These healthy cookie dough bites have been on repeat in my kitchen for years, and they're one of my kids' all-time favorite snacks. I've made them more times than I can count, and I love that they're naturally gluten-free, free from refined sugar, and made with ingredients I trust. If you're looking for a quick no-bake treat that feels indulgent but is secretly nourishing, this one's a keeper.
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These balls come together with just a handful of pantry staples, like almond flour, nut butter, and maple syrup, and they're ready in under 10 minutes. No oven, no fancy equipment, and definitely no questionable ingredients. Just mix, roll, chill (or don't!), and enjoy. It's the kind of recipe that makes healthy eating feel effortless, especially on busy days when you want something sweet and satisfying in a pinch.
I originally started making these as an after-school snack, but they've since become an anytime treat, perfect for lunchboxes, road trips, or a quick pick-me-up with a cup of tea. And the best part? My kids love them just as much as I do. That's always my goal: simple, nourishing recipes that your whole family will actually want to eat (and request on repeat).
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Why You'll Love This Healthy Cookie Dough Recipe
- No-bake convenience: just like my matcha green tea energy bites, and my no-bake black bean brownies, no-bake bites are incredibly easy to make, perfect for a quick snack or dessert.
- Diet-friendly: this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be made vegan with a simple swap of honey for maple syrup. There is no refined sugar like brown sugar, no raw flour or heat-treated flour, no raw eggs, and made without cream cheese.
- Satisfying treat: the taste and texture of real cookie dough in a bite-sized form that's easy to enjoy anytime.
Healthy Cookie Dough Bites Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need to make this delicious cookie dough recipe:
- Gluten-free oat flour: provides the base for the cookie dough, giving it the right texture. You can also make your own by blending gluten free oats until fine.
- Nut butter: adds richness and helps bind the dough together, giving it a satisfying texture.
- Honey: naturally sweetens the dough. You can also use pure maple syrup as a vegan alternative.
- Coconut oil: adds richness and helps hold the dough together.
- Vanilla extract: enhances the flavor, making the bites taste just like classic cookie dough.
- Sea salt: balances the sweetness and deepens the flavor.
- Dark chocolate: choose your favorite dark chocolate chips or chunks for a delicious addition. I use dairy-free chocolate chips.
See recipe card below for all ingredients and quantities.
Cookie Dough Healthy Variations
- Almond flour: swap oat flour with almond flour for a different texture and flavor.
- Nut butter: try peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter to customize the flavor.
- Vegan-friendly: use pure maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan version.
- Mint chocolate chip: add peppermint extract instead of vanilla for a minty twist.
How To Make Healthy Cookie Dough
- Step 1:
Combine Ingredients: Add oat flour, nut butter, honey, coconut oil, vanilla, and sea salt to a food processor or mixing bowl.
Mix: Blend or mix until the ingredients are well combined, forming a dough-like consistency.
Add Chocolate: Stir in the chocolate chips or chunks until evenly distributed.
- Step 2:
Shape: Scoop out bite-sized portions and roll them into balls.
Chill: Store in the fridge to firm up before enjoying.
Tips for Gluten Free Cookie Dough Bites
- Use room temperature ingredients: for best results, ensure your basic ingredients are at room temperature to achieve the texture of cookie dough.
- Make homemade oat flour: you can easily make oat flour by blending oats in a food processor until fine.
- Make truffles: for a decadent treat, dip the chilled bites in melted chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Add-ins: for a fun twist, try adding chia seeds, cocoa nibs, coconut flour, or protein powder. A touch of extra sweetener can help keep the bites moist and delicious.
Storing Healthy Raw Cookie Dough
- Refrigerator: store the cookie dough bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. They will soften at room temperature.
- Freezer: freeze the bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a small cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly. Then, roll the dough between your palms to form smooth balls.
For a fun twist, make cookie dough squares by pressing the dough into an 8-inch square dish lined with parchment paper, chill, and then cut into squares for cookie dough bars. Or mix it into your favorite caramel nice cream.
This cookie dough is meant to be enjoyed raw, not baked. Baking it could cause the dough to spread and lose its texture. For a perfect baked treat, try my almond butter cookies or chocolate fudge cookies instead!
More Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes
📖 Recipe
Healthy Cookie Dough Balls
Equipment
- 1 food processor
- 1 large bowl
- 1 cookie scoop or ice cream scoop
Ingredients
- 1 cup (120 grams) certified gluten-free oat flour
- ⅓ cup (83 grams) almond butter, or peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey, or pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil , or vegan butter, or ghee
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup (85 grams) dark chocolate chunks, chopped pea-sized or dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add oat flour, nut butter, honey, coconut oil, vanilla, and sea salt to a food processor or mixing bowl.1 cup certified gluten-free oat flour, ⅓ cup almond butter, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- Blend until the ingredients are well combined, forming a dough-like consistency. Add chocolate chunks and pulse a few times to combine.½ cup dark chocolate chunks
- Scoop out bite-sized portions and roll them into balls.
- Store in the fridge to firm up before enjoying.
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Notes
- Store the cookie dough bites in the fridge in an airtight container for 1 week.
- Or freeze the bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
John Hall says
Hands down my new favourite sweet treat. If you are a sucker for cookie dough like me, this is definitely the recipe for you. I have a major sweet tooth and could finally indulge without feeling too guilty. I have 2 young kids and they loved them as well (keep asking for more!) It's an excellent dessert or snack for the kids (and me) and they loved rolling their own cookie dough balls in their hands. Yum!
Jacqui Wilson says
I'm glad you enjoyed the cookie dough balls and I love that the kids had fun getting involved.