Everyone loves a good cookie, especially kids! Whether they are crispy, chewy, fruity, or chocolatey, cookies always bring a little joy to our world.
BUT, sweets and treats are everywhere these days, so choosing to make healthy cookies for kids cuts down on sugar and junk that can wreak havoc on our wellness.
What makes for a healthy treat? Well, real food ingredients, of course!
- Choose less processed flours: almond flour, coconut flour, cassava flour
- Opt for natural sweeteners: honey, real maple syrup, coconut sugar
- Avoid artificial food dyes and flavorings
With just a few ingredient swaps, you can make delicious, wholesome, and healthy cookies for kids! Or, better yet, invite them to help you bake. It’s a great way to pique their interest and start teaching kids to cook.
Here is a list of our family’s favorite healthier cookie recipes.
Almond Butter Blossoms
You know that traditional peanut butter cookie with a chocolate kiss in the center? This Almond Butter Blossom recipe is a flourless, healthier version that will not disappoint!
These chewy, nutty treats are super simple to throw together. They bake quickly, are fun for the kids to help with, and are ready to satisfy your family’s sweet tooth in no time!
Infamous Bacon Chocolate Chip
Primal Palate’s chocolate chip cookie is our family’s go-to treat. My youngest son is a pro at making them brownie-style from start to finish by himself. But, their Infamous Bacon Cookie recipe comes out when a special treat is warranted!
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
These are a family favorite for sure in our home! Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and chocolate — yes, please! This Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie recipe uses an almond and coconut flour base with molasses and coconut sugar to sweetly deliver the gingerbread spice combination we know and love.
Citrus Funfetti Cookies
Citrusy cookies with buttery frosting and colorful sprinkles — a kid’s delight. This Funfetti Cookie recipe from Simple Roots will leave you with a chewy bite and the surprising crunch of funfetti along the way. Look for naturally colored sprinkles for a healthier flare.
Edible Cookie Dough
Sure, baked cookies are tasty and fun, but there’s something about the ooey-gooey goodness of cookie dough that wins the vote. This Edible Cookie Dough recipe is safe to eat raw (no eggs or flour to worry about).
Sugar Cookies
My kids always love to roll out cookie dough, use cookie cutters, and creatively decorate, as I’m sure yours do, too. These healthy cookies for kids feature a modified recipe with alternative flours.
I’m always on the lookout for dough recipes with alternative flours and less junk, and this Vegan & Paleo Iced Sugar Cookie recipe from Detoxinista has won our vote.
Pistachio Raisin Cookies
This Pistachio Raisin cookie recipe uses flax and almond meal, and a small amount of coconut sugar as a base for other ingredients to shine — crunchy pistachios and soft raisins.
Ginger Snaps
Ginger Snaps were my favorite cookies growing up, and this recipe from Primal Palate nailed it! These healthy cookies for kids bring me right back to my cookie obsession, and my own kids get to come along for the ride. The ginger and the “snap” with each bite is just right.
Cookie Dough Bites
Who didn’t sneak a dollop of raw cookie dough as a kid? This Cookie Dough Bite recipe is no-bake, uses clean ingredients, and is safe to eat raw, unlike traditional cookie dough. It’s the best, healthy version of your favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.
Lemon Cookies
Need a break from chocolate? These Mind-Blowing Lemon Cookies from Paleo Grubs are perfect for changing up your cookie flavors. My kids love the fresh lemon flavor and coconut texture.
Green Christmas Cookies
Green Christmas Cookies have always been a tradition in my family, but they can be eaten anytime of year, with or without all-natural food coloring. They are similar to snowball cookies but use cassava flour and coconut sugar as healthier ingredients.
Magic Cookie Bars
This Magic Cookie Bar recipe from Meaningful Eats uses cleaner ingredients with the same level of ooey-gooey richness. Grain-free, dairy-free, and refined-sugar-free.
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie Bites
No-bake Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie Bites are a nice alternative to preheating the oven. They easily qualify as both a healthy treat and a healthy after school snack.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip cookies
Chewy, soft, and richly chocolate! Nothing beats a good Chocolate Chip Cookie! This gluten-free recipe from Cookie & Kate is top of our list for its quality ingredients, and of course, yumminess.
Nora’s Nut Ball Snackers
These Nut Ball Snackers truly are a NO SUGAR, healthy, high-fat snack that my kids categorize as treats. What I love about these nuggets (beyond their delicious taste) is that they keep my kids satiated for hours and are perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Sweet and spicy, these Snickerdoodle Cookies from Detoxinista are hard to resist. What do you think of when you hear “snickerdoodle”? Cinnamon, of course! Let your kids sprinkle it on and take part in the fun.
Oatmeal Chocolate Cranberry
A healthy twist on a classic! These Oatmeal Chocolate Cranberry cookies will keep you reaching for “just one more.” Gluten-free oats, almond flour, and yummy mix-ins, combine to create a cookie must have.
Slow Cooker Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
An ooey-gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie CAKE with vanilla bean ice cream always gets my vote! But, one that’s cooked in a slow cooker and can be kept warm until you are ready to dig in is a no-brainer. Thanks Fed & Fit!
The World’s Easiest Cookies
If the title of this recipe… “The World’s Easiest Cookies”… doesn’t intrigue you to try these healthy treats, I don’t know what will. But, I can confirm that these little morsels are super easy to make, and are perfect for satisfying a sweet craving!
Healthy Oatmeal Cookies with Apple & Carrot
I love that this recipe, from Yummy Toddler Food, adds shredded carrot and apple to bring color and nutrition to this Healthy Oatmeal Cookie. Gluten-free flour, chopped nuts or seeds, and natural sweeteners put this tasty treat on the Primal Peak approved list.
Coconut Macaroons
I haven’t always had good luck making Coconut Macaroons UNTIL this recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie! Our whole family loves macaroons and this simple recipe is one my boys can make on their own — even drizzling a little melted chocolate over the top for added pizzazz.
Start baking!
Now you have 21 fabulously healthier cookie recipes for kids (and you, too), so it’s time to start baking! The next challenge will be making each batch last longer than a day — savor each bite and don’t forget to share.
