Soat-meal Chocolate Chip Cookies

We recreated a classic with this recipe by soaking our oatmeal prior to baking. If you haven't yet discovered the benefits of soaking your grains before cooking or eating them, read our previous blog for the full run-down on this essential kitchen tip! To sum it up, soaking &rinsing oatmeal removes plant compounds that can impede the full digestion and absorption. This means less gas, bloating and indigestion but more nutrition for you - it's a win-win! 

Ingredients

1 c organic* soats (soaked oats)
1 c blanched almond or pumpkin seed flour
1 c shredded coconut 
6 tbsp coconut sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 hefty pinch sea salt
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or melted Ghee
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla
3 tsp flaxseed meal
1/2 or 3/4 c chocolate chips (depending on how much of a choco-holic you are)
1/2 cup crushed walnuts or pumpkin seeds 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking pan with a Silpat or parchment paper. The night prior to baking, place 1 cup organic oats in a sieve and rinse with water. Next, add the rinsed oats and 2 1/2 cups filtered water to a jar or bowl. Add a hefty pinch of sea salt, cover, and leave on the counter to soak over night. When you are ready to bake, use a cheese-cloth or mesh bag to strain out the soaking liquid. Use your muscles to really squeeze out all the oat juice you possibly can. You can save this to use as oat milk or as a soothing skin wash. 
Next, add the "soats" (soaked oats),  coconut sugar, olive oil/ghee, egg, vanilla, and flax to a blender or food processor and blend well. Meanwhile in a large bowl mix all the dry ingredients (coconut shreds, nut flour, baking soda, salt, and spices). Mix the blended wet ingredients into the dry and add the chocolate chips and/or nuts. You should be able to roll the dough into 1 inch balls with your hands. I like to lightly wet my hands to make this process even easier.  Use your peace fingers to slightly press down on each dough ball so that it's about 1/2" thick (these cookies don't spread much on their own so you have to help them!), Bake for 15 minutes until just beginning to turn golden brown.  Remove from oven, let cool, and enjoy! Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
This recipe makes 12-16 balls depending on how big you make them.