‘Twas the day before Christmas and everything is crazypants and all I know for sure is that these are the best gingerbready thing I’ve ever laid mouth on.
I’m fashionably late to the gingerbread party. I know. It’s a thing.
But listen. These are the loveliest. They’re made with…beans. *Crickets.*
Annnnnnd oats! And other fun (read: normal) odds and ends like molasses, oats, almond butter, ginger, and maple syrup. There’s a method in the madness!!!
Why beans, you ask? Why must I turn a completely innocent treat into a beany nightmare of sorts? Because in all honesty, I was going for something similar to my beloved Gingerbread Chickpea Blondies minus the whole baking part. Who has time to bake when there’s presents to wrap and trees to decorate and cookies to stuff in your face and laundry to not do?!
And then there was the whole “oops I’m out of chickpeas” thing. Black beans? Too brownie-ish. White beans? Mmmmmmm.
All you need to know is that they taste like gingerbread dreams and they’re good for you, too. They’ll land you smack dab in the middle of the nice list. They’ll bring you joy and cheer and gum drops and a Vitamix wrapped in a big red bow. They’ll bring you nine more days of seventy-two degree Ohio weather sans the rain.
But I’m not making any promises.
Perhaps you should leave these out for Santa this year. If he doesn’t like them, I swear the reindeer will.
Merry Christmas and to all a good bite!
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These high-fiber gingerbread bites are free of refined sugar and gluten–the perfect healthy holiday treat with a secret ingredient–beans!
Ingredients
- 1–15oz can cannelini beans (or chickpeas), drained and rinsed
- 9 large Medjool dates, pits removed
- 1/4 cup creamy almond butter
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats (use certified gluten-free if necessary)
Instructions
- Place beans, dates, almond butter, molasses, maple syrup, salt, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until well-combined, scraping down the sides.
- Add oats and blend until mixtures form a mushy dough ball.
- Dump mixture into a bowl. Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Remove mixture from freezer. Roll into balls. Keep frozen for best texture! These can be refrigerated, but they’ll be softer.
[Tweet “Just in time for Christmas! Gingerbread No-Bake Bites via @TheHummusapien”]
Alexis, what a fab idea and I LOVE that you truly can put beans in everything… see kids, I told you!!! And as always, your photos are absolutely glorious! Hope you had a wonderful holiday. xo
Thank you Alexis for the dreamy gingerbread no-bake bites recipe. I looooooove gingerbread but, so many recipes have so much sugar and crazy ingredients in them. These seem to be a sweet but healthy treat! You have been so great in providing healthy recipes all year long. And your cute expressions make reading your blog even better. You certainly have a way of bringing so much of your dietician expertise and your love for making healthy nutritious food together for your readers. I hope you have a fantabulous ( great word huh?) and joyous holiday. Continued success in all of the endeavors with which you are involved in:)
Jan B
Thank you Alexis for the dreamy gingerbread no-bake bites recipe. I looooooove gingerbread but, so many recipes have so much sugar and crazy ingredients in them. These seem to be a sweet but healthy treat! You have been so great in providing healthy recipes all year long. And your cute expressions make reading your blog even better. You certainly have a way of bringing so much of your dietician expertise and your love for making healthy nutritious food together for your readers. I hope you have a fantabulous ( great word huh?) and joyous holiday. Continued success in all of the endeavors with which you are involved in:)
Jan B
Did you drain the beans? I’m using cannellini cooked in the pc and wondering if I need to add any liquid to the recipe?
Did you drain the beans? I’m using cannellini cooked in the pc and wondering if I need to add any liquid to the recipe?
In my book, beans are good for errrrrything. And you had me at gingerbread so basically I’m face planting my screen right now. Can I make gingerbread all year long?
In my book, beans are good for errrrrything. And you had me at gingerbread so basically I’m face planting my screen right now. Can I make gingerbread all year long?
If these should be kept frozen, how do you suggest we leave them out for Santa – or take them to a carry-in dinner?
This sounds like a good recipe for me to try since my wife is not a fan of ginger and I can have my ginger in smaller portions.
If these should be kept frozen, how do you suggest we leave them out for Santa – or take them to a carry-in dinner?
This sounds like a good recipe for me to try since my wife is not a fan of ginger and I can have my ginger in smaller portions.
…..and no one has to know there are beans involved here. i have been feeding my boyfriend fudge studded with walnuts he doesnt know its actually tofu and honey rather than condensed milk unless he read my most recent post, which i doubt). i need to try this ASAP because i have not made anything gingerbread this year,.gasp. happy holidays!!!!
…..and no one has to know there are beans involved here. i have been feeding my boyfriend fudge studded with walnuts he doesnt know its actually tofu and honey rather than condensed milk unless he read my most recent post, which i doubt). i need to try this ASAP because i have not made anything gingerbread this year,.gasp. happy holidays!!!!
YES. Dreams do come true *insert heart eyes emoji*
YES. Dreams do come true *insert heart eyes emoji*
I’m good with the beans, these look DELICIOUS! Happy Holidays 🙂
I’m good with the beans, these look DELICIOUS! Happy Holidays 🙂