These nutritious cookies are sweetened with dates.

What to serve with these flaxseed cookies

If you’re making these cookies for a party and would like another nutritious treat to add to the dessert table, try these vegan strawberry cookies. They’re easy to make and loaded with strawberry flavor.

Main ingredients and substitutions

This recipe calls for ground flaxseed. I like to purchase flaxseed that is already ground, but you could also grind whole flaxseed at home using a spice mill or mortar and pestle if you prefer. Flaxseed is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and nutrients. Grinding the flaxseed makes them more easily digestible.

This recipe calls for smooth almond butter. You can substitute any other type of nut butter or seed butter you prefer. Pumpkin seed butter is a great alternative if you need to avoid nuts.

These flaxseed cookies are sweetened with dates (I used Medjool dates this time but any type of date will work). I love using dates as a natural sweetener because they’re loaded with nutrients and fiber. Dates add a delicious, caramel–like flavor to these cookies.

I used spelt flour in these cookies this time, but whole wheat flour works too. Or you can substitute all purpose flour if you prefer. For a gluten-free version, you can substitute coconut flour, in which case you should reduce the amount to six tablespoons of coconut flour.

How to make them

Start by adding the pitted dates and boiling water to a bowl, ensuring that the dates are completely submerged in the water.

Let the dates soak in the boiling water for ten minutes. While the dates are soaking, add the whole wheat flour or spelt flour, ground flaxseed, and baking powder to a large mixing bowl, then mix well.

When the dates have finished soaking, transfer the dates and the soaking liquid to a blender or food processor. Add the pure vanilla extract, almond butter, and salt to the blender or food processor, then blend until smooth.

Transfer the blended date mixture to the bowl with the flour, ground flaxseed, and baking powder, then stir until a thick dough has formed.

Chill the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes. When the dough has finished chilling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then use your hands to roll the dough into 12 evenly sized balls and place them, evenly spaced, on two sheet pans lined with parchment paper (six cookies per sheet pan works well). You can wear kitchen gloves or wet your hands with cold water to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands.

Use your fingers to press the dough balls into flat, circle shapes.

Bake the cookies at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Let the cookies cool to room temperature before removing from the pan.

Optional step: once the cookies have cooled completely, drizzle melted dark chocolate on top of the cookies, then place them in the fridge to let the chocolate harden for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Optional additions

Optional additions include 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts. Mix them into the batter by hand when you’re combining the blended date mixture with the dry ingredients.

Storage and freezing

Store these flaxseed cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or freeze them for up to six months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.

More nutritious cookie recipes to try

• These peanut butter date cookies are a tasty, refined sugar-free treat.
• These coconut flour peanut butter cookies are gluten free and vegan.
• These maple syrup chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy, and delicious.

You might also like

• This list of flaxseed recipes has got you covered if you’re looking for even more ways to use ground flaxseed.