Teff Chocolate and Hazelnut Cookies: Gluten-Friendly Cookie Recipe

DELICIOUS GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Are you a cookie lover? I certainly am. I don’t bake cookies every day because once I start, I can’t stop — so when I do make them I use wholesome, nourishing ingredients.

These cookies are high in protein and fiber, simple to prepare, and dangerously tasty. The combination of nutrient-dense teff flour and the roasted, nutty intensity of hazelnuts creates a delightful chocolate cookie with great texture and flavor. They’re satisfying and will likely have you reaching for another.

Enjoy them for breakfast with a glass of plant-based milk or a cup of coffee, as a healthy snack, or as an afternoon pick-me-up. They are gluten-free, vegan, and soy-free.

MEET THE KEY INGREDIENTS

The cookies rely on teff flour, roasted hazelnuts, cacao powder, and coconut cream for flavor and structure, with coconut sugar for sweetness.

Roasting the hazelnuts (see How to roast hazelnuts) brings out a richer, crunchier, more intense nut flavor that complements the teff and cacao. You can use raw hazelnuts if you prefer, but roasted nuts give the best taste.

WHY I LOVE TEFF FLOUR?

Teff flour is a nutritious, gluten-free flour packed with calcium and fiber, making it a good option for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It has an earthy, slightly sweet, and mildly nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate. Teff blends well with other gluten-free flours and is versatile enough for waffles, cookies, bread, crackers, muffins, and pancakes.

Although teff can be pricier than more common flours, its flavor and nutrition make it worth using in special recipes like these cookies.

TEFF FLOUR – NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

Per 100 g teff flour:
Calories: 367
Total Fat: 2.4 g
Carbs: 73.2 g
Fiber: 8 g
Protein: 13.3 g

HAZELNUTS – ROASTING FOR THAT EXTRA CRUNCH

Hazelnuts are calorie-dense but rich in healthy fats and nutrients. Roasting intensifies their flavor, adds crunch, and elevates desserts quickly — typically in under 15 minutes with simple oven roasting. Because nuts are high in fat, dry roasting is a good method to avoid added oils.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE

One ounce (28 g) of hazelnuts contains:
Calories: 176
Total Fat: 17 g
Carbs: 4.7 g
Fiber: 2.7 g
Protein: 4.2 g

HOW TO ROAST HAZELNUTS

Roasting brings out deeper flavor and crispness:

Preheat the oven to 175 °C. Spread hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 10–15 minutes, shaking or stirring the tray every 5 minutes for even browning. When they are golden and fragrant, remove them from the oven and transfer immediately to a plate or another sheet to cool.

HOW TO MAKE TEFF CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT COOKIES

A complete ingredient list with exact amounts and full instructions is provided in the recipe card below.

STEP 1

Preheat the oven to 180 °C and line a baking sheet with non-stick parchment paper.

STEP 2

Prepare chia “eggs”: grind chia seeds, then mix 2 tablespoons (about 10 g) ground chia with 6 tablespoons water. Stir and let sit a few minutes until thickened.

STEP 3

Gently melt the coconut cream in a small pot over low heat, stirring until smooth. Allow to cool slightly.

NOTE ON COCONUT CREAM

Use full-fat canned coconut milk chilled overnight so the cream separates from the liquid. Scoop the thickened cream for best results.

STEP 4

In a bowl combine the dry ingredients: teff flour, white rice flour, tapioca flour, ground roasted hazelnuts, cacao powder, coconut sugar, and baking powder.

Add the melted coconut cream, 2–3 tablespoons coconut oil, and the chia “eggs.” Use a hand mixer for a couple of minutes until the mixture starts to come together. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. The dough may look crumbly at first — use your hands to press and knead until it holds together.

STEP 5 (OPTIONAL)

Stir in 30–40 g finely chopped dark chocolate (85% cacao) by hand if you want extra chocolatey bites. The cookies are delicious without this addition as well.

STEP 6

Shape the dough into cookies by hand or press it onto parchment and cut with a cookie cutter. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.

STEP 7

Bake for approximately 18–20 minutes, depending on cookie size, until set.

STEP 8

Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the sheet; they will firm up as they cool.

TEFF CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT COOKIES ARE:

Gluten-free
Vegan
Soy-free
High in fiber
High in protein
Easy to make

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Teff Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

Nensi Beram

Healthy gluten-free teff chocolate hazelnut cookies are perfect as an afternoon pick-me-up. High in fiber, high in protein, and extremely yummy.

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Cuisine Gluten-free, Vegan

Servings 0

Equipment

Cookie cutter

Ingredients

100 g teff flour
30 g white rice flour
20 g tapioca flour
100 g roasted hazelnuts, ground
50 g cacao powder
100 g coconut sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
100 g coconut cream (thickened from full-fat canned coconut milk)
2–3 tablespoons coconut oil
2 chia ‘eggs’ (2 tbsp ground chia + 6 tbsp water)
30–40 g chopped dark chocolate (85% cacao) — optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180 °C and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Grind chia seeds and combine 2 tablespoons (≈10 g) with 6 tablespoons water. Stir and let thicken.
Melt coconut cream over low heat until smooth; cool slightly.
Whisk together dry ingredients: teff, rice flour, tapioca, ground hazelnuts, cacao, coconut sugar, and baking powder.
Add melted coconut cream, 2–3 tbsp coconut oil, and chia ‘eggs.’ Mix with a hand mixer until the mixture starts to hold together. Use hands to press the dough until it becomes cohesive.
Optional: fold in finely chopped dark chocolate by hand.
Shape the dough into cookies or roll out on parchment and cut with a cookie cutter. Place on the baking sheet.
Bake for about 18–20 minutes, depending on size.
Let the cookies cool on the sheet; they will firm up as they cool.

Serving suggestion

Drizzle with extra melted chocolate if desired.

Notes

Chill a can of full-fat coconut milk overnight without shaking so the cream separates and is easy to scoop.

Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Your feedback is appreciated.

* Nutritional information is calculated automatically and should be used as an estimate.

Keyword
chocolate cookies, gluten-free chocolate cookies, healthy snack, teff hazelnut cookies