These Gluten Free Monster Cookies are also dairy free, super healthy, but still able to satisfy your sweet tooth! This delicious Monster Cookie Recipe is made with oats, peanut butter, cinnamon and a dairy free chocolate candy.
Gluten Free Monster Cookies
Monster cookies are traditionally peanut butter cookies with oats, chocolate chips, and M&Ms…all the things I love in this world.
But my little guy is gluten free and dairy free, so wheat based flours and M&Ms are a no-no. Plus we try to avoid excess sugar and dyes as much as possible. Still, seeing cookies with M&M candy on top and knowing you can’t have them is tough for a kiddo. So I figured out a way to do it thanks these amazing dairy free, gluten free, dye free, dark chocolate quinoa candies from unreal that legit taste like M&Ms (or better, IMO) but are super clean. I am lucky enough to be able to find them at a local store, but you can also get them on Amazon!
This Monster Cookie recipe may be healthy, but they are also a legit, ooey gooey, all in one cookie experience: oats, chocolate, peanut butter, cinnamon – there’s something in them for everyone to love. Plus, you can add in your own little extras like shredded coconut or chopped pecans to play with the flavor and texture! My family gobbled them up and they have become a regular in my kitchen!
Looking for another gluten and dairy free cookie? These Pistachio Cookies from the Foreign Fork look incredible!
Ingredients for this Healthy Monster Cookie Recipe
- old fashioned oats – A great source of fiber and very filling! We use gluten-free oats from Bob’s Red Mill.
- coconut sugar or brown sugar – You can also substitute maple sugar, turbinado sugar, or raw sugar for a similar taste.
- baking soda – Baking soda ensures that these cookies will spread while still being soft and chewy. Just the way they should be!
- salt – Just a pinch of salt will enhance the flavor of the cookie and make the dough chewier for that perfect cookie texture.
- cinnamon – A dash of cinnamon adds a touch of spice that goes great with the sweetness of the chocolate chips, but you can also leave this out!
- creamy peanut butter – You’ll definitely want to opt for the creamy peanut butter over chunky to make it easier to mix your batter and provide a better base for these cookies.
- melted butter– You can use dairy free butter (I used Earth’s Balance) or substitute the melted butter for coconut oil if you need dairy free.
- eggs – Eggs will help hold all these monster ingredients together. I haven’t tried with flax egg, but I think it could work.
- vanilla – If you happen to be out of vanilla, try substituting honey.
- dairy free chocolate chips – I prefer the mini enjoy life chocolate chips but chocolate chunks or regular chocolate chips will work just fine. It’s all about your preference!
- Unreal chocolate candy – You can also substitute the unreal chocolate candy for (or add to it, these are monster cookies after all) shredded coconut, chopped pecans, more chocolate chips, etc. Whatever works for you! These cookies are delish no matter what.
- toppings – A pinch of coarse sea salt or additional unreal chocolate candy pieces make a delicious finishing touch right before the cookies go into the oven.
How to Make the Best Healthy Monster Cookies
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper to avoid your cookies sticking to the pan.
2. In a medium sized bowl, combine creamy peanut butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter (or coconut oil).
3. In a second bowl, mix together the old fashioned oats, baking soda, and salt. Next, stir the dry ingredients into the peanut butter mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter!
4. Fold in the candy pieces and chocolate chips, along with any other additions you’ve chosen to throw into the mix!
5. With a small cookie scoop (or a spoon if you don’t happen to have a cookie scoop), spoon a heaping amount of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Repeat until all the dough is gone from the mixing bowl. You should end up with about 18 cookies.
6. With the back of a spoon, pat down the cookie heaps just a bit. Top with additional candy pieces and sea salt if you choose.
7. Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until lightly golden brown in color.
8. Let cool. I prefer to transfer my cookies to a wire rack after a couple minutes of coming out of the oven. This helps prevent burning the bottoms. Finally, enjoy!
Speaking of Monster Cookies, how adorable are these Cookie Monster Cookies from Beth at The First Year Blog?
How long will these Healthy Monster Cookies stay fresh?
Healthy Monster Cookies will last on the counter for about four days. If you’ve managed to keep them around that long, they can be refrigerated or even put in the freezer to keep them fresh longer.
How do I count these cookies for the 21 Day Fix?
Because these cookies contain chocolate chips and the Unreal Candy pieces, they would be considered a treat swap on the 21 Day Fix, however these are one of the healthiest treat swap cookies you will find because they are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fat! For more info on treat swaps, check out this post from my friend Teresa who blogs at Grandnanny’s House.
Looking for more Healthy Cookie Recipes? Check these out!
Healthy Samoas Cookie Bars [Gluten Free]
Easy Chocolate Macaroons [Allergy Friendly]
FIXATE Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Oat Breakfast Cookies | The Foodie and the Fix
The Yummiest Gluten and Dairy Free Christmas Cookies
Gluten Free Monster Cookies [Dairy Free]
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats look for gluten free if necessary
- ½ cup coconut sugar or brown sugar packed (you can also sub turbinado or raw sugar)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup dairy free chocolate chips I used mini enjoy life
- ¼ cup Unreal Chocolate Candy or other mix in: shredded coconut, chopped pecans, more choc chips, etc
Toppings
- 1 tablespoon Unreal chocolate candy pieces
- Pinch coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350ºF. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter. In a second bowl, mix oats, baking soda, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the peanut butter mixture just until combined. Fold in candy coated pieces and chocolate chips.
- With a small cookie scoop, spoon a heaping amount of dough and place on prepared baking sheets. Repeat until dough is gone. You will end up with about 18 cookies.
- Using the back of a spoon, pat down cookies just a bit, then top with additional candy pieces and coarse sea salt (optional)
- Bake in the oven for 11-13 minutes or until lightly golden brown. TIP: I like to slightly undercook my cookies bc they tend to continue cooking as they cool!
- Let cool before enjoying (I transferred mine to a wire rack after a couple of minutes)
Erica says
These are amazing! I used Lily’s white chocolate and raspberry pieces for the candy it was so good paired with the peanut butter.
Nancylynn says
OOh yum!
Carrie says
I’ve been meaning to make these cookies for so long, and today was finally the day that I made it happen! I kept forgetting to order the Unreal candies on Amazon since I haven’t been able to find them locally in my town, so I used the Trader Joe’s one. They turned out great and the kids love them, too! Such a fun, yummy treat!
Tamara Rook says
I made these cookies tonight and they are SO GOOD! I used almond butter and dark chocolate chips and a few dark chocolate M&Ms. I may make these every week! 😋
Margie says
Nancylynn i am loving your recipes, we make the zucchini boats a lot i will be making these cookies very soon. I now have to be dairy free besides gluten free. So i am looking forward to making your yummy desserts for the holiday’s.
Nancylynn says
So glad to be able to help navigate the GF/DF life! These are a yummy treat, for sure!
Miranda says
Have you tried with a different but butter like almond? Our son is allergic to peanuts, but this recipe looks amazing!
Nancylynn says
Almond butter will work great! Enjoy!
Theresa Lane says
These are incredible! I had everything on had to whip them up and they will definitely be my “go to” yellow treat from now on!
Nancylynn says
YESSSS! So happy to hear this!
Katie says
These are amazing! I made them the night you posted them and I think my husband ate 4! So much for only one yellow.
Lynn Waterfield says
These look so yummy! I’m wondering if the peanut butter in this recipe has to be 21DF approved (100% peanuts and salt), or can you use a brand such as Jif that has added sugar?
Thank you for all your amazing recipes…you are genuinely helping me on my healthful weight loss journey!
Nancylynn says
Good question- it all depends on your goals/preferences. From a recipe standpoint, you may use whatever peanut butter you choose. From a 21 Day Fix standpoint, one without added sugar is best!