These no bake cookies are sweet, chewy, chocolatey and nutty. They are only three ingredients and don’t contain any flour, eggs, butter or refined sugar. They take only a few minutes to make and store well.
I’m starting off cookie season with these easy no bake cookies. I love snacking on these so that I don’t go overboard on eating too many traditional cookies. They also store well and are great for gifting.
Ingredients
- Almonds
- Dates
- Cocoa Powder
Almonds
Almonds can be replaced with other nuts like cashews, walnuts or pecans. I like using almonds because they add a crunchy texture to the cookies.
Dates
These cookies are naturally sweetened with Medjool dates. I highly recommend you use Medjool dates. Medjool dates are very large and have a lot of soft flesh, which becomes a sticky sweet paste. Small dates like deglet noor won’t work because they are firmer and don’t have as much flesh.
Cocoa Powder
You will want to use unsweetened cocoa powder for these cookies. You can also use cacao powder to make them even healthier. If you are using cocoa powder, you can use either dutch process or natural. I used dutch process.
Cookie Decorating Ideas
These cookies are fine without decoration but they are not the prettiest. To make these cookies look a little more visually appealing, I drizzled some melted dark chocolate over the cookies. You can also dip them in melted chocolate, add frosting, or add chocolate chips.
More Healthy No Bake Recipes
- 3 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
- 3 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
- 3 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Chocolate Cookies
- Nut-Free No Bake Cookies
- 2-Ingredient No Bake Cookies
3 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1 (lightly packed) cup pitted medjool dates
- 2-3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Add almonds to food processor and pulse until nuts are very small, about the size of large crumbs. Add dates and 2 tbsp cocoa powder. Pulse until dates are fully blended and the mixture becomes sticky and clumpy. If your mixture appears to be too dry and doesn't stick together, add 1 tbsp of water and pulse again. Taste and adjust as needed. If you want a stronger chocolate flavor, add 1 more tbsp cocoa powder. If you want something sweeter, you can add more dates.
- Using a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop, scoop cookie dough and release onto prepared cookie sheet. Roll each dough ball between your palms to compact it further. Place cookie balls back onto sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Press down on balls to form round disks/cookie shape. If you find your dough is too sticky, place cookie balls into fridge for about 30 minutes or until dough becomes a little firmer and less sticky. If desired, you can drizzle melted chocolate over cookies. Let chocolate set before storing cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at either room temperature or in the fridge.
Notes
- The cookies don't need the chocolate drizzle, but it does make them prettier. If you want to add a chocolate drizzle, it is just melted chocolate. I recommend extra dark chocolate (which has low sugar) or unsweetened chocolate if you want to keep them refined sugar free. The cookies were sweet enough that my family didn't even notice the chocolate on top was unsweetened except when eating it by itself.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
My son has nut allergies.
Can I replace the raw almonds with rolled oats?
Thanks.
I made a nut-free version here: https://kirbiecravings.com/no-bake-cookies-nut-free/
Thank you Kirbie. I’ve commented before, but this is the best recipe ever! I made a bunch of balls last night using equal parts of almonds, cacao nibs and dried fruit. I did find putting the nibs in first and chopping the he’ll out them works best. Thanks again and just know that some old man thinks of Kirbie every time he creates deliciousness.
We’re happy you like the recipe!
What if medjool dates or any dates are not available in our place is there any alternative ingredients to replace dates?
Unfortunately, we don’t have a substitute for the dates.
How many can we serve with the amount mentioned above?
the recipe makes 10 cookies
Can you use carib powder instead of cocoa powder?
I haven’t tried but I think so
So delicious. A keeper for sure. Moist and flavorful. I made into small balls for one bite cookie.
I’m so glad you liked them!
Just the right cookie to curb cravings AND make you feel like you’ve indulged. So easy to make!
I’m glad you liked them!
Not sure what’s up with guys named Mitch who leave these in ball form, but I’m another! I dig the chili pepper powder idea, but didn’t read that until after I made my first batch. Next time – maybe chipotle powder, or smoked paprika. Or… bacon bits. Mmm.
For those keeping score but struggling with the measurements, I suggest investing in a small kitchen scale. I made double the recipe and used the following weights:
150 grams raw whole almonds (a full cup, but it weighed 20% more than the nutrition label said! That’s a big calorie differential.)
240 grams pitted Deglet Noor dates (about two cups.) Deglet noor are slightly smaller and darker than Medjpoor dates; to my taste buds they are more like brown sugar to the Medjpoor’s white.
30 grams unsweetened cocoa powder (about 5 tablespoons.)
I did not use the drizzled chocolate.
With a small ice cream baller I got 24 servings from the recipe, at just over 70 calories each.
These are dangerously delicious!
Lol, that is so funny! I think you two would get along. Thank you for sharing your results!
Hi, Do you re-flatten them only if you put them in the fridge, if you need to do that?
Great and easy recipie! My husband, who “hates dates”, LOVED these! As commentor MITCH mentioned, we can experiment with whatever suits us in the moment (salt, chili pepper, differnt nuts, etc) but so happy to have found this as a base for a healthy snack! Thankyou so much!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed them! And I love hearing that your husband loved them too
Awesome recipe!My sincere apologies for bastardizing it for my own tasty delights! I’m just leaving it in balls, roll it in ground chili pepper powder them rolling it in ground up nibs then cover chocolate. Last but not least, this recipe allows experimentation without great cost. Thank you very much for sharing.
that sounds awesome! I’m so glad you got it to work for you
Hi, Do you roll them then flatten them twice? Or just one time of flattening? I was confused… But I’m making them tomorrow! Can’t wait!
You should only need to flatten them once. If you find it too hard to flatten because your dough is sticky, you can refrigerate the dough and then flatten after. But really, it’s not a big deal how many times you flatten them. If you flatten one and you don’t like how it looks, you can re-roll and then flatten again. Or you can not flatten them at all.
Thanks for the recipe,I just found your site. I can’t wait to try.
I hope you enjoy!
These were so good. I might add a little salt next time. Thank you.
I’m so glad you liked them!
Oh my days what a delight. Thankyou so much
I’m so glad you liked them!
Great recipe. The family loves these cookies.
I’m so glad your family enjoyed them!