There’s nothing like baking in the kitchen with your family.
Something about the warm, sweet aroma of freshly baked goods just has family gatherings written all over it.
A few weeks ago, I embarked with my dad on a baking project: to make the most good-for-you cookies ever, but still have them taste delicious.
After two hours in the kitchen, adventures with a spice grinder, discussions over whether dates are high-glycemic (now you know where my food-nerdiness comes from), and random other discussions about life, we ended up with 20 delectable cookies: perfect for a guilt-free dessert or a filling snack.
![IMG_4202 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-XwVrf9.jpeg)
If you can believe it, these cookies don’t have any added sugar, but they’re still sweet thanks to the dates, coconut, raisins and nut butter.
I realized that these could almost be no-bake cookies if you were ok with a super gooey consistency. When you bake them, they become crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Just be forewarned, this isn’t one of my “quick-and-easy-30-minute-recipes.” With all of the prep time, this takes about 1-2 hours before you can pop them in the oven, and the baking time is longer than usual too.
But it is totally worth it.
I think you could also shape these into mini-bars, and they’d be the most wonderful little granola bars ever. That’s sort of how I saw them – as a mix between a cookie and a granola bar.
![IMG_4191 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-tMXHIH.jpeg)
Any way you look at it, the amazing aroma of cinnamon, vanilla, oats and raisins all baking together fills your kitchen and excites your senses before you even take a bite.
It’s like having a permanent scented candle going in your house.
Oh and did I mention these cookies have chia seeds (a powerful superfood) in them? You can’t taste them at all, but they add a punch of protein, vitamins and fiber, and help the cookies bind together.
The Ingredients (Dry)
- 2 cups finely ground rolled oats
- 1/2 cup dried, unsweetened shredded coconut (ground)
- 1/2 cup currants or raisins
- 1 Tbsp ground chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp whole chia seeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
The Ingredients (Wet)
- 2 Tbsp raw almond butter
- 1/2 cup dates, chopped and soaked in 1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
![chia seed cookies2 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-rMfhHw.jpeg)
The Directions
Step 1: Soak the dates in 1/2 cup water for an hour or more.![IMG_4165 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-g7xDZz.jpeg)
![IMG_4171 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-RX_tXy.jpeg)
![IMG_4168 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-cM55u2.jpeg)
![IMG_4167 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-nxkNaQ.jpeg)
![IMG_4172 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-Q_b_dR.jpeg)
![IMG_4173 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-iLlO6D.jpeg)
![IMG_4177 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-9rUb7Q.jpeg)
![chia seed cookies Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-k5J5nd.jpeg)
![chia seed cookies1 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-PBfdQA.jpeg)
![IMG_4208 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-1GE8UX.jpeg)
![IMG_4206 Oatmeal, Raisin, Coconut, and Chia Seed Cookies](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/29/295450/oatmeal-raisin-coconut-and-chia-seed-cookies-L-iA4hgh.jpeg)