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    Home » Desserts

    Gluten-Free Monster Cookies {Dairy-Free Option}

    Published: May 27, 2021 · by Audrey

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    gluten-free monster cookies Pinterest pin 1n

    An easy recipe for gluten-free monster cookies. This flourless cookie recipe also has a dairy-free option. 

    gluten-free monster cookies on a cookie sheet

    Gluten-Free Monster Cookies

    Gluten-free monster cookies are easy-to-make flourless cookies. These are gluten-free oatmeal and peanut butter cookies with M&M’s and chocolate chips mixed in. There are only a few simple ingredients to this flourless cookie recipe.

    gluten-free monster cookies recipe ingredients photo collage

    I have also included a dairy-free option to this monster cookie recipe. You can see just how easy it is to make these monster cookies in the recipe video.

    How To Make Gluten-Free Monster Cookies

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with gluten-free nonstick spray.
    • In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together with a mixer until light and fluffy.
    • Mix in the eggs until fully combined.
    • Mix in the baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and pure vanilla extract until fully combined.
    • Mix in the gluten-free peanut butter until fully combined and smooth. (photo 1)
    • Mix in the gluten-free oats until the batter is well combined. I added and mixed in the gluten-free oats one half at a time. (photo 2)

    gluten-free monster cookies recipe steps photo collage

    • Stir in the M&M’s and chocolate chips with a spatula. (photo 3)
    • Using a greased ice cream scoop, drop the cookie onto the prepared cookie sheets. Take the back of the ice cream scoop and slightly flatten the cookie dough balls. You will have 6 cookie balls per regular-sized baking sheet (9 x 13-inch). If you want to make smaller cookies, use a greased cookie scoop and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes.
    • Top the slightly flattened cookie dough balls with the back of the ice cream scoop and top the dough balls with a few extra M&M’s and chocolate chips. (photo 4)
    • Bake for 18 minutes for softer cookies and 20 minutes for crisper cookies. Do not overbake.
    • Cool for 5-10 minutes on the cookie sheets until cookies are set.
    • Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container.

    Tips For Making The Best Monster Cookies

    • Use creamy peanut butter, not natural peanut butter. Natural peanut butter is too oily. I used Jiff creamy peanut butter. 
    • Don’t skip the step for softening your butter. Take the butter out of the refrigerator and allow it to soften on the counter for 30 minutes up to an hour. Your butter is soft enough when you touch the butter and can see your fingerprint in the butter.
    • I use a greased ice cream scoop to make these extra-large cookies. I use coconut oil cooking spray to grease the ice cream scoop. If you want to make smaller cookies, use a greased cookie scoop and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes.
    • I prefer using parchment paper when baking cookies.
    • I like baking these cookies on an extra-large baking sheet.
    • Top the flattened cookie balls with the back of the ice cream scoop and top with a few extra M&M’s and chocolate chips before baking them.
    • Bake the cookies on the middle rack.

    Can I Make The Monster Cookies Ahead Of Time?

    Yes, the monster cookie dough can be made ahead of time. Store the cookie dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

    Can You Freeze Cookie Dough?

    It is easy to freeze cookie dough. The best way to freeze this cookie dough is to flash freeze the cookie dough balls.

    Place the monster cookie dough balls on a baking sheet just like you are making cookies. Then place them in the freezer to flash freeze for 10 minutes.

    Once the cookies are flash-frozen (a little frozen), place the cookie dough balls into a freezer bag. Raw cookie dough can be frozen for up to six months.

    You do not need to thaw the cookie dough before you bake them. You may need to bake the monster cookies for an extra minute or two, so please watch your cookies.

    gluten-free monster cookie broken in half on a white plate with the cookies on a baking sheet in the background

    Are Oats Gluten-Free?

    Oats are naturally gluten-free, but most oats are processed in facilities that also process wheat, barley, and rye. Cross-contamination can even happen in fields where wheat, rye, or barley are also present.

    It is safest to use oats that are certified gluten-free and from purity protocol oats. Certified gluten-free oats are tested for levels of gluten. Purity protocol oats are not only tested for gluten but are also grown in a dedicated gluten-free field.

    It is also important to note that not everyone following the gluten-free diet can tolerate gluten-free oats.

    Quick Oats and Rolled Oats

    There are a few differences between quick oats and rolled oats (old-fashioned oats). Rolled oats are rolled into flakes, have more texture, and cook for 10-15 minutes. Quick oats are cut into smaller pieces, rolled thinner, and cook in 3-5 minutes.

    If you only have old-fashioned rolled oats, you can pulse the old-fashioned oats in a food processor a few times to make quick oats.

    Are M&M’s Candies Gluten-Free?

    M&M’s candies are not labeled certified gluten-free. They do contain their allergy information on their packaging and there are no gluten-containing ingredients in the plain M&M’s. The “may contain” statement is for peanuts.

    Not every flavor of M&Ms is gluten-free. Please be careful if you are not using the plain M&M’s and read the labels with caution.

    Also, some M&Ms flavors have no gluten-containing ingredients, but then have the statement “may contain.” This may be due to possible cross-contamination.

    Gluten-Free And Dairy-Free Monster Cookies

    For the dairy-free option, I used Smart Balance butter and Nestle’s Simply Delicious Morsels. I also like Enjoy Life Baking Chocolate Mini Chocolate Chips.

    In place of the dairy-free button candies, I used an extra cup of dairy-free chocolate chips. I have tried one brand of gluten-free and dairy-free chocolate button candies, No Whey Foods – Choco No No’s.

    Most of our family (including me) is also dairy-free, so I always try and include a dairy-free option in my recipes.

    Some of my favorite dairy-free alternatives that I like to bake with are unsweetened almond or coconut milk.

    gluten-free monster cookies on a baking sheet with a glass of milk in the background

    Easy Gluten-Free Monster Cookies

    These flourless cookies are an easy gluten-free dessert to make! I love the flavor combination of this gluten-free oatmeal, peanut butter, and chocolate. These gluten-free cookies as easily modified by adding your favorite mixins too.

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    More Gluten-Free Dessert Recipes To Try!

    • Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies {Dairy-Free Option}
    • Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler {Dairy-Free & Vegan Option}
    • Easy Gluten-Free Brownies {Dairy-Free Option}

    Let’s Connect! You can FOLLOW ME on Facebook,  Pinterest, YouTube , or Instagram!

    ★Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!★

    gluten-free monster cookies on white parchment paper.
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    5 from 12 votes

    Gluten-Free Monster Cookies {Dairy-Free Option}

    An easy recipe for gluten-free monster cookies. This flourless cookie recipe also has a dairy-free option.
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Keyword flourless cookies, gluten-free dairy-free monster cookies, gluten-free monster cookies
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 18 minutes
    Servings 26 cookies
    Calories 317kcal
    Author Audrey from Mama Knows Gluten Free

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature Dairy-free use Smart Balance butter.
    • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
    • 1 cup granulated white sugar
    • 3 large eggs
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1½ cups gluten-free creamy peanut butter Do not use natural peanut butter, it is too oily. I used Jiff creamy peanut butter.
    • 4½ cups gluten-free quick-cooking oats
    • 1 cup gluten-free chocolate chips Dairy-free use Nestle Simply Delicious chocolate chips or Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips.
    • 1 cup gluten-free M&M's plain chocolate candies Dairy-free use an extra cup of dairy-free chocolate chips or dairy-free candy pieces.
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with gluten-free nonstick spray.
    • In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together with a mixer until light and fluffy.
    • Mix in the eggs until fully combined.
    • Mix in the baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and pure vanilla extract until fully combined.
    • Mix in the gluten-free peanut butter until fully combined and smooth.
    • Mix in the gluten-free oats until the batter is well combined. I poured in half of the gluten-free oats at a time. I mixed together and then continued mixing in the rest of the gluten-free oats.
    • Stir in the M&M's and chocolate chips with a spatula.
    • Using a greased ice cream scoop, drop the cookie onto the prepared cookie sheets. Take the back of the ice cream scoop and slightly flatten the cookie dough balls. You will have 6 cookie balls per regular-sized baking sheet (9 x 13-inch). If you want to make smaller cookies, use a greased cookie scoop and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes.
    • Top the slightly flattened cookie dough balls with a few extra M&M's and chocolate chips.
    • Bake for 18 minutes for softer cookies and 20 minutes for crisper cookies. Do not overbake.
    • Cool for 5-10 minutes on the cookie sheets until cookies are set.
    • Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
    • Store leftovers in an airtight container.

    Video

    Notes

    • For the dairy-free option, I used Smart Balance butter and two cups of Nestle Simply Delicious chocolate chips.
    • Make sure that your quick oats are gluten-free.
    • Do not use natural peanut butter. It is too oily for the recipe. 
    • Store in an air-tight container at room temperature.
    • The cookie dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 4 days.
    • The cookie dough can be frozen for up to 6 months.
    • Mama says, "Check all of your labels!"

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 219mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 174IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Did you enjoy this recipe? Please give it a star rating below in the comments. Thank you!
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    © MAMA KNOWS GLUTEN FREE. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please link back to this post for the recipe.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kimberly McCann says

      December 27, 2022 at 8:51 am

      This recipe is a win, win, win! Easy, gluten-free, and authentic monster cookie flavor and texture! Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Bruce says

      December 17, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      Just made these cookies. Amazing, good flavor. Excellent as a “regular” cookies for all cookie lovers. Can add craisins for a fruity, slightly .tart extra texture. We found baking for 16 minutes was perfect.

      Reply
    3. coyote says

      December 01, 2022 at 12:30 am

      Thank you for being so thorough with each recipe! I just made these delicious cookies, and I can’t wait to make more!

      Reply
    4. ann says

      April 22, 2022 at 12:11 pm

      Our family favorite!!!! This cookie recipe is DELICIOUS!!! Our 6 grandchildren request this cookie over any other kind- gluten or gluten-free. I usually make them GF and DF and none of the grands complain at all!!!!

      Reply
    5. Jeni says

      February 20, 2022 at 7:41 pm

      Amazing cookies! My entire family loved them>

      Reply
    6. Ann says

      February 18, 2022 at 8:44 pm

      These are the absolute best. All 6 of our grandchildren (even those who have no dietary restrictions) request these cookies time they visit.

      Reply
    7. Whitney H says

      October 24, 2021 at 6:31 pm

      Best recipe I’ve ever made! Better with peanut m&ms. I tripled the recipe, and put in nestle chocolate chips! 👁❤️👹🍪 -Judah age 10

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        October 24, 2021 at 7:36 pm

        I am so happy to hear that this is the best recipe you have ever made! Thank you so much for the awesome 5-star recipe review Judah.

        Reply
    8. M Kelly says

      October 08, 2021 at 12:40 pm

      Super easy and delicious!

      Reply
    9. Kathryn says

      July 13, 2021 at 5:56 pm

      These cookies are so good- however I could have cut the recipe in half. It made a lot. More than we should eat.

      Reply
    10. Stephanie says

      July 09, 2021 at 8:16 pm

      My newly gluten-free child and the rest of my gluten eating family loved these cookies! They had a nice, chewy texture to them. When I made them, I got 38 cookies, I baked for 14 mins and they were perfect.

      Reply
    11. Christina says

      June 06, 2021 at 8:38 pm

      Amazing cookies!!

      Reply
    12. Debby says

      June 03, 2021 at 7:58 am

      Great recipe. Turned out great. Everyone loved them. Thanks

      Reply

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    Audrey Roberts in a white kitchen for a profile photo

    I'm Audrey Roberts, a busy mama of four and I love sharing the recipes that I make for my family. I make gluten-free family-friendly recipes that are simple and delicious that you can too! I use easy to find ingredients that won't break your budget. You will also find dairy-free options and Paleo recipes. I am also the author of  The Everything Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook, which is an Amazon Best Selling Cookbook in the US and Internationally. Living gluten-free since 2010. I hope by me sharing my journey it may help you with yours.  Read More…

     

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