These easy gluten-free monster cookies are the perfect healthy dessert! Packed with creamy peanut butter, chewy oats, and loaded with chocolate chips and colorful candies, these cookies have it all while being flourless, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free! They are indulgent, yet made with just a few wholesome ingredients!

Healthy monster cookies

I don’t know about you guys, but Monster cookies always take me back to my childhood! Arguably one of the most fun cookies around, they have it all – perfect chewy texture, tons of flavor, and the perfect pop of eye-catching color from the candies! My family always made them with M&M’s, which is extra nostalgic, and they’re fun to make with leftover halloween candy!

Today we are making flourless cookies, with a gluten, dairy, oil, and refined sugar-free spin! However, these are customizable – they can be made without butter, or with if that’s your jam. You can also switch up the candies you use! This cookie recipe is seriously the easiest recipe ever!

Video – watch me make gluten-free monster cookies!

Why you’ll love this recipe

Easy: This easy dessert doesn’t require a mixer or fancy equipment. All you need is 10 minutes and one bowl to whip up these delicious cookies! They’re the perfect no-fuss recipe!
Delicious: The flavor and texture are 10/10!
Wholesome: Made with healthier pantry-staples, this recipe is indulgent while being made with better-for-you ingredients! These cookies are gluten-free, flourless, oil-free, & refined sugar-free, but trust me, nobody will ever know!
No chilling time: These flourless, healthy cookies require no chilling time, making them perfect for when you need a treat ASAP!

What Are Monster Cookies?

Monster cookies are hearty cookies that are like a mash-up of peanut butter cookies, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and M&M cookies! They are known for their chewy texture, peanut butter flavor, and eye-catching candies!

Whether you’re gluten-sensitive or simply seeking a healthier snack, these cookies will satisfy your cravings while keeping you fueled with wholesome ingredients. If you are looking for more gluten-free cookie recipes, try my homemade tagalong cookies, 3 ingredient copycat fudge stripes, or my copycat Samoa cookies!

Dunking a gluten-free monster cookie in a glass of milk.

How to make gluten-free monster cookies

The full recipe is in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!

Ingredients

Gluten-free rolled oats: I love One Degree Organics sprouted gluten-free oats!
Coconut sugar
Eggs: I haven’t tested egg substitutes so I can’t say how they will affect the cookies!
Almond butter: cashew butter or peanut butter also work! Sunflower seed butter or granola butter are great nut-free options. Use CREAMY/drippy nut butter! If it is super thick, the cookies won’t turn out the perfect texture. I love Trader Joes or Kirkland brands
Candies: I like to use Unreal candies as they’re made with better for you ingredients! If you don’t want to use candies, feel free to substitute regular chocolate chips!
Chopped nuts: this is optional, but I love the crunch! Chopped walnuts or pecans are my favorite!
Pantry staples: vanilla extract, baking soda, cinnamon, sea salt

Steps to make Gluten-Free Monster Cookies

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make the dough: Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl until dough forms, folding in the candies and nuts last.
Form Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto the baking sheet, flattening slightly.
Bake: Bake for 9-11 minutes until golden brown.
Cool & Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on a wire rack before storing in an air-tight container!

Expert Baking Tips

Use CREAMY/drippy nut butter! If it is super thick, the cookies won’t turn out the perfect texture. I love Trader Joes or Kirkland brands!
Freeze them for longer storage – just thaw and reheat before enjoying!
Swap peanut butter for almond or sunflower seed butter if you have allergies.
Customize with raisins, nuts, or seeds for extra nutrition!
Feel free to add in extra spices like 1/4 tsp nutmeg!
Swap the candies for white chocolate and add in macadamias for healthier macadamia nut cookies!
Add a few candies to the tops before baking to make them even prettier!

Are Oats Gluten-free?

Oats are naturally gluten-free. However, they can become contaminated with gluten during processing or harvesting, as they are often grown and processed in the same fields and facilities as wheat, rye, and barley, which contain gluten. Therefore, it’s super important if you have celiac disease or a serious gluten intolerance, that you choose certified gluten-free oats! This ensures there was no cross-contamination.

Can I make these cookies nut-free?

Yes! Sunflower butter makes the perfect nut-free substitute! Just keep in mind that when sunflower butter is used in baking, it can turn your baked goods a green color. It’s totally harmless and doesn’t affect the flavor of the cookies – however it’ll add to the whole “monster” theme! 😉

How to store leftover cookies

Store homemade gluten-free monster cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying or warm in the microwave or toaster oven!

More healthy gluten-free desserts to try

If you try this recipe and love, it’d mean the world to me if you left a star rating & review below! Tag me in your creations on Instagram @danishealthyeats!