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Healthy Cookie Dough Recipe (Perfect for School Lunches!)

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I’m up to my eyeballs in recipe gathering so that I can be prepared when school starts in a few weeks and I have to start packing school lunches. I need ideas that are on the healthy end of the spectrum, that don’t have to be refrigerated, and that don’t require me to cut food into ridiculous shapes and give every item edible smiley faces (no disrespect to you bento wizards, out there. Rock on with your bad selves).

So when I came across a recipe for “faux cookie dough” that used chickpeas, of all things, as the primary ingredient, I knew it was so bizarre that I just had to try it.

And it was a BIG hit, friends!

healthy cookie dough

It may be a stretch to call this recipe “healthy” on account of all the brown sugar in it, but it’s definitely fair to say that this is a more sensible choice, and certainly a safer choice than cookie dough. And just think of all the protein you are getting, too!

Healthy Cookie Dough

(recipe adapted from Family Fun, April 2014 edition)

Ingredients:

  • (1) 15 1/2 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 6 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 3 Tbsp old fashioned oats
  • 1 Tbsp milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips (try Enjoy Life brand, my FAVORITE…and they are dairy and soy free!)
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda

In a food processor, combine all ingredients except chocolate chips. Blend until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides (the entire blending and scraping session took me around 2 minutes). Remove the mixture from the food processor and place in a serving bowl (I like to do individual ramekins so everyone can have their own!). Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

Serve with graham crackers, apple slices, or just a spoon!

healthy cookie dough recipe

Y’all, it sounds so darn weird, but my kids TORE IT UP. And they were positively giddy that I was letting them go to town on cookie dough! Even Tim thought it was actual cookie dough when he tried it. He was very impressed and asked if we could make it a regular snack option.

I’m definitely hanging on to this one; what a great special treat for school lunches or as an after-school snack! Let me know if you try it, ok? And if you’d like to try a dip recipe that is more savory, but that is equally bizarre-sounding (though also a winner!), then you should try the pumpkin curry bean dip!