For those following a paleo diet, satisfying a sweet craving can sometimes feel like a challenge. However, with a few simple ingredient swaps, you can enjoy delicious cookies that align with your dietary needs. This article explores a variety of paleo cookie recipes, from classic chocolate chip to unique lemon and almond variations, all made with wholesome, grain-free ingredients.
The Basics of Paleo Cookie Baking
Paleo baking relies on ingredients that were presumably available to our Paleolithic ancestors. This means excluding grains, legumes, and refined sugars, and instead using alternatives like almond flour, coconut flour, and natural sweeteners such as maple syrup and coconut sugar.
Key Paleo Baking Ingredients
- Almond Flour: A staple in paleo baking, almond flour provides a rich, buttery flavor and a slightly dense texture. It's made from ground almonds and is a good source of healthy fats and vitamin E. Be sure to use finely ground almond flour for the best results.
- Coconut Flour: Another popular grain-free flour, coconut flour is made from dried coconut meat. It's highly absorbent, so it's often used in combination with other flours and requires more liquid in recipes.
- Tapioca Flour: Often used to improve the texture of paleo baked goods, tapioca flour adds a chewiness and helps bind ingredients together.
- Coconut Oil: A versatile fat source, coconut oil adds moisture and a subtle sweetness to cookies. It can be used in melted or solid form depending on the recipe.
- Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener derived from maple sap, maple syrup adds a distinct flavor and sweetness to paleo cookies. Choose darker grades of maple syrup for a more intense flavor.
- Coconut Sugar: Made from the sap of coconut palm trees, coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar and adds a subtle caramel-like flavor.
- Nut Butter: Cashew, almond, or other nut butter add flavor, moisture, and healthy fats to paleo cookies.
- Eggs: Help bind the ingredients and add richness to the cookies. Flax eggs can be used as a vegan substitute.
Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Classic Reinvented
Paleo chocolate chip cookies are a crowd-pleasing favorite. The recipes often utilize almond flour and coconut sugar to create a healthier version of this beloved treat.
One-Bowl Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies
These super easy one-bowl paleo chocolate chip cookies are a favorite because they require minimal effort and time. With no chilling time and one bowl prep, they’re ready from start to finish in just 20 minutes!
Ingredients:
- Nut butter (such as almond or cashew butter)
- Coconut oil
- Maple sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Almond flour
- Tapioca flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Paleo-friendly chocolate chips (Enjoy Life, Hu Kitchen, or Evolved chocolate)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add the nut butter, then the coconut oil, maple sugar, egg, and vanilla. Use an electric hand mixer or whisk to beat the mixture until creamy.
- In the same bowl, add the almond and tapioca flours, baking soda, and salt.
- Use a medium cookie scoop (1.5 tbsps) to scoop the dough 2” apart on the parchment-lined baking sheet. The cookies will spread, so make sure they have space. You’ll make 16-18 cookies total, so you’ll need two separate batches.
- Press down very gently in the center of each cookie, but not too much to flatten them since they spread on their own.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until just beginning to turn light brown around the edges.
- Remove and cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a cooling rack to fully cool.
- Cookies should be stored in a container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
These paleo chocolate chip cookies use almond flour and coconut sugar for a chewy and soft texture.
Read also: Paleo Granola Recipes
Ingredients:
- Almond flour
- Coconut sugar
- Coconut oil
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Dark chocolate chunks
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, melted and cooled coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract. (Please make sure your coconut oil is melted and cooled!)
- Next, stir in the almond flour, coconut flour, and baking soda, mixing well to combine and form a dough.
- Fold in dark chocolate chunks. You may need to use your hands to moisten the dough so that it sticks together well.
- Use a cookie scoop or large tablespoon to drop dough onto an ungreased baking sheet. Gently flatten the dough with your hand. The flatter you make the cookies, the flatter they'll bake.
- Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden brown.
- Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and allow to cool on a cookie sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finishing cooling.
- To make vegan: a flax egg should work well in this recipe.
Tips for Perfect Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Choose the Right Chocolate: Opt for paleo-friendly chocolate chips or chunks sweetened with dates or coconut sugar. Enjoy Life, Hu Kitchen, and Evolved Chocolate are good options. Alternatively, chop up a bar of dark chocolate into chunks.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): Chilling the dough for at least 1 hour can help prevent spreading and enhance the flavor.
- Bake Until Just Golden: Overbaking can result in dry cookies. Bake until the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Paleo Lemon Cookies: A Bright and Refreshing Treat
For those who prefer a citrusy flavor, paleo lemon cookies offer a delightful alternative to chocolate chip. These cookies are crisp around the edges and soft in the middle, with a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
Soft-Baked Paleo Lemon Cookies
These paleo lemon cookies are simple to make and offer a bright, fresh flavor that's perfect for any time of year.
Ingredients:
- Almond flour or coconut flour
- Coconut oil (melted and cooled)
- Maple syrup or honey
- Eggs
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Baking soda
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together all of the wet ingredients until combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients together and add to the wet. Mix until you get a soft, but dough-like texture.
- Place the bowl of cookie dough into the fridge for at least 10 minutes to let it stiffen.
- Using a spoon, tablespoon, or cookie measure, portion the dough into balls. Flatten the balls into cookie shapes and arrange on the pan. They won't spread in the oven, so be sure you like the shape!
- Bake for 8 minutes or until just lightly golden brown.
- Cool on a wire rack. The cookies will set as they cool.
Optional Glaze:
- Powdered sugar (non-paleo)
- Lemon juice
Mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice into a glaze.
Tips for Perfect Paleo Lemon Cookies
- Cool the Coconut Oil: Ensure the coconut oil is melted but cooled before mixing it with the eggs to prevent scrambling.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough for at least 10 minutes helps the coconut flour absorb moisture and stiffen the dough.
- Shape the Cookies: These cookies won't spread in the oven, so shape them before baking.
- Add a Glaze (Optional): A lemon glaze made with powdered sugar adds extra sweetness and tanginess. For a paleo-friendly option, try dipping the cookies in coconut butter or grinding coconut sugar into a powder.
Paleo Almond Cookies: Simple and Versatile
Paleo almond cookies are incredibly easy to make, requiring just a few ingredients. They can be customized with various flavors and toppings, such as chocolate chips or a chocolate dip.
Quick Paleo Almond Cookies
These quick paleo almond cookies come together in minutes with just four ingredients: almond flour, maple syrup, baking powder, and vanilla extract.
Read also: Paleo Diet Delivered: What You Need to Know
Ingredients:
- Almond flour
- Maple syrup
- Baking powder
- Vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk the almond flour and baking powder together in a medium mixing bowl.
- Switch to a wooden spoon and stir in the maple syrup and vanilla.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, about one inch apart. For crisp cookies, press down the dough lightly with the flat bottom of a drinking glass or measuring cup.
- Bake until the edges are golden brown, about 12 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for about 3 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Paleo Almond Cookies
- Use Finely Ground Almond Flour: A finely ground almond flour, such as Honeyville's, works best for these cookies.
- Choose Dark Maple Syrup: Select the darkest grade of maple syrup you can find for the best flavor.
- Adjust Vanilla to Taste: If you don't love vanilla, reduce the amount or omit it completely.
- Press Down for Crispy Cookies: For crispy cookies, press down the dough before baking. For soft cookies, leave them as is.
Other Paleo Cookie Variations
Beyond chocolate chip, lemon, and almond cookies, there are many other paleo-friendly cookie recipes to explore.
Popular Paleo Cookie Recipes
- Paleo Sugar Cookies: Made with almond flour and without eggs, these cookies are also vegan.
- Almond Flour Cookies with Dark Chocolate Chips: These cookies have a rich and buttery flavor, similar to shortbread.
- Flourless Date Cookies: Naturally sweetened with dates, these cookies are a healthy and delicious option.
- Matcha Mint Cookies: These cookies offer a bright green color and a subtle mint flavor.
- Double-Chocolate Cookies: With a rich flavor and chewy texture, these cookies are almost brownie-like.
- Gingerbread Cookies: A classic holiday treat made with paleo-friendly ingredients.
- Coconut Flour Cookies: An excellent alternative for those who need to avoid almond flour.
- Thumbprint Cookies: Bursting with almond flavor and filled with a quick cherry jam.
- Paleo Shortbread Cookies: One of the first grain-free cookies and a long-time favorite.
- Breakfast Cookies: Grain-free, nut-free, and naturally sweetened with fruit for a healthy option any time of day.
- Snickerdoodle Cookies: A classic cookie with a cinnamon-sugar coating, adapted for a paleo diet.
- Cashew Butter Cookies: Using cashew butter as the base makes these cookies extra-buttery and delicious.
Freezing and Storing Paleo Cookies
Paleo cookies can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. For longer storage, freezing is a great option.
Freezing Baked Cookies
- Make sure the cookies are completely cooled.
- Transfer them to an airtight container lined with wax or parchment paper or a freezer-safe bag.
- Place them in a single layer to avoid any cookies breaking.
- Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Freezing Cookie Dough
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat.
- Prepare the dough as usual, then portion out the cookies onto the baking sheet using a cookie scoop. Since we are freezing and not baking the cookies, you can crowd the cookies close together, but do not let them touch.
- Transfer the entire baking sheet to the freezer, and freeze for 15 minutes.
- Then, using your hands, roll into perfect balls.
- Place back into the freezer and freeze for 3-4 hours, or until the dough is frozen completely.
- To bake from frozen- just set the cookie dough out on the counter while your oven heats. Then place the dough on a baking sheet and bake for 1-2 minutes longer than the recipe directs, keeping an eye on the cookies during those last few minutes so that you can see when they are ready to go.
Read also: Paleo Mayonnaise Recipe