The holidays wouldn't be complete without cookies, so make the most of the season by baking up these 20 gluten-free cookies and bars to enjoy with family and friends!
One of the best parts of baking cookies is the wonderful aroma that fills your kitchen like a big cozy, comforting hug. And with the holidays just around the corner there’s no better excuse to get in the kitchen and get a head start on all the baking and cookie making.
There’s nothing quite like a batch of homemade cookies to get you into the holiday spirit. Whether you’re baking for your family or giving them as gifts, cookies are a holiday tradition everyone gets excited about. And of course it’s always more fun to bake with family and friends this time of year, creating new memories and indulging in some sweet treats along the way. So in that spirit I’ve gathered together 20 healthy gluten-free cookies to enjoy this season and beyond.
From thumbprints to macaroons, to snickerdoodles and pecan sandies, there’s a cookie here for everyone with many vegan and paleo options as well. So let’s get baking!
COOKIES:
Gluten-Free Jam Thumbprint Cookies (Paleo, Vegan)
These jam thumbprint cookies are one of my favorites to make this time of year. They also happen to be vegan, paleo, easy to make and call for only a handful of pantry ingredients and some of your favorite naturally sweetened jams.
Gluten-Free Baci Di Dama (Paleo, Vegan)
With their wonderfully nutty flavor and delicate melt-in-your-mouth texture, these bite-sized cookies are a wonderful accompaniment to an afternoon espresso or an after-dinner treat.
Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles (Paleo, Vegan)
With their crackled tops and generous dusting of cinnamon, snickerdoodles are an old-fashioned cookie platter favorite around the holidays.
Gluten-Free Fudgy Vegan Chocolate Coconut Macaroons (Paleo)
A cross between a coconut macaroon and a brownie, these fudgy vegan chocolate coconut macaroons are easy to make and dangerously good.
Gluten-Free Pecan Sandies (Paleo, Vegan)
Their their melt-in-your-mouth texture and buttery taste will win you over.
Crispy Gluten-Free Coconut Cookies (Paleo, Vegan)
These crispy little cookies are so light, buttery and full of coconut goodness.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Almond Coconut Macaroon Cups (Paleo, Vegan)
These mini cups are like inside-out chocolate dipped macaroons.
Gluten-Free Flourless Walnut Cookies with Cardamom (Paleo)
These simple walnut cookies are delicately spiced, with the warm and aromatic flavors of vanilla and cardamom.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Brittle (Paleo, Vegan)
Cookie brittle is a wonderfully thin and crispy take on traditional chocolate chip cookies.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups (Paleo, Vegan)
These cookie cups are brimming with chocolate from top to bottom. First there’s a chocolate chip studded cookie crust, then a fudgy chocolate filling and finally to finish it all off a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips on top.
Gluten-Free Cherry Cashew Butter Cookies (Paleo)
A classic combination of chewy dried fruit and nuts enveloped in a soft vanilla scented cookie, these cherry cashew butter cookies bake up chewy with pocket of cashews, cherries and coconut.
Gluten-Free Flourless Trail Mix Cookies (Paleo)
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 flourless trail mix cookies are sure to please.
Gluten-Free No-Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Vegan, Paleo)
Tender and chock-full of spice and raisins, these vegan paleo no-oatmeal raisin cookies are just as soft and tasty as the classic but without the grains or eggs.
Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Cocoa Cookies (Paleo, Vegan)
Rich, chewy and overflowing with chocolate, these are the kind of cookies you drop everything to run and go make. Luckily they are also just about the easiest cookies you can whip up.
Gluten-Free Mini Brownie Bites (Paleo, Vegan)
The size of a mini muffin but with all the chocolatey goodness of a full-sized brownie, these little two bite morsels are the perfect sweet treat.
BARS:
Gluten-Free Cherry Pecan Blondies (Vegan, Paleo)
Soft, chewy and loaded with nuts, dried fruit and chocolate, they’re a sweet treat that can be made in about 30 minutes.
Gluten-Free Cranberry Crumb Bars (Paleo, Vegan)
With their sweet/ tart cranberry filling and crumbly topping, these cranberry crumb bars make a great addition to any cookie platter.
Gluten-Free No-Bake Chocolate Almond Butter Bars (Paleo, Vegan)
Made from only a handful of ingredients you may already have in your pantry, these easy almond butter bars come together in a matter of minutes
Gluten-Free Flourless Triple Chocolate Brownies (Paleo)
Deep, dark and rich, these triple chocolate brownies are quite literally overflowing with chocolate.
Gluten-Free No-Bake Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars (Vegan, Paleo)
These no-bake walnut crumb bars have a rich fudgy chocolate center sandwiched between a chewy cashew coconut crust and crumble.
And if chocolate is more your thing then check out these:
Happy Baking!
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!