There is nothing like being away for a long weekend, only to come back to half a dozen of appointments. If you are just tuning in, the past few days my mother and I have been in Austin, Texas, attending the Paleof(x) conference. Though it was definitely exhausting on my end, we had a blast, and I will be writing more on the subject in the close future. Of course, not blogging for almost a week has left me itching to get a recipe posted. Therefore, I decided to share a recipe that utilizes cricket flour, since, after all, that is all the craze now in days. Ultimately, the cooking stemmed from me wanting to create a macaroon without coconut. I know, I know, it sounds like an odd endeavor, however, I am happy to say that these fluffy, fruit sweetened morsels packed with sustainable protein were a complete success. As previously seen in my cinnamon graham crackers, no-bake fig newton bars, no-bake carrot cake truffles, soda bread, and blueberry streusel muffins, I used my favorite combination of cricket and tigernut flour, to give the cookies a nutty taste that banana bread would otherwise have. Overall, whether you are new to the world of insect protein or not, I urge you to jump the hurdle and purchase a bag of cricket flour, as these pillow cookies will help you realize just how palatable it can be.
On top of sharing a recipe that features cricket flour, I also wanted to give folks a chance to try out one of my families favorite pale0-friendly protein bars to date. Exo bars were created by two college students, Gabi and Greg, of whom I actually got to meet this past week at Paleof(x). Not only are the bars gluten, grain, soy, and dairy free, but they also highlight one of the most popular, sustainable protein sources much like today’s banana bread cookies. Once I got my family on the insect protein bandwagon, it was not hard for them to fall in love with Exo’s bars. Being a chocolate lover, my mother’s favorite is the cocoa-nut, while my father was a big fan of both the apple and blueberry flavors, and therefore could not make up his mind. Today’s giveaway highlights all three of these flavors, of which one lucky individual will win. If you are not the winner, make sure to stick around, as there will be a special coupon code coming after the giveaway has finished! To learn more about “why crickets” make sure to visit Exo’s page here. As a note, Exo protein bars contain nuts and seeds, thus making them non-compliant to AIP. (GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US RESIDENTS ONLY, RUNS 4/29-5/6)
*USE THE PROMO CODE BEYONDTHEBITE TO GET 15% OF YOUR NEXT EXO BAR ORDER (runs to January 2016)
Banana Bread Pillow Cookies
Print Recipe
(Makes 1 dozen)
Ingredient
- 1/2 cup pureed yellow plantain (from 2 plantains)
- 1/4 cup non-hydrogenated palm shortening
- 8 medjool dates – pitted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cricket flour
- 1/4 cup tigernut flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Process
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place pitted dates in a small bowl, and soak in very hot water until soft (10-15 minutes).
- To prepare the plantain, peel and puree 2 plantains in the food processor, then transfer to a jar and set aside for later use.
- Back in a food processor, combine 1/2 cup pre-pureed plantain, soaked and softened dates, shortening, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add in cricket flour, tigernut flour, sea salt, baking soda, and cinnamon, and continue to puree until a smooth cookie dough has formed.
- Use a cookie scoop to transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, placing the dough about 3-4 inches apart.
- Put the cookie sheet in the oven and allow the cookies to bake until gold around the edges, 15 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool for at least five minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack for further cooling.
- Store cookies in the fridge for maximum shelf life.
Recipe Notes
I prefer to purchase my cricket flour from Next Millennium Farms and (or) Aketta.
2 Peter 3:8-9 “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
My dad eats some of the worst “protein bars.” I’d love to be able to have him try Exo instead!
We have a local insectarium that serves insect protein (bbq crickets, mealy worm cookies) and my boys love them. I would love to try these.
Wow, that is awesome!
Insect protein is very interesting. I’m glad that it is AIP friendly and I am definitely willing to give it a try.
I’d try it!
I haven’t tried cricket flour yet, but I’m certainly interested in it! Seems like a great sustainable protein to have around. 🙂
I think it is an interesting option for environmental consideration and protein!
As you know we adore cricket flour and I use it when ever I can. These sound very yummy!
I love this flavor combo, Gabriella! Great idea. I’m also a huge fan of plantain-based baked goods. They’re a staple in my pancakes.
I’m all about the insect protein ;). One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Seattle has a roasted grasshopper appetizer that I order every time I go, but I have yet to try cricket flour. It’s next on my list. Thanks for sharing!
Insect protein seems like a great sustainable choice for an alternative protein. I appreciate your recipes that incorporate it, as I would be lost for ideas otherwise.
I would really like to try this.
Thanks for the giveaway! Would love to”try before I buy” as its expensive if I don’t like it.
But I LOVE cassava flour! More recipes please!
Don’t worry, I have many cassava recipes in the works 🙂
I am so excited about these Exo bars! Cricket protein sounds awesome, I’d love to try them! Thanks for another great recipe too, I’ll have to get some cricket flour.
Hi Gabriella!
I want to tell you how blessed I am by your blog. I love how openly you share your heart and thoughts. Your hope and joy in Jesus is so beautiful, encouraging SO many to push onward in health struggles and life’s journey, knowing that the Lord has so perfectly laid everything out for His glory and our joy. You inspire me. <3
This recipe look fantastic! I happen to have a plantain, but haven't ever bought either cricket or cassava flour! Now is maybe a good time! 🙂 Only ever had one exo bar, but I really thoroughly enjoyed it and really like the concept of cricket flour. Thanks for doing the giveaway!
How do I get past the “gross” factor of ingesting dried bugs? Other than that, the recipes look great. Any advice?
Really enjoy your blog and creative recipes! Please – what can I substitute for cricket flour? I recently tested sensitive to shellfish & you mention on your AIP Flour List that folks sensitive to shellfish may also be sensitive to crickets.
Thank you & keep those recipes coming! Blessings!
Hi Denise,
I haven’t tried the cookies with any other flours, however, using all tigernut flour may work very well! If you can have nuts, pecan or almond flour (or) meal would also work. Replacing the 1/2 cup of cricket flour with 1/4 cup of tapioca and 1/4 cup of tigernut flour may also be a good blend.