6 Delicious Cookie Recipes with No Added Sugar
Satisfy your cravings guilt-free with six naturally sweetened cookies—no added sugar required, just wholesome ingredients.

You don9t have to give up cookies on your journey to eat healthierthese six no added sugar cookie recipes prove that delicious, naturally sweet treats are within reach! By using nutrient-rich, whole-food ingredients like bananas, dates, applesauce, quinoa, and nuts, these easy bakes deliver satisfaction without the sugar rush. Whether you crave something chewy, chocolaty, or classically crisp, you9ll find a cookie to match every craving. Read on for mouth-watering recipes, nutrition benefits, and expert sugar-free baking tips.
What Makes These Cookies Special?
- No added sugarssweetness comes naturally from fruit and whole foods.
- Wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, and bananas supply lasting energy.
- Easy to adapt for gluten-free, vegan, or allergen-friendly needs.
- Great for meal prep, kid-friendly snacks, or guilt-free desserts.
Why Bake Without Added Sugar?
Cookies are often loaded with refined sugars that can spike blood sugar and lead to energy crashes. Natural sweeteners like mashed bananas, applesauce, and dates not only add a wholesome touch of sweetness but also pack in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These alternatives help keep your blood sugar more stable and support overall health.
1. Sugar-Free Cookie Dough Dip
This clever take on edible cookie dough gets its creamy sweetness from blended chickpeas and datesno sugar needed! Chocolate Covered Katie’s famous recipe swaps out traditional brown sugar and butter, yielding a dip that’s rich in protein and fiber.
- Main ingredients: Chickpeas, dates, nut butter, vanilla, oats.
- Sugar substitute: Soft, pitted dates blended until smooth.
- Chocolate option: Use cacao nibs instead of regular chocolate chips for absolutely zero added sugar.
Enjoy it straight from the bowl, or serve with apple slices or carrot sticks for a fun, healthy dessert or snack at any party.
2. Cashew Sugar Cookies
Meme of Living Well Kitchen created a cashew-based sugar cookie thats gluten-free, dairy-free, and contains zero added sugar. These cookies rely on blended cashews and dates to create a classic, tender texture and subtle sweetnessno flour or butter required!
- Main ingredients: Raw cashews (soaked), dates, egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, baking soda, salt.
- Method: Blend soaked cashews and dates to a creamy base; mix with remaining ingredients; bake until golden.
- Allergy-friendly: Gluten and dairy free; easily adapted for other restrictions.
This cookie showcases how nuts and dried fruit can provide both structure and flavor, making for a satisfyingly soft, melt-in-your-mouth treat.
3. Quinoa Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies
Turn leftover cooked quinoa into a batch of chewy, nutritious cookies! This recipe from Dixya of Food, Pleasure & Health harnesses mashed ripe bananas for sweetness and uses a base of whole grains.
- Main ingredients: Cooked quinoa, mashed bananas, all-purpose flour, eggs, cinnamon, salt.
- Chocolaty twist: Swap chocolate chips for unsweetened cacao nibs or cocoa powder to maintain a zero added sugar profile.
With a soft, satisfying texture, these energy-boosting cookies are ideal for breakfast, snacks, or a wholesome dessert.
4. Banana Oatmeal Two-Ingredient Cookies
Ella Leche, author of Cut the Sugar: Youre Sweet Enough, offers an ultra-simple cookie that relies only on very ripe bananas and rolled oats. The sweetness intensifies as the bananas ripen, and the oats supply both fiber and heart-healthy nutrients.
- Two base ingredients:
- 2 medium ripe bananas
- 1 cup rolled oats
- Optional add-ins for flavor (no added sugar):
- cup cacao nibs
- Chopped dried fruit or nuts
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- d tsp vanilla extract
Just mash, mix, and bake! These cookies deliver lasting energy and are endlessly customizable.
5. Apple Cinnamon Oat Cookies
Naturally sweet applesauce adds moistness and flavor to these hearty oatmeal cookiesno need for added sugar! Enjoy the subtle spice of cinnamon and the wholesomeness of oats with every bite.
- Main ingredients: Unsweetened applesauce, rolled oats, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, raisins or walnuts (optional).
- Sweetener: Unsweetened applesauce provides bulk, flavor, and moisture; if you want a sweeter cookie, stir in chopped dates or a grated apple.
These cookies are ideal for lunch boxes or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, combining familiar flavors with a better-for-you formula.
6. Healthy Oats Chocolate Cookies
For chocolate lovers, these no sugar oats chocolate cookies are a dream come true. The blend of ground oats and almond flour gives a satisfying bite, while dates and banana supply all the necessary sweetnessnaturally!
- Main ingredients: Rolled oats (or oat flour), almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, dates, ripe banana, milk (dairy or non-dairy alternatives). Optional: dark chocolate chips (unsweetened).
- Instructions:
- Blend dates and banana to a smooth paste.
- Mix with dry ingredients (oat/almond flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt).
- Combine, add milk as needed, shape into cookies, and bake.
- These are great for toddlers, gluten-free eaters, or anyone seeking a soft, fudgy, and guilt-free treat.
Tips for No Added Sugar Baking Success
- Choose very ripe fruit: Bananas with brown spots and soft dates are significantly sweeter.
- Get creative with natural add-ins: Cacao nibs, unsweetened coconut, and raisins can provide bursts of flavor and texture.
- Check your chocolate chips: If you want a true no added sugar cookie, look for 100% dark chocolate or cacao nibs.
- Experiment with nut butters: Cashew, almond, or peanut butter can add richness and help bind doughs without sugar.
- Don9t overbake: Sugarless cookies tend to dry out faster, so watch baking times closely for a soft, chewy result.
Nutrition Comparison Table
Recipe | Main Sweetener | Key Nutrients | Dietary Features |
---|---|---|---|
Cookie Dough Dip | Dates | Protein, Fiber | Gluten-Free, Vegan possible |
Cashew Sugar Cookies | Dates | Healthy fats, Vitamin E | Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free |
Quinoa Chocolate Chip Banana | Banana | Protein, Minerals | Whole Grain, Nut-Free optional |
Banana Oatmeal Cookies | Banana | Potassium, Fiber | Gluten-Free (if GF oats) |
Apple Cinnamon Oat Cookies | Applesauce/Apple | Fiber, Antioxidants | Vegan possible |
Oats Chocolate Cookies | Dates/Banana | Iron, Magnesium | Gluten-Free, Eggless |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do these cookies taste sweet without added sugar?
A: Yes! By utilizing ripened fruit such as bananas and dates, as well as applesauce and nut butters, these cookies offer a depth of natural sweetness and flavor that rivals traditional cookies—but with more nutrition and no refined sugars.
Q: Are these no sugar cookie recipes suitable for kids?
A: Absolutely. These recipes are perfect for children since they’re made with natural, minimally processed ingredients. They’re especially ideal for toddlers and picky eaters, as many are soft, finger-food friendly, and allergy-adaptable.
Q: Can I make these cookies vegan or gluten-free?
A: Many of these recipes are already vegan or gluten-free, or can be modified. For eggless cookies, substitute a flaxseed or chia egg. For gluten-free, use gluten-free oats or flours as needed.
Q: How should I store naturally sweetened cookies?
A: Store sugar-free cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 25 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate or freeze them; just let them come to room temperature before eating.
Q: Are these cookies diabetic-friendly?
A: Since the recipes use whole fruit rather than concentrated sugars, they have a more gradual effect on blood sugar. However, it’s always best to check with your healthcare provider for specific dietary needs.
Conclusion: Healthier Baking, Happier Snacking
No added sugar doesn9t have to mean no more cookies. With these six inspiring recipes, you can treat yourself and your loved ones to classic flavors, chewy bites, and rich chocolatey momentsguilt-free. Stock your kitchen with bananas, dates, applesauce, and whole grains, and start baking a batch of delicious, nutritious cookies today!
References
- https://www.splenda.com/recipe/no-sugar-sugar-cookies/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJyi1jn_xJs
- https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/g20501751/10-diabetes-friendly-cookie-recipes/
- https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/g20449435/6-cookie-recipes-with-no-added-sugar/
- https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/g20464971/low-sugar-baking-tips/
- https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/g28690429/diabetic-thanksgiving-dessert-recipes/
- https://www.prevention.com/diabetes-food-recipes/
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