If you’re in need of a festive holiday treat but aren’t quite sure what to make, we’ve got you covered with 20 of the best gluten free Christmas cookies and treats! From classic recipes to new creations, these options are perfect for holiday parties, bake sales, and cookie trays.
A Collection of 20 Gluten Free Christmas Cookies and Treats
Use this round-up of gluten free Christmas cookies to select what you want to make for your holiday tray or party. If you have someone in your home or circle who eats gluten free, we know they will appreciate your extra care by making gluten free Christmas cookies that they can enjoy. All of the recipes below are gluten free, and there are also options for Cookies that egg free and dairy free (or can be made so with modifications). We hope these cookies and treats help bring a little magic to the holidays with recipes everyone can enjoy.
Tips for Baking Gluten Free Christmas Cookie Recipes
While all of the recipes below are easy to follow, we have a few extra tips and tricks to make sure that all of your gluten free Christmas cookies and treats turn out perfectly every time you make them!
- Preheat the oven. If your oven hasn’t heated all the way up, your cookies and treats are likely to begin melting before they bake. This will result in gluten free Christmas cookies that are flat, crispy, and sometimes burnt.
- Line the baking sheets. For even baking and easy cleanup, line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper to prevent the treats from sticking.
- Measure flour with a kitchen scale. When it comes to gluten free baking, accurate measurements are truly the key to success. For the best results, we recommend using a food scale (when grams are listed with the ingredients) to measure flour and other ingredients, instead of measuring cups to measure out your ingredients. Our recipes include the gram weight of flour and other ingredients, so this is easy to do.
- Don’t overmix the dough. Mix the cookie batter just until the ingredients are combined. If you mix the dough for too long, it can start to become crumbly or too dense.
- Let the dough rest. Most of the recipes will specify when and how long to let the dough chill before baking. Most gluten free flours (except for coconut flour) tend to take longer to absorb moisture. So, as a general rule of thumb, plan on let the gluten free cookie dough chill at least 30 minutes before baking.
Gluten-Free Baking Staples to Have On Hand
Of course, gluten free Christmas cookie recipes will contain different ingredients. However, in general, there are a few items you can count on needing more often than not. For that reason, we keep our pantries and fridges stocked with the ingredients below!
- 1:1 Gluten Free Flour
- Butter
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Peanut Butter
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Baking Soda
- Dairy-Free and Vegan Chocolate Chips – such as Enjoy Life
Our Favorite Flour for Gluten-Free Baking
When it comes to gluten free Christmas cookies and treats, our go-to flour is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. It’s made from a combination of sweet rice flour, whole grain brown rice flour, potato starch, whole grain sorghum flour, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum. We find that it bakes up nicely to create perfectly fluffy, tender cookies and treats with ease!
Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cookies
Everyone’s favorite Christmas cookie is now made allergy friendly! Simple, real-food ingredients create a soft gluten free Christmas cookie with a sweet cinnamon-sugar crackled top. You’ll love to share these.
Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
Pecan Snowball Cookies
Also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies, these pillowy soft treats are quick to make and have a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They’re perfect for adding to cookie trays and a favorite at cookie exchanges.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Vegan
Easy Gluten-Free Peppermint Brownie Cookies
Half brownie, half cookie, and 100% delicious, these gluten free Peppermint Chocolate Christmas Cookies are soft, chewy, and full of rich chocolate flavor and a touch of refreshing peppermint from extract and candy canes.
Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
The Best Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
Baked to soft perfection and topped off with a simple white icing, these timeless gluten free Christmas cookies are a fun way to get everyone in the kitchen and excited to decorate.
Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
Featuring warm, subtle spices and plenty of chocolate flavor, these cookies have all the flavor of a decked-out mug of hot cocoa in the convenience of a cookie!
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
Paleo Soft-Batch Ginger Molasses Cookies
If you’re looking for a molasses cookie, but want to cut back on sugar, check out this recipe for Paleo Soft Molasses Cookies. With just 5 grams of sugar per serving and plenty of warm spice, these sweet treats are great for sharing.
Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Paleo
Peanut Butter Blossoms
A classic that has been loved for generations, we’re sharing how you can adapt this ever-popular Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe to be the gluten free Christmas cookie to serve for all occasions.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Vegetarian
Healthy Buckeyes
There’s nothing better than the combination of chocolate and peanut butter! Especially when it’s used in your favorite holiday treat with way less sugar involved as you’ll find with this recipe.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Vegan | Paleo
Crockpot Peanut Clusters
Who says dessert can’t be good for you? Made with a combination of healthy fats, antioxidants, and plenty of fiber, these peanut clusters are a better-for-you recipe perfect for the holidays.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Vegan
Peppermint Brownie Batter Truffles
If you’re a fan of licking the spoon after making a batch of brownies, this is the recipe for you! Made with a pleasant tingle of mint, they’re dangerously delicious.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian | Paleo
Holiday Spiced Pecans
A great source of healthy fats, these unique treats are roasted to sweet perfection and infused with warm spices, making them perfect for gifting, snacking, and more!
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Vegan | Paleo
Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
Filled with your favorite jam or preserves, these buttery cookies taste just like the ones Mom used to make but with gluten free, allergy-friendly ingredients everyone can enjoy.
Gluten Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
A cookie dough lover’s dream, these are completely safe to eat and ready in just 30 minutes with zero baking for perfectly portioned energy-boosting bites that hit the spot every time!
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Vegan | Paleo
4-Ingredient Scotcheroo Bites
A truly nostalgic recipe, you’ll be amazed at how just four ingredients can combine to taste so great! The perfect balance of salty and sweet, these are guaranteed to become your new favorite treat.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Vegan
Slow Cooker Spiced Nuts
A crowd-pleasing recipe everyone is guaranteed to love, these nuts are irresistibly delicious and simple to make and give away for all the snack lovers in your life.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Vegan | Paleo
The Best Monster Cookies
Truly the best, these gluten free Christmas cookies are made in one bowl for super easy cleanup. Plus, they feature a wide variety of ingredients to satisfy all your tastebuds!
Gluten Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
What’s better than an entire skillet filled with everyone’s favorite cookie? Enjoy this dessert warm topped off with a scoop of ice cream, or slice it into bars to enjoy throughout the week!
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Vegan
Flourless Monster Cookie Bars
Everyone’s favorite cookie sliced into bars, these flourless treats have it all with a soft, chewy texture and a scrumptious chocolatey, peanut buttery taste!
Gluten Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free
3-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Mint Cups
Bite-sized and better than store-bought varieties, these homemade mints are the perfect way to top off a meal or satisfy your afternoon sweet tooth when you just want a bit of something sweet.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian | Dairy Free | Vegan | Paleo
Pecan Pie Truffles
Made in 15 minutes, these protein-loaded bites feature all the best parts of gooey pecan pie and a drizzle of dark chocolate for a healthy twist on a holiday favorite!
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all of the cookies and treats included in this round-up are gluten free or come with a gluten free option. Now if you don’t need these cookies to be gluten free, many of them can be made with all-purpose flour.
In our opinion, nothing beats homemade. However, if you’re short on time, you can find gluten free Christmas cookies pre-made and ready to bake in the allergy-friendly section of most local grocery stores.
The most common cause of crumbly cookies is an improper ratio of dry ingredients and liquids. To prevent this from happening, be sure to measure your items carefully!
Be sure to mix your batter just until the ingredients are combined and smooth, and let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This will help hydrate and soften the cookie batter, eliminating any gritty texture.
Make a Tray of Gluten Free Christmas Cookies or Give Them as Gifts
There are so many great ways to enjoy and share these gluten free cookies and treats! Two of our favorite options include:
- Make a Dessert Tray. Make an assortment of goodies to arrange on a festive platter to leave out for Santa, serve at parties, and more. For the best results, start by arranging the largest items on the tray. Then, fill in any gaps with smaller options and extra garnishes like chocolate chips and candy canes!
- Give Them as Food Gifts. We love to spread the holiday cheer with gifts you can eat made right in your kitchen. Choose recipes you know your loved ones will enjoy and can eat (being mindful of any food allergies), and place them in an airtight container lined with parchment paper. Attach a note providing the recipe and storage instructions so the recipient can view all of the ingredients, and wrap it up with a bow!
How to Store Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies and Treats
Gluten free Christmas cookies and treats are great to make ahead of time! We specify specific storage instructions in each recipe. However, in general, gluten free treats can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words. Link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!
I would love to have a dessert ebook, just saying. 😉. I love all your recipes, so does my family.
Thanks! We will keep that in mind!