This healthy cookie dough dip is the perfect afternoon snack, using the natural sweetness of California raisins.
Disclosure: I was asked to participate in the California Raisins. Sweet. Naturally. as a member of the Healthy Aperture Blogger Network. I received free samples of the California Raisins used in this post. I was compensated for my time.
I might make a commission for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you.
While most days, I keep raisins around for a wholesome snack, this Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Dip takes the cake cookie for the best after school snack I have ever made.
After school snacks aren't typically known for their contributions to a nutritious diet.
Most people start snacking on cookies, pretzels, you name it, right when they walk in the door after a long day of school, work, whatever.
But that's so unfortunate because snacks are an excellent opportunity to fill your body with nourishing foods that help keep your energy up throughout the day.
I understand that it can be hard to pass up those cravings for refined carbohydrates and sugar-filled snacks when you are looking for a quick energy boost, but have no fear, I am here to resolve that issue.
Or better yet, California raisins are here to satisfy those sweet cravings.
Raisins? Yes, raisins!
California Raisins are all-natural, unsweetened, delicious, portable little bundles of nutrition - full of antioxidants, fiber and potassium {both 9% of recommended intake}, and iron {6% of recommended intake per 1/4 cup serving}.
I love how California raisins are an inexpensive, simple, and tasty way to get nutrients into my diet.
They can be eaten alone or enjoyed in this dip.
And fun fact: California raisins eaten as an after school snack have also been shown to increase feelings of fullness and may prevent excessive calorie intake in children.
I love how they are multi-purpose in the Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Dip, as both the costar {oatmeal + raisin} and a member of the supporting cast of ingredients {they are the sweetener in the recipe}.
You start by blending the California raisins with some chickpeas, nut or seed butter (I used almond butter in the original recipe pictured but made it again with sunflower seed butter and it was yummy!), and liquid (warm water, vanilla extract, and almond extract).
Process that mixture until smooth and add in some oats, salt, and cinnamon. Process until it is the desired consistency.
Then to make it taste even more like oatmeal raisin cookie dough, I stirred in extra raisins and oats.
I really appreciated that it didn't need extra sugar, but I decided to add an extra teaspoon of maple syrup just to see if it made it taste better.
It's really not necessary, so I'd leave it out and only add the teaspoon amount if needed.
Note: the cookie dough dip tastes better after it sits in the fridge for a few hours or so. The raisins' sweetness intensifies a little so I found that adding the maple syrup made it a little too sweet.
Friends, I don't have children, but the kid in me sure did look forward to coming home and eating my Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Dip with a spoon some sliced apples for my filling and satisfying after school work snack.
Visit the California Raisins website for more information about California raisins.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Dip
Ingredients
- 15 ounce can chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 3/4 cup California raisins divided
- 2 tablespoon nut butter almond butter, sunflower seed butter, peanut butter}
- 2 tablespoon warm water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats or quick cooking, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1-2 teaspoon maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Add the chickpeas, 1/2 cup California raisins, nut butter, warm water, vanilla extract, and almond extract, if using, to a food processor.
- Blend until completely smooth.
- Add in 1/2 cup oats, cinnamon, and salt, and process until combined. Taste and add one teaspoon maple syrup* if desired.
- Transfer to a bowl and stir in remaining 1/4 cup each California raisins and oats.
- Best if refrigerated for at least 1 hour before serving. Keeps up to 5 days refrigerated.
Notes
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*
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What to use in this recipe:
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Meme
Looking for other bean-based dips? Try some of these delicious ones from the archives:
Coconut Almond Cookie Dough Dip
Rachael@AnAvocadoADay says
OM GEE this looks awesome! Pretty pictures!
Meme says
Thanks lady!!
Min says
Finally! I've been waiting to see the recipe since Saturday! I've actually never added both vanilla and almond extract in a recipe. And you know I love the addition of sunflower seed butter ;).
Meme says
Haha I hope it was worth the wait 😉
And oh how I am obsessed with adding just a little bit of almond extract to things. It helps bring out the sweetness with being too much. But make sure you don't go overboard or it can overpower everything {eek!}
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
yeah... this looks sooo good. put this in front of me and I'll dig in! love how you served this with apples.
Meme says
Thanks Kristina! It is deeeeeelish 🙂 I usually cut the apples and end up eating it with a spoon haha
Liz - Meal Makeover Mom says
That looks yummy, and healthy, and the perfect snack for anyone who wants to improve their diet! The no-bake element works for me!
Meme says
Thanks Liz! Gotta love a no-bake recipe when it's too hot to turn on the oven. Or when you're feeling just a little tiny bit lazy 😉
Cassie @ Almost Getting It Together says
This looks so good! I'm pinning to try soon 🙂
Meme says
Thanks Cassie! 🙂
gretchen | kumquat says
i haven't ever made/tried a cookie dough dip, but this one is where i would start. brilliant addition of almond extract.... and i love that raisin image!!
Meme says
Oh Gretchen, you absolutely must try it! Rarely does a week pass without me making some version of cookie dough dip.
Thanks for the photo love. I took this before Blog Brûlée but have been using your tips/advice for my future photos 🙂
Louise C says
Great snack with honeycrisp apples!!! Thanks Meme!!
Meme says
You will love it Louise! It's also delish with a spoon 😉
Sid says
This raisin cookie dough dip is so delicious, love it. Thanks for posting.
Meme says
So glad you liked it!! 🙂
Nicole says
Hi! I'd love to be able to pin this recipe on pintrest but it's not letting me and saying that the image can't be saved...am I doing something wrong or can this be changed?
Thanks!
Meme says
Hi Nicole! Thanks for letting me know. I have no idea why it was doing that. But it should be working now if you click the Pinterest share button on the left side of the page or at the button of the post. Thanks again and have a great day! xo