I’ve tested dozens of vegan cookie recipes over the years, and these maple-sweetened vegan walnut cookies are one of my favorites. They have crispy edges, chewy centers, and the right balance of sweet and salty flavors. They’re also Paleo-diet-friendly, gluten free, and refined-sugar-free. Give them a try if you’re looking for walnut recipes, like these simple chocolate covered walnuts, which are another delicious option.
Main Ingredients and Substitutions
You can use either raw or toasted walnuts in these cookies. Walnuts add richness, a satisfying crunch, and a slightly tannic flavor that balances the sweetness of these cookies.
Maple syrup adds a delicious flavor to these refined-sugar-free vegan cookies. Maple syrup and walnuts are a classic combination. The astringency of the walnuts and the complex sweetness of the maple syrup make these two ingredients the perfect pair.
I didn’t want these cookies to be overly sweet, but if you have a particularly sweet tooth you can increase the amount of maple syrup to 1/2 cup (instead of 1/3 cup) and increase the baking time by 1 minute in that case.
These gluten-free walnut cookies are made with coconut flour. I haven’t tried any substitutions yet, so I recommend sticking with coconut flour for optimal results.
Almond butter adds richness and acts as a binder, holding these cookies together. You can substitute peanut butter, tahini, or any other unsweetened nut or seed butter you prefer. Just be sure to use a creamy variety (as opposed to crunchy).
Vanilla extract complements the other flavors in this vegan walnut cookie recipe. I recommend using pure vanilla extract as opposed to artificial flavoring if possible.
How to Make Vegan Walnut Cookies
Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Next you’ll add the almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to a mixing bowl, then mix well. Add the coconut flour and mix well.
Next you’ll stir in the chopped walnuts. Scoop out a heaping teaspoon of dough into your hands, then roll it into a ball and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the dough (you should end up with about 11 balls).
Use your fingers to flatten the dough balls into circle shapes.
Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Let the cookies cool off for at least 20 minutes before removing from the baking sheet and serving.
Vegan Walnut Cookies Recipe (Gluten Free and Paleo)
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy almond butter
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to a mixing bowl, then mix well.
- Add the coconut flour and mix well.
- Stir in the chopped walnuts.
- Scoop out a heaping teaspoon of dough into your hands, then roll it into a ball shape and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Use your fingers to flatten the dough ball into a round cookie shape.
- Repeat with the rest of the dough (you should end up with about 11 cookies).
- Bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Let the cookies cool off for at least 20 minutes before removing from the baking sheet and serving.
Notes
- Store the cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or freeze them for up to three months.
Nutrition Estimates
More Vegan Cookie Recipes to Try
- These mouth-watering coconut oil cookies are quick and easy to make.
- These chickpea flour cookies are soft and chewy.
