Welcome! I am so happy you chose to gather around my table. My name is Mia Swinehart and I am a registered dietitian with a passion for simple healthy recipes, women's hormonal health, and overall wellness!
The most perfect soft and chewy gluten free snickerdoodle cookies! Grain free, easy to make, and full of that classic buttery cinnamon sugar flavor. I am obsessed!
It’s always hard for me to choose…but I think these are one of my new favorite cookie recipes on the blog. Especially for winter and the holidays! Snickerdoodles are such a classic cookie- they never get old! Now you can enjoy them gluten free and refined sugar free!
Something about these cookies just takes you immediately back to childhood with your first bite. So nostalgic, and so SO delicious.
The soft and chewy texture is spot on. Honestly, you would never know these are gluten and grain free. That’s always my goal! It’s gotta taste like the real deal 🙂
Snickerdoodle cookies have a signature slight tang to them. I created this using apple cider vinegar. It’s a pantry staple for me and easy to get your hands on!
The cinnamon sugar coating is made with coconut sugar. This gives them a very slightly darker appearance than the original style of snickerdoodles, but it keeps them refined sugar free. If you want to use regular sugar, though, you definitely can!
Can I use a different flour?
If you want the same results as mine, you will have to stick with almond flour! There is not a great 1:1 sub out there for almond flour, so I really recommend keeping the recipe as is! Otherwise, you can experiment at your own risk!
Can I make these dairy free?
The butter in the cookies realllly adds to the classic snickerdoodle flavor. I wouldn’t recommend any subs. If you have a vegan butter that you love and find tastes just like regular butter, then go for it! I have only tried making these with regular (grass fed) butter.
This snickerdoodle recipe is super simple and straight forward. It’s the perfect holiday treat to make this winter! Enjoy some after dinner, or with a cup of afternoon coffee (my favorite)! I am SO excited to hear what you guys think of these!
As always, it means so so much to me if you could leave a rating and comment if you make these! Tagging me on Instagram with a photo of your creations also makes my day, too :). Thank you so much for your constant support and love!
The best gluten free + paleo-friendly snickerdoodle cookies! Easy to make, so delicious, and refined sugar free!
Ingredients
Scale
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cup coconut sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 + 3/4 cups almond flour*
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
For the cinnamon sugar coating:
3 tbsp coconut sugar (can sub regular sugar)
1 + 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (you may end up needing 2 baking sheets).
Mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the coating and set aside (I like to do this in a small bowl, then transfer to a large plate for rolling the dough in the mixture later).
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, coconut sugar, egg, vanilla, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
Stir in the almond flour, sea salt, and baking soda until a smooth dough forms (it may take a minute).
Scoop the dough out about 1 tbsp at a time, and roll in your hands to create a ball. (Mixture will make 22-24 cookies in total)
Roll each ball of dough in the cinnamon sugar mixture, then set on the baking sheet about 1-2 inches apart. You may run out of space and need a second baking sheet.
Slightly press each ball of dough down with your hands (they will continue to spread in the oven, so only press them about 1/2 way down).
Bake for 9-10 minutes. They will be soft and may even look a little wet still when you take them out- they will continue to set as they cool! Allow to cool for 5 minutes before carefully transferring to a cooling rack to finish cooling. Store leftovers in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days.
Notes
*Please note I have not tested these with any other type of flour. For best results I highly recommend keeping the recipe as written!
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to tag @gatherednutrition on INstagram so I can see what you made! Leaving a rating and review on the site is a huge help too!
These are fantastic! Soft, chewy, and so good! Very easy to whip up and bake quickly too. These might become my go-to cookie and I’m more of a chocolate chip girl! Even my MIL raves about them!
Ok wow these cookies are on another level. I followed the recipe exactly and the they came out perfect. I used Kerrygold butter- highly recommend! Snickerdoodles were always my favorite and I’m so happy this GF version exists.
I haven’t tried anything else here- the apple cider vinegar adds a nice taste and traditional tang to the cookie that snickerdoodles have. I’m not sure how the taste will be with regular vinegar! You could also some cream of tar tar if you have that but I just can’t say for sure how any substitutions will work!
Just made these following the ingredients to a “t” and they came out perfect! So excited to share with my coworkers and fam tomorrow! Thanks Mia, perfect as always ????
This is an amazing gluten free cookie! They turn out so fluffy and chewy and are an amazing holiday treat! I was so surprised how easy these were to make. I will he making these more often!
These are actually so yummy!! I made them vegan by using vegan butter and ran out of coconut sugar so used 1/4 monk fruit sweetener. And they’re still delicious!!
Sadly not my favorite from her, not sure what I did wrong but they were hard and not fluffy! And the taste just wasn’t there. Then going home to my mom’s where she made the real recipe I grew up with… there was no comparison. Maybe add cream of tartar?
Hi Alex. This should not turn out hard. The apple cider vinegar acts as the cream of tartar here. Were any substitutions made? I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy these, but they are definitely soft when I make them!
I have been loving on a lot of your recipes lately! These cookies did not disappoint – so soft on the inside but the outside is crisp! I will definitely be making these again. Thanks!!
These are the biggest hit with everyone I know!!! My mom begs me to make them every time I visit. We added chocolate chips for a little extra sweetness and it’s delish (:
Love this recipe! My whole family loved these pillowy soft snickerdoodles. They melt in your mouth and are the perfect holiday cookie! Thanks 🙂
★★★★★
Thank you so much Sofia!! I’m so happy to hear that!! xo
If I were to use a substitute for the coconut sugar, would you recommend using brown or granulated? Thank you! 🙂
I would do granulated!
These are fantastic! Soft, chewy, and so good! Very easy to whip up and bake quickly too. These might become my go-to cookie and I’m more of a chocolate chip girl! Even my MIL raves about them!
★★★★★
Ok wow these cookies are on another level. I followed the recipe exactly and the they came out perfect. I used Kerrygold butter- highly recommend! Snickerdoodles were always my favorite and I’m so happy this GF version exists.
★★★★★
What can I substitute for apple cider vinegar? Does regular vinegar work?
I haven’t tried anything else here- the apple cider vinegar adds a nice taste and traditional tang to the cookie that snickerdoodles have. I’m not sure how the taste will be with regular vinegar! You could also some cream of tar tar if you have that but I just can’t say for sure how any substitutions will work!
Just made these following the ingredients to a “t” and they came out perfect! So excited to share with my coworkers and fam tomorrow! Thanks Mia, perfect as always ????
★★★★★
So good and fluffy!
★★★★★
These cookies are so easy and delicious!! Snickerdoodles are one of my Christmas faves so happy to have found a GF version. Thank you!!!
★★★★★
This is an amazing gluten free cookie! They turn out so fluffy and chewy and are an amazing holiday treat! I was so surprised how easy these were to make. I will he making these more often!
★★★★★
These are actually so yummy!! I made them vegan by using vegan butter and ran out of coconut sugar so used 1/4 monk fruit sweetener. And they’re still delicious!!
★★★★★
Sadly not my favorite from her, not sure what I did wrong but they were hard and not fluffy! And the taste just wasn’t there. Then going home to my mom’s where she made the real recipe I grew up with… there was no comparison. Maybe add cream of tartar?
★★
Hi Alex. This should not turn out hard. The apple cider vinegar acts as the cream of tartar here. Were any substitutions made? I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy these, but they are definitely soft when I make them!
I have been loving on a lot of your recipes lately! These cookies did not disappoint – so soft on the inside but the outside is crisp! I will definitely be making these again. Thanks!!
★★★★★
SO GOOD!! I am obsessed with all of your cookie recipes. These were super moist and perfect!
★★★★★
Thank you so much Allison!! xoxo
Do you think you could brown the butter for this recipe?
Thanks!
★★★★★
Definitely! 🙂
Love these cookies! So delicious and soft.
Any thoughts on using cream of tarter in place of the vinegar? If so, use the same amount which is 1 tsp? Really want them traditional! Thank you!
These are the biggest hit with everyone I know!!! My mom begs me to make them every time I visit. We added chocolate chips for a little extra sweetness and it’s delish (:
Thanks for this incredible recipe!
★★★★★