during the holidays, I know it is HARD to not give in to alllll of the excessively sugary and indulgent treats. and it’s totally okay to have them some of the time. but I know for me, when I eat too much of them too often, I don’t feel good at all, the sugar/white flour messes with my immune system, and I end up sick or just no energy. SO here is a fabulous alternative for you! grain free, jumbo sized, 10 mins to indulge proud. make it when you’re having that holiday time craving or make ahead and bring with you when you know the work parties, office events, etc are going to be excessive and you want to feel better!

Tahini Single Serve Cookie

makes: 1 servings
time: 10-15 mins

Ingredients

1 tsp ground flaxseed (or chia seeds or hemp seeds)
1 tbsp water
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp almond meal (or hazelnut/sunflower seed meal)
1/4 tsp fine seat salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1/4 tsp baking soda (or baking powder, will just fluff it up a little more)
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp tahini
1 tsp avocado or olive oil
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp dark chocolate chips (or Christmas M&Ms ;) )
garnish - flaky sea salt, cacao nibs, or sesame seeds

Directions

Preheat oven to 375° F (OR if using air fryer, heat that or skip this step). Line a small baking sheet/air fryer basket with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, combine the ground flaxseed and water. Stir vigorously then sett aside for 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken/turn to a gel consistency.
In another bowl, combine the almond meal, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda. Give the bowl a shake or stir to combine. Then, add the flaxseed gel, maple syrup, tahini, oil, and vanilla. Using a spatula, stir until thick and slightly wet dough is combined and there are no dry spots.
Add the chocolate chips to the dough and fold in until evenly distributed.
With your hands, press and form the dough into an even circle that is about 1” thick (you want it to be thick!). Sprinkle the top with any garnish, if desired.
Bake until edges are just browned and small cracks appear, about 10 mins (OR 5-6 mins in the air fryer).
Cool for 30 mins completely… or at least like 3 mins if you’re like me =) before enjoying!!

Notes:

Tahini is ground sesame butter, essentially! Make sure it’s stirred and drippy. You can sub ANY nut or seed butter, just make sure it’s drippy and smooth (you can always melt nut butter for 10 seconds in the microwave with a tiny bit of coconut oil).

Seeds - I’ve made it with both hemp seeds and chia seeds (not ground up), but the original recipe called for ground flaxseed… and it’s come out great both ways!

I also swapped baking soda and powder just to see, and not much different other than the baking powder made it come out a little lighter/cake-ier, so I think I’ll go back to baking soda because I like a more gooey, soft cookie.

Andddd 10 out of 10 highly recommend using your air fryer for this!!! No pre-heat time and cooks in half the time.

So feel free to make swaps with this depending on what you have. You could even use dried fruit instead of chocolate.

Tahini Single Serve Cookie