Nourishing Mornings: Healthy & Grain-Free Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies (Refined Sugar-Free!)

Imagine a delicious and wholesome start to your day that feels like a treat, but is actually packed with nutrition. These Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies are precisely that – a perfect blend of health and convenience. Crafted with nutrient-rich avocado, hearty buckwheat flakes, and delicate almond flour, these cookies offer a delightful, grain-free experience. What’s more, they’re consciously made without refined sugar, providing a guilt-free way to enjoy a sweet and satisfying breakfast on the go. They embody the essence of mindful eating without compromising on flavor or texture, making them an ideal choice for busy mornings or a healthy snack anytime.

As we navigate through the year, it’s astonishing how quickly time flies! Easter is often just around the corner, bringing with it the promise of spring. While many look forward to warmer weather and blooming flowers, those familiar with the climate in places like Newfoundland know that true spring weather might not arrive until closer to June. Days can still be unexpectedly cold, windy, and even bring snow or freezing rain, making the dream of spring feel a distant one.

However, even when the outdoor weather is less than ideal, the lengthening days bring a welcome change, making early mornings a little more bearable when you’re not emerging from bed into complete darkness. And what makes those mornings even brighter and easier is having a stash of these incredible Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies ready and waiting.

These cookies are a true game-changer for anyone seeking a convenient, nourishing breakfast. They are perfectly meal-prep friendly, designed to be made ahead of time so you can grab and go on even the busiest mornings. Each cookie is loaded with healthy fats from avocado and fibre from ingredients like buckwheat flakes, ensuring you stay full and energized throughout your morning. Say goodbye to rushed, unsatisfying breakfasts and hello to a wholesome, delicious start to your day.

What Exactly Are Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies?

Morning glory breakfast cookies are a delightful and innovative twist on the classic morning glory muffins. For those unfamiliar, morning glory muffins are renowned for their incredible flavour profile, typically brimming with a vibrant mix of shredded carrots, plump raisins, crunchy nuts, crisp apple, and tropical coconut. This rich combination gives them their distinctive taste and wonderfully moist texture.

Our breakfast cookies capture the very essence of their muffin counterparts in terms of flavour and texture, but with a few key enhancements. They’re crafted to be slightly firmer and shaped into convenient, hand-held patties, making them ideal for on-the-go consumption. Furthermore, this specific cookie recipe takes a significant step towards healthier eating by ensuring your grab-and-go breakfast is completely oil-free (thanks to our star ingredient, avocado!), refined sugar-free, and proudly grain-free. This thoughtful formulation provides a nutrient-dense option that supports a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing taste.

Crafting Your Own Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies: A Simple Guide

While the ingredient list for these breakfast cookies might appear extensive at first glance, I assure you, the process of making them is surprisingly straightforward and incredibly rewarding. Don’t be intimidated by the number of wholesome components; each plays a vital role in creating a delicious and nutritious cookie.

Begin by creaming together the ripe avocado and coconut sugar until light and fluffy. This can be achieved effortlessly with an electric mixer, whether it’s a stand mixer or a handheld one, or even a robust blender for a super smooth consistency. The avocado not only acts as a healthy fat substitute but also contributes to the cookie’s tender texture. Next, incorporate your eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and unsweetened apple sauce. Continue mixing until the entire mixture achieves a wonderfully creamy consistency. You might notice a slight green hue from the avocado at this stage, but rest assured, this will beautifully mellow as the remaining ingredients are folded in.

Following the wet ingredients, it’s time to introduce the dry components. Gently mix in the almond flour, ground cinnamon (for that signature morning glory spice), baking soda, and a touch of salt. As these dry ingredients are incorporated, the mixture will visibly transform, taking on a more appealing brownish colour and thickening considerably, forming the robust base of your cookie dough.

Once the base mixture is ready, the main mixing (or blending) is complete. The next exciting step is to stir in all the glorious add-ins. This is where the magic truly happens: buckwheat flakes, freshly grated carrot, finely chopped walnuts, unsweetened shredded coconut, and plump raisins. The mixture will be quite thick and notably sticky, which is perfectly normal for a dough rich in wholesome, natural ingredients.

For best results in portioning, use an ice cream scoop to measure out consistent amounts of batter. Then, with lightly moistened hands, gently shape each portion into approximately 12 uniform patties. Due to the natural stickiness of the dough, you might find it helpful to rinse your hands occasionally throughout the shaping process to prevent sticking and ensure smooth, neatly formed cookies.

Finally, arrange your carefully shaped cookies on a prepared baking sheet, giving them just a little space to breathe. Bake them to perfection for about 20-22 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown and feel firm to the touch. And just like that, your incredibly healthy and delicious Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies are ready to be enjoyed!

Are Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies Gluten-Free?

Yes, absolutely! This particular rendition of Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies is thoughtfully crafted to be entirely gluten-free. We achieve this by utilizing buckwheat flakes and almond flour as the primary dry ingredients. Buckwheat, despite its name, is not related to wheat and is naturally gluten-free, offering a wonderful nutty flavor and a good source of fiber. Almond flour, derived from finely ground almonds, is also naturally gluten-free and provides a rich, moist texture to the cookies. As always, when baking for a strict gluten-free diet, it’s crucial to ensure that any additional ingredients, such as spices (like the cinnamon used here), are certified gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination.

How Do These Breakfast Cookies Stay Refined Sugar-Free?

Maintaining a refined sugar-free profile is a cornerstone of this healthy recipe. The primary sweetener used is coconut sugar, which is an unrefined, natural alternative derived from the sap of the coconut palm. Unlike highly processed white sugar, coconut sugar retains more of its natural nutrients and has a lower glycemic index, meaning it causes a slower rise in blood sugar. Furthermore, the recipe cleverly incorporates unsweetened raisins and unsweetened apple sauce, which contribute natural sweetness without any added sugars. While a drizzle of white chocolate on top can add a touch of indulgence, it is entirely optional. For those committed to a truly refined sugar-free diet, simply omit the white chocolate topping to enjoy these cookies in their purest, healthiest form.

Can Oat Flakes Be Substituted for Buckwheat Flakes?

Certainly! Oat flakes and buckwheat flakes share a very similar texture and often perform comparably in baked goods, which is why I frequently use them interchangeably in many of my recipes. If you prefer to use oat flakes, or if they are simply more readily available, feel free to make the swap. However, it’s crucial to remember that if you are adhering to a gluten-free diet, you must ensure that the oat flakes you choose are specifically certified gluten-free. Regular oats can often be cross-contaminated with wheat during processing, so opting for a certified gluten-free variety is key to keeping these delicious cookies suitable for your dietary needs.

The Power of Avocado: Why Substitute It for Oil or Butter?

Incorporating avocado as a substitute for traditional oils or butter in baking is a brilliant choice, offering a multitude of benefits that extend beyond just flavour. Avocado is a powerhouse of nutrients, making it an excellent way to effortlessly boost the vitamin, mineral, and healthy fat content of your baked goods. Rich in monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health, as well as vitamins K, C, E, B6, folate, and potassium, avocado elevates the nutritional profile of these cookies significantly.

Beyond its nutritional advantages, avocado is also a perfect ingredient for dairy-free baking. As someone who often seeks alternatives to butter, I frequently turn to avocado when extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil isn’t the desired choice. It provides a creamy texture and richness without the need for dairy, making these cookies accessible to those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.

When substituting avocado for butter in baking, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind to ensure successful results:

• Increased Moisture: Since avocado doesn’t melt in the same way butter does, it typically requires a greater quantity of other wet ingredients to properly coat and bind the dry ingredients. This is why we’ve thoughtfully included unsweetened apple sauce in this breakfast cookie recipe – it complements the avocado perfectly, ensuring the right consistency and moisture level.
• Adjusted Baking Temperature and Time: You might find it necessary to bake your recipes at a slightly lower temperature for a longer duration when using avocado as a fat substitute. This helps to ensure even cooking and prevents the exterior from browning too quickly while the interior remains underbaked.
• Texture Differences: While avocado imparts wonderful moisture, it can sometimes result in cakes or muffins that are a little denser or flatter compared to those made with butter, which contributes to aeration. If maintaining a very light and airy texture is a primary concern, consider swapping out only half of the butter for avocado instead of a full replacement. For these cookies, a slightly denser, chewier texture is actually quite desirable!

Meal Prep Made Easy: Can You Freeze Breakfast Cookies?

Absolutely! Breakfast cookies, and especially these Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies, are a dream come true for meal prepping and freezing. Their robust nature makes them ideal for preparing in advance, saving you valuable time during hectic weekdays. When I whip up a batch on a Sunday, I typically set aside about three cookies to enjoy fresh over the first few days of the week. The remainder goes straight into the freezer for future enjoyment.

To freeze them effectively, simply place the cooled cookies in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to stack them to save space, lay a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together. This method ensures they maintain their individual shape and texture. When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen cookie, simply transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight to thaw. By morning, you’ll have a perfectly defrosted, healthy, and delicious breakfast ready to power your day without any fuss.

That’s everything you need to know about these fantastic Morning Glory Breakfast Cookies! I genuinely hope you fall in love with these wholesome treats as much as I have. They truly are a delightful way to nourish your body and satisfy your cravings, all in one convenient bite.

And if you’re eager for more delicious breakfast cookie ideas to keep your mornings exciting and nutritious, here are a few more recipes you might thoroughly enjoy:

• Avocado Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
• Avocado Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
• Trail Mix Breakfast Cookies by Flavor the Moments

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