Banana Chia Chocolate Chip Cookies
Looking for a fun snack for the weekend? (or any day of the week, let’s be real! haha) These delightfully delicious Banana Chia Chocolate Chip cookies will hit the spot! Nobody will even know that they are filled with anti-inflammatory Omega 3 fatty acids from the chia seeds ;) Along with decreasing inflammation, omega 3 fatty acids are also associated with better heart health, enhanced memory and improved brain performance (1,2). What’s not to love?
Chia Seeds are an annual herb from the mint family and are considered the most concentrated plant source of Omega 3 fatty acids (3). They are also a rich source of soluble fibre which increase feelings of fullness, can decrease LDL cholesterol and may prevent blood sugar from spiking after a meal (3). Chia contains all 9 essential amino acids and is especially high in the amino acid tryptophan, which is a building block for serotonin, the ‘happy’ hormone (3). Who doesn’t want more of that?! Finally, chia seeds contain several minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and folic acid which are important for stress reduction and energy production (2,3). They are extremely versatile and can be added to oatmeal, salads, smoothies or made into cookies for a delicious treat!
So, let’s get to the real reason you opened this blog - The Banana Chia Chocolate Chip recipe!
Banana Chia Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
3 bananas, large (ripe or thawed from frozen)
½ cup of nut or seed butter
¼ cup of coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups oats (gluten free, if needed)
½ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
½ cup chia seeds (black or white)
½ cup dark chocolate chips (Enjoy Life Brand for Dairy Free)
1 tsp baking powder
½tsp cinnamon
¼tsp salt
Optional Add ins:
¼ cup walnut pieces
¼ cup raisins
1-2 Tbsp collagen
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl, mash the bananas.
4. Add in the nut/seed butter, coconut oil and vanilla. Stir until well mixed.
5. Mix in oats, shredded coconut, chia seeds, chocolate chips and remaining ingredients.
6. Pour in optional add-ins, if desired, and mix until combined.
7. Use a tablespoon to scoop dough onto the baking sheets. Flatten gently if desired.
8. This recipe makes ~18-20 small cookies or ~12-14 large cookies.
9. Bake in oven for 14-18 mins.
10. Remove cookies from oven and let them cool on a baking sheet before digging in!
Happy Baking! :)
Colleen
If you have any questions about this recipe, chia seeds or personalized nutrition, feel free to contact Colleen at: info@colleenrempel.com
*Recipe adapted from: That Clean Life
References:
1. Mori, T. A., & Beilin, L. J. (2004). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation. Current atherosclerosis reports, 6 (6), 461-467.
2. Kuelzow, N., Witte, A. V., Kerti, L., Grittner, U., Schuchardt, J. P., Hahn, A., & Floeel, A. (2016). Impact of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on memory functions in healthy older adults. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 51 (3), 713-725.
3. Suri, S., Passi, S. J., & Goyat, J. (2016, March). Chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.)—A new age functional food. In 4th International Conference on Recent Innovations in Science Engineering and Management (pp. 286-299).
4. Koh, A. S., Pan, A., Wang, R., Odegaard, A. O., Pereira, M. A., Yuan, J. M., & Koh, W. P. (2015). The association between dietary omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular death: the Singapore Chinese Health Study. European journal of preventive cardiology, 22 (3), 364-372.