Recently, I have been steering clear of packaged protein bars and opting to make my own energy bites and snacks. Same goes with making my own nut butters and nut milks. I like being able to control the ingredients; especially the sugar content. My body has a hard time processing sugar and tolerating any foods with high levels of sugar. So, making my own energy bites and healthy breakfast cookies like these ginger spiced ones has been not only a lifesaver when I am out and about, but has made such a difference in the way that I feel. Packaged bars can be super convenient, but making your own is not only fun, it's simple, they are quick to put together, and you can constantly change the flavor and the ingredients each time. These breakfast cookies are made with gluten free oats, cashew butter, walnuts, coconut flour, so many good for you spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg) and even packed with zucchini-but I promise you can't even taste it and Zevia, the ginger ale cola to give it a little sweetness and a bold ginger flavor! 

Zevia cola is sweetened with stevia, which is a 100% natural, zero calorie sweetener. It will not affect your blood sugar levels the same way that refined sugar does and a little goes a long way as it tends to be on the sweeter side! Whenever I am craving a little carbonation, these drinks are perfect because there are so many different flavors to choose from, there is no sugar, gluten free and non-GMO. You can find Zevia at your local Whole Foods or check out the store locator on their website!

I decided to use shredded zucchini in these breakfast cookies to give them an added nutritional boost and keep them moist. Have you ever noticed that most breakfast cookies seem to dry out pretty fast if they aren't eaten the day of? Zucchini has tons of moisture and will help prevent the cookies from drying out. You won't be able to taste the zucchini at all, in fact this cookie reminds me of a mix between a chocolate chip cookie and an oatmeal muffin. It isn't too dense, a little crispy on the top and chewy in the middle. You could also swap out the zucchini if you wanted with shredded carrots, I haven't tried it, but the the carrots would taste so good with the shredded coconut and the ginger! These make the perfect afternoon snack or grab and go mornings when you are in a rush and need a little something to hold you over! 

What you need:
Yields: 10 cookies
prep time: 10 minutes
total time: 25 minutes

1 heaping cup shredded zucchini
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted & cooled
2 eggs
3 tbsp. Zevia Ginger Ale cola
1/4 cup coconut sugar
3 heaping tbsp. creamy cashew butter
1/4 cup coconut flour
3/4 cup oat flour (*grind oats, into flour consistency) 
3/4 cup gluten free oats (quick cooking)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc)
1/4 cup dairy free chocolate chips

What you need to do:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, mix together the eggs, coconut oil, coconut sugar, cashew butter, and the zevia ginger ale.   

3. In a separate bowl, mix together the coconut flour, oat flour, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking powder, and the baking soda. 

4. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients. Mix until incorporated. 

5. To the bowl, add the shredded zucchini, coconut flakes, nuts, and the chocolate chips. Mix with a spoon gently until combined. 

6. Scoop a spoonful size onto baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. 

Notes:

The batter will be somewhat wet after mixing the zucchini in, but the cookies will not spread on the cookie sheet. 

You can use any nut butter of preference. 

Check after 10 minutes, the bottoms of the cookies will be slightly brown but they will be soft/fluffy cake like texture. 

Store in the fridge for 5 days or the freezer for longer. If you want to eat them warm, re-heat the cookies in the oven for a few minutes under the broiler. 

Feel free to add anything into the mixture you would like: chopped raisins, changed the zucchini to shredded carrots, dates, or chia seeds! 

If you do not have the Zevia cola, you can obit! just add a little more ginger to the mix if you want a bold ginger flavor!