My gluten-free almond flour cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. This quick, five-ingredient recipe is sure to become a favorite whether your guests avoid gluten or not.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Who doesn’t love almond flour chocolate chip cookies? These capture the classic taste of choc-chip cookies but are naturally gluten free, quick to make, and require just a handful of pantry staples. Almond flour gives them a rich, nutty base and a tender, shortbread-like texture that pairs perfectly with chocolate chips.
With rising gluten sensitivity, it’s useful to have reliable gluten-free recipes on hand. This one uses only five main ingredients and comes together fast without sacrificing flavor. Almond flour is also higher in protein and fiber than regular flour and lower in carbohydrates, making these cookies a more nutrient-dense option.
Ingredient Notes
- Almond flour – Made from blanched, finely ground almonds. It’s lighter than almond meal and is naturally gluten free, making it an ideal substitute for wheat flour in this recipe.
- Powdered sugar – Finer than granulated sugar and helps create a soft, tender cookie. If serving someone who is gluten intolerant, check the package to ensure the powdered sugar is gluten free.
- Butter – Use salted butter for the best flavor.
- Vanilla extract – A single teaspoon enhances the sweetness and aroma.
- Chocolate chips – Use milk, dark, or white chocolate chips based on preference. Most brands are gluten free, but verify the label if needed.
Variations
To make almond flour shortbread, omit the chocolate chips — simple and delicious. For other variations, try replacing the chips with:
- chopped dried apricots
- raisins
- M&Ms (regular variety is typically gluten free)
- chopped dates
- dried cranberries
Feel free to experiment with mix-ins and leave a note about what you tried and how it turned out.
How to Make Almond Flour Cookies
Follow these simple steps to make almond flour cookies at home. The numbered instructions match the accompanying step photos.
Preheat the oven and line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper.
- Beat the butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until creamy.
- Stir in the almond flour and chocolate chips to form a soft dough.
- Scoop heaped teaspoonfuls of dough, roll into balls, and place on the lined trays with space to spread.
- Flatten each ball slightly with the tines of a fork.
Bake for 12–14 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips For Success and FAQs
These cookies brown quickly, so watch them closely. Set a timer for 11 minutes and check frequently to avoid overbaking. If using superfine sugar instead of powdered sugar, beat longer so the sugar dissolves into the butter.
Some powdered sugars contain wheat-based anti-caking agents. If gluten-free baking is required, look for “pure” powdered sugar labeled gluten free. Store powdered sugar sealed in the freezer to prevent clumping in humid climates.
Using certified gluten-free chocolate chips and powdered sugar will keep the cookies safe for gluten-intolerant guests.
Yes. Almond meal (ground whole almonds) can replace almond flour, but the cookies will be slightly coarser and darker since almond meal is less fine.
Yes. Almond flour works in many recipes as an alternative to wheat flour. Note that almond flour is denser, so you generally need about 25% less by volume, baked goods may cook faster (about 25% less time), and you may need to slightly lower oven temperature.
Almond flour has a low glycemic index, is higher in protein, fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, and monounsaturated fats compared with regular flour. These nutrients can help with satiety and heart health.
Serving Suggestion
Pack a couple of almond flour chocolate chip cookies in lunchboxes for a protein-rich snack, enjoy them with afternoon tea or coffee, or serve with ice cream for a sweet dessert.
These cookies also work well as a gluten-free component in recipes that call for cookie pieces.
Almond Flour Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour (200 grams)
- 3 ounces salted butter (85 grams)
- ½ cup powdered sugar (50 grams) (icing sugar) gluten free if required
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 320°F/160ºC. Line 2 baking sheets with non-stick baking paper.
- Beat butter, powdered sugar and vanilla until well combined and creamy.
- Stir in almond flour and chocolate chips to form a soft dough.
- Roll heaped teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving room to spread. Press the balls with the tines of a fork.
- Bake for 12–14 minutes until lightly browned.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Watch the cookies closely near the end of baking to prevent overbrowning.
- To ensure the recipe is gluten free, use certified gluten-free powdered sugar and chocolate chips.
See the Variations section above for other mix-in ideas.
Nutritional Estimate Per Serving
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate. For accurate results, calculate nutrition based on the specific ingredients and brands you use.