30 Best Whole 30 Christmas Cookies – Clean | Paleo | GF

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Our best efforts to eat healthy often take a hit during the holidays. It doesn’t have to be this way!  There are healthy and delicious options, even if you’re doing Whole30! Here are 30 Paleo Christmas Cookie Recipes to keep you on track!

You Can Still Enjoy Your Christmas Cookies AND Stay Healthy!

For years without fail, no matter how hard I tried, that ominous 4 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas was my undoing.  In spite of my best efforts, I couldn’t manage all the parties, Christmas cookie exchanges, and get-togethers in a healthy way.

And the scale would creep up by the time the new year rolled around.

This past year has been so revolutionary for me in my attempts to eat in a healthy way.  I did Whole 30 (you can read about my Whole 30 Journey here), lost the rest of the baby weight and then some (and you can read about that here), and changed my lifestyle to Paleo and clean eating.

I am determined not to be bested by all the yummy and unhealthy temptations.

A Word about Whole30 Christmas Cookies

Before I jump into the recipes, some of you may have been the really brave ones and took on Whole30 over the holidays. If you’re familiar with Whole30, you know that a cookie would be considered SWYPO.

For those not in the know, that means ‘sex with your pants on.’

Translation: it’s a wannabe substitute, but not the real thing.

Don’t blame me – I didn’t make it up – the concept or the saying.)

So, in the most literal sense, there’s no such thing as a Whole30 Christmas cookie (or any kind of cookie), because that’s SWYPO, and SWYPO is off-limits.

However, what I will say – you’re a grown-up; you can choose to do Whole30 any way you’d like.

So if you’d like to sneak in a SWYPO treat on Christmas Eve, one of the cookies on this list is probably the closest you’ll come to being compliant. While it’s technically not a Whole30 Christmas cookie (because they don’t exist, remember?) – there are many that are paleo recipes, and that comes pretty close to Whole30.

My eating philosophy is that there are so many delicious and healthy alternatives to the crap; there is no need to eat healthy on a regular basis.  I’m not going to give myself a full-on pass to binge on cookies just because it’s the “holiday season.” 

It is possible to enjoy the Christmas treats in a healthy way!

I honestly can’t wait to make these cookies.  They look ah-mazing – and I’m even going to use one of these recipes for my annual cookie exchange. No harm in sneaking in some healthiness to my friends, too!

More Healthy Eating Recipe Ideas

If you’re looking to branch out and make some amazing Christmas desserts as well, give these 30 healthy holiday dessert recipes a go as well – all clean or paleo, too! You can try these healthy apple desserts and pumpkin desserts, too! They are perfect for cozy treats with family and friends.

And if you’re going all out and want a totally healthy menu this year, you can also try these healthy soups, appetizers, and crockpot recipes – perfect for holiday menus and clean |paleo | Whole30 compliant!  And if you REALLY want to go all out, here’s a whole 4-course paleo dinner party menu!

Here are the delicious holiday dessert recipes!

30 Best Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes: Clean | Paleo | GF (& As Close to Whole30 Compliant as You’ll Get)

1| AIP Cinnamon Sugar Cookies from What Great Grandma Ate

Sweetened with maple syrup and vanilla extract, you won’t miss the refined sugar at all. These are sure to be a hit for adults and the kiddos.

 

2| Best Ever Paleo Gingerbread Cookies from My Natural Family

You can’t have Christmas without gingerbread cookies! These cookies use molasses, maple syrup, and vanilla extract as a sweetener, a great substitute for brown sugar. Perfect for eating, hanging or sharing!

 

3| Butter Tarts from Lichen Paleo Loving AIP

This is an amazing and decadent healthy treat. With dates and raisin adding the right amount of sweetness, this is a gift you’ll give yourself!

 

4| Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies from Kelley and Cricket

How amazing do these look?!? Grain free, paleo – with a hint of chai? Oh yes! The frosting is sugar-free – made from coconut butter and honey. Amazing. Perfect activity for the kids, too!

 

5| Chocolate Mint Balls from Living Well Mom

Oh, these take me right back to my childhood! Chocolate, peppermint, and coconut – that is the perfect Christmas treat.

 

6| Gluten Free Nanaimo Bars from The Nutritionista

So this is a Canadian treat that is a like a brownie, topped with yellowing filling, with chocolate on top. It’s decadent, but this version is clean and paleo. What?!? Be sure to check out this rich, delicious treat.

 

7| Grain Free Magic Cookie Bars from Meaningful Eats

It was always the magic cookie bar that did me in. You will not believe how she recreated this bar to be healthy. It is legit grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free.  If you love these bars, you need to try this healthy version.

 

8| Healthy No-Bake Sugar Cookie Bars from The Big Man’s World

How amazing do these look? And they are everything they are promised as far as health is concerned! And if you’re doing keto, these will work as well! No-bake – just like eating the cookie dough! Yum!

 

9| Paleo AIP Applesauce Spice Cookies from Our Grain-Free Life

I love apple-spiced treated for Christmas as well as for fall. Made with applesauce as a sweetener, this is a healthy cookie and one that is a fun activity for the kids, too!

 

10| Paleo Chai Spiced Cookies from Texanerin Baking

Using vanilla, coconut sugar and maple syrup as sweeteners, these chewy cookies will check off all the healthy boxes as they are dairy-free, refined-sugar-free, and gluten-free. And that hint of chai as an extra special snickerdoodle puts it over the top in my book.

 

Related: 29 Healthy and Delicious Paleo/Clean Apple Dessert Recipes

 

11| Dark Chocolate Raisin Biscotti from Running to the Kitchen

No Christmas dinner is complete without coffee and biscotti afterwards! This gluten-free, grain-free, paleo version hits just the spot! Your friends and family will not be able to taste the difference (You can make these with a hint of rosemary, if you like a little bit of savory, too!)

 

12| Paleo Cookie Dough from Bravo for Paleo

Healthy, paleo cookie dough you are allowed to eat? Yes, please!

 

13| Paleo Hot Cocoa Cookies with Vanilla Bean Frosting from Fit Foodie Finds

How amazing do these look? They are made with almond butter, cocoa powder, and coconut sugar. This is a super-festive Christmas cookie that is paleo and gluten-free, and your guests will never know the difference. 

14| Paleo Vegan Cashew Caramel Clusters {Turtle Candy} from Paleo Running Momma

I promise you can’t go wrong with any recipe from the Paleo Running Momma. She’s a master at paleo cooking and baking, and this is one treat you can just enjoy and indulge in, made with date caramel, cashews and dark chocolate.

 

15| Paleo Almond Coconut Chocolate Chunk Cookies from Bakerita

This cookie takes the classic chocolate chip cookie up a few notches! Made with almond butter, almond flour, and coconut, this is a healthy, clean cookie that everyone will adore.

 

16| Paleo Carrot Cake Cookies from Running to the Kitchen

No grains, sugar or dairy – can you believe that? There’s even a healthy version of the cream cheese frosting…wow! Plus a few carrots in there, too? Can’t go wrong!

 

17| Paleo Chocolate Peppermint Swirled Sugar Cookies from My Natural Family

I love a cookie that is easy to make, healthy and just has a fun, festive look to it. And if it’s peppermint around Christmas time, well, just adore it! These will be a sure-crowd pleaser!

 

18| 4 Ingredient Paleo Nutella Cookies from The Big Man’s World

I’m a huge fan of recipes with a few ingredients. This one is legit – just 4 ingredients. It really doesn’t get easier than that!

 

19| Paleo Vegan Chocolate Coconut Truffles from Beaming Baker

This is another one that is just for ingredients- chocolate, coconut, coconut oil, and maple syrup. You probably have all these on-hand already, which makes this a perfect easy, last-minute recipe!

 

20| Peppermint Mocha Fudge from Wholesomelicious

Fudge is always that decadent treat that’s served for Christmas that’s gobbled up. This is a healthy, clean, paleo version that you will just adore – especially with that extra mocha coffee flavor. A handful of ingredients- and there you go.

 

Related: 27 Healthy and Delicious Clean/Paleo Pumpkin Dessert Recipes

 

21| Reindeer Bombs from Life Made Full

I just love the name of this cookie, first of all – and I love that it’s made with healthy ingredients – sweetened with coconut sugar and a homemade marshmallow in the middle. Kids will LOVE this one!

 

22| Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies from Bakerita

I just love all the versions of thumbprint cookies out there, and this has to be one of my favorite versions. First, because it’s gluten-free and paleo. Second, because there are only 6 ingredients, which makes me a fan already. Made with no-cook vegan caramel and drizzled with chocolate, you’ll love these healthy shortbread cookies!

 

23| Sugar-Free Paleo Pecan Snowball Cookies from Sugar-Free Mom

I feel like everyone’s grandma made these, right? This version is dairy-free, grain-free and paleo. Sweetened with Swerve Confectioner’s sugar and vanilla liquid stevia, no one will realize Grandma didn’t make these.

 

24| The Original Raw Peppermint Bark Brownies from Oatmeal with a Fork

Peppermint bark is one of my favorite Christmas treats, and made with brownies in a paleo version? Well, I’m in love. With just a sprinkling of candy cane on top, this is the way to go for a healthy treat.

 

25| Paleo Snickerdoodles from Courtney’s Craftin and Cookin

My friend’s mom introduced me snickerdoodles in high school, and I can’t believe I was denied for so long! Having a healthy paleo version that is sweetened with honey and vanilla extract, this will hit the spot.

 

26| Paleo and Vegan Almond Butter Blondies from Detoxinista

This is something of a knock-off of a Mrs. Fields’ cookie, and made with coconut sugar and vanilla extract, you’ll love this sweet treat. Love, love, love blondies.

 

27| Tagalongs from Pink Fortitude

Oh man, if you loved this Girl Scouts cookie, you will adore this version. It’s paleo, gluten-free and dairy-free…and just as indulgent as the original. You’re welcome.

 

28| Paleo Samoa Cookie Bars from Real Food with Jessica

Here’s another Girls Scout knock-off you don’t want to miss. Real Food with Jessica is always a winner. I use a ton of her recipes, and this one is nothing short of outstanding. While this recipe is easy, it does take a little time, but look at that picture. A healthy Samoa? Worth every second.

 

29| Almond Butter Espresso Bars from Maebells

Just 20 minutes to make these beauties – paleo, gluten-free, and full of chocolate and coffee flavors. This is a fantastic healthy take on a cookie bar.

 

30| Triple Layer Paleo Lemon Bars with Coconut Whipped Cream from Paleo Running Momma

Oh boy, you had me at lemon and coconut.  This sweet treat is a summery style treat but is super-refreshing served after a Christmas dinner. Mmmmmm.

These all look so yummy – I’m at a loss of which to try first!   Well, good thing it’s October. Plenty of time to get started!

If you prefer videos and want even more healthy cookie inspiration, take a look here for some Paleo Christmas favorites!

 

#cookiesformonths 🙂

Have you ever made healthy versions of Christmas cookies? Which ones will you try? Let me know! I’d love to hear!

Looking for more Paleo/Clean Dessert Recipes? Try these!

29 Healthy and Delicious Paleo/Clean Apple Dessert Recipes

27 Healthy and Delicious Clean/Paleo Pumpkin Dessert Recipes