Who’s craving some grain-free and gluten-free snickerdoodles that are crispy, chewy, tangy, and perfectly sweet? These paleo cookies are made with natural ingredients like almond flour, coconut sugar, and cinnamon, and are an absolute cinch to make!
Healthier snickerdoodle cookies
Never had a snickerdoodle cookie? They’re like sugar cookies with a punch of cinnamon and a slight tanginess. I’m a big fan of snickerdoodles, but they’re typically made with wheat flour and refined sugar—two ingredients that don’t agree with me. That’s why I came up with this simple and craveworthy paleo snickerdoodle cookie recipe using almond flour, tapioca starch, coconut sugar, and other simple, whole-food ingredients. No gluten-free flour blends or xanthan gum necessary!
These paleo cookies have the perfect texture, with delightfully crispy edges and a chewy center. But of course, what really matters is how they taste—and these cookies passed with flying colors! In fact, my version tastes just like the classic recipe; not even your gluten-guzzling pals will suspect that you’re feeding them gluten-free snickerdoodles.
Tips on how to bake these cookies
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature! This way, the dough will blend perfectly.
- Measure the ingredients carefully! I always weigh out my dry ingredients on a kitchen scale and include the gram measurements in the recipe card below—just click on the metric button. If you don’t have a scale, the next best way is to spoon the flour into a measuring cup and level it with a knife.
- Don’t skip the chilling part! I know you’re impatient to chomp on these cookies, but please take the time to chill the dough first. The chilling process makes the dough easier to roll into balls and makes the cookies taste better!
- Space the dough balls apart on the two sheet pans! The cookie dough will spread when baking so make sure you only place 8 dough balls on each pan and stagger ’em so they’re at least 2 inches apart.
- Don’t over-bake these cookies! These cookies will finish baking in about 7 minutes. Use your nose as a guide and make sure you don’t burn your precious snickerdoodles!
Ingredients
- Blanched finely ground almond flour: The flour base of this cookie dough consists mostly of almond flour with a bit of tapioca flour. In terms of substitutions, I haven’t tried any. If you absolutely must eat nut-free, I’m guessing you might be able to replace the almond flour and tapioca flour with cassava flour. If you try this out, let me know in the comments how your nut-free cookies turn out!
- Tapioca flour: No tapioca flour? You can substitute arrowroot powder.
- Cream of tartar: This acid adds the signature tanginess to these snickerdoodles. It also reacts with baking soda to help leaven the cookies.
- Baking soda
- Diamond Crystal kosher salt: I always like to add a little salt to all my desserts to balance the flavors. If you use a fine salt or Morton’s kosher salt, decrease the amount by half.
- Refined coconut oil: In place of butter, I use melted refined coconut oil to keep these cookies dairy-free without adding a strong coconut flavor. You can easily melt the coconut oil in the microwave (~40 seconds on high power); let it cool to room temperature before using.
- Coconut sugar: I love the caramel notes that coconut sugar gives to these snickerdoodle cookies! If you want to keep the cookies from being too dark colored, use golden or blonde coconut sugar or maple sugar. (I haven’t tried a keto sweetener in this recipe so don’t ask me which one works best.)
- Vanilla extract
- Large egg: The egg helps with the structure of the cookie. I haven’t tried using an egg substitute in this recipe. Please let me know in the comments if you try it and it works!
- Ground cinnamon
How to make paleo and gluten free snickerdoodle cookies
In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, tapioca starch, cream of tartar, baking soda, and kosher salt.
Whisk well to combine and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract.
Use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed and beat everything together until combined. The resulting batter will look like wet, brown sand.
Add the room temperature egg…
…and continue beating on medium speed for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the mixture is a lighter golden brown color and the batter is thick and ribbony.
Pour in the flour mixture and beat on low until just combined.
Cover and chill the dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to bake the cookies, heat the oven to 400°F with the rack in the middle. Then, line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon blonde coconut sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl to make the cinnamon sugar topping.
Shape the pieces of dough into balls by rolling them in your palms. Then, toss the balls in the cinnamon and sugar mixture until well coated.
Arrange 8 of the coated dough balls on each of the prepared baking sheets, staggering them about 2 inches apart. The cookies will flatten and spread as they bake so make sure there is ample space between the cookies.
Bake one tray at a time or until edges are lightly browned and firm but centers are puffed and soft, about 7 to 8 minutes.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
Enjoy!
How to store snickerdoodles
Baked snickerdoodles can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can toss in a desiccant packet to keep them fresh longer.
Make ahead tips
The cookie dough can be made 3 days ahead and stored in a sealed container in the fridge. Roll out the cookies and coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture before baking. You can also roll out the dough balls and store ’em in the freezer, uncoated, in an airtight container for up to 3 months. You don’t need to thaw ’em before baking; just coat the dough balls before baking and add a minute or two extra in the oven.
More paleo and gluten free cookie recipes
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2022).
Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough
In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, tapioca starch, cream of tartar, baking soda, and kosher salt. Whisk well to combine and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Use an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed and beat everything together until combined. The resulting batter will look like wet, brown sand.
Add the room temperature egg and continue beating on medium speed for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the mixture is a lighter golden brown color and the batter is thick and ribbony.
Pour in the flour mixture and beat on low until just combined.
Cover and chill the dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to bake the cookies, heat the oven to 400°F with the rack in the middle. Then, line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk 1 tablespoon blonde coconut sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl to make the cinnamon sugar topping.
Using a small ice cream or cookie scoop, portion out 16 cookie dough balls, about 1 tablespoon each.
Shape the pieces of dough into balls by rolling them in your palms. Then, toss the balls in the cinnamon and sugar mixture until well coated.
Arrange 8 of the coated dough balls on each of the prepared baking sheets, staggering them about 2 inches apart. The cookies will flatten and spread as they bake so make sure there is ample space between the cookies.
Bake one tray at a time or until edges are lightly browned and firm but centers are puffed and soft, about 7 to 8 minutes.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
- Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature! This way, the dough will blend perfectly.
- Measure the ingredients carefully! I always weigh out my dry ingredients on a kitchen scale and include the gram measurements in the recipe card below—just click on the metric button. If you don’t have a scale, the next best way is to spoon the flour into a measuring cup and leveling it with a knife.
- Don’t skip the chilling part! I know you’re impatient to chomp on these cookies, but please take the time to chill the dough first. The chilling process makes the dough easier to roll into balls and makes the cookies taste better!
- Space the dough balls apart on the two sheet pans! The cookie dough will spread when baking so make sure you only place 8 dough balls on each pan and stagger ’em so they’re at least 2 inches apart.
- Don’t over-bake these cookies! These cookies will finish baking in about 7 minutes. Use your nose as a guide and make sure you don’t burn your precious snickerdoodles!
- Storage tips: Baked snickerdoodles can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can toss in a desiccant packet to keep them fresh longer.
Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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