Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

These gluten-free Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies use 100% buckwheat flour, for a nutritional blast of earthy goodness that is over-the-top when paired with dark chocolate and a touch of flaky sea salt.

This recipe happens to be gluten-free and nut-free. Unlike 99% of the recipes you'll find on Hypothyroid Chef, these do contain some dairy (butter) and sugar (brown sugar). I'll share why I made an exception for these below. 

This cookie dough freezes beautifully, and disks of dough can be kept frozen for up to 3 months, for freshly baked Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies, on demand! 

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Chef's Notes: 

Thyroid Thrivers, I've been keeping these from you. They’ve been hiding in my personal recipe binder for years. I’ve made them several times for my family, but I’ve been hesitant to share them here because at Hypothyroid Chef, I try not to post recipes that contain dairy or refined sugar, and this recipe uses real butter and brown sugar.

If those ingredients don't work for you, check out some of my other sweet recipes, like Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bliss Balls, as an alternative. 

The thing about thyroid-healthy eating is that while there are common dietary triggers, there is no one-size-fits-all 'thyroid diet.' That's why I provide thyroid-healthy options to suit YOUR needs! Whether that means gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, soy-free, Paleo, or AIP, I always tag each recipe with the dietary compliance so that you can easily find the recipes that work for you.

Here’s why I decided to break the rules and post these:

• Because it’s hard to find gluten-free baked goods that the whole family enjoys, and my family begs me to make these.
• Because I know plenty of you out there eat dairy and don’t have a problem with real butter.
• Because so many people are allergic to tree nuts (including my son), which makes nut-flour-based cookie recipes a no-go.
• Because buckwheat is an incredibly nutrient-dense ingredient, and it’s the primary ingredient in these cookies. 

Funny story: This is not a Hypothyroid Chef original recipe.

Years ago, I picked up a free recipe card at my local natural grocery store after tasting a freshly-baked sample of these cookies and having my socks blown off. There was no author listed on the card. I like to give recipe credit where credit is due, so I donned my detective hat and searched online…to no avail.

Next, I decided to go straight to the source and called the store. It's kind of like Whole Foods, except that it's locally owned and not a chain, so I knew the recipe had come from in-house. Although customer service, the marketing department, and the bakery all tried to help me crack the case, we could not pinpoint a recipe author. They were able to confirm, however, that it was adapted from another recipe by someone in their bakery back in 2016.

That's as close as I came to identifying the original cookie creator. If you happen to be the creator of these cookies and came across them on the interwebs, thank you! And please send me an email at [email protected] so I can credit you for this delectable and cherished recipe!

What Is Buckwheat?

Buckwheat is not a grain but rather the seed of a plant related to rhubarb. Buckwheat also boasts some unique nutritional factors, including resistant fiber, bioflavonoids, tannins, and bound antioxidants.

Buckwheat is seriously AMAZING. I love it for its flavor, its nutrition profile, and the fact that it’s not an actual grain. 

You can use buckwheat in flour form or find it in buckwheat soba noodles. It’s also delicious in whole form as a savory side dish, like Kasha or Buckwheat Groats. It’s also a featured ingredient in these Sesame Carrots with Kasha, which is toasted buckwheat.

Most buckwheat recipes out there for things like cookies, pancakes, or waffles contain primarily all-purpose wheat flour with just a touch of buckwheat flour. This recipe is different. It uses only buckwheat flour for nutrition, texture, and a beguiling earthy flavor that isn't quite like any other chocolate chip cookie you've had.

Thyroid-healthy Recipe Highlights:

• Buckwheat flour is gluten-free and very high in many nutrients, including magnesium. It’s also a good source of dietary fiber, which can relieve constipation and support gut health. For more information on the unique nutritional properties of buckwheat, and how it can be part of your thyroid-friendly diet, I recommend this article from Dr. Alan Christianson.
• Dark Chocolate: High-quality dark chocolate is loaded with health benefits including antioxidants, minerals, polyphenols, and flavonoids. It has been shown to raise HDL (good cholesterol) and lower LDL (bad cholesterol) while also preventing it from damaging tissues.
• Sea salt is a natural source of iodine as well as numerous other bioavailable trace minerals.

Happy cooking, happy thriving, and enjoy the recipe (below)!

P.S. Need more thyroid-friendly recipe inspiration? I’ve got you covered. My Thyroid-friendly Everyday eCookbook features over 50 quick and easy, thyroid-friendly recipes your whole family will love. To take a peek at what’s inside, CLICK HERE.

 

More Thyroid Healthy Treat Recipes:

• Pecan Date Dreams
• Raspberry Cream Gels
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bliss Balls
• Blueberries & Lemon Cream
• Chocolate Cherry Almond Granola
• 'Caramel' Nut Chocolate Bark
• AIP Spiced Fruit Crumble
• Anti-inflammatory Tart Cherry Gels