Chunky Monkey Breakfast Cookies

I am kind of obsessed with cookies.  I love them.  All kinds.  But now that I'm eating healthier I like to find recipes that have more wholesome ingredients and definitely less sugar.  I like to try recipes that use pure maple syrup or honey in place of the sugar.  Don't get me wrong.  I still like to have regular old chocolate chip cookies or even better-monster cookies at times, but the majority of the time I like to stick with healthier recipes for me and my family.  Today I found a winner!!

Chunky Monkey Breakfast Cookies

(www.simplyquinoa.com)

Serves: 14 - 16 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water)
• ½ cup peanut butter (or nut/seed butter of choice)
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 medium banana, mashed (+ slices for topping, optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup quinoa flakes (I didn't have quinoa flakes so I subbed another 1/2 cup of rolled oats. I'm gonna try them with the quinoa flakes sometime, too, though.)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• 2 medjool dates, pitted and chopped
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Whisk together the flaxseed meal and water, and set aside.
3. Beat together peanut butter, syrup, banana and vanilla in a large bowl. Add flax egg and mix to combine.
4. Pour in oats, quinoa flakes, baking powder, spices and salt to the bowl and stir together. Fold in chocolate chips, walnuts, dates and chia seeds.
5. Drop 2 tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet and repeat until no dough remains.
6. Bake cookies on center rack for 15 - 18 minutes until edges are golden brown. Remove and let cool on the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
7. Enjoy at room temp or slightly reheated in a microwave.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 2 - 3 cookies