Irresistible Chewy Hazelnut Coconut Cookies: Your New Go-To Healthy Treat
Welcome to a fresh start! Here at Sweet and Savory by Shinee, it’s been a whirlwind of changes, especially with the joyous arrival of my little one early in the new year. Life has become a beautiful chaos filled with endless cuddles and profound love. While those precious moments are keeping me wonderfully busy, I’m thrilled to dive back into the kitchen to share something truly special with you today: these amazing Hazelnut Coconut Cookies!
After a much-needed, albeit slightly extended, break, I’m excited to bring you a recipe that perfectly embodies the spirit of new beginnings. For many of us, a new year brings resolutions focused on healthier choices, and these cookies are designed to help you stick to those goals without compromising on taste. Forget the guilt; these aren’t just “healthy” cookies, they are genuinely delicious, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make. Consider them your delightful companion on your journey to wholesome eating.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Wholesome Cookies
Remember the rave reviews for my chewy almond cookies? They quickly became one of the top recipes on my blog, and for good reason. They shattered the myth that healthy treats can’t be utterly delicious. These Hazelnut Coconut Cookies are born from that same philosophy, taking everything you loved about the almond version and elevating it with the rich, distinct flavor of hazelnuts and the tropical sweetness of coconut.
What makes them truly stand out? This recipe is a triumph of wholesome ingredients. We’re talking no processed sugar, no butter, and absolutely no flour. This means they are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, making them suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences. Whether you’re aiming for a cleaner diet, managing allergies, or simply seeking a snack that makes you feel good from the inside out, these cookies deliver. They prove that you don’t need a pantry full of complex ingredients to create something truly exceptional and good for you.
Despite their simple, clean ingredient list, these cookies boast an incredible depth of flavor and a wonderfully satisfying chewy texture. The hazelnuts bring a warm, nutty aroma and taste, perfectly complemented by the delicate sweetness and chewiness of coconut flakes. Sweetened naturally with raw honey and bound together with coconut oil, each bite is a harmonious blend of wholesome goodness that will leave you feeling nourished and content.
The Power of Simple, Wholesome Ingredients
The beauty of these Hazelnut Coconut Cookies lies in their unpretentious ingredient list. Each component plays a crucial role in both flavor and texture, all while contributing to a healthier profile:
- Hazelnut Flour: A fantastic gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat flour, hazelnut flour adds a rich, distinct nutty flavor that is truly irresistible. It’s also packed with healthy fats, protein, and fiber, contributing to the cookie’s wholesome nature.
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: These provide natural sweetness, a delightful chewiness, and that signature tropical aroma. Using unsweetened flakes allows us to control the overall sugar content.
- Raw Honey: Our natural sweetener of choice, raw honey offers a gentle, complex sweetness without the need for refined sugars. It also helps achieve that desirable chewy texture.
- Coconut Oil: Replacing butter, melted coconut oil binds the ingredients together and adds a subtle richness, enhancing the coconut flavor notes.
- Baking Soda & Salt: These pantry staples ensure the cookies have the right texture and balance the sweetness, bringing out the best in the other flavors.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla elevates all the other ingredients, adding a warm, aromatic finish to each bite.
While I don’t strictly adhere to a paleo diet, the ingredients in these cookies naturally align with many clean eating and paleo-inspired principles. It’s a versatile recipe that allows you to enjoy a treat that feels indulgent but is actually kind to your body.
Effortless Baking: Mix, Shape, and Bake!
One of the best features of this recipe is its incredible simplicity. You won’t need any fancy equipment or even a stand mixer. Everything comes together in a single bowl with just a spoon or spatula, making cleanup a breeze. This makes them ideal for busy weekdays, spontaneous cravings, or when you simply want to whip up something delicious without a fuss.
The process is straightforward: combine your dry ingredients, then mix in the wet. The dough will be thick and easily pliable, perfect for shaping by hand. A key tip for these cookies, unlike many classic cookie recipes, is that they won’t spread much in the oven. Therefore, it’s essential to flatten your cookie dough balls before baking to achieve that perfect chewy disc shape. This small step ensures an even bake and the delightful texture you crave.
Recipe Card: Chewy Hazelnut Coconut Cookies
5 out of 5 stars from 8 votes
Hazelnut Coconut Cookies
By Shinee Davaakhuu
These chewy, wholesome hazelnut coconut cookies are made with only good-for-you-ingredients. No processed sugar, no butter, no flour. And they actually taste amazing!!
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Cooling: 10 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 16 servings
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Ingredients
- 2 cups (200gr) hazelnut flour
- ½ cup (35gr) unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons (120gr) raw honey
- 4 teaspoons (20gr) coconut oil, melted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the hazelnut flour, coconut flakes, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the raw honey, melted coconut oil, and pure vanilla extract. Whisk these wet ingredients together until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the hazelnut flour mixture. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or spatula until a thick, uniform dough forms. The dough should be easily manageable.
- Using a medium cookie scoop or your hands, form the dough into 16 1-inch balls. Place 8 cookies on each prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Gently flatten each cookie dough ball with your palm or the back of a spoon – remember, these cookies won’t spread much during baking.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-baking.
- Once baked, the cookies will be quite fragile. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes to firm up before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their fresh texture. They tend to get a bit sticky at room temperature.
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Tips & Notes
For step-by-step photos and additional notes, please refer to the detailed post above. These cookies are best stored in the refrigerator to maintain their delightful chewy texture and prevent stickiness.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 141 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 72 mg
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hazelnut Coconut Cookies
Are these cookies really gluten-free and dairy-free?
Yes, absolutely! This recipe uses hazelnut flour instead of wheat flour, making it naturally gluten-free. It also calls for coconut oil instead of butter, which makes it dairy-free. These qualities make them a fantastic option for those with dietary restrictions or who prefer a cleaner eating approach.
Can I substitute other flours for hazelnut flour?
Hazelnut flour provides a unique flavor and texture profile to these cookies. While you could experiment with other nut flours like almond flour (as in my original recipe), the taste and chewiness might differ slightly. Using a 1:1 substitution with almond flour would likely yield a similar result, but the distinctive hazelnut flavor would be missed.
Why do I need to flatten the cookies before baking?
Unlike many traditional cookie doughs that spread significantly during baking due to butter or leavening agents, this dough, being flourless and butter-free, retains its shape much more. Flattening them ensures they bake into a nice, even cookie shape and promotes a consistent chewy texture throughout.
How should I store these cookies?
These Hazelnut Coconut Cookies are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. At room temperature, due to the honey and coconut oil, they can become a bit sticky. Chilling them helps maintain their perfect chewy consistency and extends their freshness for up to a week.
Can I use a different sweetener instead of raw honey?
Raw honey contributes significantly to both the flavor and chewy texture of these cookies. While you could try alternatives like maple syrup, the exact measurements and final texture might vary. Honey also has unique binding properties that are important for this particular recipe.
Embrace Wholesome Indulgence
These Chewy Hazelnut Coconut Cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re an invitation to enjoy something truly delicious and nourishing, proving that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. They’re quick enough to make on a whim, satisfying enough to curb any sweet craving, and wholesome enough to feel great about enjoying them anytime.
Whether you’re celebrating a new chapter, sticking to a New Year’s resolution, or simply looking for a delightful snack to brighten your day, these cookies are a perfect choice. So, preheat your oven, gather your simple ingredients, and get ready to experience the magic of wholesome baking. Are you in? I bet you are!