Healthy Pistachio Cookies — Gluten & Dairy-Free Recipe
These Healthy Pistachio Cookies are a delicious gluten and dairy-free treat made with raw pistachios, almond flour, and natural sweeteners. Perfect for those seeking a nutritious snack, they are naturally sweetened with maple syrup and use coconut oil for a rich, moist texture. They’re vegan-friendly, easy to prepare, and great for a guilt-free indulgence.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup raw pistachios, shelled (plus a handful for garnish)
- 1 cup almond flour (or almond meal)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- Pinch of sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or honey for non-vegan option)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract (optional, for an extra nutty kick)
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick during baking and make cleanup easy.
- Process Pistachios: Place the raw pistachios in a food processor and pulse until you achieve a coarse, sand-like texture. Be careful not to over-process into a paste.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the processed pistachios, almond flour, baking soda, and a pinch of sea salt. Mix well to distribute the leavening and salt evenly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the dry mixture. Stir thoroughly until a sticky dough forms.
- Form Cookies: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, roll the dough into small balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Flatten and Garnish: Gently flatten each ball with the back of a spoon or your palm. Press a few whole or chopped pistachios into the top of each cookie for garnish and extra texture.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool: Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire rack or serving.
Notes
- Almond flour can be substituted with almond meal but may alter the texture slightly.
- Use honey instead of maple syrup if not following a vegan diet.
- Melt the coconut oil gently to avoid changing its flavor.
- These cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for a week.
- Adding almond extract is optional but enhances the nutty flavor profile.
- Be careful not to over-process the pistachios as it can turn oily.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Healthy Pistachio Cookies, Gluten-Free Cookies, Dairy-Free Cookies, Vegan Snacks, Nutty Cookies, Grain-Free Dessert, Clean Eating Cookies