Explore 20 delicious gluten-free and dairy-free cookie recipes made without special flours. From chocolatey treats to festive favorites, these easy gluten-free cookies are perfect for the holidays or year-round baking.
Easy Gluten-Free Cookies & Bars
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cookies drifting through the kitchen; it’s a warm, cozy hug any time of year, but especially during the holidays. If you’re searching for gluten-free cookies or gluten-free dairy-free cookie recipes that everyone can enjoy, you’re in the right place.
This collection features 20 gluten-free and dairy-free cookies made with simple, wholesome ingredients, no special gluten-free flours required. Many of these recipes are also vegan, and all of them are easy to make whether you’re baking for holiday celebrations, gifting cookie boxes, or simply stocking the cookie jar.
From classic flavors to festive favorites, these gluten-free cookie recipes are perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring on your own all year long.
Why You’ll Love These Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cookies
- Naturally gluten-free using whole-food ingredients instead of specialty flour blends
- Dairy-free with simple swaps like coconut oil or dairy-free chocolate
- Some vegan options for plant-based or egg-free baking
- Holiday-perfect & everyday-friendly flavors
- Kid-approved and great for gifting
Tips for Baking Great Gluten-Free Cookies (No Special Flours Needed)
Gluten-free and dairy-free cookies can be wonderfully soft and chewy or crisp and crunchy — here’s how to get the best results:
- Chill the dough if it’s soft, this helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Let cookies cool fully before moving them, gluten-free bases firm up as they cool.
- Use parchment for smooth bottoms and even baking.
- Customize easily with dairy-free chocolate, nuts, spices, citrus zest, or dried fruit.
🍪Classic Cookies:
1. Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies
These jam thumbprint cookies are one of my favorites to make this time of year. They also happen to be vegan, easy to make and call for only a handful of pantry ingredients and some of your favorite naturally sweetened jams.
2. Gluten-Free Italian Cookies
With their wonderfully nutty flavor and delicate melt-in-your-mouth texture, these bite-sized Italian cookies (Baci di Dama) are a wonderful accompaniment to an afternoon espresso or an after-dinner treat.
3. Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles
With their crackled tops and generous dusting of cinnamon, snickerdoodles are an old-fashioned cookie platter favorite around the holidays.
4. Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies
Enjoy a batch of these deliciously spiced, soft and chewy gluten-free molasses cookies during the holidays or whenever a craving strikes.
5. Gluten-Free Pecan Sandies
With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and buttery taste, these gluten-free pecan sandies will win you over. Perfect with tea or for gifting!
6. Crispy Gluten-Free Coconut Cookies
These light and crispy gluten-free coconut cookies have a delicate texture and a naturally sweet coconut flavor.
7. Gluten-Free Ice Box Cookies
These gluten-free icebox cookies studded with cranberries and pistachios are the ultimate make-ahead holiday cookie; just slice and bake!
8. Gluten-Free Crunchy Almond Cookies
These crisp gluten-free almond cookies bake up crunchy with a delicate nutty flavor that’s ideal for cookie tins and gift boxes. Perfect for family gatherings, cookie exchanges, gifting or just everyday snacking.
9. Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Brittle
This easy to make gluten-free cookie brittle may just become your new favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. Crisp and buttery, it’s the best of chocolate chip cookies but in brittle form!
10. Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups
These mini gluten-free chocolate chip cookie cups are perfect for both parties and after-school snacks.
11. Gluten-Free Cashew Butter Cookies
These gluten-free cashew butter cookies are soft, chewy, and made with simple ingredients for a quick and satisfying treat. All you need is one bowl and a few simple ingredients!
12. Gluten-Free Flourless Trail Mix Cookies
Whether you’re looking for something to do with the kids while they’re at home or feel like treating yourself to something sweet, these gluten-free flourless trail mix cookies are packed with nuts and dried fruit and make an easy, wholesome snack.
13. Gluten-Free No-Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These gluten-free no-oatmeal raisin cookies capture the cozy flavor of classic oatmeal cookies without any grains or dairy.
14. Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Cookies
These gluten-free double chocolate cookies are rich, fudgy, and completely vegan, making them perfect for serious chocolate lovers.
15. Crispy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cookies
These thin and crispy gluten-free chocolate cookies deliver deep chocolate flavor with a satisfying crunch.
🍫 Bars & Brownies:
16. Gluten-Free Blondies
These chewy gluten-free blondies are filled with nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate for an easy bar dessert that feels extra special.
17. Best Gluten-Free Brownies
If you’re looking for classic, chewy brownies with crinkly tops that are both dairy-free and gluten-free, then this is the recipe for you. These gluten-free dairy-free brownies are chewy, rich, and topped with shiny crackled crusts that make them feel bakery-worthy.
18. No-Bake Chocolate Almond Butter Bars
These no-bake chocolate almond butter bars come together in minutes and make a decadent gluten-free treat without turning on the oven.
19. Flourless Chocolate Brownies
These flourless gluten-free triple chocolate brownies are ultra-fudgy with layers of rich chocolate flavor in every bite.
20. No-Bake Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars
These gluten-free no-bake chocolate walnut crumb bars have a soft chocolate layer over a nutty crumb crust for an easy, luxurious treat.
When to Bake These Easy Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes
These cookies are perfect for:
- Holiday gifting and cookie trays
- Weeknight desserts
- Baking with kids
- School bake sale
- Year-round sweet cravings
Wrap Up
Baking delicious gluten-free and dairy-free cookies doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple, wholesome ingredients and these gluten-free cookie recipes, you can enjoy soft, chewy, chocolatey, or crunchy cookies anytime a craving strikes. Whether you're baking for the holidays or treating yourself any time of year, these 20 recipes are sure to become favorites.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Mr.C says
What a nice list of recipes! Thank you for sharing!