Spiced Plantain Cookies (vegan, grain-free, nut-free, autoimmune)

Ali Segersten Mar 22, 2018 5 comments

Elimination diet cookies made from plantains! You'll love these chewy spice cookies if you are following our Elimination Diet or another special diet such as an autoimmune diet, gluten-free diet, paleo diet, or vegan diet! They are also a perfect treat to introduce to older babies and toddlers—once your baby is okay chewing soft foods, try making these cookies.

Use this recipe during Phase 2 of our Elimination Diet program.

While on an elimination diet, you'll find that many of the foods you are accustomed to eating everyday are off-limits—which means that you'll get to experience new flavors and new foods! The Elimination Diet keeps out sweets and treats for the most part, but we also know how wonderful it is to have something comforting to eat, like these cookies made from super nutritious plantains! This recipe has been slightly adapted from a recipe I created for the FREE Elimination Diet Cookbook that you can download when you purchase the Elimination Diet Book.

If you are curious about trying an Elimination Diet and you're not sure where to begin, check out our Elimination Diet book and an online Elimination Diet Support Program, both of which provide excellent tools that walk you through each step of an Elimination Diet.

Recipe from our Meal Planner

Spiced Plantain Cookies

Servings
12 cookies
Cook Time
15 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes

Serve cookies with warm spice tea or rooibos tea—a tasty and nutritious elimination diet treat! If you don't have a kitchen scale then peel and thinly slice your plantains, and then measure out 2 cups—that should equal about a pound of plantains.

Tip

Look for greenish-yellow plantains for this recipe. To peel, take a paring knife and cut the ends off, then run the knife down one of the ridges on the plantain. Gently peel the plantain open.

Ingredients
1 pounds unripe plantains peeled and chopped (about 2 medium)
6 tablespoons organic palm shortening
⅓ cups coconut sugar
¼ cups arrowroot powder
2 tablespoons coconut flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoons ground ginger
½ teaspoons baking soda
¼ teaspoons sea salt
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
  2. Place the chopped plantains into a food processor fitted with the “s” blade; process until very smooth and creamy. Make sure you process as long as possible to get an ultra smooth texture!
  3. Add the shortening and coconut sugar and process again until incorporated.
  4. Add the remaining ingredients and process until combined. The dough should look like traditional chocolate chip cookie dough. The longer it sits, the firmer it will become as the coconut flour absorbs moisture.
  5. Drop dough by the large spoonful onto the cookie sheet. With wet or oiled hands, gently flatten each cookie.
  6. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cookies are soft and chewy, not crunchy. Serve warm or store in a glass jar and store on your counter for up to 4 days.

Use this recipe in our Meal Planner

Take a Tour View Recipe

Posted In
autoimmune baked goods Christmas cookies dessert egg-free elimination diet grain-free holidays nut-free paleo phase 2 plantains recipe
ALI-2023-PHOTO-VERTICAL-2

About the Author

Alissa Segersten, MS, CN

Alissa Segersten, MS, CN, is the founder of Nourishing Meals®, an online meal-planning membership with over 1,800 nourishing recipes and tools to support dietary change and better health. As a functional nutritionist, professional recipe developer, and author of The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, Nourishing Meals, and co-author of The Elimination Diet, she helps people overcome health challenges through food. A mother of five, Alissa understands the importance of creating nutrient-dense meals for the whole family. Rooted in science and deep nourishment, her work makes healthy eating accessible, empowering thousands to transform their well-being through food.

See More

Nourishing Meals Newsletter

Email updates.

Add Comment

Comments

Oct 07, 2023 | 3:35am

Submitted by Becky (visitor) on Sat, 10/07/2023 - 03:35

Permalink

I am OBSESSED with these cookies! During the elimination phase of AIP there is nothing more exciting than finding a super delicious cookie recipe. Thank you so much for sharing this! (:

Jan 12, 2022 | 4:37pm

Submitted by Kristen (visitor) on Wed, 01/12/2022 - 16:37

Permalink

If I wanted to sub olive oil for the shortening, would it be the same quantity?

Jan 13, 2022 | 5:13pm

Hi Kristen,
I have not tested this recipe with olive oil, but I would probably start with slightly less, maybe 5 tablespoons.

Jan 03, 2022 | 11:42am

Submitted by ap.… on Mon, 01/03/2022 - 11:42

Permalink

WOW!!! These are delicious! Thank you for the recipe!

Jan 03, 2022 | 5:50pm

Thanks Pam! So glad you enjoyed these! :)

Related Posts

How To Successfully Implement an Elimination Diet
Mar 15, 2025

Unlocking Your Health: Using Nourishing Meals® to Successfully Implement an Elimination Diet (video)

If you’ve ever struggled with chronic symptoms—digestive discomfort, brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, skin issues, or any number of persistent health concerns—you may have wondered whether the foods you eat are playing a role. The truth is, what you put on your plate can either nourish your body or contribute to inflammation and imbalance. This is where an elimination diet becomes a powerful tool for self-discovery and transformation. Embarking on an elimination diet can feel overwhelming at first—figuring out what to eat, ensuring balanced nutrition, and staying motivated are all key factors in success. This is where Nourishing Meals® becomes an invaluable tool in your journey.

Read More
autoimmune trigger foods-1
Mar 11, 2025

How Food Sensitivities Trigger Autoimmunity: The Hidden Connection

Autoimmune diseases are on the rise, affecting millions of people worldwide and leaving many struggling with unexplained symptoms, chronic pain, and fatigue. While genetics play a role, emerging research highlights the profound influence of environmental factors—especially diet—on the development and progression of autoimmunity. The foods we eat can either calm inflammation and support immune balance or trigger immune overactivity, leading the body to mistakenly attack its own tissues. This means that every meal is either contributing to healing or fueling disease. The connection between food and autoimmunity is powerful, and for those suffering from conditions like Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease, dietary changes can be life-changing.

Read More
PATHWAYS TO HEALING SUNSET ROAD-3
Mar 03, 2025

The Elimination Diet: A Path to Healing and Personalized Nutrition

Food has a profound impact on our health, influencing everything from digestion and inflammation to energy levels and mental clarity. But for many, certain foods can trigger unwanted symptoms without them even realizing it. An Elimination Diet is a structured approach to identifying food sensitivities and intolerances by removing common trigger foods for a period of time, then systematically reintroducing them to observe how the body reacts. Unlike food allergies, which cause an immediate immune reaction, food sensitivities often create delayed or chronic symptoms that can be difficult to pinpoint. These reactions may manifest as digestive distress, fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, migraines, skin conditions, sinus congestion, or autoimmune flare-ups.

Read More
Dec 30, 2017

Tigernut Flour Apple Crisp (grain-free, nut-free, paleo, vegan)

I'm excited to be sharing this amazing apple crisp recipe with you today. It's made with prebiotic-rich tigernut flour, which is a healthy, grain-free, nut-free, gluten-free flour. Going on an elimination diet can be challenging sometimes, especially during the holidays and family gatherings where food plays such an integral role in the celebration. Having alternatives that are just as tasty as your old favorites can make it much easier to stick to your new diet.
Read More