Vegan Paximadia
Greek biscotti
By: Eleni Saltas
Nistisima Paximadia (Vegan Biscotti) is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth during Orthodox Lent. Made by substituting bananas in lieu of dairy products, this treat is arguably better than the real thing.
Prep Time:
10min
Total Time:
80min
Makes:
~60 cookies
Good For:
Breakfast/Dessert/Lent
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup orange juice*
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 small overripe banana
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 5-5 ½ cups sifted flour
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips or almonds, or a combo of the two (if preferred)
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease two baking sheets and set aside. Peel and mash banana and set aside.
Step 2
Add vegetable oil, orange juice, sugar, and vanilla to a large bowl and beat well with a whisk or an electric hand mixer. Beat until all combined. Whisk in mashed banana.
Step 3
Sift dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder) and add slowly fold into mixing bowl with a rubber spatula. Make sure the ingredients are combined until a soft, but sticky dough forms. Incorporate the dark chocolate chips or chopped almonds if using.
Step 4
Divide the dough into 4 equal parts and place on baking sheets. Shape the dough into long loaves (about the length of baking sheet) and about 2 ½ inches wide and 1 inch thick. Smooth the tops and the sides of the dough with your hands or a wet bowl scraper. Score the loaves with a serrated knife (I like this so it is easier to cut through later). Cut lengthwise into ½ inch diagonal slices.
Step 5
Bake for 22-25 minutes and remove from the oven. Let the loaves cool for 5-10 minutes, and cut through the precut slices. Lay the cookies cut side down and bake for another 15-20 minutes, turning the cookies over at the halfway mark. Note, the cookies will get crispier the longer they bake—so this is all preference! I like to make one batch on the softer side for snacks, and one on the crispier side for coffee dunking. The cookies will harden even more as they cool as well.
Step 6
Once ready, take out of the oven and cool. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*I prefer fresh squeezed oranges or orange from concentrate (don’t dilute before using for more flavor).
I live at a high altitude, so you may need to adjust your ratios. For example, if you’re at sea level you’ll need an extra 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Also, play around with the liquids, as you may not need as much as the recipe suggests if you live in a higher humidity enviornment.
The recipe has too much baking powder or baking soda. The cookies come out as having a very strong bitter taste. Other than that, the texture was perfect.
I can totally see that. Those measurements of baking soda/powder came from my regular paximadia recipe, and I didn’t think to adjust correctly with the vegan recipe. I appreciate the feedback!
Do you suggest using 1/4 teaspoon baking powder?
Hi ,
I want to make these vegan paximadia, but read the comment about too much baking powder/soda. Do you have a corrected amount?
Thanks,
Helen
Hi there! I adjusted the amount based on comments and a rebake so It’s all accurate now 🙂
No worries! I made them tonight and they are Delicious!!
Thank you!
Oh fantastic, so happy to hear that! Thank you for giving them a try 🙂
Do you think this recipe would work with almond flour instead?
Hey there! I personally have not used almond flour in this recipe yet, but you most certainly can. It’s suggested to nearly double the amount of almond flour that is called for with flour, so I would start around there and work in until your dough is sticky and soft. 🙂