Soft, chewy, gluten-free cookies with a sneaky-high protein boost… and an egg-free option that doesn’t taste like sadness.
This recipe has been evolving in my kitchen for seven years—through different seasons of healing, food sensitivities, and allergy “plot twists” that forced me to keep baking without the usual backup dancers (wheat, eggs, standard sugar, etc.). And this version? It’s the one my family asks for on repeat.
The real star here is the thing I almost never see other people using in baked goods: konjac “eggs.” If you can’t use eggs (or you’re baking for someone who can’t), you’ve probably tried flax eggs, chia eggs, banana, applesauce… and then wondered why your cookie tastes like fish, looks like a swamp, or turns into banana bread cosplay.
Konjac is different. It gels beautifully, carries no competing flavor, and behaves like a neutral binder—so your cookies still taste like cookies. It’s been my most reliable egg swap for the right recipes, and it plays incredibly well with tahini + tigernut flour.
The idea to use konjac root as an egg replacement came to me the very day my allergy test came back and I realized eggs were off the table — at least for that season.
Why You’ll Love These
- Paleo + grain-free (tigernut is a tuber, not a nut)
- Egg-free option that stays neutral in flavor
- No “pressing” needed—this dough spreads on its own
- Flexible sweetener: allulose for low-sugar, or maple sugar for a more classic cookie vibe
- Protein boost from collagen peptides (without changing the flavor profile)
Ingredient Notes & Smart Swaps
- Tahini: Gives structure, richness, and that “bakery cookie” chew. You can swap another nut/seed butter, but tahini is the magic.
- Tigernut flour: Naturally sweet + cookie-friendly. It’s a different texture than almond/coconut flour—don’t sub 1:1 without expecting changes.
- Konjac “eggs”: This is my favorite neutral egg-free binder when eggs can’t be used—neutral flavor, clean structure, and no weird aftertaste. Not fishy (flax), not dark (chia), not banana-y (banana). Just… behaves.
- Chocolate chips: I use ChocZero or Goalz. If you use standard dark chocolate chips, sweetness and sugar will rise.
- Monk fruit extract powder: A tiny amount goes a long way—this is to lift sweetness.
- Allulose: Balances and lowers blood sugar. Quality brands extract it from figs and raisins.
Quick note: previous versions of this recipe using coconut flour, sesame flour, or almond flour required pressing the dough. This version is wetter and spreads on its own—so scoop, drop, bake, and let the oven do its job.
Make These With Your Kids (or Hide Them From Your Kids)
These are the kind of cookies that disappear “mysteriously” from the counter. If you bake them, tag me so I can celebrate your tray like it’s a minor holiday.