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Home > Gluten-Free Desserts > Gluten-Free Cookies > Paleo Pumpkin Cookies

Paleo Pumpkin Cookies

LAST UPDATED: August 20, 2020 PUBLISHED: Aug 20, 2020 31 Comments
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These paleo pumpkin cookies are grain-free, dairy-free and naturally sweetened. They are loaded with fresh pumpkin and chocolate chips. Make these soft and lightly spiced cookies for a fall treat!

For another fall cookie recipe, check out my Vegan Pumpkin Cookies. I like to make them for breakfast cookies. They are also paleo-friendly and full of superfoods!

healthy pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips, cooling on parchment paper

There are plenty of ways to celebrate the fall season, and baking with pumpkin is one of my favorites. There’s nothing better than the smell of pumpkin spice filling your home as you bake these cookies.

These paleo cookies won’t disappoint. Unlike these gluten-free pumpkin cookies which are made with gluten-free all-purpose flour, these paleo pumpkin cookies are made with only coconut and almond flour. They’re totally grain-free and the perfect healthy indulgence!

Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients to make pumpkin cookies in bowls on marble background
  • Pumpkin – This is 100% pure pumpkin and is much different than pumpkin pie filling, which has sugar and thickeners in it.
  • Coconut Sugar – My natural sweetener of choice for these cookies.
  • Palm Shortening – I like to use organic palm shortening. This is different than conventional shortening and is a healthier option.
  • Chocolate Chips – Choose a dairy-free brand like Enjoy Life Foods to keep these cookies totally dairy-free.

How to Make Paleo Pumpkin Cookies

step by step cookies of how to make the cookies in collage
  1. Mix the palm shortening and coconut sugar. Mix until you have a creamy, smooth consistency.
  2. Add the wet ingredients. For the smoothest batter, incorporate the pumpkin first, then mix in the eggs, one at a time.
  3. Mix in the dry ingredients. Sift the almond or coconut flour if needed.
  4. Incorporate chocolate chips. You can use your hand mixer or a wooden spoon for this.
  5. Scoop the dough. The dough for these cookies is pretty soft so I suggest using a cookie scoop to portion the dough.
  6. Flatten dough and bake the cookies. Use your fingers to flatten the dough slightly. This helps the dough to spread during baking.

Recipe Tips and Q&A

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, these are freezer-friendly cookies. I suggest storing the baked cookies in a resealable bag for up to 2 months. They are delicious straight out of the freezer!

Can I use all almond or all coconut flour instead of the combination of the two?

Unfortunately swapping in all almond flour or coconut flour won’t work. These flours have very different properties and the ratio has been perfectly designed to work in this recipe.

Can I use honey or maple syrup in place of coconut sugar?

Don’t substitute maple syrup or honey in place of this or the cookie dough will be too runny.

close up shot of cookies with chocolate chips, stacked on parchment paper

More Pumpkin Treats:

  • Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
  • Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins
  • Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

If you try this recipe be sure to leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!

Hungry for more? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for all of the latest updates.

close up shot of pumpkin cookie on brown parchment paper

Paleo Pumpkin Cookies

Author: Erin Collins
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Total: 27 mins
Soft, moist, grain-free, spiced pumpkin cookies full of chocolate chunks. A fall classic.
4.93 from 14 votes
Servings: 12 servings
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Ingredients

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup organic palm shortening or butter, I use the brand Spectrum or Tropical Traditions
  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil, softened
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar, or brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 3 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using a hand or stand mixer, cream together the palm shortening, coconut oil, and coconut sugar until light and fluffy. Add the pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla and blend until smooth.
  • If your coconut and almond flour and lumpy, as mine often are, sift them together before adding them to the mixture. Add all the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Stir in the chocolate chips. The dough will look wet.
  • Scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet. With wet hands, slightly flatten each cookie as they will not spread much during baking. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Ingredient Notes

  • Pumpkin – This is 100% pure pumpkin and is much different than pumpkin pie filling, which has sugar and thickeners in it.
  • Coconut Sugar – My natural sweetener of choice for these cookies.
  • Palm Shortening – I like to use organic palm shortening. This is different than conventional shortening and is a healthier option.
  • Chocolate Chips – Choose a dairy-free brand like Enjoy Life Foods to keep these cookies totally dairy-free.

FAQ

Can I freeze these cookies? Yes, these are freezer-friendly cookies. I suggest storing the baked cookies in a resealable bag for up to 2 months. They are delicious straight out of the freezer!
Can I use all almond or all coconut flour instead of the combination of the two? Unfortunately swapping in all almond flour or coconut flour won’t work. These flours have very different properties and the ratio has been perfectly designed to work in this recipe.
Can I use honey or maple syrup in place of coconut sugar? Don’t substitute maple syrup or honey in place of this or the cookie dough will be too runny.
Nutrition Facts
Paleo Pumpkin Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 172 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 38mg13%
Sodium 136mg6%
Potassium 31mg1%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 1765IU35%
Vitamin C 0.4mg0%
Calcium 38mg4%
Iron 0.7mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
NUTRITION INFORMATION:
Calories: 172kcal
Erin of Meaningful Eats

Hi, I'm Erin!

BS Food Science, MS Nutrition
I believe you can make amazing, gluten-free food with everyday ingredients that everyone will enjoy. I'm here to share my tried-and-true recipes with you! More About Erin

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Amanda says

    October 16, 2018 at 8:50 pm

    What ratio of maple syrup or honey would I use in this recipe to substitute for the sugar?

    Reply
  2. jamie says

    November 09, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    can you make these without the coconut flour?? would love to try this recipe but forgot to pick up coconut flour at the grocery store

    Reply
    • Erin Collins says

      November 12, 2018 at 11:55 am

      That will not work unfortunately!

      Reply
  3. Dillon says

    November 10, 2018 at 1:08 am

    I followed the recipe almost perfectly except instead of brown or coconut sugar I used xylitol and they turned out really cake like. They look nothing like the pictures I really doubt it’s because of the xylitol any thoughts?

    Reply
    • Erin Collins says

      November 12, 2018 at 11:55 am

      I’ve never worked with xylitol so I’m not sure! Sorry about that.

      Reply
  4. Alexia says

    November 12, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    5 stars
    These are my favorite cookies!!! Pumpkin & Chocolate is one of my favorite combinations ever & i LOVE these!! So moist and tasty! Did I mention how much I love these? Thank you for this recipe 🙂

    Reply
  5. Theresa says

    November 27, 2018 at 6:07 pm

    5 stars
    Nutrition info?

    Reply
  6. Maddi says

    August 20, 2020 at 1:01 pm

    5 stars
    These cookies are everything a pumpkin cookie should be. Soft, lightly spiced, and moist. Love them.

    Reply
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Erin of Meaningful Eats

Hi, I'm Erin!

BS Food Science, MS Nutrition
I believe you can make amazing, gluten-free food with everyday ingredients that everyone will enjoy. I'm here to share my tried-and-true recipes with you! More About Erin

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Join my free email list to receive this Gluten-Free Dinners cookbook!

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