How to Make Fruit-Sweetened, Good Chocolate Cookies That a Diabetic Can Eat (No Artificial Sweeteners)

Yes, these cookies are good! They also are easy to make, and you can air fry a batch in about 10 minutes. The cookies get their sweetness primarily from date puree, rather than refined sugar (see: https://www.thenfeedthem.com/post/how-to-make-date-puree-and-why-you-should-especially-if-you-re-diabetic-or-cutting-back-on-sugar . I sometimes include goji berries in the cookies to contrast with the chocolate, but they aren't essential (you can substitute unsweetened dried cranberries or even cherries). I add a small amount of dark chocolate chips, which also are optional but really, really good. The cookies have a substantial amount of protein in them, thanks to chickpea (besan) flour and ground, toasted walnuts. The cookies also are high in fiber. In moderation (of course!), the cookies are a good choice if you're craving a sweet and are on a diabetic diet or want to "eat healthy." We like them for a simple dessert with a cup of coffee or tea. The cookies also make a great after-school treat with a glass of milk. Enjoy!

How to Make Fruit-Sweetened, Good Chocolate Cookies That a Diabetic Can Eat (No Artificial Sweeteners)

Fruit-Sweetened, Good Chocolate Cookies (Diabetic Friendly) -- Makes about 12

1/2 cup of besan flour (chickpea)*

1/4 cup of ground oats (just grind regular oats in a blender or food processor)

2 tablespoons of baking cocoa

1/4 cup of ground, toasted walnuts

1 tablespoon of ground/milled flax seeds

1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/3 cup of canola oil

1/3 cup of milk

1/2 cup of date puree

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1/3 cup of dark chocolate chips

2 tablespoons of dried goji berries, optional

In a large bowl, mix together well the besan flour, ground oats, baking cocoa, walnuts, ground flax seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the bowl the canola oil, milk, date puree, and vanilla and mix them into the dry ingredients until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and goji berries. I usually let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes and stir it again. It helps the besan flour hydrate a bit.

Air Fryer: Cut pieces of baking parchment to fit your air fryer basket. Drop 1 1/2-2 tablespoon scoops of dough onto the parchment, leaving a couple of inches between the dough mounds. Flatten the mounds slightly with damp fingers. Air fry the cookies at 300 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until barely set (don't over bake them). Let the cookies cool a little before removing them from the parchment.

Oven: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Drop 1 1/2-2 tablespoon scoops of dough onto the parchment, leaving a couple of inches between the dough mounds. Flatten the mounds slightly with damp fingers. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until barely set. Let the cookies cool a little before removing them from the parchment.

*I recommend getting the besan flour at an Asian grocery store. It's cheaper than buying it on line or buying fancy, name-brand chickpea flour. Besan flour also works better than chickpea flour in the cookies.

How to Make Fruit-Sweetened, Good Chocolate Cookies That a Diabetic Can Eat (No Artificial Sweeteners)