If you’re looking for a healthy cookie recipe for an occasional treat, look no further than these easy healthy shortbread cookies.
These cookies are gluten-free and made with almond flour. They are very similar to my base almond flour cookies recipe.
These healthy shortbread cookies are the perfect indulgence when you want a treat that doesn’t derail your healthy eating habits. They’re reminiscent of traditional sugar cookies with a shortbread twist.
The dough comes together in one bowl: mix 2 cups of almond flour with baking soda and salt, then stir in vanilla, 1/3 cup maple syrup and a tablespoon of olive oil until a dough ball forms. Chill the dough for 30 minutes, roll it out 1/4 inch thick between two sheets of parchment, cut out your shapes, and bake at 350ºF for about 9 minutes, until the edges are very light golden brown.
Tips for the Best Healthy Shortbread Cookies:
One of the best parts about this recipe is that you can use it for just about any occasion. Switch up the shapes, leave them plain or get creative with how you decorate them.
And, with just six ingredients, they are a breeze to put together. You just have to learn the right technique.
- Almond flour: This recipe uses almond flour instead of traditional wheat flour, which makes them gluten-free, grain-free, and higher in protein. But, since there isn’t any wheat flour to help roll them out, the dough is sticky. Be patient and keep the dough chilled to make it easier to work with.
- Rolling out the dough: Roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper, then remove the top sheet and cut out your cookies. Leave them on that bottom layer of parchment paper (don’t try to transfer them) by sliding the ready-to-bake cookies onto a cookie sheet.
- Roll them out to about 1/4-inch thick. Too thin and they will get too brown too fast.
- The right oven temperature: Bake at 350ºF. I suggest getting an inexpensive oven thermometer that hangs on the inside of your oven. This actually helps all of your recipes turn out better. I have a new oven and when it says preheated to 350ºF, the $10 hanging thermometer reads about 330ºF. On the flip side, my sister has a new oven and when it reads 350ºF it’s at almost 370ºF. Old or new, ovens aren’t usually accurate. An internal thermometer is your friend here.
- Binding the dough: Since there aren’t any eggs or other binders in this recipe, we rely on the maple or honey (liquids) to bind them. You could try it with coconut nectar as well, but you can’t replace the liquid sweetener with a dry sweetener.
- Extra virgin olive oil: The tablespoon of oil also helps bind the cookies and prevents them from sticking to the parchment paper. I use a delicate tasting extra virgin olive oil because that’s what I have on hand and you can’t even taste it, but you could use organic grapeseed oil (neutral tasting) or even coconut oil. The coconut oil will give them a coconutty flavor. Avocado oil is a strong flavor, so not recommended. I don’t use vegetable, canola, or other highly processed oils here.
- Get creative! I cut these into hearts and dipped them in melted vegan dark chocolate chips for Valentine’s Day, but you can use any shape for any occasion.
Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookie FAQs
Why is my almond flour dough so sticky?
Almond flour dough is naturally stickier than dough made with wheat flour. Chilling it is the fix. If it gets soft while you’re rolling, pop it back in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes, and always roll it between two sheets of parchment paper.
Can I use almond meal instead of almond flour?
Stick with finely ground almond flour (not almond meal) for these. Almond meal is coarser, so the cookies won’t have that smooth, tender shortbread texture.
Can I use coconut sugar instead of maple syrup?
Not in this recipe. There are no eggs, so the maple syrup or honey is what holds the dough together. A dry sweetener won’t bind it.
How long do these shortbread cookies keep?
Up to 3 days at room temperature or up to a week in the fridge. Plain cookies freeze well for up to 3 months.
Baking a whole cookie tray? Add my 5-Ingredient Almond Flour Christmas Cookies and browse my favorite gluten-free cookie recipes.
PrintLove this recipe? Don’t lose it.
Save it (and every recipe you love, from any website) in Butler, my recipe & meal planning app. Start with my free 5-minute system for planning a week of meals.
You’re in! Check your inbox for my 5-minute system.
Easy Healthy Shortbread Cookies (Gluten-Free)
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 9 mins
- Total Time: 54 mins
- Yield: 12
Description
These easy, healthy shortbread cookies are made with almond flour, maple syrup and just a tablespoon of olive oil, so they’re naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Cut them into any shape you like and dip them in dark chocolate for a special treat.
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour (not almond meal)
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt (such as Real Salt)
- 2 teaspoons high-quality vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or coconut oil)
- Optional: 3 ounces vegan dark chocolate (1 bar or about 1/3 cup chips), for dipping or drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Combine the first three dry ingredients and gently mix with a fork, being careful not to pack the almond flour. Make a well in the bottom of the bowl. Add the vanilla, maple (or honey), and oil, then mix all ingredients until a dough ball forms.
- Chill the dough in the freezer for 30 minutes. Or, in the refrigerator overnight. Chilled dough rolls out better.
- Cut two pieces of parchment paper (not wax paper) the size of your cookie sheet. Place the chilled dough ball in between the parchment paper pieces and roll out to ¼ inch thick. If the dough gets too sticky while rolling out, put it back in the freezer for 10-15 minutes (if you work quickly this usually doesn’t happen).
- Remove the top layer of parchment paper. Use a cookie cutter to cut out as many cookies as possible, leaving at least ¼ inch in between the cookies. Remove excess dough around the shapes without moving the cookies (you’ll bake them right on the parchment paper where they are.)
- Gently slide the parchment paper with the cut-out cookies onto a baking sheet.
- You can take the excess dough and roll it into two-inch balls, then press them down with your fingers for rustic-looking cookies—bake them separately after your cutouts are baked. Or, roll it out again for more cutouts.
- Bake for 9 minutes, until very light golden brown on the edges. Remove from oven, then slide the parchment paper with the cookies onto the counter and let cool for 10-30 minutes to set. Don’t let them cool on the baking sheet as they may get too brown on the bottom.
- Enjoy plain, dipped in chocolate, or drizzled with chocolate. You can also frost them with my vegan vanilla buttercream frosting (on the blog) for more of a sugar cookie taste.
- These cookies keep at room temp for up to three days, or in the refrigerator up to a week. Plain cookies also freeze well up to three months.
- How to dip in chocolate: If dipping in chocolate, wait until the cookies have cooled to room temp before dipping. Melt the vegan dark chocolate in a double-boiler (tempered glass bowl over a pot of hot boiling water), then dip each cookie in the chocolate. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate hardens (about 30 minutes).
Notes
— This recipe makes about 12 two-inch cookies or 24 one-inch cookies
— Almond flour: This recipe uses almond flour instead of traditional wheat flour, which makes them gluten-free, grain-free, and higher in protein. But, since there isn’t any wheat flour to help roll them out, the dough is sticky. Be patient and keep the dough chilled.
— Rolling out the dough: Roll it out between two sheets of parchment paper, then remove the top sheet and cut out your cookies. Leave them on that bottom layer of parchment paper (don’t try to transfer them) by sliding the ready-to-bake cookies onto a cookie sheet.
— Roll them out to about 1/4-inch thick. Too thin and they will get too brown quickly.
— The right oven temperature: Bake at 350ºF. I suggest getting an inexpensive internal oven thermometer that hangs on the inside of your oven to ensure accuracy.
— Binding the dough: Since there aren’t any eggs or other binders in this recipe, we rely on the maple or honey (liquids) to bind them. You could try it with coconut nectar as well, but you can’t replace the liquid sweetener with a dry sweetener.
— Extra virgin olive oil: The tablespoon of oil also helps bind the cookies and prevents them from sticking to the parchment paper. I use a delicate tasting extra virgin olive oil because that’s what I have on hand and you can’t even taste it, but you could use organic grapeseed oil (neutral tasting) or even coconut oil. The coconut oil will give them a coconutty flavor. Avocado oil is a strong flavor so not recommended. I don’t use vegetable, canola, or other highly processed oils here.
— Get creative! I cut these into hearts and dipped them in melted vegan dark chocolate chips for Valentine’s Day, but you can use any shape for any occasion.
If you make these, click the rating in the recipe card and let us know how they turn out in the comments below!
Find more almond flour recipes here.
And, please share any tips for decorating or serving with our community.
These gluten free shortbread cookies are a delicious and healthy treat!.
Delicious and easy! Used avo oil. Family loved them! Keeper recipe!!
Amazing! Glad to hear it! ~E
I NEVER review recipes but I’ve been searching for a good healthy cookie to dip in tea or coffee and these are perfect! I made them without chocolate but next time I might make them with jam in the middle like a Linzer cookie. So easy cannot recommend enough
Hi I’m really looking forward to baking these! I’m thinking of making them thicker, so more of a bar, would you suggest baking at a slightly lower temperature and for longer?
I also wondered what the nutritional values were before I start please?
I absolutely love these. I used both honey and maple surup since i couldnt decide which one to pick. They came out fantastic. Im making them for valentines day and wanted somewhat healthy ones because were adding frosting that has too much sugar.
These are DELICIOUS! I stumbled upon your recipe tonight and decided to give it a try and I’m so happy I did! I rolled mine out too thick, so they are soft and a little chewy, but so good:) I will definitely be making these again. I made 12 cookies and just ate 3!!! Lol!
oh how much I love this. But can I use oat flour
Will be trying this recipes out will give my thoughts on then
M later they sound yummy 😋 Cecilia
Can these be made with regular baking flour? They sound delicious but I don’t need gluten -free..
Hi Linda, this recipe was specifically written for almond flour. If you use another flour I would suggest searching the internet for a recipe using the type of flour you want to use. Thanks! ~E
You’re a true inspiration and thank you – shortbread biscuits sound fab and I’m going to try baking these tomorrow.
First time very successful. Really nice tasting even without the chocolate. Found it a bit awkward rolling when nearly frozen, but managed. Thank you
Hi Liz!
Can’t wait to make these! Thank you! Regarding Step 8:
Should it perhaps say “let rest 10-30 minutes” to set? I’m thinking there’s a typo?
Ooh you’re correct! Just fixed, thanks! 🙂 ~E
Yum yum!
I made these with crushed cardamom seeds 😁
And you can also roll the dough into a sausage in parchment paper, and then slice circles off straight from the fridge!
Thanks again for the delicious inspiration Elizabeth.
Alyson, YUM! Crushed cardamom seeds sound so delish here. Thanks for sharing your tips with us! ~E