21 of the Best Gluten-Free Cookies for Worry-Free Baking

And trying to find recipes was also a challenge – there weren’t too many gluten-free cookbooks, and blogging about alternative diets was still taking its first steps in cyberspace.

I did what I could with experimenting from scratch, much to the growing annoyance of my college roommates, also known as my loyal personal taste-testers.

But they were kind enough to at least hide most of their disgust when I tested Attempt #4 of homemade gluten-free Oreo cookies.

Thankfully, with time comes innovation!

We now have the quick convenience of being able to type away online to immediately find an array of gluten-free recipes, as well as a large selection of alternative ingredients – like an impressive 19 kinds of popular gluten-free flour – to purchase from a multitude of reputable brands.

With all of this availability at our fingertips, there’s every opportunity to make batch after batch of something 100% gluten free and 100% delicious.

Celebrate the ease and deliciousness of a gluten-free lifestyle by trying any of our 21 cookie recipes below.

I’m definitely sending my former taste-testers some of these so they can finally eat a wheatless cookie that will be guaranteed phenomenal!

1. Almond Thumbprint

Small and dainty, these flourless almond thumbprint morsels are the ideal treat to enjoy with a cup of tea!

Each little dough mound is filled with sweet jam before baking, pairing perfectly with the nutty flavor of the almond meal.

Buy your favorite varieties of seedless jam or jelly, or make your own from scratch! Try our recipes for spiced blueberry or peach.

Read more now.

2. Banana Coconut Dark Chocolate Chunk

A healthier option sweetened only with bananas and maple syrup, bake a batch of these if you want to enjoy a sweet treat without all the guilt.

Wholesome and nourishing, hearty buckwheat flour creates the base with a mix of unsweetened shredded coconut and chopped dark chocolate.

Just be sure you use a very ripe banana – it will add all the natural flavor you need to create the most enjoyable dessert for the diet-conscious!

Here’s the recipe for you.

3. Basil Shortbread

Effortlessly slice and bake your way to the best basil baked goodies!

These easy basil shortbreads are stable enough to hold their shape when cutting and baking – but their texture is still tender, buttery, and crumbly.

Just like a proper shortbread!

And if you’re not familiar with incorporating fresh herbs into your desserts, you’re in for the best surprise ever. And there are so many basil varieties to try!

Head to the recipe here.

4. Blueberry Almond Flour Truffles

You can’t have cookies without cookie dough, and we think the unbaked version is a totally acceptable dessert all on its own…

Only if there are no raw eggs or flour!

Lucky for all of us, these cookie dough truffles use a base of almond meal.

You can safely enjoy these melt-in-your-mouth cookie dough truffles, speckled with bits of chewy dried blueberries.

Covered in milky white chocolate, they are delightfully fun and whimsical to serve friends and family, or give as gifts!

Read more now.

5. Buckwheat Chocolate Chip

The quintessential soft and chewy gluten-free chocolate chip cookie, you’ll be making this version over and over again!

Buckwheat flour, unrefined cane sugar, vanilla, and dark chocolate chunks combine to create a tasty treat with the classic flavors and textures you love in a cookie.

Dividing the fat content between both coconut oil and butter keeps the animal-based fat on the lighter side.

Read more.

6. Buckwheat Ginger

Bursting with a delightful combination of warming spices and smoky molasses, our homemade buckwheat ginger cookies definitely deserve a spot at the top of the baking list!

We include spices like ground cinnamon and cloves, but throw in a fun surprise of ground fresh ginger for the most impactful flavor experience.

Soft, fragrant, and so comforting when eaten warm from the oven!

Here’s how to make the recipe.

7. Chewy Oatmeal Monster

Our chewy oatmeal monster cookies are a big and bold treat to make – a monster of a dessert in all the best ways to satisfy even the craziest of sweet cravings!

We mix the dough with oats, peanut butter, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, and candy-coated chocolate pieces to re-create a childhood classic.

Play into the festive spirit by customizing the candy-coated pieces – use red and green candies for Christmas, black and orange options for Halloween, and red, pink, and white for Valentine’s Day.

Do you have a monstrous appetite? Bake these now!

8. Chickpea Flour Chocolate Chip

Is it possible to make a tasty and indulgent chocolate chip cookie that’s not only gluten free… but also vegan?!

It may seem like a dream, but our homemade chickpea chocolate chip cookies will destroy any doubts and bring you back to reality!

While we’ve already introduced plenty of buckwheat flour versions, garbanzo bean flour is another great gluten-free base.

The end result is a slightly crisp crust with chewy centers – everyone will love them!

Read more.

9. Chocolate Chip Banana

There’s totally a way to stay healthy even during the busiest times of year – like when you’re wrapping foodie Christmas presents at the very last minute, or when you’re rushing out the door to go to work or drop off the kiddos at school…

The perfect loophole is our 5-ingredient chocolate chip banana cookies!

With a teeny-tiny ingredient list including mashed bananas, oats, vanilla, and chocolate chips, you don’t need to spend all day preparing these.

Meal prep by making a few batches ahead of time to freeze – and thaw in the refrigerator overnight whenever you know you’ll have a busy upcoming week.

Read more right here to find this easy recipe.

10. Chocolate Coconut

Crunchy and moist chocolate coconut cookies are packed with a fun variety of textures and flavors.

We make them with a double dose of chocolate, using unsweetened cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips.

With lots of coconut shreds and scoopfuls of almond flour, they are a favorite amongst chocolate lovers who crave a little more heartiness than a simple sugar cookie.

Do you know someone like that? Make a batch now for them! 

11. Chocolate Pomegranate Oatmeal

With pops of pomegranate arils, this isn’t your average chocolate chip cookie!

We incorporate coconut oil, flax seed, brown rice flour, sorghum flour, and rolled oats to craft a tasty – and vegan! – base for housing a pleasant scattering of chocolate chips and pomegranate seeds.

What a crunchy surprise!

Get the instructions here.

12. Cinnamon Coconut

If you’re new to gluten-free baking and need to start building a collection of cookies, this easy recipe is a great place to start.

Coated in cinnamon sugar, our spiced coconut flour cookies taste just like your favorite coffee cake or cinnamon roll, and they melt in your mouth with each and every bite you take!

The tender morsels stay so moist due to a generous amount of eggs in the dough.

Learn how to make them here.

13. Cinnamon Star

Get into the Christmas spirit by baking a festive batch of cinnamon star cookies!

This holiday favorite is inspired by Zimtsterne, a German Christmas treat with a spiced almond meal dough.

The thin frosting, similar to royal icing, is applied before the stars are baked. The low oven temperature helps to gently cook the dough, while drying out and hardening the icing on top.

Make this recipe a new winter tradition among your family and friends!

14. Coconut Dream Truffles

A two-bite dessert might be all you want to serve your very full guests after a hearty dinner party.

And our coconut truffles are an absolute dream, made with just six ingredients, sweetened with honey, loaded with crunchy almonds, and kissed with vanilla extract.

And what’s even better is that these sweets don’t require any baking – a big relief when you need to spend more time preparing the main course and sides.

Save some time, and save this recipe.

15. Harvest Spice

Whether it’s fall, or if you simply desire the warming comfort of assorted spices, let our harvest spice oat cookies be of some sweet service to you!

They are made with a wholesome mix of ingredients, with pears and applesauce providing sweet and fruity counterparts to zingy freshly grated ginger and spicy cinnamon.

While we use all-purpose flour in our original recipe, we also recommend an alternative of an equal amount of gluten-free baking mix.

Get all the information you need here.

16. Lemon Almond Coconut Macaroons

Adore the classic macaroon cookie? That crisp, caramelized crust, that delectable coconut flavor, and that soft and sticky center?

You can achieve all that and more with this fun gluten-free version!

We brighten up the flavors with our alternative recipe, featuring the zippiness from fresh lemon juice and zest as well as a distinct nuttiness from almond flour.

There’s nothing quite like it – here’s how you make it!

17. Paleo Chocolate Chip

When there are diet restrictions galore like no dairy, no gluten, no eggs, and low sugar, you can still make a phenomenal chocolate chip cookie option.

Everyone will be reaching for our paleo chocolate chip cookies!

The base is made with almond meal, mixed together with coconut oil, baking soda, salt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

They’re perfectly moist, with just a hint of sweetness.

To follow all the above diet plans, be sure to buy the appropriate style of chocolate chips at the store with the right list of ingredients.

Read more now.

18. Paleo Honey Blueberry

Another tasty option in the paleo territory, these will satisfy the folks who favor fruitier ingredients!

There are no eggs, dairy, or gluten in this recipe, as well – another treat you can feel good about eating!

The blanched almond flour offers moisture and a subtle nutty flavor, making a lovely base for juicy, bursting fresh blueberries.

Find the recipe here.

19. Rocky Road Chocolate

Flourless rocky road chocolate cookies are a soft and gooey treat with a little toasty crunch!

Inspired by the popular rocky road ice cream, you’ll enjoy the classic flavor combo of walnuts, marshmallow, and chocolate in every bite.

Buy mini marshmallows from the grocery store, or learn how to make your own marshmallows entirely from scratch – it’s fun!

Click here for the cookie recipe.

20. Soft Ginger

Soft and chewy ginger cookies will warm you right up with its mix of dried spices.

It’s also coated in granulated sugar before baking, resulting in a delicate crunch and a crinkly, crackled appearance around the outside of each tender morsel.

To achieve the ultimate wintry taste, these are made with blackstrap molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Here’s the recipe for you to enjoy.

21. White Chocolate Almond

We love strategically combining gluten-free flours to create an ideal texture for the best cookie experience.

This recipe uses a mix of oat and almond flours. It also utilizes thick and creamy almond butter as well as a flax egg to bind everything together.

And let’s not forget about the white chocolate chips as the sweetest ingredient of them all – don’t worry, there’s only 1/3 cup of them!

Read more here.

Pour the Milk!

I do believe that the best accompaniment to a cookie is another cookie, but I can also suggest the most ideal beverage to pair with both of them…

Milk, of course!

There’s nothing better than dipping a freshly baked cookie in a cold, tall glass of plain milk – and the magical concoction of completely saturated, nearly disintegrated crumbles sitting at the very bottom of the glass is a well-deserved consolation prize for chugging down some good ol’ fashioned 2%.