Tigernut Flour Cookies - gluten free, clean eating

November 30, 2017 Last Modified: January 1, 2024 by Regina | Leelalicious 72 Comments

These may seriously be the best gluten free chocolate chip cookies I've ever had! These Tigernut Flour Cookies have delicious crispy edges with perfect chewy centers. Everything you need from a chocolate chip cookie!

I've mentioned it on many occasions before that we don't actually follow any specific diet restrictions. We try to eat a diet that includes lots of vegetables and is clean about 80% of the time - otherwise we embrace gluten free, vegan, or omnivore recipes alike.

What we really love is variety! And you all know my love for experimenting with gluten free baking from my coconut flour recipes.

What is Tigernut Flour

The tiger nut, also called chufa, is not a nut at all. And they have nothing to do with actual tigers either.

Tiger nuts are actually a tuber (root vegetable) that is grown underground just like potatoes.

After being sun-dried tiger nuts can be enjoyed as a delicious snack all by themselves. They have a delicious naturally sweet flavor. And they also get milled into tiger nut flour for baking. Which is great for those eating grain-free but also can't have tree nuts, like almonds or almond flour.

They have been around for a really, really long time (over 4 thousand years). Tiger nuts are also the main ingredient of Spanish-style horchata (tigernuts blended with water, cinnamon and sugar)

Tiger nuts can be found all over Southern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and also in India. And now they are also making their way into North American markets.

Tigernut Flour Benefits

There are many reasons you should give tigernut flour a try. To give you a better overview of all the benefits, let me just list them in simple point format:

Tigernut flour is an all natural gluten-free, grain-free and tree nut-free flour alternative
Allergy friendly: no nuts, no gluten, no lactose
AIP friendly (autoimmune protocol)
It is very high in prebiotic fiber (a resistant starch that feeds the friendly gut bacteria and aids digestion)
Paleo-friendly
Nutritional minerals: iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium
Vitamins C, E, and B6
Natural sweet, nutty flavor
Can be replaced 1 for 1 for wheat flour in most sweet recipes like cakes, muffins, quick breads,

How to Make Tigernut Flour Cookies

Ingredients

Despite having just said that it can be replaced in equal parts with flour, I still made a few changes from my go-to Clean Eating Chocolate Chip Cookies and Coconut Oil Cookies.

Because of the tigernut flour's natural sweetness, I reduced the usual amount of sugar. And in the next test batch I had to reduce it even more. Otherwise the cookies were just too overwhelmingly sweet.

For the same reason I also used quite a bit less chocolate chips than I usually would. Even when using dark chocolate chips or chunks they add to the overall sweetness of the already sweet tigernut flour cookies.

This also makes the cookies perfect for dunking into a glass of really really cold (dairy-free) milk.

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Method

In terms of method, this is a really easy healthy cookie recipe. You can stir it all together in one bowl with just a wooden spoon.

First combine all of the wet ingredients (sugar, melted butter or coconut oil, egg*, and vanilla extract). And then add the dry ingredients (there are just the tigernut flour, sea salt, baking soda, and chocolate chips).

I am just realizing that this is a super simple 8 ingredient cookie recipe (4 dry, 4 wet). And aside from the tigernut flour you probably have all of them already in your pantry and fridge.

Where to Buy Tigernut Flour

To get your hands on tigernut flour, unless you live near a really well stocked health food store, your best bet is probably ordering it online. >> Tigernut Flour on Amazon

Another great option is Natureul. I've use their Tigernut Kasha (a blend of tigernut flour, ground chia, mesquite powder and more) for the flour in the recipe below and it made amazing cookies. The Crunchy Cacao variety makes yummy chocolate flavored cookies with crunchy texture bites. The Carob and Cinnamon results in cookies with warming spice flavor that is perfect for holiday baking.

hand holding tigernut cookie with chocolate chips

Vegan Substitution:

Use a vegan egg alternative like flax egg or Chia Egg Replacer. The cookies come out a little softer, but still perfectly delicious.

Coconut oil or other vegan butter works well to replace regular butter.

More Tigernut Flour Recipes

Once you have tiger nuts or tigernut flour in the house you are probably looking for other ways to use them

Recipe

Tigernut Flour Cookies

4.98 from 44 votes

These may seriously be the best gluten free chocolate chip cookies I've ever had! These Tigernut Flour Cookies have delicious crispy edges with perfect chewy centers. Everything you need from a chocolate chip cookie!

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 12

Total Time 22

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings cookies

Calories 184 kcal

Ingredients

⅓ cup cane sugar or coconut sugar, muscovado, etc.
¼ cup butter melted (or coconut oil)
1 egg
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-¼ cups tigernut flour *
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup dark chocolate chips and/or chunks

Instructions

In a medium bowl whisk together sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Either by hand or with an electric hand mixer.
Add tigernut flour, sea salt, baking soda and stir in until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips/chunks and chill the dough in the fridge for about 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Once chilled, scoop 12 cookie dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet (about 6 fit on a regular baking sheet). Top with a few more chocolate chips/chunks while slightly flattening the cookie dough balls.
Bake the chocolate cookies for 12-15 minutes until the edges are just set. Don't overbake them. Leave the cookies one the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature 2-4 days.

Notes

*Measuring TIP: Tigernut flour (and any flour) should be loosely spooned into a measuring cup. If you dip the measuring cup into the flour, you are compacting it and end up with much more flour. Which would result in dry cookies that don’t spread.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Tigernut Flour Cookies

Amount per Serving

Calories

184

% Daily Value*

Fat

13.3

Cholesterol

36.6

Sodium

81.3

Carbohydrates

18.2

Fiber

5.3

Sugar

12.8

Protein

1.9

Vitamin A

250

Vitamin C

1.7

Calcium

Iron

0.9

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword Tigernut Flour Cookies

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Random Question

Is Tigernut flour good for baking cookies?

Yes, Tigernut flour works well for baking cookies, providing a naturally sweet and nutty flavor along with various nutritional benefits such as prebiotic fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

Is Tigernut flour better than almond flour?

Tigernut flour offers a unique flavor profile and a different set of nutritional benefits compared to almond flour. It is a great alternative for those seeking variety and specific dietary considerations.

Can Tigernut flour replace all-purpose flour?

Tigernut flour can be used as a replacement for all-purpose flour in certain recipes, especially in sweet baked goods like cakes, muffins, and quick breads. However, adjustments may be needed due to its natural sweetness.

Can Tigernut flour be substituted for almond flour?

While Tigernut flour can be substituted for almond flour, it may alter the taste and texture of the final product due to its distinct flavor and nutritional composition. Adjustments may be necessary to achieve the desired outcome.

Comments

4.98 from 44 votes (18 ratings without comment)