Healthy Christmas Cookies (Gluten-Free, Lower Sugar, Nutritionist-Approved)

If you love holiday baking but feel like all of your favorite treats don’t fit with your healthier eating habits, this list is for you! These Healthy Christmas Cookies are delightful spins on some of your favorite classic cookies. They are all gluten-free and made with healthier ingredients for guilt-free enjoyment this holiday season. 

Don’t give up your favorite festive holiday activity of baking! Just make your favorite cookies fit your lifestyle and healthy living goals! This is the healthy eating mindset shift I work with my clients on in my midlife weight loss coaching program.

These healthy cookie recipes use simple, healthy alternatives like coconut sugar, almond flour, and egg whites to make cookies that are delicious and better for you. They taste so good, your guests won’t know the difference! 

If you love healthier holiday recipes, try my healthy chocolate gingerbread loaf or healthy hot chocolate smoothie! 

Why You’ll Love This List of Healthy Holiday Cookies

• Over 20 Different Options: This list of over 20 healthier Christmas cookie recipes is perfect for those who want to enjoy holiday treats that fit their healthier lifestyle. Every cookie on this list has different healthy aspects, whether you want more protein, are Paleo, or just want to enjoy healthier treats.
• Perfect for a Variety of Dietary Needs: Every cookie on this list is gluten-free. Many are dairy-free, or can be made dairy-free with a simple swap, Paleo-friendly, or vegan. They are also low-carb and high-protein options. 
• Have Your Cookies and Be Healthy Too: Each cookie recipe focuses on real-food ingredients, less added sugar, and more fiber or protein, so you can enjoy cookies and feel good. Pair them with my favorite healthy holiday recipes for a nutritionally balanced Christmas season. 

What Makes These Christmas Cookies Healthy?

Cookies and sweet treats in general are an important part of enjoying food and celebrations. Denying yourself all treats isn’t sustainable for a healthy lifestyle. Instead, make treats that include protein to help regulate your blood sugar, or contain coconut sugar, which has a lower glycemic index. These treats help keep your energy levels stable and satisfy your cravings for sweets. 

• Most of the cookies on this list use gluten-free whole-grain flour or nut-based flours instead of refined white flour to help add fiber and protein and reduce the carbs. 
• All of the low-calorie Christmas cookies swap refined sugar for coconut sugar, maple syrup, or zero-calorie sweeteners. They also use less sugar overall, which doesn’t make them less tasty. 
• Several cookies incorporate healthy fats from nuts, nut butters, and even avocado to make these cookies more satisfying. Some also add protein from Greek yogurt, egg whites, or protein powder to help balance the carbs and fat.
• The cookies on this list typically contain 80–160 calories per cookie. That means one or two cookies will satisfy you and not set you back on your health goals.

Classic Christmas Flavors

You can still enjoy your favorite classic Christmas cookies without the gluten, excessive sugar, and loads of calories. These healthy holiday cookies taste like your childhood favorites, but fit into your lifestyle. For more holiday flavors, try these gingerbread protein brownies!

5 from 1 vote

Paleo Salted Gingerbread Cookies

These delightful gingerbread cookies still contain molasses and holiday spices, but use naturally derived sugars to make a lightly sweetened version. They are also gluten-free, Paleo-friendly, and vegan, so that you can share them with all your friends!

Gingerbread Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles (Healthy Recipe)

These aren’t your grandma’s snickerdoodles! This healthier version is gluten-free, low in calories, and packed with cinnamon. If you want your house to smell like Christmas, whip these up before your holiday party guests arrive!

Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles

5 from 1 vote

Healthier Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies

Nothing beats a cup of cocoa at the holidays, unless it’s the classic drink in cookie form! These delicious chocolate cookies use coconut sugar and coconut oil to make a less sugary, dairy-free cookie that everyone will want the recipe for!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies

5 from 3 votes

Healthy Sugar Cookies

Enjoy your holiday tradition of baking sugar cookies for the neighbors, but make them healthy! These cookies are only 65 calories each and use monkfruit instead of sugar, but everyone will still love snacking on them this holiday season. There’s also a recipe for sugar-free icing so the kids can still help you decorate them!

Healthy Sugar Cookies

5 from 2 votes

Grain Free Cinnamon Cookies

These flavorful Paleo-friendly cookies are packed with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with a splash of molasses. Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants and helps regulate blood sugar, so these are the perfect cookies to balance all the holiday treats.

Cinnamon Cookies

5 from 2 votes

Gluten Free Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

I’m a sucker for cranberries at the holidays! These chewy oatmeal cookies are packed with fiber from the gluten-free oatmeal and pumpkin puree. They’re sweetened with maple syrup, which helps bring out the cinnamon and nutmeg.

View Recipe

Chocolate Lover’s Cookies for the Holidays

Who doesn’t love a little bit of chocolate, especially at the holidays?! These healthy Christmas cookies are made with unsweetened cocoa powder and gluten-free flours, but still satisfy the chocolate cravings, just like these chocolate pecan pie bars.

4.84 from 12 votes

Chocolate Avocado Cookies

These fudgey, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are the perfect cookies for chocolate lovers! Avocados are a great anti-inflammatory food and are packed with vitamins. They give these cookies a great texture, and they’re so good for you, you could eat them for breakfast with your favorite holiday coffee.

Chocolate Avocado Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Healthy Chocolate Crinkle “Sprinkle” Cookies

I’d ask Santa for a bucket full of these gluten-free crinkle cookies if I could! They use a blend of almond and coconut flour to balance the carbs and add more protein and fiber. Add crushed peppermints or sprinkles for an extra holiday flair!

Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies

5 from 7 votes

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Don’t put away the pumpkin just yet. Pumpkin treats are still a great idea at the holidays, and pumpkin is loaded with fiber and nutrients. These delicious gluten-free cookies have 5 grams of protein per cookie, thanks to the peanut butter.

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Healthy White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies

Make a few simple substitutes to your favorite cookies to make them healthier for the holidays. These cookies use applesauce and coconut sugar to make a lighter treat that’s still bursting with flavor!

Healthy White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies

5 from 2 votes

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies will win the holiday cookie exchange every time! The silky chocolate ganache in the center and peppermint topping scream Christmas. No one will even realize they are gluten-free and low-calorie!

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

5 from 1 vote

White Chocolate Pecan Cookies

If you have leftover pecans from your Thanksgiving pies, make these delicious pecan cookies with them. They are dairy-free, loaded with cocoa powder and vegan white chocolate chips, and topped with pecans for a crunchy, nutty bite.

White Chocolate Pecan Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

This is another great recipe for pumpkin fans. These low-sugar Christmas cookies are fluffy and moist thanks to the pumpkin puree. They’re also vegan and gluten-free, which makes them perfect for parties where you aren’t sure of everyone’s dietary restrictions.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

The best Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies you’ll ever eat! Made lighter and balanced in nutrition, this cookie recipe is easy to make and butter free. Soft, pillowy cookies! Paleo + Gluten Free + Low Calorie

View Recipe

Higher-Protein & Lower-Sugar Options

If you balance the protein, fat, fiber, and sugar well, you can enjoy healthy holiday desserts anytime of the day! They can help fuel a busy afternoon, aid in recovery from a workout, or just satisfy those holiday sweet tooth! Enjoy your favorite Christmas cookie with a peanut butter hot chocolate!

5 from 1 vote

Low Calorie Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

These lower-calorie cookies taste amazing, while being sweetened with applesauce and coconut sugar instead of overly processed sweeteners. They aren’t high in protein, but have less than 120 calories per cookie, which is amazing for a chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Low Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Pistachio Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Pistachio and chocolate are still having a moment this year, so these are the perfect cookies to serve your holiday guests. They are only 100 calories and packed with protein and healthy fat from the nuts. These are a great breakfast cookie or post-workout treat!

Pistachio Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Healthy Protein Gingersnaps

Get your protein in the form of a classic holiday cookie! These gingersnaps are packed with flavor from the molasses, cinnamon, and ginger, and they have an extra punch of protein from a bit of protein powder in the batter.

Protein Gingersnaps

5 from 3 votes

Low Carb Peanut Butter Cookies

Create a healthier version of the classic peanut butter cookies, yes, the ones with the fork indents on top, with these low-carb cookies. They are packed with healthy fat from the peanut butter, have 8 grams of protein, and a bit of collagen gives them a host of health benefits, like joint, skin, and muscle health.

Low Carb Peanut Butter Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Paleo Sweet Potato Cookies

Sneak in some extra veggies this holiday season and make chocolate chip cookies with sweet potato! It’s a great source of fiber and makes the cookies soft and cakey. These cookies also have almond butter, egg, and almond flour, which aid in each cookie having over 5 grams of protein.

Paleo Sweet Potato Cookies

5 from 1 vote

Paleo Raspberry Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

If you love a classic, fruity thumbprint cookie at Christmastime, this recipe is perfect for you! They have protein from the nut butter in the batter, and are made with a homemade raspberry and chia jam that’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup.

Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

4.96 from 24 votes

Chocolate Cottage Cheese Cookies

No high-protein Christmas cookie list would be complete if I didn’t include an option involving cottage cheese. This protein-packed snack is still trending this holiday season and is a great way to naturally add protein to your treats. Even guests who don’t love cottage cheese will love these because they are made with cocoa powder and chocolate chips, which hide the flavor!

Cottage Cheese Cookies

Healthy Christmas Cookies Nutritionist Tips

• Enjoy the cookies this holiday season! One or two cookies, between 150-200 calories, is a great snack that will satisfy your sweet tooth without leaving you feeling terrible.
• Avoid spiking your blood sugar too much by enjoying your cookies with some savory protein-rich snacks, like cheese, nuts, or a bowl of Greek yogurt.
• If you’re overwhelmed by the options of holiday treats at your next Christmas party or family gathering, pick one or two favorites to enjoy instead of sampling a bit of everything. 
• While these healthy holiday dessert recipes are better for you than the average dessert, they are still a treat with sugar and carbs. Be mindful of what you’re eating and balance your cookies with nutrient-dense foods that will sustain your energy levels. 

Holiday Cookie Serving Ideas

• Nothing goes together like cookies and a warm mug of cocoa or coffee! Pair your healthy holiday treats with a skinny peppermint mocha, or add a splash of gingerbread coffee creamer.
• Pair with some other low-calorie holiday recipes, like my gingerbread cake or eggnog cheesecake bars.
• Build a healthy holiday cookie tray filled with everyone’s favorite classic cookies! The perfect idea for a cookie swap or to give as gifts to your friends.

Make Ahead, Freezing & Storing Healthy Christmas Cookies

• Freezing Cookie Dough: Most cookie dough freezes well. Avoid freezing dough made with applesauce, yogurt, or cottage cheese as it’s too wet and doesn’t hold its structure. For all other doughs, portion into balls, freeze on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. When ready to bake, thaw the dough balls on a sheet pan for about 15 minutes.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: You can also freeze cookies after baking to get ahead during the holiday rush. Oat-based cookies may soften slightly after thawing, and it’s best to add fillings, like jelly or ganache for thumbprints, after thawing for the best texture.
• Storage Time: Both cookie dough and baked cookies keep well in the freezer for 1–2 months. Thaw baked cookies in the refrigerator for 24 hours before enjoying.
• Portion Control Tip: Freezing is a smart way to manage portions. Bake a full batch, freeze most of it, and pull out just 1–2 cookies when the craving hits instead of leaving a dozen on the counter.

Healthy Christmas Cookies FAQs

Enjoy all of the delicious, healthy Christmas cookie recipes this holiday season. They make great gifts, additions to a cookie exchange party, or just treats after Christmas dinner. Your guests won’t believe these cookies are healthy and taste so good!