Ginger Molasses Cookies: Gluten-Free Recipe - A Foodie Stays Fit (2024)

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Looking for the perfect chewy gluten-free ginger molasses cookie recipe? I got ya covered! They have juuuust enough crisp around the edges – yet are still soft and chewy. Plus, they are easy to make and are a hit even with non-gluten-free folks! No one will know that they are gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, and paleo-friendly.

Gluten-Free Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

Eating a gluten-free diet can be frustrating at times, but thankfully gluten-free cookies are easy to make — and in most cases, really tasty.

These flatten out more than my traditional ginger cookie recipe, but they have just as much flavor, without processed flour or butter, which makes them great for those who have dietary restrictions!

Ingredients

This recipe yields about 24 cookies depending on the size you make. I usually use a small cookie dough scoop for about 1” balls and my cookies end up about 2” in diameter once they’re baked.

Almond meal
Coconut sugar (you can sub dark brown sugar in a pinch) – I love Bob’s Red Mill brand
Ground cinnamon
Ground cloves
Allspice
Freshly ground black pepper
Baking soda
Fine sea salt
Grated fresh ginger (I use a zester, so it’s extra fine!) or 1 tablespoon dried – see note
Refined or unflavored coconut oil, melted (see note)
Blackstrap molasses
Vanilla extract
Egg

Since cookies always get a bad rap, let’s check out the nutritional benefits of these ingredients! (As if we needed any more excuses to eat these cookies.)

Almond meal:

A courser version of almond flour (and is made from unpeeled almonds rather than peeled – or blanched – almonds). All the benefits of almonds like healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium, and vitamin E – are still there. You could also try coconut flour, although I haven’t tested it yet! The goal is to use a gluten free baking flour, but almond meal is the best for this recipe.

Coconut sugar:

Is still sugar and should be used sparingly. But it should be noted that it’s not as processed and contains minor amounts of nutrients compared to regular granulated sugar.

Cinnamon:

Has been linked to several studies that show improvements in cholesterol and blood sugar control. Cinnamon is also known to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Cloves:

Are an amazing preventative. Cloves are enriched in antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. They’ve been known to help ease digestion, heal sore throats, and is even linked to revving up metabolism naturally.

Ginger (fresh or ground):

Pretty much a superfood and even has some medicinal properties. It’s packed with tons of vitamins and minerals, and it contains antioxidants that prevent stress and damage to your body’s DNA.

Refined Coconut oil:

Means there are fewer antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits in comparison to unrefined coconut oil. But the refining process strips the coconut flavor out of the oil – which is what we are going for here. If you don’t mind the coconut flavor and want to benefit from unrefined coconut oil, feel free to use it in this recipe.

Blackstrap Molasses:

Contains a decent amount of calcium and magnesium (1 Tbsp = 8% and 10% respectively – even though it’s a byproduct of the sugar cane’s refining process. It’s also rich in B vitamins, particularly B6.

Eggs:

A great source of protein, and they are packed with disease-fighting nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin and many vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids.

Instructions

Step 1

Sift together the almond meal, sugar, spices, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2

Using a hand mixer (or a stand mixer), cream together the coconut oil, molasses, ginger, egg, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. I love to use the bowl of a stand mixer so that I can attach it to the mixer easily.

Step 3

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and combine using a rubber spatula. It should look like wet sand.

Step 4

Cover the large bowl and place it in the fridge to chill for at least an hour.*

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place parchment paper on two baking sheets.

Step 6

Remove the dough and roll while it’s still cold. Use your hands to roll the dough into tablespoon-size balls (or use a mini cookie dough scoop) and place them on the prepared Fbaking sheets, about 2 inches apart.

Step 7

Bake for 10-11 minutes. Don’t overbake — they will set more as they cool! The bake time will be dependent on the size of the cookies.

Step 8

Move to a cooling rack until cool enough to eat. And enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Coconut Oil

Refined or unflavored coconut oil is important because it doesn’t have the coconut flavor of unrefined coconut oil — and I don’t want any coconut taste in my ginger molasses cookies! Whole Foods has refined coconut oil, and Carrington Farms has unflavored Organic Coconut Cooking Oil.

Ginger

I tested both fresh ginger and powdered ginger after remembering a comment from the Great British Baking show that fresh ginger doesn’t hold up its flavor as well in baked goods. While I didn’t notice a huge difference in taste, my husband said the one with powdered ginger tasted more like traditional ginger cookies. I also found it had a slight after-kick I really like!

Cooling in fridge*

I tested one cookie batch by having it chill in the fridge for an hour and one batch chilling overnight. The flavor was the same, but the ones that chilled overnight didn’t spread out quite as much, which I preferred.

Storing & Freezing

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days (if you don’t eat them before then!!).

If you want to freeze them, let them cool completely and then place in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. I made a double batch of these before our baby came to have on hand since I love them so much! You can eat these straight from the freezer (they stay somewhat soft!) or let them come to room temperature.

Gluten-Free Ginger Molasses Cookies

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See other great cookie recipes like this pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe here.