I am not lying when I say these smacaroons are awesome. Everyone who has tried them has loved them, and they ask, “These are healthy?!”
Yes. They are extremely healthy.
I have been snacking on these like crazy! They are a great on-the-go breakfast, dessert, or snack; or for serving on a lazy Sunday brunch.
My inspiration for making these came from Heather’s fantastic Grain & Sugar-Free Scookies. You all know how much I love grain-free and sugar-free foods, and her scookies looked amazing! Seriously, Heather, you are a genius!
My little bites of goodness ended up being more like a mix between a scone and macaroon instead of a scone and cookie, so the smacaroons were born!
Scones+Macaroons=Smacaroons.
~These smacaroons are grain-free, gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, peanut-free, dairy-free, and, of course, sugar-free!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups raw almonds (or 2 cups almond flour)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
- 1 cup chia gel (3 tablespoons chia seed+1 cup water. Let sit 20 minutes.)
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 1 banana, mashed
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375*.
- Blend raw almonds in a food processor or strong blender until almonds turn into almond flour. Don't blend too long or else it will turn into almond butter.
- Mix all ingredients together until well-combined. Batter should stick together.
- Take an ice-cream scoop (or your hands!) and form into balls.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. I like to broil it for the last minute or so, so the macaroons get a nice crunchy edge.
I love the coconut+banana+chocolate combo. The coconut replaces the peanut butter in my favorite combo that I can no longer eat due to lent! The Smacaroons have a somewhat tropical taste with the banana and coconut, but it is comforting, too. They are soft and fluffy in the middle, but nice and crispy on the outside. They taste delightful straight out of the oven because the chocolate is nice and melty!
You can omit the banana if you want to make it completely sugar-free; but it tastes so good with the banana and bananas are good for you! Natural sugars are a-okay in my book!
Health Benefits
- Almonds: Almonds are a major superfood, and they are full of monounsaturated, good-for-you fats. It contains many nutrients that benefit the brain, and regulate cholesterol. The monounsaturated fats and vitamin E reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Coconut: Coconut is widely misunderstood because of it’s high fat content; however, coconut’s saturated fat is made up of medium-chain fatty acids. These medium-chains are easy to absorb and digest, and are converted quickly into energy. Coconut is also a great source of dietary fiber with a whopping 5 grams per oz.!
- Chocolate: Click HERE for a post I did about all the benefits of chocolate.
- Bananas: Rich in potassium, bananas help the body’s circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain. This also helps maintain a regular heartbeat and a proper balance of water in the body. It also contains tryptophan to help relax you and lift your spirits!
- Chia: Click HERE for a post I did about all the benefits of chia.
I calculated the nutrition facts for the smacaroons because I was interested to see the calorie content for something made out of mostly almonds. Each Smacaroon is only about 100 calories! I would take one of these over those artificial, bland, cracker-like 100-calorie packs any day!
Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:
Do you follow recipes?
I never follow recipes really. I always change something in my food! I may glance over the ingredient list, but I always end up throwing whatever I want into the mix. I also rarely measure my ingredients. If it is the right consistency, it is probably fine!
Heather Eats Almond Butter says
Alex,
You have outdone yourself with this one my friend. I love your tropical twist, and you have me wanting to drive to the store right now for a banana! Also gotta remember to try your broiling trick at the end of baking. We would have so much fun in the kitchen together! 🙂
spoonfulofsugarfree says
We would have fun in the kitchen! I am still looking at Lipscomb, and I think I might visit it soon. I’ll let you know!
kay says
yay i love when I have all the right ingredients on hand for something that looks SO good! except, do you think coconut flour would work in place of the almond flour? my blender isn’t strong enough to grind almonds 🙁 , and I have coconut flour to use up.
spoonfulofsugarfree says
Hi Kay!
Coconut flour is very different than almond flour, but it is worth a try! I would suggest increasing the liquid (chia gel). Let me know how it turns out!
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather says
Alex these look amazing! What’s even cooler is that I have all the ingredients on hand so I’ll totally be making these this week! I’ll see how my friends like them too 🙂
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I kind of just want to make them because I love the name. Is that wrong? 🙂
spoonfulofsugarfree says
That is totally NOT wrong! In fact, I completely recommend it 😉
CHILIFLAKE says
these look so good!! and the broiling tip at the end – I must test that out on other things too! thanks for the great idea. xo
Kelsey @ Clean Teen Kelsey says
These look so great, Alex! I really want to make them, and I have everything on hand. Yayy. 🙂 The health benefits info is awesome, too!
IHeartVegetables says
Ok I’m making these like asap. They look so good!!!
Ma Ma Megan says
Lucky for me I just got some almond flour! woohoo once again looks delicious girl 🙂
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit says
mmm brilliant! I love using bananas in my macaroons too!
movesnmunchies says
I LOVE YOU ALEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Teenage Taste says
I love the Smacaroon idea! They look delicious and the name is so catchy! Smacaroooooons. I love it! Thanks for the recipe! 😀
jammed-thoughts says
I really need to get a blender so I can make some nut flour. These look fantastic!
jammed-thoughts says
*a BETTER blender I meant to say. Mine is dinky :p
spoonfulofsugarfree says
Or you could do it the had way with a plastic bag and a hammer 😛
Deanna says
These look delicious! I love that they would be only slightly (and naturally) sweet. I think I need to whip some up!
Jenny says
These look amazing!! And I’m awful with following recipes lol I always end up adding my own flavors in whatever it is.
seemichellecook says
Definitely making these for dessert tonight!
Kath (My Funny Little Life) says
Mmmmm, these look so delicious!
I’m not an exact recipe follower, I rather use recipes for inspirations but will always alter them a little.
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
I love the tropical twist on these. I have linked them to a Top 10 Recipes of the week I am hosting for fellow blogger Aubree Cherie who is currently travelling.
Brandae says
Just made these – added cinnamon and made half the batch with rolled oats. Didn’t have time to chop the Baker’s unsweetened squares so melted them with the cononut oil which made for a very chocolatey smacaroon. YUM! Thanks so much for your recipes! I love them! My two year old does too. 🙂
Brandae says
Meant to say the oats were in addition to the other ingredients. 🙂
Pure2raw twins says
AMAZING!!!! these look soooooooo goood!!! And I love the name 🙂
We barely follow recipes, we are always throwing this together off the top of our heads. It is nice though to get inspiration and see what others do!
Katelyn says
These look so great! I made macaroons this past weekend and have all the ingredients on hand. I will definitely make these!
Tara says
These look amazing! I know for a fact that I have every ingredient too. I just added it to my favorites 🙂
simplynutritiouskate says
I love almonds and these cookies look divine !
Jen says
I made these last night and they are A M A Z I N G!!!!!! The hubby and I couldn’t stop eating them and they’re so nutritious. We do not eat dairy or wheat so this recipe is quite the find!!!
spoonfulofsugarfree says
Yay 🙂 I am so glad you made them and liked them!!!!!
Serena says
These “smacaroons” look absolutely delicious. 🙂 I need to try baking them.
kissmybroccoli says
Oh wow Alex! These look absolutely incredible! Can’t wait to try out the recipe!
I used to follow recipes to a T! I wouldn’t even dare substituting any of the ingredients for fear I would ruin it! Now, I make my own creations either from scratch or like you said, by just looking over the list of ingredients. So glad I broke out of my shell because I’ve had so much more fun in the kitchen since I stopped worrying so much!
spoonfulofsugarfree says
I know! It is so much more fun, and it takes less time to do the dishes because I always use less 😉
barb says
I was just reading up on the benefits of chia gel. Holy smokers…..its amazing. I am now dedicated to chia seeds…in my smoothies, and now in your smackaroons!!!!
charmaine says
I don’t have any chia seeds. What do you think about flax gel instead?
spoonfulofsugarfree says
You can always give it a try! I’m sure it would work, but it might have a slightly different taste. I always think that flax seeds are very strongly flavored. Let me know how it goes!
Carolyn H. says
These look delicious!
Kaysie says
I just finished making these and they are fantastic! My banana was still a little green but I microwaved it and mashed it up anyways and added applesauce to make it sweeter. I think it turned out just fine!
spoonfulofsugarfree says
Hi Kaysie!
I am so glad you made (and liked!) the Smacaroons!!!! Thanks for letting me know-I love when people try my recipes!
Kelsey @ Clean Teen Kelsey says
Do you think these would work with oat flour instead of almond flour?
spoonfulofsugarfree says
Hi Kelsey!
You could try oat flour, but the almonds really taste fabulous in it. It is also extremely low-carb with the almonds compared to the oats. I have a recipe similar to this using oats here: http://spoonfulofsugarfree.com/2010/10/14/attack-of-the-sugar-free-monsters/
Good luck! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Lauren says
These were yummy! I’m 2/2 with your delicious recipes. Thanks Alex!
spoonfulofsugarfree says
Yay! I am so glad you liked them 🙂 I just got done making another batch for myself!
Rachel says
These look absolutely amazing – definitely making these tomorrow!
Amanda says
Hey! I was wondering what I could use instead of a banana for this recipe because bananas aren’t in season in Australia right now 😀
spoonfulofsugarfree says
Bananas aren’t in season? Wow! That is so interesting to learn! Honestly, you do not really need to use a banana. It is more for extra binding and flavor. You can still have a great almond+coconut+chocolate taste without it. I would just add more chia gel. If you want a more tropical taste, you can try adding in blended mango. Or try blending sweet potatoes or pumpkin. Anything soft will do, really. Without the banana, it will be a bit less sweet and have a different flavor, though.
Let me know how it turns out!
Tory says
I made them as soon as I saw the recipe…they are so fantastic…certainly a keeper.
Giving up sugar as been one of the hardest things to do…..until I found you…your a life saver and it is so much easier- a real heart felt thanks from me!!!
spoonfulofsugarfree says
Hi Tory!
Glad you liked the Smacaroons! They are one of my favs, too. And you are too sweet! I am so happy that sugar-free has been easier for you know 😀
Janelle says
I’m going to finally try these today & blog about them as part of my sugar-free challenge! I’ll link you up when I post it 🙂 Thanks for the recipe.
healthforthewin says
do you think it’d be alright if i used whole wheat flour and flax instead of the gel? i just don’t have a processor or chia on me 🙁
spoonfulofsugarfree says
I have never tried whole wheat flour, and honestly I do not know if it would turn out ok. I have used a mix of half oat flour/half almonds before and that turned out fine. Do you have a blender? If so, you could try using all oat flour (just blend oats until smooth-ok to have some whole oats). And I am sure the flax would work, or even add an egg if you aren’t vegan.
Good luck!
healthforthewin says
i think i’ll sub the flax for an egg and just use 2 cups of almond meal. is almond meal the same as almond flour though?
spoonfulofsugarfree says
Yeah, it is pretty much the same. Good luck!
Truth says
Absolutely love these and just today made a triple ginger version of them (a did add a bit of molasses and eliminated the chocolate). They turned out fabulous.
spoonfulofsugarfree says
I just checked them out on your site-and they look really great! will have to try.
Ashley R says
I just made these and I want to eat the entire cookie sheet by myself! I didn’t have coconut oil (at least any that wasn’t rancid), so I used your peanut butter frosting instead. Thanks for the recipe! Delicious.
spoonfulofsugarfree says
So glad you enjoyed them, Ashley!! Thanks for letting me know the pb worked. Will have to try!
adremiro says
Hey Alex,
I just wanted to let you know I made another batch. I have new substitutions! I used canned pumpkin instead of a banana (I made your macaroons, but realized I wanted something baked… So I turned them into smacaroons!). I also added about a teaspoon of lemon juice to the mix. I used coconut oil this time :)They’re currently in the oven, but the “batter” tastes AMAZING!
Your recipes always inspire me to change recipes. Thank you for the inspiration!
spoonfulofsugarfree says
Hello!!! So glad you enjoyed the smacks! I’ll have to try your variations! Sounds sort of like a pumpkin-chocolate chip macaroon…mmmm….
KatsHealthCorner says
What a great recipe! <3
Morgan says
Wowzahhhh. I made these last night and they are AMAZING. Thanks so much, Alex!
Sugar Free Alex says
Awww 😀 So glad you liked them, Morgan! I actually made some last night, too!!! We can enjoy them togethah!
Suzie says
Hi,
What can I use instead of banana? I am sugar free so I can’t eat it! they look delicious.
Cheers,
Suzie
Sugar Free Alex says
Suzie,
I’ve never tried making it with anything but a banana, but you can try a different kind of mashed vegetable like sweet potato maybe? Or increase the liquid and dry ingredients.