It’s hard to turn down a warm cookie straight from the oven. The scent alone is enough to make your mouth water. These vegan Almond Flour Cookies – with zero added sugar – are crumbly, fragrant, and delectable. They make for a wonderful healthy sweet treat. And you won’t be able to stop at just one! Also naturally gluten-free.

a traditional round basket filled to the brim with almond flour cookies topped with sliced almonds on a round wooden board

Honestly, the cookie dough is simple to create; it’s made with almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener (erythritol), orange blossom water, cardamom, and a dash of baking powder.

The delightful soft dough does not need to be chilled in the refrigerator before baking, which is a plus in my book.

They’re delicious by themselves, with a cup of masala chai or golden milk latte. Actually, I’m currently in the middle of a snack rotation that includes seed crackers, and vegan blueberry cheesecake.

As you watch the video, you’ll notice that the preparation time for these almond flour cookies is 5-10 minutes, with only 20 minutes required for the bake. And guess what? All of the mixing is in one bowl, making cleanup a breeze.

Once baked, they’re golden-brown and completely crisp all over, with an incredible texture that melts in your mouth!

Allow them to cool and harden, though, before diving in (tempting, I know!). Otherwise, they’ll fall apart.

I have to say that these cookies are perfect to have on hand when you get a craving for something sweet.

Angle shot of a traditional round basket filled to the brim with almond flour cookies topped with sliced almonds on a round wooden board with a broken cookie. There is also a baking sheet in the background with cookies.

What does almond flour do to cookies?

Almond flour is a gluten-free, high-fat, and low-carbohydrate nut flour. It can be used in place of wheat flour in many recipes with excellent results. Almond flour adds moistness, sweetness, and almond flavor to baked goods.

Ingredients

Infographic showing ingredients required to make almond flour cookies - with accompanying labels.
  • Vegan butter. This almond flour cookie recipe uses vegan butter instead of dairy butter. It helps to create a soft and crumbly texture in the cookies. The vegan butter doesn’t have to be kept at room temperature, which saves you time.
  • Sweetener. Erythritol is a zero-calorie sweetener that tastes like sugar and has no aftertaste. It’s a natural sugar alcohol found in fruits and vegetables. Erythritol has no effect on blood sugar or insulin levels; making it safe for those with diabetes. You don’t need much of it either. If you prefer, you could replace this with your sweetener of choice. For example coconut sugar.
  • Almond flour. I use almond flour to replace processed white flour. You can find this in the baking aisle of most major grocery stores. It has a rich almond taste and works well in almond-based desserts, bread, and crackers.
  • Coconut flour. Coconut flour is made from finely ground dried coconut meat. It helps to absorb excess moisture and keep the almond flour cookies soft, moist, and delectable.
  • Baking powder. To help leaven almond flour-based baked goods while adding a light texture.
  • Cardamom. I use freshly ground cardamom pods for the most intense flavor and aroma. The seeds inside cardamom pods are tiny and hard to extract, so I grind them whole in a mortar and pestle and add the crushed seeds to the cookie mixture.
  • Orange blossom water. It’s a fragrant distillation of orange blossoms. Orange blossom has a sweet floral taste that goes well in almond-based desserts and baked goods.
  • Sliced almonds. For topping your cookies – for that extra crunch!

Instructions for almond cookies – 5 Steps

Graphic showing step by step images of how to make almond flour cookies
  1. Remember to preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Begin by creaming the butter; add butter and erythritol (or your choice of sweetener) in a large mixing bowl and mix until soft and creamy. I do this by hand using a wooden spoon (Image 1).
  2. Follow with almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, cardamom, and orange blossom and mix to create a soft cookie dough (Images 2-5). Be careful not to overmix.
  3. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and roll small amounts of dough into balls with your hands. Place the balls gently on the prepared baking sheet (Images 6-7).
  4. Use your thumb to gently press each ball to create a shallow depression (thumbprint).  Press a few almond slices on top of each cookie (Images 8-9).
  5. Bake in your preheated oven for 20 minutes (middle shelf) until golden brown (Image 10). Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container. Enjoy!
a traditional round basket filled to the brim with almond flour cookies topped with sliced almonds on a round wooden board with a baking sheet in the background with a pile of cookies on top

Tips to make delicious cookies

  • Use a small amount of erythritol (or other sweeteners) for a subtle sweetness – you can always add more if desired.
  • Do not overmix the cookie dough, or it will become tough.
  • The cookies may be moulded to any size and thickness you wish, so feel free to shape them as needed.
  • Avoid overbaking the cookies, or they will become dry and hard.
  • Bake the cookies only until they are set but not overly browned. As they cool down, they continue to cook.

Flavour variations

You can easily experiment with almond flour cookie flavours. The dough takes well to various extracts, spices, and other flavourings. Some possibilities you could explore:

  • Cinnamon – use ground cinnamon instead of cardamom in the recipe for a more traditional taste.
  • Orange zest is also an option if you prefer to leave out the orange blossom water.
  • Lemon zest is an alternative if you’re not a fan of orange flavour.
  • You can also add dark chocolate chips or regular chocolate chips.
  • Dried fruits like raisins or cranberries can also be used for a festive flair.
perspective shot of a traditional round basket filled to the brim with almond flour cookies topped with sliced almonds on a round wooden board with a broken cookie. There is also a baking sheet in the background with a pile of cookies on top

Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of almond flour?

Almond flour is a high-quality source of protein, fibre, magnesium, and vitamin E. It’s low-carb and gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for those with food allergies or intolerances. Almond flour also contains healthy monounsaturated fats that can help improve heart health.

How do I store almond flour cookies?

Almond flour cookies will last for up to a week if stored in an airtight container. Remember to allow them to cool completely before storage. They can also be frozen for up to two months. Be sure to let them thaw completely before serving.

Is almond meal the same as almond flour?

Almond meal and almond flour are both made from almonds, but almond meal is made from whole or coarsely ground almonds, whereas almond flour is made from blanched almonds that have had the skin removed. Almond meal has a more grainy texture than almond flour, and almond flour has a finer texture.

a close up shot of a traditional round basket filled to the brim with almond flour cookies topped with sliced almonds on a round wooden board with a baking sheet in the background with a pile of cookies on top

Nutrition information

Almonds are a rich source of several nutrients, and almond flour is no exception.

Almonds are considered to be a very nourishing food. Studies have demonstrated that the nut has numerous nutritional components such as healthy fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The consumption of almonds has been linked to several therapeutic and protective health advantages in epidemiological studies. Their effectiveness in reducing blood glucose levels for diabetes management and lowering cholesterol and weight management has been shown via clinical trials. Also, almonds have been shown to contain prebiotic qualities by several research teams.

One Almond Flour Cookie is:

  • A good source of fibre
  • A good source of vitamin A
  • A source of iron
  • Low carb – 2 g of net carbs
  • Dairy free

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

If you try these easy Almond Flour Cookies, I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment, rate it, or share a photo and hashtag with #desiliciousrd on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! I can’t wait to see your photos. 

Desi~liciously Yours, Shahzadi

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a traditional round basket filled to the brim with almond flour cookies topped with sliced almonds on a round wooden board
5 stars (1 review)

Get the Recipe:

Soft And Crumbly Almond Flour Cookies (Low Carb!)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 16 cookies
It's hard to turn down a warm cookie straight from the oven. The scent alone is enough to make your mouth water. These vegan Almond Flour Cookies – with zero added sugar – are crumbly, fragrant, and delectable. You won't be able to stop at just one! And they make for a wonderful healthy sweet treat. Also naturally gluten-free.

Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup vegan butter, cut into small cubes
  • tbsp erythritol, or another sweetener of choice, such as coconut sugar
  • cups almond flour
  • ¼ cup coconut flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 5 cardamoms, crushed seeds from fresh pods
  • 2 tsp orange blossom
  • 1 tbsp sliced almonds

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Add butter and erythritol (or your choice of sweetener) in a large mixing bowl; mix until soft and creamy
  • Add almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, cardamom, and orange blossom and mix to create soft cookie dough. Avoid overmixing
  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and roll small amounts of dough into balls with your hands. Place gently on the prepared baking sheet
  • Use your thumb to gently press each ball to create a shallow depression (thumbprint)
  • Press a few almond slices on top of each cookie and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container. Enjoy!

Notes

Tips to make delicious cookies

  • Use a small amount of erythritol (or other sweetener) for a subtle sweetness – you can always add more if desired.
  • Do not overmix the cookie dough or they will become tough.
  • The cookies may be molded to any size and thickness you wish, so feel free to shape them as needed. They don’t absorb moisture, so they’re not sticky.
  • Avoid overbaking the cookies or they will become hard.
  • Bake the cookies only until they are set but not overly browned. As they cool down, they continue to cook.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 121kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 4g (1%)Protein: 3g (6%)Fat: 11g (17%)Saturated Fat: 2g (10%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 50mg (2%)Potassium: 35mg (1%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 270IU (5%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 30mg (3%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

Keep in mind that the nutritional values provided are approximations and suggestions, and might fluctuate depending on ingredient variations, portion sizes, and recipe adjustments. This nutrition facts table cannot account for your individual needs. Your body — including your hunger and satiety cues — change daily. It’s perfectly fine to eat more or less on different days. Instead of letting food guilt take over, consider mindful eating.

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Cuisine: Fusion, Western
Course: Snack
Did you make this recipe?Mention @desiliciousrd on Instagram or tag #desiliciousrd.