OK, I admit it: I’m totally one of those people who loves sneaking a spoonful of cookie dough before it hits the oven. A food safety hazard? Probably. Delicious? Absolutely.
Like so many of us (I know I’m not alone here), this cookie dough fandom started when I was a kid. I grew up in a pretty health-conscious household (think: more fruits and veggies, less sugary sweets), but on those special nights when baking cookies was on the agenda, I always loved sneaking some raw dough—much to my mom’s dismay. Now, as a health editor and well-being-aware adult, I regularly dream up ways to make more nutritious alternatives to so many of my favorite treats—and that includes cookie dough.
That’s why I was so thrilled when I started noticing healthier edible cookie dough products hitting the market recently. Not only are these products free of raw eggs and generally plant-based, but you’ll also find functional foods on their ingredient list (maca! vitamin C! baobab!).
I’m not the only one taking notice: nutritionist Frances Largeman-Roth, R.D. shared that she’s a fan of the promising trend, as well. “Garbanzo beans and pea protein are often in the mix, which is a great way to add extra plant protein to your diet,” she says. “Just keep your eye on the added sugars. Even ‘healthy’ cookie dough can become not so healthy if it’s overloaded with added sugars, including coconut sugar and maple sugar.”
Curious to give one a try? Here are some of the alternative cookie dough brands we’re drooling over at mbg—which we’re hopeful are just the beginning. Get ready to grab a spoon and dig in!
Deaux Enhanced Cookie Dough
I’m pretty obsessed with this brand’s cookie dough offerings, which feature powerhouse ingredients like elderberry, aloe vera, and collagen. I also appreciate that they use natural sweeteners like maple syrup and coconut sugar.
Largeman-Roth is a fan, too: “They are super delicious and a couple of spoonfuls are the perfect pre-run or pre-yoga fuel,” she says. “You can bake them into cookies, but I’ve never gotten that far!”
My personal favorite is the ginger doodle flavor, which includes cinnamon, ginger, and ashwaganda!
I’ve honestly enjoyed every product I’ve tried from Daily Harvest’s frozen food selection, but when DH launched these “bites”, they were an instant standout. There are a few different flavors, including chocolate hazelnut and lemon, but my go-to is the cacao nib (probably because they feel closest to a classic chocolate chip cookie dough).
This blend features an ingredient list that reads just like a recipe (something I look for in any packaged food). Most notably: fiber-packed organic chickpea puree and organic date paste; organic cassava root flour, which is great prebiotic source; and adaptogenic organic maca powder.
This healthier cookie dough is a favorite of mbg’s CEOs and Co-Founders, Jason and Colleen Wachob. All of Toto’s flavors are vegan, gluten-free, and low in sugar (just 4 grams of coconut sugar per serving). This sea salt chocolate chip blend also features omega-3-rich flax seeds along with mood-supporting maca.
If you’re new to the whole healthy cookie dough thing and want to give it a try before you buy, follow this paleo cookie dough recipe, featured from Kristen Tomlan, the founder and CEO of DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections—and find out how to bake it, here!
