Christmas cookies abound during the holiday season, but for those who have celiac disease, a gluten allergy, or a gluten intolerance, navigating sugar cookies and gingerbread men can be a minefield. Good news: There are plenty of delicious gluten-free Christmas cookie recipes out there. Here are some of our favorite flourless options — all of which would go well with a glass of eggnog.
But First, Flour
Some of these recipes won’t require flour at all, but others will call for gluten-free flour or flour alternatives. There are a number of 1-to-1 gluten-free flour options out there, which can be directly substituted for regular flour. Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour is a great option, as is King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour. Other flour alternatives that may not already be in your pantry include almond flour, rice flour, cassava flour, and buckwheat flour.
Related: We Tried Edible Cookie Dough Brands and These Are the Best
Peppermint Meringue
Meringues are a go-to gluten-free dessert, and get a holiday boost here with the addition of peppermint. Using a base of egg whites, cream of tartar, and sugar, the ultra-light bites also feature peppermint extract, chocolate, and peppermint candies.
Recipe: Delish
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Gingerbread Cookies
You’ll need gluten-free baking flour for this recipe, along with classic gingerbread ingredients such as molasses and ground ginger. An icing recipe is included for adding details such as buttons and noses.
Recipe: Meaningful Eats
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
Fun to say and even more delightful to eat, the snickerdoodle is a classic holiday cookie. Here, almond flour and oat flour are used instead of regular flour. The recipe is also egg-free and dairy-free.
Recipe: Cotter Crunch
Snowballs
These powdered sugar-laden treats are a stalwart around the holidays. Sub out the flour for potato starch, cornstarch, and xantham gum — but don’t worry, there’s still plenty of confectioner’s sugar in the recipe.
Recipe: Taste of Home
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Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Whether you prefer brownies or cookies, this holiday treat features the best of both — it’s a chewy brownie in cookie form, given a Christmas boost with red food coloring. Refrigerate the dough overnight for best results.
Recipe: Heartbeet Kitchen
Christmas Sugar Blossom Cookies
You’ll need a bag of Hershey’s Kisses for this recipe, which merges blossom cookies with sugar cookies. Pick up some red and green sprinkles to decorate with Christmas colors.
Recipe: Mama Knows Gluten Free
Almond Flour Sugar Cookies
Just because you can’t have gluten doesn’t mean you have to forgo sugar cookies. This recipe uses almond flour and coconut flour to create blank canvases for your cookie decorating whims.
Recipe: Fit Foodie Finds
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Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies are a time-honored holiday tradition, a mix of sugar cookie and shortbread and usually containing a dollop of jam in the center. This recipe calls for gluten-free flour or almond flour, and encourages using jam or Nutella for the filling.
Recipe: The Gluten Free Austrian
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
A colorful pinwheel pattern makes these cookies stand out, while the use of white rice flour and potato starch means it’s safe for those with gluten allergies to enjoy. Don’t forget the sprinkles!
Recipe: Faithfully Gluten Free
Rum Balls
Do you have a food processor? If so, these rum balls are a cinch to make, as the recipe calls for you to throw the majority of ingredients into the food processor before rolling each ball of dough in shredded coconut or cacao powder.
Recipe: Pook’s Pantry
Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
These flourless cookies are made with hazelnut butter and topped with roasted and chopped hazelnuts for decoration. They’re dense like brownies, loaded with chocolate, and perfect for enjoying with a glass of milk.
Recipe: Gluten Free Alchemist
Eggnog Cookies
You can drink your eggnog and eat it too, with these eggnog cookies made with gluten-free flour and almond flour.
Recipe: Fearless Dining
Easy Coconut Macaroons
Like meringues, macaroons are a naturally gluten-free dessert made with egg whites, sugar, and shredded coconut. These bite-sized treats are also dipped in melted chocolate — your choice of dark or milk.
Recipe: Your Cup of Cake
Peppermint Bark
Okay, these aren’t exactly cookies, but they’re a staple around Christmastime and a gluten-free success. All you need are white chocolate chips and peppermint candies — just be sure to check that the chocolate doesn’t contain malt syrup, which isn’t gluten-free.
Recipe: Food.
