I received free samples of California walnuts mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the California Walnut Commission and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

These easy 6 ingredient flourless chunky monkey cookies are banana bread meets cookie in a soft, moist, and low sugar treat.  I realized the other day that I don’t have any cookie recipes posted yet.  I knew immediately that I had to fix that issue and come up with a delicious cookie recipe ASAP.  I had the perfect ingredient to create one with…walnuts.  I even decided to use them in two ways in this cookie recipe to make them completely grain free and gluten free.  Walnuts are a delicious way to add extra nutrition, flavor, and crunch to any meal, snack, or dessert.

Nutrient Powerhouse

Nuts are nearly a perfect package of protein, healthy fats, fiber, plant sterols, antioxidants, and many vitamins and minerals.  A small amount does a body good and eating just one ounce of walnuts a day (that’s only about seven shelled walnuts) may be all it takes to take advantage of their benefits.  Just one serving contains plant-based omega-3 fats, along with copper, manganese, folic acid, phosphorus, and vitamin E, molybdenum, and biotin.

The omega-3 in walnuts is ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) and is considered an essential fatty acid because we can’t make it so we must get it from our diets.  ALA has many important functions including being a source of energy, promoting skin health, and supporting healthy inflammation levels.  The additional nutrients found in walnuts may also support a healthy heart and brain as well as protect against some cancers.

As a society we have been told that fat is bad and if we eat fat it will make us fat.  Unfortunately that false information has been causing many to avoid fats (even of the healthy variety).  I am here to tell you that adding healthy fats to your diet from natural, real foods like walnuts is essential to good health.  Including healthy fats has been shown to promote healthy weights in part due to their ability to keep us full for longer and prevent blood sugar imbalances.

Why We Need Fat

Healthy fats are essential for many bodily functions.  You need fats because they regulate the production of sex hormones, help the intestines absorb fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) into the body, protect organs by providing a cushion, provides structural support to the brain, and is part of the membranes that protect cells.  What would we be without healthy fats?  So put down that low fat whatever it is you are eating and grab a handful of California Walnuts.

I created a delicious cookie recipe which will help you include your healthy dose of walnuts to your diet.  I created two versions of this recipe (in part because I couldn’t decide which one I liked the best).  Version one is completely free of added sugar and is sweetened simply with banana.  The second version adds a little coconut sugar for sweetness.  Either way you go you are in for a treat.

Ways to Enjoy Walnuts

Breakfast|  Top your oatmeal, make a homemade granola, walnut butter on your nut and seed bread toast, toss into your smoothie, and make Blueberry Walnut Breakfast Cookies

Snacks|  Make your own trail mix, dip fresh fruit in walnut butter, create homemade energy bars, or enjoy all on their own right out of your hand

Lunch and Dinner|  Sprinkle on your salad greens,  add crunch to your whole grains, top your soups,  blend into your salad dressing, and puree with herbs for a homemade pesto

Desserts| Candy walnuts in maple syrup, create a nut and date pie crust or dessert bar, add to your cookie dough, add crushed walnuts to ice cream, chop into fruit crisp topping, and THESE COOKIES

Print

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 27 minutes

Servings 1 dozen

Author Sara

Ingredients

• Version 1
• 3 cups raw California Walnuts divided
• 2 ripe bananas about 1 cup
• 1 pasture egg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips blueberries would be nice as well
• Version 2
• 3 cups raw California Walnuts divided
• 1 ripe banana 1/2 cup
• 1 pasture egg
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips blueberries would be nice as well

Instructions

1. In a food processor add 2 1/2 cups of the raw walnuts and process until a smooth nut butter is formed. This will take a few minutes and you will have to stop in-between to scrape down the sides.
2. To the homemade walnut butter add 1 chopped banana (or the coconut sugar for version 2), egg, salt, and baking soda (for version 2).
3. Blend again in the food processor to combined all the ingredients well.
4. To the dough add the banana in chunks (the second one in version 2), 1/2 cup raw walnuts, and chocolate chip.
5. Pulse the food processor a couple of times just to gently combined (you still want this chunky).
6. Scoop the dough into 2 tablespoon rounds onto a lined baking sheet and press into cookie shapes with the back of a spoon or wet fingers.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes until set and golden brown.