10 Best Gluten-Free Cookies in 2022 (Glutino, Simple Mills, and More)
You might try to incorporate gluten-free foods into your life as part of a diet. Or maybe you, or someone you know, has health restrictions and cannot eat gluten. An important part of eating gluten-free is partaking in all the foods you enjoy, without sacrificing flavor or texture. Gluten-free cookies are great to be enjoyed as a snack, or they can be given as a delicious gift. They are packed full of flavor! And, they are sure to become one of your favorite treats,
If you're searching for some delicious gluten-free cookies, you've come to the right place! After an extensive search, we've found the 10 best gluten-free cookies that deliver on taste and texture. Cybele's Free to Eat Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are our favorite because they deliver a chewy texture and delicious toasted oat flavor. They are certified gluten-free and vegan! Looking for some tips for choosing the best-tasting gluten-free cookies? We've compiled a buying guide at the end to help you with your selection process.
Quick List - Top Gluten-Free Cookies
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How to Choose Gluten-Free Cookies
With all of our gluten-free cookie options in mind, let's move on to find out which one is the best choice for you! In this buying guide, we've put together some useful tips about flavor and texture to help you with your search.
Look For Cookies With Gluten-Free Certification
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only foods that contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten can carry the label "gluten-free." This amount of gluten is widely accepted by celiac disease experts as safe for most people with celiac disease.
Cookies labeled as gluten-free can still contain trace amounts of gluten; however, experts feel that level is not enough to be harmful. Some might be processed in a shared facility with wheat-containing products, but if they're labeled as gluten-free, they should be safe for most people.
However, if you are highly sensitive to gluten or your doctor advises it, look for products that are certified gluten-free. To earn that certification, products have to meet even more stringent standards for gluten-free safety and are tested to be suitable for those with gluten intolerance.
Certified gluten-free products are created in manufacturing facilities that have been deemed safe for those whom are gluten-intolerant. Some companies exclusively produce a wide range of gluten-free products. These products are less likely to come into contact with gluten during the production process and may be a safer option.
Pick a Gluten-Free Flour Based on Texture and Taste
Instead of wheat flour, gluten-free cookies are usually made from a blend of gluten-free flours to achieve a texture that's similar to wheat. Some common flours found in gluten-free cookies include rice flour, sorghum flour, cassava flour, coconut flour, oat flour, and almond flour.
Rice flour and sorghum flour both have a mild flavor and smooth texture and are great substitutes for wheat flour in cookies. Cassava flour, oat flour, and almond flour have slightly nutty flavors, while coconut flour might give your cookies a mild coconut taste.
Since some gluten-free flours are very dense, they are often combined with starches such as potato, tapioca, or arrowroot to lighten them and bind all the ingredients together. Xanthan or guar gum is often used in place of gluten, too.
Pick a Flavor That You Will Love
For something simple, you can choose vanilla, butter, or plain sugar cookies. Birthday cake cookies with a lot of sprinkles are a fun addition to a party spread. Lemon cookies have a nice citrusy zing, while snickerdoodles are packed with cinnamon flavor and are great for those who prefer something with spice.
Chocolate chip cookies are an American classic, but if you want extra decadence, go for ones with dark chocolate chunks or chocolate chips and cocoa powder. Oreo-type cookies with cream filling are a great sweet treat, too. They're nice to have with a cup of milk or coffee, whether you eat them whole or twist them apart!
Gluten-free cookies are great to enjoy when celebrating the holidays as well. Treat yourself and your loved ones with holiday classics like gingerbread, snowballs, or macaroons. Further enhance the flavor and texture of gluten-free cookies by selecting options with added ingredients like toasted nuts or dried fruits.
Decide Between Soft or Crunchy Cookies
Gluten-free cookies can be soft or crunchy. Usually, the texture of the cookies is indicated on the packaging, so pick one that suits your preferences the most. However, if you can't find that information anywhere, we have some tricks to help you find out the texture of the cookies.
Check the Order of Ingredients to Determine Moisture
Take a look at the order of the ingredients. Ingredients are listed from those that are in the largest amount to those with the smallest amount at the bottom of the list.
Soft, cake-like cookies have a lot of moisture in them. And ingredients that add moisture to the dough and give cookies a soft texture are eggs, solid shortening, and brown sugar. Gluten-free cookies can also be made vegan by incorporating fats like coconut or vegetable oil. So if eggs, shortening, or oils appear in the first few ingredients, the cookies are more likely to be soft and chewy.
Crunchy cookies often have a high amount of granulated sugar, butter or margarine, and corn syrup. So if those ingredients are listed as the first few ingredients, the cookies tend to be crispy.
The Type of Flour Can Influence Texture
Ingredients such as tapioca starch and sorghum flour can retain moisture and can make cookies soft and fluffy. Cornmeal and nut flours like almond flour can also give your cookies moisture and structure. Coconut flour creates soft and moist cookies because it absorbs liquids like water. Fruit purées like applesauce and pumpkin purée also help increase the moisture content.
Oat flour is a popular substitute for all purpose flour when baking gluten-free cookies. Because oat flower is so absorbent, using it creates cookies that are light and crumbly.
On the other hand, corn starch doesn't absorb moisture as well as tapioca starch, and is usually used to make crispy cookies. Millet and rice flours also don't soak up moisture and can help give the cookies a crispy texture.
10 Best Gluten-Free Cookies Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cybele's Free to Eat | | Best for a Soft and Chewy Snack | |
2 | Tate's Bake Shop Gluten Free Ginger Zinger Cookies | | Best for a Hint of Spice | |
3 | Glutino Chocolate Vanilla Creme Cookies | | Best Gluten-Free Alternative to Oreo Cookies | |
4 | Absolutely | | Best Holiday Treat to Have Year-Round | |
5 | Highkey Lemon Mini Cookies | | Best Low-Sugar Option | |
6 | Walkers | | Best to Pair With Coffee or Tea | |
7 | Homefree | | Best to Take on the Go | |
8 | Eat Different The Smartest Cookie | | Best Cookie for Brain Health | |
9 | FreeYumm Double Chocolate Soft Baked Cookies | | Best for Chocolate Lovers | |
10 | Munk Pack Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie | | Best Gluten-Free Cookie Packed with Protein |
Cybele's Free to Eat
Best for a Soft and Chewy Snack
Pros:
- Gluten-free oats and raisins for chewy texture
- Free of major food allergens
- Vegan snack
Cons:
- Reviewers feel the cookies have too much sugar
These oatmeal raisin cookies are not only gluten-free, but also vegan and free from the eight most common food allergens. That makes them the perfect snack for those with food sensitivities. By combining toasted gluten-free oats and sweet raisins, these cookies create a satisfying soft and chewy texture.
A number of buyers feel the cookies have too much sugar and therefore taste too sweet. On the other hand, many reviewers love the taste of the cookies, citing them as one of their favorite. Other reviewers celebrate the chewy oats and raisins.
Tate's Bake ShopGluten Free Ginger Zinger Cookies
Best for a Hint of Spice
Pros:
- Crispy texture with a great crunch
- Chew chunks of crystallized ginger for a hint of spice
- Kosher snack
- Endorsed by the National Celiac Association
Cons:
- Buyers wish the cookies contained less sugar
Containing pieces of crystallized ginger, these Ginger Zinger cookies feature a sweet, spicy, and buttery flavor that will tingle your taste buds. They are thin and have a crispy texture. These cookies are also endorsed by the National Celiac Association!
A few buyers want more ginger taste and less sugar. However, a majority of reviewers find these cookies buttery, crispy, and fresh. They especially love that there are chewy chunks of candied ginger in every bite.
Best Gluten-Free Alternative to Oreo Cookies
Pros:
- Gluten-free alternative to a popular sandwich cookie
- Tastes great when paired with milk or coffee
- Rich chocolate flavor
Cons:
- Reviewers report the cookies taste quite sweet
Glutino's chocolate sandwich cookies are the gluten-free version of Oreo cookies! They pair two crunchy chocolate cookies with delicious vanilla cream in the middle for a tasty gluten-free treat. This combination makes them great with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.
A few buyers feel the sandwich cookies are too sweet. However, many others find these cookies delicious, and they are happy to have a gluten-free alternative to Oreos. They also love that the cookie holds together even when dipped in milk.
Best Holiday Treat to Have Year-Round
Pros:
- Certified kosher
- Resealable container to preserve freshness
- Free of gluten and dairy
Cons:
- Some buyers thought the texture was too soft
Coconut macaroons are not only a popular treat to enjoy during the holidays, but also a healthy snack to enjoy every day. These cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, and even kosher. They are easy to keep fresh in the resealable container.
A few reviewers feel the cookies are too soft; they wish they were a bit firmer and held together better. On the other hand, buyers love the taste and chewy texture of these macaroons. They love that they are free of common food allergens as well.
Best Low-Sugar Option
Pros:
- Great for those who need to restrict sugar and gluten
- Zesty lemon flavor
- Lightly sweetened
Cons:
- Some reviewers disliked the slight aftertaste
These gluten-free lemon cookies are great for a sweet snack, and they cut down on added sugar. The cookies are perfect for those who have dietary restrictions like gluten and sugar. They're made with high-protein almond flour and sweetened with monk fruit extract, stevia, and erythritol instead of table sugar.
Some buyers notice an aftertaste and wish there was more lemon. Still, most love their taste, saying they have just the right amount of sweetness and a nice crunch. Reviewers love that these cookies work perfectly for those on a diet or with food restrictions.
Best to Pair With Coffee or Tea
Pros:
- Popular holiday cookies
- Pairs well with a cup of coffee or tea
- Indulgent buttery flavor
Cons:
- Buyers wish the cookies did not crumble and break as easily
These shortbread cookies lose the gluten but keep the butter, so they have a delicate texture. Because of their rich buttery flavor, they are the perfect complement to a cup of coffee or tea. They come in a festive box, so they can be given as a gift during holidays.
Buyers feel the cookies are too delicate; they tend to break easily. However, reviewers love the indulgent flavor and believe they taste better than other popular shortbread cookies. Others enjoy giving the cookies as a gift.
Homefree
Best to Take on the Go
- Free from common food allergens
- Individually packaged to take on the go
- Vegan
- Some buyers find the cookies to be too crunchy
These mini chocolate chip cookies come in individual packets; therefore, they are perfect for portion control, lunch, or social events. They are not only certified gluten-free, but they're also certified vegan. And they are devoid of most common food allergens.
A number of reviewers explain that they did not enjoy the texture; it was too crunchy. However, many buyers love the flavor and compare them to other popular chocolate chip cookies. Others like that the cookies are individually packaged, and they put them in their kids' lunches.
Best Cookie for Brain Health
Pros:
- Contains lion's mane mushroom for brain health
- Sweet taste yet low in sugar
- Soft and chewy texture
Cons:
- Buyers feel the coconut taste is overpowering
Bring the fun to your party with these birthday cake cookies! Made with creamed coconut and packed with rainbow sprinkles, these sweet treats are tasty and fun to eat. What's more, they are low in sugar. And they contain healthy fats and lion's mane mushroom extract which can boost brain health.
A couple of reviewers complain that these cookies don't taste like birthday cake, but more like coconut. However, the majority rave about their delicious taste, mentioning that they are sweet, soft, and chewy. Many also comment that they are not able to taste the mushroom.
FreeYummDouble Chocolate Soft Baked Cookies
Best for Chocolate Lovers
Pros:
- Individually wrapped to take on the go
- Rich chocolate flavor
- Free of common food allergens
Cons:
- Some reviewers think the cookies are too small
FreeYumm's soft-baked cookies are made with whole grain oats that are certified gluten-free. They get their abundance of chocolatey flavor from cocoa and dark chocolate chips. What's more, these oat cookies are individually wrapped and are perfect for packing in lunches, portion control, or travel.
A number of buyers feel the individually wrapped cookies are too small; the portion size is more appropriate for kids. But, other reviewers love the chocolatey taste and soft texture of the cookies. Another plus point for buyers is that these gluten-free cookies are also free from many allergens like dairy and egg.
Munk Pack Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie
Best Gluten-Free Cookie Packed with Protein
Pros:
- Vegan and gluten-free
- Rich chocolate and peanut butter flavor
- Perfect for a high-protein snack
Cons:
- A few customers find the cookies to be somewhat dry
Munk Pack's vegan cookies contain a whopping 18 grams of protein and are a great pre- or post-workout snack, or for a quick bite. The protein and healthy fats will provide you with energy and nutrition. They are baked soft and stuffed with dark chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter for an indulgent and rich taste.
A few buyers feel the cookies are a bit dry. But, many reviewers comment that these cookies are soft, not too sweet, and pretty filling. Others use the cookies as a meal replacement and appreciate that the cookies are also vegan.
Looking for More Premade Gluten-Free Foods?
You don't have to make everything from scratch just because you're eating gluten-free. Check out these convenient options!
Top 5 Gluten-Free Cookies
No. 1: Cybele's Free to Eat｜
No. 2: Tate's Bake Shop｜Gluten Free Ginger Zinger Cookies
No. 3: Glutino｜Chocolate Vanilla Creme Cookies
No. 4: Absolutely｜
No. 5: Highkey｜Lemon Mini Cookies
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.