Healthy Teff Flour Cookies: A Gluten-Free Superfood Recipe

Teff flour is a rare and remarkable flour that has been a staple of Ethiopian cuisine for centuries. It is best known as the main ingredient in injera, the traditional Ethiopian flatbread.

Teff is considered a true superfood because it contains all eight essential amino acids that the human body needs.

It is rich in iron, magnesium, calcium, protein, and vitamins, while also being easy to digest.

Why Teff Is So Nutritious

To put its nutritional value into perspective, 100 grams of teff contains approximately as much iron, calcium, and protein as a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of meat.

Teff is especially rich in B vitamins and contains manganese, an important mineral that supports healthy brain function. Manganese plays a role in various neurological processes and contributes to the production of thyroxine, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland.

Teff may also help support calcium absorption and is traditionally valued for its nutritional benefits during breastfeeding.

Another major advantage is that teff is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent option for people who avoid gluten.

Nutritional Highlights of One Cup of Teff

One cup of teff provides approximately:

• More than 80% of the recommended daily intake of iron

• More than 80% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium

• More than 35% of the recommended daily intake of calcium

• About 50% of the recommended daily intake of protein

• More than 50% of the recommended daily intake of fiber

In short, teff is an exceptionally nutritious flour that deserves a place in a healthy diet.

Convinced? Let's get baking.

Teff Tahini Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups light teff flour

• 1 cup raw tahini

• ¾ cup natural silan (date syrup)

• ¾ cup high-quality oil (such as grapeseed oil)

• 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F).

2. Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl.

3. Mix and knead until a smooth, uniform dough forms.

4. Roll the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly with your hands.

5. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and arrange the cookies on the tray.

Short on patience?
You can roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and use a cookie cutter to create circles instead.

1. Bake for approximately 10 minutes at 160°C (320°F).

These cookies are wonderfully tasty — but rich and satisfying.

Enjoy two cookies, and no more!

Dr. Rina Mordo, Ph.D., is a healthy nutrition coach who combines nutritional guidance with subconscious coaching and NLP techniques.