You may have been living under a rock and never knew peanut flour existed.
Or that it’s become a very hot commodity in the blogosphere the past few months.
But if you want to make these cookies, you’d better make them now.
Of course, you can use other flours but the peanut flour worked especially nicely. If being gluten-free is important for your dietary needs, make sure you use flour from a gluten-free contract manufacturing company with quality certifications.
Vegan GF Peanut Butter Caramel Chocolate Chips Cookies with Peanut Flour
What’s the rush, you ask?
Well, apparently TJ’s is discontinuing carrying peanut flour due to low sales. You’d think the blogosphere was single-handedly keeping sales up. Julie, Deb, and Gabriela I know were at least helping keep 4th quarter sales up.
I’ve heard that TJ’s is bringing in a gluten free flour, instead. It seems that more people want GF flour than Peanut flour.
A few months ago I wrote a post about why TJ’s is successful, what products of theirs are private labeled especially for them, and various other TJ’s Trivia if you care to read it. You may be surprised to learn that Stacy’s Pita Chips and TJ’s in-house brand are one in the same.
Disclaimer: The information I have is word of mouth from TJ’s employees and from various other blog posts I have read. I have searched the internet for written “proof” but nothing comes up. Then again, would discontinuing peanut flour really make front page google news to people other than bloggers?
What else do I make with Peanut Flour?
Cinnamon Sugar Peanut Buttery Chickpea “Peanuts” with Peanut Flour
Those are cinnamon + sugar + peanut flour little “nuts” and boy, they are addictive!
You can also make my Carmelized Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Chickpea “Peanuts” if you don’t have peanut flour. And none of us will have peanut flour for much longer so get used to this recipe.
But if you aren’t a fan of peanut flour, or never even had the chance to try it, but still have a soft spot in your heart for peanut butter, try making a Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bar
Or make some Raw Vegan Peanut Butter Vanilla Balls (or Sunflower Seed/Almond/Cashew Butter balls)
From my last post about Target Finds and Smoothie Helpers, it was fun to hear what you put in your cart at Target.
And what you like, or don’t like, to put into your smoothies and your views on smoothie “optimizers” or additional powders or helpers. Many of you say you have tried Vega products and are fans of them.
Oh, and quite a few people thought that the Vega samples I mentioned were a Target find. No. I went to Target, came home, and found Vega samples waiting for me in the mail. Just wanted to clear that up so no one runs out to Target thinking they are going to score Vega at their local Tar-jay.
Questions:
1. Have you tried peanut flour? Thoughts if you did?
Yes, I have (obviously) tried it and I like it but I will be honest, too much peanut flour (or too many beans) and my GI system don’t always get along super well.
So although I love the taste of peanut flour, my tummy doesn’t always love it. A little is fine but I could never make “peanut flour paste” that I saw so many bloggers make and use without major GI upheaval.
2. Will you miss peanut flour if you are a fan?
There are online sites that sell peanut flour, and there is also PB2, but based on price and convenience, TJ’s is much better for me on all fronts.
I will miss it, of course, but since I wasn’t as much of a fan as some people, I’ll live.
3. Foods you’ve Seen in the Sphere that you’ve been inspired to try, for better or for worse?
Not a comprehensive list but some of my favorites include…
Sun Warrior Brown Rice Protein Powder
And now, I can’t imagine my life without those things.
Things I’ve tried because of the sphere but still don’t really love include Hemp Protein, Dulse Flakes, and I don’t know, I’m drawing a blank.
The power of blogs is remarkable. What have you tried because of blogs or anything new you’re tried lately? Did you like it?
Have a great Hump Day!
I’ve never tried peanut flour b/c I don’t have a TJ anywhere near me and it makes me sad and I tell anyone who will listen.
Best web find-sun warrior!
Hadn’t tried the peanut flour so I don’t know what I’m missing! Reading your blog has had me upping my nooch intake. I always knew it was good on popcorn, but now I’m learning all the other amazing things to do with it. I got hooked on vitamineral green after reading about it in the blogosphere. I know some people like it and some think it’s gross or just a bunch of hooey, but I know that I feel the difference when I use it and that’s all that matters to me.
BTW – made my first batch of Vegan Slaw Dressing today and it forced me to come out of lurking to tell you how much I love it! Ate some extra salad just to have more. Loving the new blog look. ;)
makes sense they would get rid of it with the peanut allergies so rampant these days. and GF flour is a big market. although almost all of TJs products say made on wheat equipment so I wonder the real GFness of them. I guess you better go stock up on the peanut flour now.
I tried most of those things before blogging and no matter how much subliminal messaging to get to try a certain something I won’t if it’s gross to me *cough* stevia *cough* maca. But it does give me more ideas to do with some of those things.
i am shocked you dont like maca. seriously! ok learn something new all the time :)
Well, my friend, you put peanut flour on my radar (we have a store in town here that carries a few TJ’s products) and now you’re letting me know that it’s set to depart from our lives. I’ll be sorry to see it go. I haven’t consumed very much of it myself, but have made lots of things for Phil and his daughter and other friend that have been very well appreciated. And I really worry about the high omega-6 levels of peanuts, so I feel much more comfortable with peanut flour, which has had most of the fat squeezed out. If I really want a banana-peanut butter smoothie, I feel much better using peanut flour and adding a little coconut oil.
I guess we could make our own by making peanut milk and drying the pulp, but seriously, peanut milk???
Hey: quick question (only if you have a second): blogger’s telling me I hit my photo limit–I’ve removed a few pics but can only do so much of that: do you know if there’s any way around it other than buying more space? Thanks.
Oh, and Happy Birthday to Skylar!! I hope she has a great year: I loved being four.
love
Ela
I had that picture limit too. I just bought more space.
must buy more space, no way around it
I’m not a big peanut fan– it makes my tummy feel AWFUL– but I’m sorry to hear that they’re discontinuing the peanut flour for all those who love it! I wish they would replace it with ALMOND FLOUR!! Almond are much easier on my system, but it’s kind of a pain to make my own almond flour at home… but it might be worth making to try your cookie recipe! :D
Best thing I discovered from the blog world? Nutritional yeast!! It used to scare me, but I’ve recently fallen in love with it.
they do have it, it’s called almond meal. same thing as almond flour, meal vs. flour, but same thing.
Great peanut flour recipe inspiration. Truthfully I’m trying to cut down my peanut intake, so I’m seeing this as an opportunity to work more with garbanzo flour and almond flour.
1. Yes, I tried to use it in socca, got peanut pudding instead. :-) Also in pancakes and oatmeal, it does have a great flavor, but doesn’t agree with me that well.
2. Maybe, but I’ll move on and try other products.
3. Larabars, garbanzo flour, Kind bars – to name a few.
Ok, this is a flour I don’t have. I used to be a fan of PB2 powdered peanut butter, which was basically peanut flour. The only thing I worry about with peanut flour is if it’s processed under high heat and damp, mold-friendly conditions that encourage aflatoxin growth. I guess just like everything else, moderation is key! :)
the fact that you even know what aflatoxins are…major props :)
NOOOOO, don’t remind me! I need to stock up ASAP! I’m hitting up all the TJ’s in a 50 mile radius :)
We don’t have TJ’s in Canada so I couldn’t care less, ha! Actually, I’m just being bitter because I really like Trader Joe’s and would love if I could shop there regularly!
Honestly, I don’t buy anything anymore that was inspired by bloggers. I’ve tried all the things you listed and they were all too expensive. These days, I like to splurge my money on the organic butcher across the street as opposed to junk that takes up space in my pantry :P
PS, I’m finally seeing your blog on Wordpress and I LOVE IT. Load time is much faster too!
yay for faster load times!
and also i totally agree with you that altho i have learned tons from blogs, i now know what works and what i like and am MUCH more selective about what i buy that’s “new”.
I haven’t tried peanut flour yet, but I am reading about its glory everywhere. I would definitely make cookie with it, hands down.
Wow!! I never saw that coming. I’ve never tried the peanut flour but I’ve seen it at my health food store and always said “next time.” I better get their ASAP so that I can at least get a taste of the stuff:)
Foods I’ve seen on the sphere that I was inspired to try were…kombucha, maca, dulse, cacao powder..and so much more:)
I have been totally living under a rock. Peanut flour sounds lovely, and it makes me sad that I may not be able to try these before they’re gone. Bummer!
Do you know if it’s possible to *make* peanut flour by grinding to a powdery substance? Or is peanut flour different than straight up, ground peanuts?
Your cookies look absolutely divine! :D
I am sure that grinding them would work but be careful as i have made peanut BUTTER real quick from grinding peanuts. Skipped flour stage and went straight to butter stage.
Ugh, I really hope that is just a rumor! I looove TJ’s peanut flower! I would be very sad if it’s discontinued :(
Sorry to hear that TJ’s is discontinuing the peanut flour. Will you be able to get it somewhere else for a similar price?
I haven’t been able to find it locally, so I haven’t tried it yet.
Thanks to the wonderful blogs & video blogs out there (like yours Averie) I’ve been inspired to try: chia seeds, hemp protein powder, stevia, coconut oil, coconut flakes, maca, lucuma powder, nut / seed butters (almond, cashew, hazelnut, macadamian, sunflower, tahini), raw cacao powder, glass straws, soaked nuts / seeds, quinoa, dried cherries, flax seeds, Tooth Soap, Tooth Brightener, and Tooth Swish. With the exception of the Hemp protein powder, I’m still eating / using all of the above.
Forgot to add: coconut flour, almond flour, and Nature’s Path Crispy Rice cereal.
yes you can order online but i won’t bother (likely)
thanks for the sweet praise and for always being so warm in your comments, beth :)
I seriously need to try that peanut flour! Looks like I’m running out of time :-(