Baking cookies is practically a winter sport! But don’t worry, we’re on your team. There are plenty of ways to “healthify” a recipe, like swapping oil for applesauce, white flour for wheat flour or oat flour, or white sugar for sugar substitutes like monk fruit sweetener. 

But let’s face it, figuring out these healthy swaps can lead to a little bit of trial and error. That’s why we’ve taken the guesswork out of your holiday baking and put together a collection of healthy Christmas cookies that are also delicious.

This year, we challenge you to try something other than the traditional chocolate chip cookies. In this festive recipe roundup, we're unwrapping a treasure trove of cookie recipes perfect for maintaining a healthy balance while satisfying your sweet tooth.

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20 Healthy Cookie Recipes for the Holidays 

While it’s definitely okay to make your favorite traditional Christmas cookie recipes, you may want to leave room for some healthier options, too. Whether you have guests with dietary restrictions or you’re trying to be conscious of your own health, we’ve got you covered. 

This list of healthy Christmas cookie recipes has options that are gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free, vegan, and sugar-free. So, no matter your preference, you’ll find the right recipe here. 

1. Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

This recipe is for our brownie lovers. These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are soft, chewy, and easy to make. They have crushed candy canes throughout, so they have that festive look we love to see this time of year.

They are so delicious you’ll never believe they are flourless and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. My favorite part is that you only need one bowl! 

You can store them in an airtight container for three to five days at room temperature, up to one week in the refrigerator, or in the freezer for longer storage. I recommend storing in between layers of parchment paper to keep the candy canes from sticking!

2. Sugar-free Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

These soft, decadent, chewy Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies are made with wholesome, nourishing ingredients and will perfectly satisfy your chocolate cravings. You won’t feel guilty when you can’t stop eating them. 

3. Sugar-free Gingerbread Cookies

This is hands down the best keto Gingerbread Cookie recipe ever. They’ll be sure to make your holidays merry and bright. These low-carb sugar-free gingerbread cookies have just 1.4 net carbs each! Plus they’re paleo-friendly! 

4. Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

Another one-bowl recipe here. I love a baking recipe that comes together quickly in one bowl. The holidays are busy enough, so if you don’t want to spend a bunch of time cleaning up the kitchen, this recipe is for you.

They’re thick, soft, and chewy and made only with peanut butter, flour, sugar, vanilla, and almond milk are the best! Use monk fruit sweetener or erythritol to make them sugar-free. 

Allergic to peanuts? These are just as delicious when they’re made with almond butter.

5. Cherry Quinoa Chocolate Bark

This year, why not make a healthier version of Chocolate Bark? Adding quinoa to these babies makes them a good source of fiber, providing around 3 grams of fiber in a 1-ounce serving. The dark chocolate and cranberries give this recipe a festive flair while also adding antioxidants, which are beneficial for good heart health.

Feel free to get creative and add other nuts, seeds, and dried fruit! 

6. Orange Cardamom Sugar Cookies

If you’re adventurous when it comes to flavor, you’ll love these Orange Cardamom Cookies. They’re a fun twist on a classic recipe. These cookies are made with an almond flour base, so they’re naturally gluten-free. They’re also vegan and dairy-free. 

The drizzle of orange icing gives a boring cookie a fancy holiday twist.  

7. Lemon Ricotta Cookies

These Lemon Ricotta Cookies are made with oat flour and topped with a delicious light lemon glaze. The ricotta cheese keeps these cookies moist and soft. They’re not overly sweet, and you can even skip the glaze topping. Since they’re made with oat flour, these cookies are gluten-free. They’re super easy to make and only require nine main ingredients. Plus, they’re bursting with lemon flavor!

8. Vegan Chocolate Amaretti Cookies

Amaretti Cookies are a staple when it comes to traditional Italian cookies. This version is made with cocoa powder, almond flour, and coconut sugar. These gluten-free, plant-based cookies are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Plus, they’re easy to make. 

To make a sugar-free version, use a granulated sugar substitute like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener. You can also use a powdered sugar substitute for the coating. 

9. Chocolate Chickpea Flour Cookies

These easy Chocolate Chickpea Flour Cookies are a complete dream when you want something healthy, nutty, and chocolatey. The chocolate flavor bursts through, while the grain-free flour keeps things 100% gluten-free. You’ll be making this recipe on repeat even after the holiday gatherings. 

10. Almond Thumbprint Cookies

These Almond Thumbprint Cookies are a holiday classic with a healthy twist. You only need six ingredients to make them, and if you want to use store-bought jam, then you only need five! With a crumbly, soft base and a sweet berry filling, they are insanely addictive and delicious!

<p class="pro-tip"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="/blog/healthy-pumpkin-cookies">Healthy Pumpkin Cookies with Almond Butter</a>.</p>

11. No-Bake Almond Cookies

I love a good no-bake recipe, especially at Christmas when the ovens seem to be working overtime. These tasty, no-bake almond cookies are packed with almonds, dates, and cacao nibs. They’re sweet and delicious as is, but insanely good dipped in chocolate. Plus, they’re ready in about 20 minutes with no baking required! 

12. Gingerbread Fig Bars

Made with Gingerbread Cookie dough and filled with dried figs, these healthy cookies are the perfect treat for anyone with a sweet tooth!

The sweet and chewy filling is my favorite part. 

13. Grain-Free Snowball Cookies

Snowball Cookies are also known as “Russian tea cakes,” “Mexican wedding cakes,” and “Mexican wedding cookies.” They’re a buttery, shortbread-like cookie that is made from flour, butter, and ground nuts. 

These gluten free snowball cookies are made a bit healthier by using nutrient-dense almond flour and coconut flour and less butter than the traditional version. 

This recipe takes about 1 hour of prep, so reserve this one for when you have lots of time. 

14. Vegan Sugar Cookies

These Vegan Sugar Cookies are fun to make & fun to eat! Puffy & soft, they have a light lemon flavor that's especially good under a sweet cashew glaze. They make a colorful addition to your holiday cookie plate, plus they just happen to be vegan and oh-so delicious.

15. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (Egg-Free, Dairy-Free)

Don’t be fooled by the fact that these cookies have no eggs, no dairy, and only have 3 ingredients. They’re delightfully delicious, and all you need is almond flour, peanut butter (the runny kind), and maple syrup.  

16. Vegan Coconut Macaroons

This is the perfect recipe for your guests that have lots of dietary restrictions. They’re vegan, egg-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. 

Loaded with simple coco-nutty goodness, these Vegan Coconut Macaroons are decadent, delicious, and easy to make! And since they’re dipped in chocolate, the taste reminds me of an Almond Joy candy bar.

If you’re not a chocolate lover, feel free to eat them without dipping. 

17. Almond Shortbread Cookies

These Almond Shortbread Cookies are golden on the outside and crispy all the way through. Snappy when you bite in, and stay snappy for days if you store them properly. They aren’t dry or crumbly, and they’re not made with any grains or oil. It might just be the easiest cookie you will make all season – six ingredients, one bowl, and 10 minutes to bake!

You will need almond flour, coconut flour, maple syrup, coconut butter, almond extract, and salt. 

18. Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies – But Gluten-Free and Vegan!

These gluten-free and Vegan Sugar Cookies are perfect for the holidays. They’re easy to make, healthy, nut-free, and topped with icing that’s naturally colored with matcha. 

19. Hot Chocolate Cookies

When chocolate is all you can think about and you’re feeling like a nice warm cup of hot chocolate – but also a cookie – you have to whip up a batch of these gluten-free and vegan hot chocolate Christmas cookies. 

If you love brownies, then you’ll love these dairy-free Hot Chocolate Cookies are delicious. They’re easy to make, plus they’re healthy! They’re sure to be Santa’s new favorite Christmas Eve treat. 

20. Cranberry Macadamia Nut Cookies (Vegan + Gluten-Free)

These cookies taste just like the classic version. They’re soft and sweet, and I’m pretty confident you won’t even miss the chocolate! Plus, they’re easy to make. As I said before, I love a one-bowl cookie recipe, and this one here is just that! I’m keeping this recipe handy year-round.

21. Christmas Oatmeal Cookies

These festive Oatmeal Christmas Cookies are dipped in chocolate and topped with sprinkles. This recipe is fun to make and sure to delight any little ones you have around this Christmas. 

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<p class="pro-tip"><strong>Learn More: </strong><a href="/blog/christmas-pie">20 Tasty and Healthy Christmas Pie Recipes</a>.</p>