If you’ve been looking for a better-for-you cookie, then Dr. Mike’s Power Cookie is waiting for you!
This recipe is from by Dr. Mike Moreno, the doctor who originally created the 17 Day Diet and went on to create a spin-off diet, the 17 Day Kickstart Diet.
These cookies are great for a pre-workout snack, a quick on-the-go breakfast or if you need a little pick me-up in the afternoon.
However, these power cookies do contain natural starches, so if you’re on the 17 Day Diet, make sure you eat your serving before 2pm.
If you keep scrolling, I’ll let you know which cycles these are approved for and whether or not they are Kickstart Diet approved.
Ingredients for Dr. Mike’s Power Cookie
With this oatmeal cookie recipe, Dr. Mike took the liberty with several ingredients that you may not find on any of the cycle food lists for the 17 Day Diet.
I always reiterate for all recipes that it would be nearly impossible to list every single approved ingredient on the food lists.
At some point in your 17 Day Diet journey, you’ll need to look outside the box and use common sense when it comes to certain ingredients.
Here’s a short list of what you’ll need to gather to make these power cookies:
- unsweetened applesauce
- almond paste or almond extract
- flaxseed oil or olive or coconut oil
- Truvia
- agave nectar
- egg
- vanilla
- whole-wheat flour
- baking soda
- cinnamon
- vanilla whey powder
- oats
- dried cherries
- sliced almonds
Ingredient Substitutions for Dr. Mike’s Power Cookie
Here are a few ideas on how you can substitute ingredients if you don’t have something on hand:
Almond Paste
If you can’t find almond paste (it’s super high in sugar anyway), use 1 teaspoon of almond extract instead. You won’t miss it!
Healthy Fats
The power cookie features flax seed oil, but not everyone has flax oil in their kitchen. If you have a light tasting olive oil, this can be used. Even better is coconut oil.
Sweetener
This recipe calls for using agave. If you don’t have this or would rather not use it, try real maple syrup instead.
Dried Fruit
The power cookie calls for dried cherries.
I love cherries, but I don’t always have these readily available. If this is you, too, you can easily use dried cranberries instead.
Power Cookie Serving Size
This recipe, according to the book, should make 18 cookies (you’ll be the one to evenly divide the dough to make 18 cookies).
Each cookie counts as 1 protein and 1 natural starch, so make sure you eat your cookie before 2pm if you’re on the 17 Day Diet.
Dr. Mike’s Power Cookie for the 17 Day Diet
If you’re eating low carb on the 17 Day Diet, then this power cookie can be enjoyed on the 17 Day Diet. According to The 17 Day Diet Breakthrough Edition book where this recipe was first published, this can be eaten on cycles 2-4.
Technically, whole wheat flour and almonds are both allowed starting on Cycle 3.
However, the book states this cookie is approved starting in Cycle 2 (although this might be an editing error as the book definitely has a lot of contradictions and inconsistencies).
If you’re not sure which foods are allowed when, make sure you check out my 17 Day Diet Cycle 1 Food List for all the info!
You can also check out my book on Amazon called Fast Track Your Weight Loss With the 17 Day Diet which has all the food lists (and a 7 day meal plan, too!).
Can I have Dr. Mike’s Power Cookie on the Kickstart Diet?
Yes, you can definitely have Dr. Mike’s Power Cookie while on the 17 Day Kickstart Diet. This is approved starting on the 10-Day Stabilize Phase when most of the ingredients can be found.
If you’re not sure which foods are allowed during each phase, make sure you take a look at my 17 Day Kickstart Diet Food List.
Other Low Carb Breakfast Recipes
If you enjoy Dr. Mike’s Power Cookie for the 17 Day Diet and are looking for more low carb breakfast ideas with recipes for the 17 Day Diet, here are a few other healthy breakfast recipes you may want to try:
- Waffle Omelettes
- Chicken Apple Sausage
- Breakfast Smoothie for the 17 Day Diet
- Strawberry, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Collagen Smoothie
- Busy Bee’s Superfood Smoothie Recipe
- Skillet Garden Eggs
- Greek Egg Cups
- Asparagus and Eggs for the 17 Day Diet
- Blueberries and Cream Green Smoothie
- Veggie Egg Cups
- Spinach & Mushroom Egg Bites
- Breakfast Chia Pudding
- Lavender Haze Superfood Smoothie
Fan of the Power Cookie? I’d love for you to come back and review this recipe below in the recipe card and let me know what you think!
Plus, if you’re on social media, make sure you tag me @17ddblog and let me see your cookies! Enjoy!
Dr. Mike's Power Cookie for the 17 Day Diet
Dr. Mike's Power Cookie for the 17 Day Diet makes a great pre workout snack, quick breafkast or afternoon treat!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons almond paste (substitute: 1 teaspoon almond extract)
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil (substitute: olive or coconut oil)
- 10 packets of Truvia
- 1/4 cup agave nectar (substitue: real maple syrup)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup vanilla whey powder
- 2 cups oats
- 1 cup dried cherries (substitute: dried cranberries)
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- Vegetable cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, add applesauce, almond paste, flaxseed oil, Truvia, and agave nectar and mix well.
- To the same bowl, add the egg and vanilla. Mix well.
- To the mixture, add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, pepper and whey powder. Beat thoroughly.
- Finally, stir in the oats, cherries, and almonds. Mix well to fully combine.
- Drop the batter by large tablespoons onto a baking sheet that has been sprayed with vegetable cooking spray.
- Divide dough so that you have 18 cookies. Flatten each cookie with the back of a spoon.
- Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until brown.
- Remove from oven. Cool and store in a plastic container.
Notes
Approved for:
17 Day Diet - cycles 2-4
17 Day Kickstart Diet - 10 Day Stabilize Phase
Each cookie supplies 128 calories and can be enjoyed on the Activate, Achieve, and Arrive Cycles for breakfast or as a snack.
Each cookie counts as 1 protein and 1 natural starch. Use on Cycles 2 to 4.
Special Note: Almond paste is very high in sugar and it can be difficult to find. If you want, use 1 teaspoon of almond extract in place of the almond paste, and you'll be good to go!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Dr. Mike's Power Cookie for the 17 Day Diet
Dr. Mike's Power Cookie for the 17 Day Diet makes a great pre workout snack, quick breafkast or afternoon treat!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons almond paste (substitute: 1 teaspoon almond extract)
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed oil (substitute: olive or coconut oil)
- 10 packets of Truvia
- 1/4 cup agave nectar (substitue: real maple syrup)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup vanilla whey powder
- 2 cups oats
- 1 cup dried cherries (substitute: dried cranberries)
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- Vegetable cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, add applesauce, almond paste, flaxseed oil, Truvia, and agave nectar and mix well.
- To the same bowl, add the egg and vanilla. Mix well.
- To the mixture, add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, pepper and whey powder. Beat thoroughly.
- Finally, stir in the oats, cherries, and almonds. Mix well to fully combine.
- Drop the batter by large tablespoons onto a baking sheet that has been sprayed with vegetable cooking spray.
- Divide dough so that you have 18 cookies. Flatten each cookie with the back of a spoon.
- Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until brown.
- Remove from oven. Cool and store in a plastic container.
Notes
Approved for:
17 Day Diet - cycles 2-4
17 Day Kickstart Diet - 10 Day Stabilize Phase
Each cookie supplies 128 calories and can be enjoyed on the Activate, Achieve, and Arrive Cycles for breakfast or as a snack.
Each cookie counts as 1 protein and 1 natural starch. Use on Cycles 2 to 4.
Special Note: Almond paste is very high in sugar and it can be difficult to find. If you want, use 1 teaspoon of almond extract in place of the almond paste, and you'll be good to go!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’ve been loving the 17 Day Diet since 2011. I love sharing my favorite healthy recipes and meal plans to keep you motivated and on the right path to success!
When I’m not hanging out here, I enjoy quick trips to the Oregon Coast, designing my jewelry line and watching Outlander!
Are you new to the 17 Day Diet? Check out my latest book, Fast Track Your Weight Loss With The 17 Day Diet on Amazon! (aff link)
on th power cookies I like to use the dried cranberries instead of the dried cherries. Is there a reason for te dried cherries or is dried cranberries ok?
Trenell, I’m guessing the cherries were used for energy. I think using cranberries is just fine.
I would love to try the power cookies, but I’m allergic to tree nuts. Are there any substitutions for the almond paste and slivered almonds?
Susan, I wonder if you can opt for seeds instead. Think flax, sesame, that sort of thing?
what kind of oats are best to use, steel or quick. also can you use coconut or avocado oil instead.
I’m not sure steel cut oats would work very well in these cookies, so I think regular oats (quick or regular oats) would be better. I think either oil would be just fine. I personally like using coconut oil when I cook and it helps with weight loss!
Can i add more agave instead of using truvia? i dont use artificial sweeteners. Thanks!
Amy, I’d be pretty careful about adding additional sugar (agave is sugar). Using too much sugar (aka agave) could lead to spikes in blood sugar levels and you really want to avoid this is you’re looking to lose weight.
If you use a brand of Stevia that only uses the Stevia leaf, it’s natural and not an artificial sweetener. Many brands out there use a blend of artificial sweeteners along with the stevia leaf extract, so you have to mindful of the nutrition labels and ingredient lists.
I make my own almond paste (just throw almonds into the food processor: it’s much cheaper and readily available). Would it still be too high in sugar if it’s homemade with nothing added to the almonds?
Hi Mirel! It’s probably just fine the way you’re doing it. Honestly, I don’t know why almond paste is even used, because it really is high in sugar. You can make your own or use almond extract as a substitute.
Do you know what the nutritional information would be by using almond extract instead of paste?
Jen, I don’t have nutritional information on any of the recipes (yet! I will soon!!). I will say that the almond paste is REALLY high in sugar, so I think using the extract in its place would be better overall!
Is there something else we could buy like a certain brand of granola bar or something else semi-sweet to replace power cookie? I don’t like the power cookie at all.
Leann, if you’re sticking by the book, low-fat granola can be eaten in Cycle 3. You’ll have to find something at the store (or find a low-fat recipe online to use).
Hi, I was wondering if something else could could be used.as a substitute for the whole wheat flour such as coconut flour or almond flour?
Hi Marjorie! I’m not sure how either would work in this recipe for a lower carb option. I’d be more inclined to try it first with almond flour because it’s easier to bake with. I’m not sure how it would turn out with coconut flour, but if you do use coconut flour, you won’t need as much and you might have to increase your eggs, too. If you do try it out, please come back and let me know how it goes! Good luck!
I use all purpose Pillsbury gluten free flour and it works fine. My wife is gluten free only
Okay, one other thing. If I use almond flour, does it make it not acceptable on any cycles?
If you’re looking at the ingredients on this recipe, it’s technically approved for only Cycle 3 (almonds and whole wheat flour). However, the doc has approved it for cycles 2 and 3 via the book (it’s likely an editing error as there are a few other recipes in the book that aren’t 100% accurate). With that said, if you want to stick to the diet 100% accurately, then this recipe along with your substitutions would be approved for Cycle 3 only. However, I’d say it’s probably OK for C2 days since the original recipe was approved for C2 as well and it would be lower carb anyway without using the whole wheat flour.