These vegan chocolate chip freezer cookies make the perfect summer treat, because you don't have to turn on your oven! Instead, you'll just pop them in the freezer to set for 45 minutes. Since they're also stored chilled, they serve as a cool and satisfying summer dessert. They're both allergy- and lifestyle-friendly (i.e., vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, grain-free), but everyone will find a soft spot in their heart for these delectable vegan cookies.Â
For those of you in the U.S., happy 4th of July! For those elsewhere, happy Friday! Both are reasons to celebrate, and is there any better celebration treat than cookies (or a colorful tart)?
These cookies are particularly wonderful  because you don't have to turn on your oven. Instead, you'll just pop them in the freezer to set for 45 minutes. Since they're also stored in your refrigerator or freezer, they serve as a cool and satisfying summer dessert. They're allergy- and lifestyle-friendly (i.e., vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, grain-free) but everyone will find these cookies crave-worthy.
They're made with just five main ingredients: raw buckwheat groats, tahini, medjool dates, vanilla extract, and dark chocolate chips. You'll add the first four ingredients to your food processor with a pinch of salt, give it a good whirl, and gently fold in the chocolate chips. Then, you'll form the mixture into balls and use a fork to press the dough into cookies. Enjoying hearty bites of the dough as you work is strongly encouraged if not mandatory, especially because it's filled with good-for-you ingredients.
I've talked about the health benefits of raw buckwheat groats before, but I haven't talked much about tahini. Rather than using a nut butter as the fat source within this recipe, I opted for tahini because of its milder flavor. It also packs a nutritional punch, especially if you can get your hands on unhulled tahini which has the most potent nutrient content (no worries if you can't, I used hulled). Hulled or unhulled, tahini boasts the following benefits: 1| it's rich in magnesium, potassium, and iron 2| it has 20% complete protein, making it a higher protein source than most nuts 3| it's an excellent source of calcium 4| it's an alkaline food that supports bone and skin health (natural glow: check!) 5| it's rich in fibers called lignans that can lower cholesterol and improve heart health.
My point: I think cookies just made the breakfast-approved list.
Today's Sound Bite is "Stolen Dance" by Milky Chance. I originally had another song picked out for today, but Dan put out a new playlist yesterday and this gem was on it. One listen and I was completely hooked, which is a rare occurrence. It's a hypnotic folk-pop anthem if I've ever heard one. If you can listen to this song twice through without tapping your foot or nodding your head, you're a more controlled person than I.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Chocolate Chip Freezer Cookies | Nut-Free, Gluten-Free, No-Bake
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw buckwheat groats
- ¾ cup tahini
- 1 cup pitted medjool dates
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch fine grain sea salt
- 1-2 tablespoons filtered water, as needed
- ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the buckwheat groats to a food processor and process for 2-3 minutes into a fine flour.
- Add in the tahini, dates, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Pulse 5-10 times, and then process for 2-3 minutes.
- If your dates weren't very wet, add in 1-2 tablespoons of water (1 tablespoon at a time), and continue to process until the mixture rolls into a ball in your food processor.
- Transfer the dough to a bowl and stir in chocolate chips.
- Roll the cookie dough into 14-16 balls and drop onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a fork, press the balls into cookies while making a crisscross pattern.
- Pop the cookie sheet in the freezer for 45 minutes to set the cookies.
- Remove the cookie sheet from the freezer and store the cookies in an airtight plastic container.
- You can store the cookies in either the freezer or refrigerator. The freezer will add a snap when biting in and the refrigerator will keep the cookies firm but tender.
Related Posts
6-Ingredient No-Bake Quinoa Peanut Butter Crunch Cups
No-Bake Chocolate Covered Snickerdoodles (vegan, gf)
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies (vegan, gluten-free)
Caramel & Vanilla Cheesecake with Fresh Berries | Vegan, Gluten-Free & Paleo
An Announcement + Celebratory Hot Tahini Sundae with Banana Ice Cream, Cherry Compote & Sunflower Crumble
Creamy Raspberry, Coconut & Chia Shake
dina says
great healthy cookies!
Ashley says
Thanks, Dina!
The vegan 8 says
I love these raw type of cookies, I love eating raw cookie dough, haha! They look so delicious Ashley! I also love the tahini, I use tahini in A LOT of my recipes, especially my raw desserts and they are a main ingredient in my lemon bars. I even use it in ice cream! I also made some freezer fudge last night, totally different recipe, but a freezer type of dessert nonetheless :) P.S. I printed out your sundried tomato pesto recipe yesterday. Hope to get a chance to make it soon!
Ashley says
You are so creative with tahini! What a smart idea to use it in ice cream; I never would have thought of that addition. I also LOVE freezer fudge! I have a quick 3-ingredient peanut butter freezer fudge that I've been meaning to post for a while now, but haven't gotten to it yet. Always such a delicious and easy treat. I hope you have the chance to try the sundried tomato pesto recipe; I'd love to hear your feedback.
Lauren says
Girrrrrl, you are speaking my language with these!! That is all. :-)
Ashley says
Haha, I love this comment, Lauren! I hope you have the chance to give them a try :)
Samantha (whole new start) says
I have never heard of tahini or buckwheat in cookies, but these look so good I'm going to have to try it! I love no bake too! I hate turning on my oven in the Summer, it's just too hot where I live :)
Ashley says
Hi, Samantha! I hear you on not wanting to turn your oven on in the summer; I currently have mine on to bake granola, and I'm regretting it! I hope you enjoy these cookies. Raw buckwheat, in particular, has become my go-to ingredient for raw cookies and desserts; it's an amazing little seed!
Vita @ Its Jello says
Vegan, cookies, and delicious? This recipe must I try to make.
Ashley says
Yes, all three of those things :) I hope you have the chance to make it!
Harmony says
Would these work with peanut butter and quick cooking oats?
Ashley says
Hi, Harmony! I haven't tried it myself, but I think these should turn out just fine substituting oats and peanut butter for buckwheat groats and tahini. I'd love to hear how they turn out if you have a chance to report back!
Kasey says
Hello! This looks great! Do you soak and rinse the buckwheat groats before putting them in the food processor?
Ashley says
Hi Kasey! I didn't when I made this particular recipe, but to help with digestion you could absolutely soak them and then let them dry out before adding them to the food processor.
Centro Armonia Masajes says
Me encanta!!!! :)