These soft, pillowy, gluten-free chai cookies are bursting with flavors thanks to all the warming fall spices. Perfect with a cup of chai tea or coffee!
Let’s be honest, sometimes, gluten-free or « healthy » treats just aren’t as delicious as the traditional ones. Whether it’s the texture that’s not right or the taste that’s a bit funky, they can be pretty disappointing.
And I don’t know about you but because it’s not an everyday thing that I decide to treat myself, I want it to be really good and 100% worth it.
Like “OMG I want the whole batch” kind of good.
So when a treat’s failing me, I find it pretty heartbreaking haha ????.
Anyways, thank god (or the cook), there are a LOT of delicious + healthier treats out there that you can either buy or make at home thanks to a recipe that actually works.
And, not to toot my own horn but you guys, these gluten-free chai cookies deliver FOR SURE. They taste amazing and have a perfect soft pillowy texture.
So these are not crispy like a flavored shortbread, but wonderfully soft and cakey!
These soft chai cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free!
My homemade "healthier" chai cookies have been tested by various family members (aka my food guinea pigs ????) and they all loved them.
My mother-in-law actually texted me this: “Marie, your cookies are to die for, I can’t step more than 3 feet away from the kitchen”. To which I replied that I should have brought a padlock to protect them.
I didn’t even tell them that these chai-spiced cookies were gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar-free (and lots of other “frees”) because these cookies had to be delicious, healthier or not!
So! I hope you’ll try this easy cookie recipe and love it as much as we all did. Enjoy!
If you tried these soft, gluten-free chai cookies, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!
Gluten-Free Chai Cookies {Dairy-Free + Refined Sugar-Free}
Soft pillowy gluten-free chai cookies bursting with flavors thanks to all the warming fall spices. These make a great sweet afternoon snack and go perfectly with a cup of chai tea or coffee!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup almond meal/flour
- ½ cup oat flour see notes
- ¼ cup arrowroot or tapioca flour
- ¾ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅓ cup coconut oil liquified
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 large egg whisked
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 325F/162C degrees.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flours, xantham gum, cream of tartar, baking soda, coconut sugar, spices, and salt.
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Stir in coconut oil, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla. Mix until the dough comes together and is well combined, then chill for 30 minutes.
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Once the dough has chilled, roll it into balls (I used a standard ice cream scoop to shape them), then flatten slightly with your palm. Continue until you have about 20 cookies. Bake on a sheet pan for 13-15 minutes or until browned on edges, then cool on a wire rack before serving.
Recipe Notes
You can make your own oat flour by processing some oats in your food processor until it's a fine powder.
Jill
I love Chai flavors. These sound so delicious!
Marie
Me too! Thanks Jill 🙂
Amy
What perfectly wonderful little cookies! I bet these would be delicious sandwiched together with a little frosting or jam in the middle!
Marie
oooh YES such a great idea Amy!
Marvellina | What To Cook Today
I love that you use coconut oil in the recipe too. I can imagine the wonderful aroma from all the spices!!
Marie
I love baking with coconut oil, such a versatile ingredient! Thanks for stopping by Marvellina! (love your name!!)
Laura
Sounds like you really created a miracle. A free of everything cookies that are also addictive. A magic touch, I will try them.
Marie
Oooh merci Laura! Hope you'll love them 🙂
Andrea @ The Petite Cook
I'm dairy intolerant so these cookies would work perfect for me! Love all the spices you use, will give it a try ASAP 🙂
Marie
oh yes, coconut oil for the win! 😉 Thanks Andrea! p.s. just stopped by your blog and it's beautiful! followed you on Insta 🙂
molly
It says see notes next to the 1/2 cup oat flour, but I don't see any notes. I am wondering if I can make my own oat flour. Thank you for the recipe!
Marie
Ooops sorry about that! I updated the recipe now, but yes you can easily make your own oat flour by processing some oats in your food processor until it's a fine powder. I hope you'll enjoy these cookies 🙂
40A.
I am obsessed with the texture of these! So soft and pillowy. Love that these are healthier - because they certainly look like regular cookies!
Amy Boger
can you use bobs gluten free flour?
Marie
Hi Amy, this recipe has been tested with the specific flours listed and Bob's GF flour is quite different (it's a blend of different ingredients). It could work but as I haven't tested it I can't be sure, sorry.