The scariest thing about Halloween? The amount of sugar and sneaky fillers hiding in traditional candy and other sweets. Yes, Halloween is meant to be enjoyed! But, have you ever looked at the ingredient label of your favorite candy? If you’re just as spooked by these ingredients, you’re not alone! Some of the most popular candies on the market contain ingredients such as corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, Red 40 Lake, in addition to other artificial colors, and titanium dioxide, to name a few.
We’re not saying you should deprive yourself. But what if you could satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthier way? Free from artificial ingredients, refined sugar, and gluten, and made with wholesome real food ingredients, these Healthier Halloween Monster Cookies will be a ghoulishly good treat that you, your kiddos, and the whole neighborhood will love. The best part? They’re so easy to make! In fact, you probably already have the ingredients on hand!
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How to Make Halloween Monster Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, unsweetened (sub almond or cashew butter)
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup coconut sugar
- ½ tbsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup almond flour (or oat flour)
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ½ tsp baking soda
- Pinch sea salt
- ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- ½ cup M&Ms (we used Unreal)
Step #1: Prep & Gather Your Ingredients
Gather your ingredients, including any mixing bowls you may need. Next, preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step #2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter, coconut sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Step #3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Stir in the almond flour, rolled oats, baking soda, and pinch of sea salt. Mix until fully combined. Then, stir in the chocolate chips and M&Ms. Mix well.
Step #4: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and chill in the fridge for 2 hours minimum (or overnight). Note: do not skip this step!
Step #5: Prep & Bake the Dough
Once chilled, remove from the fridge. Scoop the chilled dough onto the cookie sheet, evenly spacing the cookies a few inches apart. Then, bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. Note: watch carefully to avoid over-baking.
Step #6: Enjoy!
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool. Then, transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy immediately or store in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer
Not-So-Scary Monster Cookies
Loved by kids and adults alike, these healthier monster cookies will be a hit this Halloween holiday. Made in one bowl with ten simple ingredients, what’s not to love? Swap PB for your favorite creamy nut butter, or toss in your favorite add-ins (like unsweetened coconut flakes or chopped nuts) for a healthy boost. While still sweet and delicious, there’s nothing scary about these better-for-you treats!
