These deliciously chewy no-bake trail mix cookies are free from nuts, eggs, dairy and refined sugars, making them a perfect lunchbox snack or healthy treat! Packed with dried fruits, seeds and oats, they only take five minutes to make- and you won’t even have to turn on the oven!
Why you're going to love this recipe
Dietary restriction friendly – this recipe is naturally sweetened with fruit (refined sugar free), as well as being nut-free, egg-free, gluten-free and vegan friendly.
Quick and easy – no baking required! You’ll need a food processor and only five minutes to prepare them.
Pantry friendly – made with simple and affordable pantry items like dried fruit, oats and seeds.
Freezer friendly – make a double batch and keep some in the freezer for a convenient grab and go snack, any time!
What goes into the recipe
don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card for quantities and the full method
Medjool dates are plump, juicy packaged dates that can be found in most supermarkets and health food stores. When broken down, their sticky texture helps to bind the cookie mixture together. They also add a naturally sweet, caramel flavour without the need for extra sweeteners. Due to their sweetness, fiber, nutrients and antioxidants, medjool dates can be a healthier substitute for white sugar in some recipes.
Sunflower seed butter can be found in most supermarkets, grocers and health food stores. It is made from nutrient dense sunflower seeds, which are a great source of protein, vitamin E, good fats and magnesium, which all help keep you feeling full and energised. If you don’t require nut-free cookies, you can substitute the sunflower seed butter for salted or unsalted peanut butter.
Coconut – either shredded or desiccated coconut can be used in this recipe, depending on preference and what you have handy.
Step 1. Blend the dates, sunflower butter, oats, coconut and seeds together in a food processor. (Keep aside the cranberries, chocolate chips and half of the sultanas for step 2). The mixture is ready when the dates and seeds have mostly broken down and everything starts sticking together.
Step 2. Stir through the cranberries, chocolate chips and remaining sultanas.
Step 3. Roll and mould the mixture into cookies as per the recipe instructions below. The cookies can be eaten immediately, or stored in the fridge or freezer to enjoy later.
- If you don’t require your cookies to be nut-free, peanut butter can be used instead of sunflower seed butter.
- You can customise these cookies to add your favourite trail mix ingredients. Switch out the same quantities of either seeds or fruits (ie swap ⅓ cup cranberries for ⅓ cup chopped apricots or dried blueberries, or ¼ cup pumpkin seeds for hemp or sesame seeds).
- If you prefer the cookies to be a little sweeter, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup, brown rice syrup, honey or your preferred natural sweetener of choice.
Dried fruit; dried apricots, dried cherries, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, goji berries, dried figs, raisins. Seeds; pumpkin seeds (pepitas), sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseed (linseed). Extra goodies; chocolate chips, M&Ms, salted pretzels, yoghurt coated sultanas.
When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these cookies will maintain their taste and texture for around 7 days. Or add them to an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Andrea from The Cooking Collective
Andrea is a food obsessed mum of four who is always thinking about her next meal and she loves to help busy families save time and money in the kitchen by offering simple, fresh and affordable family food from scratch.
At The Cooking Collective, you will find:
· Fast and affordable weeknight meals for busy families
· Healthy lunchbox recipes, perfect for kids and grownups!
· Simple recipes made from scratch using everyday ingredients
· Additive free party food ideas for all ages
· Tips and fun recipes to cooking with kids of all ages
· Delicious dessert recipes. Some healthy, some not so healthy!
You can find more lunchbox ideas and inspiration in her Facebook group, Healthy Lunchboxes Australia. If you do tag along and make some of her recipes, she LOVES to see the food that you are making! It will make her day if you tag @thecookingcollectiveau on Instagram.
More no bake recipes
You have to try this No bake museli slice or this delicious Chocolate Peppermint no bake slice.
No Bake Trail Mix Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup medjool dates approx. 15 dates
- ½ cup sunflower seed butter or peanut butter if you don’t require nut free cookies
- 1 cup oats
- ⅓ cup coconut desiccated or shredded
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup sultanas
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place the medjool dates, sunflower seed butter, oats, coconut, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds into a food processor, along with ¼ cup of the sultanas (keep the remaining ¼ cup of sultanas and set them aside for later).
- Blend the mixture in the food processor on high speed until the mixture mostly breaks down and starts to stick together. This will take 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl (or remove the blade and use the food processor bowl to save dishes!) and stir through the cranberries, chocolate chips and remaining sultanas.
- Using a heaped tablespoon of the mixture at a time, roll the mixture between your hands and shape it into a firm ball. Gently press the ball and mould the ball into a cookie shape. Repeat until the mixture is all gone (this mixture will make around 12 cookies, but you can make them smaller or larger if you prefer).
- Placethe cookies on a plate or tray lined with baking paper and place them into thefridge until set (at least 30 minutes).
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