Discover paleo holiday cookie recipes that are gluten, grain, dairy and refined sugar free, using almond flour, coconut flour and low glycemic sweeteners for healthier baking.
Baking is one of my favorite activities. I love adapting my old favorites into healthier gluten, grain, and sugar free versions. Who needs a bunch of refined white flour and cane sugar that causes a nasty blood sugar crash and leaves you craving more sweets?! No thank you. Enter paleo cookie recipes!
Christmas means more baking. I’ve decided to round up my favorite paleo, grain/gluten, dairy, soy and refined sugar free cookies for you to take to your holiday parties and cookie exchanges. No one will know they are missing all the standard junky ingredients. And they’ll thank you later when they’re not suffering a sugar meltdown. All these recipes come from my trusted colleagues and fellow paleo food bloggers.
First off, here are the must-have ingredients for any gluten/grain free baker
- Coconut flour
- Almond flour
- Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking mix with almond and coconut flours (less of a blood sugar impact than gluten free flours)
- Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 baking flour can be swapped out evenly for white flour in any recipe
- 100% birch sugar xylitol
- Granulated monk fruit (very sweet so you don’t have to use as much)
- coconut palm sugar
- Coconut oil or grass fed butter like Kerrygold
Now, onto the good stuff!
Paleo Holiday Cookies
Chocolate dipped almond butter cookies by Holistically Engineered are reminiscent of the peanut butter cookies you made year-round as a kid. They are great for cookie exchanges and are grain free and low carb to boot! Click here for the recipe.
It just isn’t the holiday season without sugar cookies, and Against All Grain has a lovely grain free sugar cookie recipe, including frosting made with coconut butter. Mmmmm. You could also use natural ingredients like pomegranate juice and beet juice to due the frosting red. Click here for the grain free sugar cookie recipe.
Ok, so this next one isn’t a cookie per se, but my friend The Savory Lotus’s holiday bliss balls are so cute that I couldn’t resist including them! These bliss balls contain therapeutic ingredients and spices and are very versatile depending on what flavor profile you want. Click here for the recipe.
My friend Stacey over at Beauty & the Foodie made these baked pumpkin pie snowball cookies with a sweet cinnamon coating. Not as crumbly as a tea cake but not as soft as a pumpkin pie. They look awesome, and who doesn’t love pumpkin!? Here is the recipe.
My friend Karen is a chef, and she has some great recipes on her site. These PaleoCoco tea cookies are made with almond and coconut flours, and they’re dipped in chocolate. Super cute! Dual-toned! I made a similar recipe that you could also dip in melted dark chocolate; click here.
Last but not least, how cute are these paleo Reindeer Bombs?? They look awesome. Click here for the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes paleo cookies different from regular holiday cookies?
Paleo cookies avoid refined white flour, cane sugar, dairy, and soy. They use almond flour, coconut flour, natural sweeteners, and healthy fats instead. This supports steadier blood sugar levels and reduces inflammation while still delivering festive flavor and texture.
Which flours are best for gluten and grain free baking?
Almond flour and coconut flour are the most common gluten and grain free options. Almond flour adds moisture and healthy fats, while coconut flour absorbs liquid and provides fiber. Blending both improves structure and creates cookies with balanced texture.
What sweeteners can replace refined white sugar?
Common alternatives include coconut sugar, monk fruit, and birch xylitol. These options often create a gentler blood sugar response compared to cane sugar. They allow holiday desserts to taste sweet and satisfying while supporting more stable energy levels.
Can paleo cookies still taste like classic holiday treats?
Yes, many paleo recipes closely mimic traditional favorites such as sugar cookies, almond butter cookies, and chocolate dipped treats. With the right flour and fat balance, the flavor and texture feel familiar, so most guests do not notice the swaps.
Are these paleo holiday recipes suitable for cookie exchanges?
These recipes work well for parties and cookie swaps. They look festive and taste indulgent while being free from gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. This makes them appealing to guests with food sensitivities or those seeking cleaner ingredients.
Why does Mary Vance recommend avoiding refined sugar in baking?
Mary Vance explains that refined sugar can trigger rapid blood sugar spikes followed by crashes, cravings, and fatigue. Choosing natural sweeteners and whole food ingredients supports steadier energy and reduces stress on hormones during the holiday season.
How does Mary Vance approach healthier holiday baking?
Mary Vance adapts traditional desserts using whole food swaps such as coconut oil instead of processed fats and almond flour instead of white flour. Her approach focuses on nutrient density, stable blood sugar, and balanced indulgence without sacrificing celebration.
Welcome to my site! I am a holistic nutrition consultant based in California, though I work with clients all over the world. I love houseplants, dogs, snow sports, and music that doesn't suck.
