Drooling over cookie dough but afraid the raw eggs could upset your tummy? Here’s how to make an edible and healthy vegan, Paleo, and gluten-free cookie dough for instant gratification!
Cookie dough is a yummilicious treat all by itself. Many of us are compelled to steal a spoonful or two before putting it in the oven for a batch of healthy and homemade cookies. However, the raw eggs in the cookie dough that are necessary for baking may give you food poisoning.
That’s why we are going to share with you how to make healthy edible cookie dough that ticks all the gluten-free, Paleo, and vegan diet requirements. Since these don’t need baking, you can eat them right out of the mixing bowl!
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Substitutes for Vegan, Paleo, and Gluten-Free Edible Cookie Dough
Store-bought cookies contain dairy milk, fat sources like butter and eggs, refined flour, and refined sugars.
They’re not healthy and certainly don’t fit in the diet of someone who’s a vegan or has gluten or dairy allergies. Let’s look at how we can substitute these and still retain the rich and sweet flavors in edible cookie dough.
Refined Flour Substitutes
If you want to make healthy cookie dough, substitute the refined flour with almond or coconut flour. They are gluten-free, low in carbs, healthier, and tasty too.
Refined Sugar Substitutes
Choose maple or coconut sugar instead of packaged white sugars to make cookie dough that’s both safe and healthy. With natural substitutes like these, your cookie dough will turn into a healthy snack option.
Dairy Substitutes
Simply replace dairy milk with plant-based milk like almond or cashew. The vegan-friendly cookie dough doesn’t lose any taste with this substitute. In fact, you get a full sweet and nutty flavor without the calories.
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Butter Substitute
Melted coconut oil is a substitute for both oil and eggs in a Paleo-friendly and healthy cookie dough recipe.
Flavors and Add-Ons
Add your favorite flavors and other ingredients to the cookie dough base to make it suit your lifestyle and mood. A simple flavor like vanilla can make the vegan cookie dough smell divinely delicious. Or you can add dark chocolate chips if you’re in a chocolatey mood.
How to Make Cookies from Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Paleo Cookie Dough
Remember that you will need to add an egg if you want to bake the dough into cookies. Without any source of fat, the cookies would not have the right texture. Therefore, add one egg after you’ve prepared the cookie dough base. Then keep the dough in the fridge.
Once it’s set, make balls from the dough and use a rolling pin substitute to make the cookie discs. Place the discs on a baking sheet and bake for about 12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius.
How To Make The Perfect Vegan Cookie Dough Base
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Ingredients For Paleo Cookie Dough Base:
- Coconut flour – 2 tablespoons
- Almond flour – 1 cup
- Salt – ⅛ teaspoon
- Melted coconut oil – 2½ tablespoons
- Maple syrup – 2 tablespoons
- Coconut sugar – 2 tablespoons
- Vanilla extract – ½ teaspoon
- Almond milk – 2 tablespoons
Method:
Use a whisk to mix almond and coconut flour with salt to air it for a nice texture. Mix the other ingredients gently until it becomes a pliable dough.
7 Ways to Have Guilt-Free, Gluten-Free, Healthy Cookie Dough
Here are seven amazing ways of making cookie dough that is not only healthy but also tantalizing treat.
1. Rocky Road Paleo Cookie Dough
To the healthy cookie dough base, just add these mix-ins to land in chocolate heaven:
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – 2 tablespoons
- Chocolate chips – ¼ cup
- Mini marshmallows – ¼ cup
- Melted coconut oil – 2 teaspoons
- Chopped almonds – ¼ cup
Sift cocoa powder over the Paleo cookie dough base.
Fold in the mixed-in ingredients and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
You need only ⅓ cup of vegan and dairy-free chocolate chips for this edible and healthy version of cookie dough. Fold this gently into the cookie dough base recipe, refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour, and voilà! The most delectable and healthy cookie dough awaits you!
Photo by Nicole Michalou from Pexels
3. Oreo Cookie Dough
Both adults and kids love Oreos, but if you want to have it without the associated guilt, here’s the best way.
Ingredients For Mixing In:
- Crushed Oreos – ⅓ cup
- Melted coconut oil – 2 teaspoons
Add the crushed Oreos to the melted coconut and gently fold them into the cookie dough base. Chill for 30 minutes to an hour, and you’re done!
4. Peanut Butter Edible Cookie Dough With Pretzels and Chocolate Chips
If you’re looking for a slightly salty taste in your gluten-free cookie dough, pretzels will add that magic.
Ingredients:
- Gluten-free chopped pretzels – ¼ cup
- Peanut butter – ¼ cup
- Chopped mini chocolate chips – ¼ cup
Fold in the above ingredients in the edible cookie dough base and chill for 30 minutes before serving.
5. Rainbow Cookie Dough
Photo by Nicole Michalou from Pexels
Perfect to celebrate a birthday in a healthy and vegan way, the rainbow cookie dough needs only two additional ingredients:
- Chopped white chocolate chips – 2 tablespoons
- Rainbow sprinkles – ¼ cup
Just fold these ingredients into the Paleo and healthy cookie dough base. Before digging in, refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6. Nutty Oatmeal Cookie Dough
A crunchy bowl of comfort food with none of the calories, the oatmeal cookie dough is sure to soar your spirits.
Ingredients For Mixing:
- Cooking oats – ¼ cup
- Melted coconut oil – 2 teaspoons
- Powdered cinnamon – ½ teaspoon
- Raisins – ¼ cup
- Chopped walnuts – ¼ cup
Lightly toast the oats and chopped walnuts in the oven for about ten minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius to release the nutty aroma. Add these and other ingredients into the prepared edible cookie dough base. Put in the fridge for 30 minutes.
7. Blueberry Lemon Fruity Cookie Dough
Another variation of edible and vegan cookie dough is this citrusy and fruity one with blueberries and lemon.
Add-In Ingredients:
- Dried blueberries – ⅓ cup
- Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
- Lemon zest – a pinch
Combine these ingredients to the Paleo and healthy cookie dough base. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before scooping in.
Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash
Conclusion
Guilt-free sweet indulgences are what we crave for both on special occasions and ordinary days. With these seven ways of having edible and healthy cookie dough, you can stick to your vegan, gluten-free, and Paleo diet without putting on weight.
