1.Preheat oven to 160°C. Line two oven trays with baking paper.
2.Place dates in a small heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water; stand 5 minutes. Drain.
3.Process dates, ground hazelnuts, flour, chia seeds, cinnamon, salt, oil, syrup, egg and extract until well combined. Stir in cacao nibs.
4.Using damp hands, roll rounded tablespoons of the mixture into balls, place on trays; flatten with the palm of your hand into 6cm (2½-inch) rounds. Using the back of a damp fork, mark each cookie. Bake 15 minutes or until cookies can be gently pushed without breaking. Cool on trays.
Cacao nibs are both textural and chocolatey with no sweetness. They can be found at health food stores and specialist food stores.