Ch, Ch, Ch, Chattering Chia!
How flippin’ cold is it?! This whole 25 degrees thing is not fabulous. My teeth chatter every time I go outside! Okay, mini- rant over 
Let’s get to the chia!
I’m a little behind on the chia seed bandwagon. I’ve seen it on many blogs and quite frankly, I found them scary. I remember chia being those seeds that grew grass on a terracotta “pet”. You know, something your mom bought you in lieu of a real one!
Yeah, not too appetizing, right? But, after doing some research, chia seeds turn out to be a nutritional powerhouse. This edible seed is actually a member of the mint family. It is very rich in omega-3 fatty acid and a huge source of fiber – a little less than an ounce gives you 6.9 grams of fiber.
The interesting thing about chia seeds is that when added to water, a gel forms around the seeds. This gel can be used in a variety of ways, but what was especially attractive to me is its ability to be used in baked goods as a replacement for eggs or oil.
In the interest of science, I had to experiment! 
Fortunately, I didn’t have to search high and low for these seeds. My local farmer’s market carried these in the bulk foods section…
I couldn’t help chanting, “Ch, ch, ch, chia” after I bought these! If you don’t remember that ridiculous commercial, here’s a reminder…
Sorry, if I gave you that ear worm for the rest of the day 
So, I decided to try out the chia seeds as an egg replacement for another breakfast cookie. First, I made the “gel” placing one heaping tablespoon of chia seeds in a bowl with about 8 tbsp. water. After about 15 minutes, it looked like this…
Hard to tell from the pic, but there was definitely some gel action going on in there.
I used my recipe for Banana Walnut Breakfast Cookies for the chia experiment with a few changes…
Banana Chia Breakfast Cookies
- 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 cup oat bran
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, unpacked
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 large overripe banana, mashed
- chia gel, made from 1 tbsp. chia seeds and 8 tbsp. water
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp. vanilla
In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp. chia seeds with 8 tbsp. water. Set aside for 15 minutes until gel forms.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine flour, bran, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
In a smaller bowl, combine chia gel with banana, applesauce and vanilla.
Add banana mixture to oat mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1/3 measuring cup sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, scoop batter and place mounds on lined cookie sheet.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 15-18 minutes. Makes 5 big cookies.
I dug into one for breakfast…
Result: Delicious!
I noticed that by using the chia gel, the cookies had a nice lift and retained their shape instead of flattening out. Visually, I like the flattened out look because the cookie “looks bigger” to me! I’m all about the volume! Texturally (is that a word?), it was much lighter and more muffin-like than my other breakfast cookies. So, maybe this is more of a muffin-top than a cookie! I’ll try out my muffin top pan next and flattening it out a bit before baking.
Overall, I was happy with the way these came out. Surprisingly, the chia seeds had no flavor to speak of or texture for that matter. They generally seemed to blend in to the cookie, so all I really tasted is sweet banana goodness.
I didn’t get a chance to do a nutritional breakdown for these, but I will do that and edit the post for those who are interested.
(*edit: I calculated the nutrition facts using www.calorieking.com)
Nutrition facts per cookie: 157 calories, 1.4 grams fat, 5 grams fiber, 4.1 grams protein and 34 grams carbohydrates.
Tomorrow is my “blog update day”, so I hope to have my recipe page and some Q & A’s posted for you . *fingers crossed*
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Have a great day, everyone!
Do you like to try out or experiment with new “health food” finds?
Questions? Email me! aloserforlife@gmail.com
22 comments
i love chia! i usually make “chia pudding” with a banana and some almond milk… i’ve always wanted to try them in baking, but never had the chance! i’m really glad you posted your “experiment”! thanks a lot!
-adorkable
http://www.cutertush.blogspot.com
I have not taken my trip on the chia bandwagon…yet. But this might be the straw that breaks the camels back. Speaking of camels…I wonder if there’s a camel shaped chia pet?
Haha, ear worm. I like that saying.
I haven’t jumped on the chia bandwagon yet – I want to make that chia pudding I’ve seen around blogland.
Chia seeds are definitely one of those scary foods for me. Including them in breakfast cookies makes them look so usable, maybe I’ll give them a chance now!
Those look excellent! I’d love to see the NI, when you have the chance
I haven’t seen Chia seeds anywhere near me yet though – I’ll keep looking!
These look great, I’d love the nutrition breakdown if you have time to do it.
I put chia in just about everything, even un-gelled, it doesn’t add any flavour but a nice crunchy texture to cereal, oatmeal, soup…on and on.
I actually had these in my hand the last time I was at Organza in Winnipeg and I put them down for the EXACTSAMEREASON. Ch-ch-ch-chia. It was just too weird for me! Thanks for being the guinea pig. Chia seeds instead of eggs, eh! Brilliant. (Now there’s a little Canada for ya)
How funny that we both published Chia recipes today LOL!!!!!
I just ordered some Chia seeds on Amazon last night. I can’t wait to get them!
Interesting swap out there! Cool!
Hi, another chiming in for the nutritional info! I’d love to know if I could fit chia seeds into my WeightWatchers points for the day.
I was just gifted chia seeds and now I have a recipe to try put!! Yur cookies look great.
Ooo I will have to try these for breakfast! Chia is so good for you
that song goes through my head every single time i use chia seeds, without fail.
I too love that song… Where on earth have I been. I just read another blog (I can’t remember) how t hey made those cookies. I did not realize you could eat those chia seeds.
I love having a cookie with my coffee but they really dig into my points and I hate to start my morning off that way. I suppose I could get the seeds at the health food store, right?
I had NO CLUE you could eat those things!! I want to eat some chi-chi-chia now! lol
I have been meaning to try chia seeds. And whenever I read about them, I also have the chia pet commercial “playing” in my head…
I looooove my chia and now usually do the JELLY and spread on bread.
if only I could get the husband on the chiawagon too…
I’ve never found chia seeds by me, but we sent my FIL a Chia Obama head for Christmas!
My only suggestion would be to up the baking powder to 1 tsp. let the batter sit (like pancakes) and you’ll have fluffier cookies.
They look delicious though!
Oh my… I haven’t had lunch yet. Why did I stumble across this blog post!? Haha…I didn’t know you could eat Chia seeds though. That’s pretty cool Marisa. The cookie that you made looks delicious.
yes! I love chia and have them every morning in my oats! I used to want a chia pet so bad but never got one
good thing because now it just looks liek it would have been a waste of money LOL
those cookies look AWESOME!
[...] was Part 2 of The Chia Experiment. Last night, I couldn’t resist trying out another recipe using these interesting chia [...]