Healthy Cookie Dough

Jump To Recipe by Liz Thomson April 29, 2024 This post may contain affiliate links.

This healthy cookie dough recipe is made with just 7 ingredients and it’s gluten-free, oil-free, and vegan! If you’re looking for a tasty treat that can be made in minutes, this cookie dough is the answer.

Let’s be honest, there’s nothing better than cookie dough. I wanted to make a recipe for a healthier cookie dough that truly tasted like cookie dough. No protein powder, no artificial sweeteners, no cottage cheese, just regular ingredients that are a little better for you. I used applesauce instead of oil, maple syrup for a natural sweetener, and almond flour as the base since that’s an easy way to add healthy fats and protein to this dessert. I love that this recipe is so easy to make! If you’re looking for other easy cookie dough recipes, try my chickpea cookie dough or my cookie dough overnight oats.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Almond flour– Almond flour is made from ground almonds. You can use almond flour or almond meal for this recipe. I love using this as the base of the cookie dough because it’s higher in protein and healthy fats.
Salt– A pinch of salt helps balance the sweetness.
Baking soda– Even though we’re not baking the cookies, I think a tiny bit of baking soda gives it a true cookie dough flavor.
Applesauce– I used applesauce in place of oil to add moisture to the cookies while keeping these low in fat.
Maple syrup- I like to use maple syrup as a natural sweetener.
Vanilla extract– A splash of vanilla gives them that classic cookie taste!
Chocolate chips– I prefer mini chocolate chips so you get a little chocolate in every bite.

What is almond flour?

Almond flour is made from finely ground almonds. You can also use almond meal for this recipe, which is a more coarsely ground flour. I love Bob’s Red Mill and Blue Diamond brands, but you can also find Almond Meal at Aldi and Trader Joe’s! If you can’t find it at the grocery store, you can order it from Amazon.

This recipe is so easy to make because there is no baking required! Simply mix all the ingredients together and dig it. You can keep it in the fridge for when you need a sweet treat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add protein powder? You absolutely can! I recommend using a vanilla protein powder. Reduce the almond flour by 1/3 cup and add 1 scoop of protein powder. I also recommend reducing the sweetener to taste.
Can I make this without almond flour? I’d recommend trying my chickpea cookie dough recipe instead.
Can I bake this dough to make cookies? Yep! I based this recipe on my vegan & gluten free chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Is this recipe healthy? In terms of desserts, I think this is a pretty healthy one! It’s made with wholesome ingredients and natural sweeteners. That said, it does contain sugar and fat (even though it’s healthy fat!), so keep that in mind when deciding how many servings to eat.
Can I make this recipe keto? You could swap out the maple syrup for a zero calorie sweetener to make this recipe more keto-friendly.