Vegan Almond Flour Cookies
These easy vegan almond flour cookies are soft, chewy, and naturally gluten-free. They're made with simple ingredients and ready in just 15 minutes! Delicious, easy, and nutritious!
Made with almond flour, almond butter, and maple syrup, these cookies are naturally dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and packed with flavor. Whether you need an easy weeknight dessert or a better-for-you snack, this is a recipe you'll come back to again and again.
Why You'll Love These Vegan Almond Flour Cookies
- Soft texture with lightly crisp edges.
- Naturally gluten-free.
- Made in one bowl with minimal cleanup.
- Refined sugar-free using maple syrup.
- Quick and easy - ready in under 15 minutes.
- Versatile with endless flavor variations.
Ingredients for Vegan Almond Flour Cookies
- Almond flour. The base that gives these cookies a soft, tender texture
- Almond butter. Almond butter is a great source of protein and gives these vegan cookies the perfect, soft texture.
- Coconut Oil. To bind the ingredients together. You can use any other neutral flavor oil. Coconut oil is my personal choice for these cookies, as it adds a subtle coconut flavor while holding their shape.
- Maple syrup. Naturally sweetens the cookies. Other options include agave nectar, coconut sugar, or organic cane sugar. However, the coconut sugar or cane sugar may remove some of the moisture needed for the cookies.
- Vanilla extract - enhances flavor
- Baking soda and Salt.- helps the cookies rise slightly and the salt helps balance the flavors.
- Chocolate chips. This cookie isn't complete without some vegan chocolate chips. Feel free to get creative with add-ins such as dried fruits or chopped nuts. I also like to drizzle some melted chocolate over the cookies.
How to Make Almond Flour Cookies
Combine Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine your ingredients. Gently fold together the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Shape the Cookies. Scoop out portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Place these dough balls onto a lined baking sheet. Lightly press down on each dough ball to flatten them slightly (you can use the bottom of a measuring cup or bowl for a smooth finish).
Bake. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and let the cookies bake. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't over-brown. Once they are golden brown and fragrant, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Perfect Almond Flour Cookies
- Almond flour is not a one-to-one substitute for traditional wheat flour or other flour. Due to its high fat content, almond flour behaves differently in recipes and requires some adjustments. I don't recommend substituting other flours for almond flour.
- Almond flour absorbs more liquid than regular flour, so I use coconut oil and a very smooth almond butter to retain the moisture and texture.
- Almond flour lacks the gluten found in wheat flour, which results in crumbly or fragile cookies. Adding a binding agent, like almond butter, is important. Any nut butter would work well here. You can also add a flax egg or chia egg.
- Almond flour cookies tend to brown quickly, so keep a close eye on them as they bake. Oven temperatures vary, so you want them to be slightly golden on the edges before taking them out.
- They may look too soft when you remove them from the oven, but they will harden as they cool!
Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap almond butter for peanut butter or cashew butter
- Add chopped nuts for extra crunch
- Mix in cinnamon or cardamom for warmth
- Make them 3-ingredient by simplifying to almond flour, maple syrup, and nut butter
- Skip chocolate chips for a more classic, lightly sweet cookie
Storage & Freezing
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
- Freeze for up to 1 month and thaw before serving.
Benefits of Almond Flour
- Nutrients. Almond flour is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium, which can promote heart health, aid digestion, and boost immune function.
- Healthy Fats. Almond flour is a great source of healthy fats, which can promote satiety, making you feel fuller for longer.
- Almond flour also has a lower glycemic index (GI) than refined wheat flour, which means it can cause a slower rise in blood sugar levels, helping prevent sudden spikes and crashes.
- Gluten-free. Almond flour is naturally gluten-free, making it a great choice for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Almond flour works best for a soft, chewy texture. Almond meal may make the cookies denser.
Because almond flour has no gluten, it needs a binding ingredient like almond butter. Letting the cookies cool fully also helps them set. I'd use a smooth and drippy almond butter for these cookies.
Sure! You can substitute with peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini! Just make sure it's a smooth kind.
More Vegan Desserts to Try
- Vegan Apple Crisp
- Vegan Banana Muffins
- Vegan Blueberry Crumble Bars
- Tofu Chocolate Mousse
- Chocolate Oat Bars
- If you want something gluten-free but not vegan, check out this delicious gluten free shortbread!
- If you'd like to try some delicious no-bake desserts, check out these No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars or these amazing No Bake Granola Bars.
If you loved this Vegan Almond Flour Cookies recipe, let me know in the comments below! I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my weekly emails so you never miss a new recipe!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Almond Flour Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour,, (not almond meal)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup almond butter
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/176°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the almond flour, baking powder, salt, maple syrup, almond butter, coconut oil, vanilla, and chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Combine until you form a sticky but formed dough.
- Roll the batter into one-inch balls (or use a small cookie scoop) and place them onto your baking sheet 2 inches apart. You should have about 17-18 cookies.
- Bake until the edges are lightly golden, approx. 10-12 minutes and remove them from the oven. Let the cookies cool for about 10 minutes then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Info
This recipe was inspired by Radhi's Almond Butter Cookies Recipe.
Thank you for uploading Vegan recipes
Of course! So many benefits in these! I hope you like them!
Love this cookie
Thank you!
the cookies look delicious. I was wondering if i could swap out the coconut oil for additional nut butter to boost the protein a bit higher? thanks.
Hello! I have not tried this but I'm thinking they might be a little dry. You can give it a go and let me know how it worked!