Kirbie's Cravings

3 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Cookies (No Flour, Eggs, Butter or Refined Sugar)

These healthy 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.

a stack of five cookies

I’m starting off cookie season with these easy no bake cookies. I love snacking on these healthier cookies 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.

cookies lined up in a single layer

How to Make The Cookies

Place the almonds in a food processor and pulse until the nuts break down to the size of large crumbs.

Add the dates and cocoa powder and pulse until the mixture is combined. It will be sticky and clumpy at this point.

Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoons of the dough to form each cookie. Roll the dough balls between your hands to compact the dough. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Press down on each cookie so it forms a disc. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

overhead shot of cookies

Tips for the Best No Bake Cookies

  • When you blend the dough, it should be sticky and clump up easily. If your dough is dry, you can add a tablespoon of water and blend.
  • For an extra chocolatey flavor, add an extra one tablespoon of cocoa powder.
  • For sweeter cookies, add more dates.
  • If your dough is very sticky when you form the dough balls, you can refrigerate them and then press them. This will keep the dough from sticking to your hands.
  • 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.

close-up shot of the no bake cookies

More Healthy No Bake Recipes

3 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Cookies

Servings: 10 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
These no bake cookies are chewy and nutty. They are just 3 ingredients and don't contain any flour, eggs, butter or refined sugar.
4.90 from 19 votes

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

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 84kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 10g, NET CARBS: 11

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.

Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Mention @KirbieCravings and tag #kirbiecravings!

 

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Recipe Rating




102 comments on “3 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Cookies (No Flour, Eggs, Butter or Refined Sugar)”

  1. My son has nut allergies.
    Can I replace the raw almonds with rolled oats?
    Thanks.

  2. 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.

  3. What if medjool dates or any dates are not available in our place is there any alternative ingredients to replace dates?

  4. How many can we serve with the amount mentioned above?

  5. Can you use carib powder instead of cocoa powder?

  6. So delicious. A keeper for sure. Moist and flavorful. I made into small balls for one bite cookie.

  7. Just the right cookie to curb cravings AND make you feel like you’ve indulged.  So easy to make!

  8. 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!

  9. Hi, Do you re-flatten them only if you put them in the fridge, if you need to do that?

  10. 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!!

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. Thanks for the recipe,I just found your site. I can’t wait to try.

  14. These were so good. I might add a little salt next time. Thank you.

  15. Oh my days what a delight. Thankyou so much 

  16. Great recipe.  The family loves these cookies.

  17. Mahalo!!! Please people, show some Aloha!!! We have enough going on now days..Even if you think you could do better keep it to yourself and keep everyone happy!!! Mele Kalikimaka

  18. The recipes look great! Can’t wait to try them. I think some people should not complain too, but just appreciate your kindness of sharing recipes with us! ?

  19. I made these cookies today for the first time and they are delicious. 

  20. I agree with Rob. It was a very snotty remark. She is free to move along and not make it. I, however, plan on making it, icing and all. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  21. Love these cookies!! So easy & healthy.Thank you so much

  22. I love it it’s easy to make and healthy as well

  23. ?Wonderfully Easy for foodie like me that doest like being in kitchen, other than to chat. ?
    AND those comments made me LOL, and shakey head.
    My-o-my..
    “People” huh!!! ?LUV You?

  24. So easy and so delicious. Such a healthy way to stave off a sugar craving. Thank you.

  25. Gosh the first comment is a bit aggressive!!! Don’t see how you were ‘bragging’…. someone’s at tad grumpy, and needs to make these delicious cookies to cheer them up!! They came out really well. Thankyou so much Kirbie xx

    • I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to leave a nice comment =)

    • For sweeter add dates, for better stickiness add water, for stronger chocolate flavour add more chocolate these details are good and caring
      Nice simple recipe yet well told

  26. I haven’t done anything there talking about but I look forward to it.

  27. This is such a happy morning! I love cashew date cookie bars by larabar!!! Thank you for a home made version! You are wonderful ? ?

  28. Wow…thanks for your FREE recipes. They sounds easy and delicious. After reading comments, I think people need to learn manners.

  29. 5 stars for my expectation of a great vegan cookie. My wife has been making no bake cocoa cookies for years, ingredients unknown, but definitely no dates or almonds. After I make these once, I expect she will retire her sad recipe in shame.

  30. Cool recipe. Gonna try soon.

  31. I FINALLY got the ,3 ingredients…..and the overly long elaboration on each..AND how to decorate them….. . But NOTHING on HOW to MAKE! I’ll Do you just smash as 3 ingredients together in bowl and shape it into a cookie….or what?!?

  32. Do we bake this?

    Thanks

  33. I love this recipe and I love alot of vegan recipes but a have a sever tree nut allergy and I know I can omit tree nuts from the recipe but I have fine that and feel as if it missing something. Can you recommend substitute for tree nuts?

  34. It seems to be very easy and healthy 

  35. Can I use almond flour instead of almonds? Thanks!

  36. Wow…thanks for the recipe! Sorry about people and the way they try to tear you down. I think it is a great idea and the recipe really is simple…thanks again!!

  37. We just recently started going gluten free (my youngest has celiac), so I’ve been searching for healthy and delicious treats that don’t need a lot or any GF flour. Just made these and they were a hit for all, with my pickiest child giving it a 9 out of 10! Will be making these regularly. Thanks so much for a great recipe!

  38. Really good, although had to add quite a bit of water to make the mixture moist. Well recommended recipe to make. Delicious.

  39. Looks like delicious

  40. Kirbie! You are brilliant!
    Thank you
    (from Australia)

  41. Any substitutions for the dates?

    • I don’t have a substitution for the dates. Perhaps you can try one of my other easy no bake cookie recipes that don’t use dates.

  42. Thanks, these look fab! Will be sure to try soon:)

  43. I haven’t tried these yet, but have made your peanut butter cookies. Instead of cocoa, I’ve been using carob chips and powder. I added the chips and chopped nuts to them. you can also roll them in almond flour or chopped nuts after you make the balls. Keep up the good work!! Sincerely, Shalom

  44. I could be missing this, about how many dates make a cup? Or, do you chop first to make a cup?
    Looking forward to trying these.

  45. 1. “Press down”, needs more explanation. Using what & how (technique)?
    2. “Let chocolate set” is also unclear. Bake? Air-dry? Chill?
    Recipe is simple and easy. I might add a dash of vanilla & a sprinkle of flakey sea salt could be nice.

    • There’s no special technique. You just press down on the balls to flatten them. You can use the palm of your hands, your fingertips, a heavy glass or whatever else you wish as long as you can flatten the balls into a cookie shape. Melted chocolate will cool and set on its own. You don’t need to do anything except wait.

      • The title says No Bake, I would presume you would just let them set, probably in the fridge so the drizzled unsweetened chocolate could cool. Have fun with the recipe, it’s only a guide. 

      • The melted chocolate will set at either room temp or fridge. It is definitely faster in the fridge. If you are adding the drizzle right after removing the cookies from the fridge, the chocolate will also set pretty fast.

  46. After bragging about no refined sugar, you sabotage the goal by putting icing made with sugar on them.

    • There is no icing. it’s melted chocolate which is stated several times. And you can use unsweetened chocolate.

    • READING DOES WONDERS!!

    • Solel- I had a similar thought- “After efforts to go the healthier route, why would I put refined sugar in them?”
      But, Kirby is kind enough to share ideas & upon reading your response, it rubbed me the wrong way more than adding the sugar. All I kept thinking was “#Be Kind” with your responses.
      -Rob

      • Hi Rob, I hope you enjoy the cookies! You can definitely leave out the chocolate drizzle! I did it to make them more visually appealing. And you can use unsweetened chocolate too. Hope you enjoy!