Medjool dates are usually big and sweet. This sweetness results in some truly awesome oatmeal cookies. People go crazy over these bites and they certainly never dream that they’re eating lentils!
In most recipes I use Deglet Noor dates because they’re cheap and I can find them at any grocery store. Medjool can be a little more difficult to come by (I often find them in the produce section). Feel free to swap Deglet Noor dates for Medjool dates, if needed. Find more info about dates here.
When thinking oatmeal raisin cookies, red lentils may not come to mind – but these offer an awesome texture AND tons of nutrients. They have a good amounts of iron and potassium and both filling fiber and protein. So, unlike most sugary treats, these satisfy the sweet-tooth and appetite!
Plant-Based Oatmeal Raisin Bites
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried red lentils rinsed
- 8 medjool dates, pitted or 10-12 deglet dates, pitted
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup raisins no sugar added
Instructions
- Add red lentils and 1 cup water to medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover and let cook for 20 minutes or until water is absorbed.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Soak dates in 1/2 cup hot water for 5 minutes.
- Add rolled oats to food processor fitted with S-blade and processor into coarse oat flour. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda.
- Add dates (including soaking water), vanilla extract and cooked lentils to food processor fitted with an S-blade. Process for 30 seconds, or until smooth.
- Add lentil and date mixture to dry ingredients in mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Add raisins and stir.
- Using a cookie scoop, drop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!
Just made these. After eating 6 I’m ready to comment that the consistency is light and moist and the taste is sweet but not too sweet like most cookies are. It is peculiar that the bulk is lentils but they work great, not too heavy. I used goji berries instead of raisins which are not as sweet but still yummy. When I make them again the cinnamon will be increased. Thanks for the new recipe!.
Which lentils should I use to make those?
Sorry! I just saw which ones to use.
We used red lentils for this recipe, although you can use whatever you have and there won’t be much difference!
I made these and thought they they were OK out of the oven, but that they were GREAT the next day. I think the flavors developed overnight. I flattened the cookies. Next time I will double the recipe. My husband liked them right out of the oven.
Great to hear that you and your husband liked these! It’s so interesting that the flavor had developed by the next day. I’ll definitely have to pay attention to this next time I make them!
Second time I have made them , and I doubled the recipe. Delicious
Good idea! These disappear quickly at our house 🙂
Great to make with a toddler! I had to add a little extra water to get the consistency right but it was perfect for little hands to roll out and make shapes with cookie cutters. I also added a tsp of grated ginger and nutmeg to the dough, decreased raisins to 1/3c and used 9 deglet noor dates instead of medjools. We ended up with about 30 small cookies so baked for around 10mins. My 18 month old loved the dough and the baked cookies! Thank you.
We will have to try making cut outs of these — great idea!! Thanks for trying the recipe ~ we’re so glad they were a hit!