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Dairy-Free

Healthy No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars

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two healthy no-bake cookie dough bars stacked on top of each other on a baking sheet.

Seriously delicious healthy no-bake cookie dough bars! These bars are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. Enjoy as a guilt-free dessert or sweet snack!

healthy no bake cookie dough bars on a baking sheet.

What You’ll Need to Make Healthy No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars

Almond Flour – Use blanched almond flour for these dessert bars, not almond meal. Blanched almond flour is ground finer and makes for a smoother cookie dough. Looking for more almond flour recipes? Try these!

Peanut or Cashew Butter – Either peanut or cashew butter will work! I used peanut butter because I love the taste. However, cashew butter yields little flavor and works perfectly to hold these no-bake bars together. But whichever you use, make sure it’s both creamy and unsweetened.

Maple Syrup – We use maple syrup in place of traditional refined sugar to keep these healthy cookie dough bars refined sugar-free. The maple syrup in these bars can easily be replaced with honey, or even your favorite sugar-free liquid sweetener for sugar-free cookie dough bars!

Chocolate Chips – I used the Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips to keep these bars vegan/dairy-free, but really any chocolate chip will work! For refined sugar-free chocolate chips, try these date-sweetened Hu chocolate chips.

three healthy no bake cookie dough bars stacked on top of each other.

Tips and Tricks

  • Chill these healthy no-bake cookie dough bars in the freezer for at least one hour before slicing! Don’t rush this step, otherwise the chocolate won’t be fully set.
  • Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Avoiding leaving them at room temperature for too long, because the chocolate may melt.
close-up image of a healthy no bake cookie dough bar.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Nut-Free: For a nut-free version of this recipe, replace the almond flour with oat flour. Also, replace the cashew or peanut butter with unsweetened sunflower seed butter!

Make it Paleo: Make paleo cookie dough bars by using unsweetened creamy almond butter in place of the cashew or peanut butter.

two healthy no-bake cookie dough bars stacked on top of each other on a baking sheet.
4.24 from 59 votes

Healthy No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars

Seriously delicious healthy no-bake cookie dough bars! These bars are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. Enjoy as a guilt-free dessert or sweet snack!
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

For the cookie dough layer:

  • 1 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut or cashew butter, unsweetened
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil or butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

For the chocolate layer:

  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut or cashew butter, unsweetened

Instructions

  • Line a 9×5-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Make the cookie dough layer by mixing together the almond flour, peanut or cashew butter, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl. Add in the chocolate chips and mix until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Transfer dough to prepared baking pan and press into an even layer.
  • Make the chocolate layer by melting the chocolate chips and peanut or cashew butter in the microwave in 30 second increments. Stir together until smooth, then pour and spread into an even layer on top of the cookie dough.
  • Chill in the freezer for one hour, then remove and slice into squares.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal
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30 Minutes or Less

3-Ingredient S’mores Dip

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graham cracker being dipped into s'more dip

Super quick and easy 3-ingredient s’mores dip! Melty chocolate and gooey marshmallows, served with graham crackers. Throw together this simple dessert in just 10 minutes!

overhead image of s'mores dip with graham crackers and mini marshmallows on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make S’mores Dip

Chocolate Chips – Either chocolate chips or a chopped chocolate bar will work here! Layer your chocolate at the bottom of a baking pan, then top with marshmallows. After baking, the chocolate chips will be perfectly melty and delicious.

Marshmallows – I used mini marshmallows in my s’mores dip, but large marshmallows work just as well. Arrange the marshmallows on top of the chocolate chips before baking. Then, bake until the marshmallows are perfectly toasted and golden brown.

Graham Crackers – Serve your s’more dip with graham crackers on the side. Or, if graham crackers aren’t really your thing, serve it with whatever you’d like! For a healthier option, try fresh strawberries and apple slices. I also love serving my dip with these Simple Mills Honey Sweet Thins – they’re gluten-free!

graham cracker being dipped into s'mores dip

Tips and Tricks

  • Like a more well-done s’more? Then bake this dessert dip for a few extra minutes, or until the marshmallows are toasted to your liking.
  • Jazz up this recipe for your next holiday party! Making s’mores dip for fourth of July? Add a small handful of red, white, and blue sprinkles to the top of your dip right before serving.
  • Store leftover s’mores dip covered, at room temperature, for up to one week. To reheat, simply add back into the oven according to the recipe instructions.
s'mores dip in a small cast iron skillet.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan: For a vegan s’more dip, use vegan chocolate chips and vegan marshmallows.

Make it Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free graham crackers in this recipe.

graham cracker being dipped into s'more dip
5 from 1 vote

3-Ingredient S’mores Dip

Super quick and easy 3-ingredient s’mores dip! Melty chocolate and gooey marshmallows, served with graham crackers. Throw together this simple dessert in just 10 minutes!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
  • 20 large marshmallows, or 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • graham crackers, for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450° Fahrenheit and lightly grease an 8-inch baking pan or cast iron skillet.
  • Spread chocolate chips in an even layer in the bottom of the pan, then arrange marshmallows on top of the chocolate chips.
  • Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until marshmallows are toasted to your liking. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before serving with graham crackers.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal
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30 Minutes or Less

3-Ingredient Vegan Hot Chocolate Dip

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overhead image of vegan hot chocolate dip in a bowl with graham cracker, mini marshmallows, and chopped chocolate on the side.

Blissfully easy and delicious vegan hot chocolate dip! Made with just 3 ingredients, no cooking or baking required. This fool-proof dessert recipe is perfect for holiday parties or potlucks!

close-up image of vegan hot chocolate dip.

What You’ll Need to Make Vegan Hot Chocolate Dip

Vegan Whipped Cream – If not vegan, feel free to use regular ole’ whipped cream instead. However, I used Truwhip’s Vegan Whipped Topping and it tastes just like the real thing. I’ve also tested this recipe with So Delicious cocowhip, and it turned out fabulous! Or, for a healthier option, feel free to make a homemade coconut whipped cream. To do this, whip together the coconut cream (not the liquid part) from two cans of full-fat coconut milk with either a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy. If taking this option, I recommend adding in at least 3 tablespoons of sugar to help sweeten this dessert dip!

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – It’s super important to use unsweetened cocoa powder in this vegan hot chocolate dip recipe. If sweetened, you risk an overly sweet dip. Therefore, check the baking aisle at your grocery store for an unsweetened cocoa powder, such as this Hershey’s one.

Vanilla Extract – A splash of vanilla extract is the finishing touch to this vegan dessert recipe! It brings the hot chocolate flavor together, and is seriously so good.

vegan hot chocolate dip in a bowl with graham crackers.

Tips and Tricks

  • Don’t over-mix your dip! An over-mixed dip will turn runny, and lose its fluffiness. Simply stir until everything’s incorporated, then enjoy!
  • Feel free to prepare this vegan hot chocolate dip in advance! To do this, store in an airtight container in either the freezer for up to 2 months, or the fridge for up to 4 days. If freezing, simply transfer to the fridge a few hours before serving to thaw, then give it a quick stir.
  • Serve this chocolatey dessert dip however you’d like! I love mine with graham crackers and fresh strawberries. Though chocolate chip cookies, teddy grahams, apple slices, or even marshmallows all make for great dippers!
graham cracker being dipped into vegan hot chocolate dip.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Paleo: For a paleo version, make a homemade coconut whipped cream and sweeten with either coconut sugar or a splash of maple syrup – YUM!

overhead image of vegan hot chocolate dip in a bowl with graham cracker, mini marshmallows, and chopped chocolate on the side.
5 from 1 vote

Vegan Hot Chocolate Dip

Blissfully easy and delicious vegan hot chocolate dip! Made with just 3 ingredients, no cooking or baking required. This fool-proof dessert recipe is perfect for holiday parties or potlucks!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces vegan whipped cream
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1-3 tablespoons sugar, optional depending on how sweet you’d like it
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a bowl, then whisk together until combined.
  • Serve with graham crackers, animal crackers, marshmallows, strawberries, apple slices, Oreos, etc.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal
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30 Minutes or Less

Perfect Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

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overhead image of an almond flour chocolate chip cookie with a bite taken out.

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside almond flour chocolate chip cookies! A super easy one-bowl, gluten-free dessert recipe everyone will love. These cookies are perfectly sweet, and stuffed with plentyyyy of melty chocolate.

Close-up of a stack of gluten-free almond flour chocolate chip cookies with a bite taken out of the first cookie.

Who doesn’t love a classic chocolate chip cookie!? These gluten-free almond flour-based cookies are sure to be a family favorite. These are perfect not just for the holidays, but for any night that you’re looking for a simple one-bowl sweet treat with lots of chocolate!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Pantry Staples: This recipe’s ingredients are all items you may have right on hand in your pantry, which will make this a super easy gluten-free chocolate chip cookie recipe to put together!
  • Versatile & Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite chopped chocolate or even chopped nuts for additional flavor and melty goodness!
  • Easy & Quick: These chocolate chip cookies only take 10-12 minutes to bake in the oven!

What You’ll Need to Make Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

Butter: I used Myoko’s Vegan Butter to keep my cookies both gluten and dairy-free. However, you can certainly use any type of butter you’d like. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before baking, this’ll help whip together the butter and sugar in the first step.

Brown Sugar or Coconut Sugar: Either one works! I used coconut sugar because it’s less processed than standard brown sugar. But I recommend you use whatever you have on-hand. Brown or coconut sugar give these almond flour chocolate chip cookies a deeper, more intense flavor!

Almond Flour: Of course, these wouldn’t be what they are without plenty of almond flour. With any recipe that calls for almond flour, be sure to use blanched almond flour – not almond meal. Almond meal will yield a more grainy and crumbly cookie, which is not what we’re looking for here.

Chocolate Chips: I can’t lie, I’ve got a pretty heavy hand when it comes to the chocolate chips. I used both chocolate chips AND chopped chocolate in my almond flour chocolate chip cookies. The end result was chocolate in every bite – yum! Though, again, feel free to use whichever you have on-hand when baking these cookies.

How To Make Gluten-Free Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

  1. Combine Your Wet Ingredients: Beat together the butter, coconut oil, and sugar in a large bowl with either a hand or stand mixer for 2-3 minutes. Add your egg and vanilla extract until well combined
  2. Assemble Your Batter: Add in almond flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a spatula or large spoon until combined then, fold in your chocolate.
  3. Bake & Cool: Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Close-up of a bite taken out of an gluten-free almond flour chocolate chip cookie topped with flaky sea salt.

Tips and Tricks

  • The cookie dough will appear more wet than standard cookie doughs, but this is ok! Simply scoop them onto a baking sheet, tidy up the edges of each cookies, then throw them in the oven to bake. They’ll still bake up beautifully, trust me!
  • For a softer cookie, bake them for only 10 minutes. Or, for a crispier, more well-done cookie, bake these cookies for a full 12 minutes. And always keep a close eye on them toward the end so they don’t burn!
A stack of six gluten-free almond flour chocolate chip cookies with milk on the side.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Dairy-Free: Easily make these cookies dairy-free by swapping the butter for non-dairy butter. Also, make sure the chocolate chips you’re using are dairy-free (most aren’t).

Make it Vegan: For vegan almond flour chocolate chip cookies, take the dairy-free option above, as well as swap out the egg for your favorite vegan egg substitute. While I haven’t tried this version myself yet, I have high hopes it’ll work!

Make it Paleo: For a paleo cookie recipe, use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar, and softened coconut oil in place of the butter.

overhead image of almond flour chocolate chip cookies with flaky salt on top.
5 from 2 votes

Perfect Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside almond flour chocolate chip cookies! A super easy one-bowl, gluten-free dessert recipe everyone will love. These cookies are perfectly sweet, and stuffed with plentyyyy of melty chocolate.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted (or 2 additional tablespoons of butter)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 2 1/4 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Beat together the butter, coconut oil, and sugar in a large bowl with either a hand or stand mixer for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add in the vanilla extract and egg, beat until combined.
  • Add in almond flour, baking soda, and salt, this time stirring with a spatula or large spoon until just combine.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips, then scoop tablespoon-sized balls of cookie dough onto prepared baking sheet. Place each cookie about 2-3 inches apart, and lightly flatten with the palm of your hand.
  • Bake cookies 10-12 minutes or until golden brown, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2.6g | Fat: 11g | Sugar: 5g

Additional Gluten-Free Favorites

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Dairy-Free

S’mores Rice Crispy Treats

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close-up image of a s'mores rice crispy treat on a baking sheet.

These s’mores rice crispy treats are insanely delicious and super easy to make! They’re loaded with gluten-free cookies, crisp rice cereal, gooey melted marshmallow, and plenty of chocolate chips.

close-up overhead image of s'more rice crispy treats with graham cracker pieces, mini marshmallows, and drizzled chocolate on top.

What You Need To Make S’mores Rice Crispy Treats

Rice Cereal – Classic Rice Krispies cereal is my favorite in this recipe! They’re light and remain super crunchy in these treats. I have to say, I’ve tried a handful of off-brand rice cereals for this recipe and none taste nearly as good as Rice Krispies do. I’m not sure what it is, but most other kinds end up too soft and almost soggy when mixed into these s’mores rice crispy treats.

Graham Crackers – Any graham cracker will work here! I’ve tested this recipe using my homemade vegan and gluten-free graham crackers, and oh man were they delicious. O, for an organic option, I recommend Annie’s Organic Honey Graham Crackers.

Marshmallows – I used regular-sized marshmallows to make my s’mores rice crispy treat. However, you can use a 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows instead. I also recommend topping your treats with a small handful of mini marshmallows for a super cute look!

s'mores rice crispy treats spread onto an upside down baking sheet.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan: Make sure the chocolate, marshmallows, and butter you use are all vegan! I love and recommend Dandies vegan marshmallows and Miyoko’s vegan butter.

Make it Gluten-Free: Replace the graham crackers with gluten-free Simple Mill’s Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins.

Make it Nut-Free: Use nut-free graham crackers/cookies!

close-up image of a s'mores rice crispy treat on a baking sheet.

Tips For Making S’mores Rice Crispy Treats

  • Move quickly when adding the melted marshmallow mixture into the cereal mixture. The melted marshmallows will immediately start to cool once removed from the heat. And you’ll notice that as soon as they cool, they also begin to seize up and can be quite difficult to work with.
  • Spray a little cooking oil on your hands before handling the treats! I like to sprits a little cooking oil on one hand and then rub them together right before transferring the treats to the baking dish.
  • Similar to your hands, spray a little cooking oil on your knife before slicing! A greased knife will glide through these s’mores rice crispy treats. However, an un-greased knife will almost certainly get stuck and struggle to make it through your treats!
overhead image of s'mores rice crispy treats with milk and rice cereal on the side.
5 from 1 vote

S’mores Rice Crispy Treats (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

These s’mores rice crispy treats are insanely delicious and super easy to make! They’re loaded with gluten-free cookies, crisp rice cereal, gooey melted marshmallow, and plenty of chocolate chips.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12 treats

Ingredients

  • 1 (12-ounce) bag marshmallows
  • 6 ounces butter
  • 4 cups rice cereal
  • 1 cup graham crackers, crushed
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, then melt butter and marshmallows in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • Mix together the rice cereal, crushed graham crackers, and chocolate chips in a large bowl.
  • Add melted marshmallows to the cereal mixture, mix well.
  • Transfer treats mixture to your lined baking dish and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before slicing.

Notes

  • Optional Step: Top finished treats off with an extra sprinkling of crushed graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. Then place it in the oven on broil for 1 minute or until marshmallows are golden brown and toasty!

    • Nutrition

    Calories: 300kcal

    Other Vegan and Gluten-Free Desserts

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