Healthy salted cowboy cookies that are gluten free and topped with pretzels and chocolate chips. These almond flour oatmeal cookies have slightly crisp edges but super soft and super gooey centers. Everyone will love them!
Gluten free salted cowboy cookies
Homemade chocolate chip cookies are hands down my favorite baked good! They are addictive, to say the least, and definitely a childhood favorite. I remember begging my mom to let me bake cookies after school so I could bring them in and share them with my friends. Did anyone else do the same?
Well, let me just tell you, these gluten free cowboy cookies are so good that you can’t tell they are healthy! They are insanely soft, buttery, gooey, and melt in your mouth delicious. Plus, the chocolate chunks and crushed pretzels add the best sweet and salty crunch.
If you are looking for an easy and healthier cookie recipe, try these healthy salted cowboy cookies. Once you test out this cookie recipe out, it’s hard to eat just one!
Ingredients
You’ll only need a few, simple ingredients to get these almond flour oatmeal cookies going! I am all about simplicity and ease, so don’t worry, you won’t need to go to the supermarket and buy a lot of expensive ingredients. Here are the 10 ingredients you need:
- Butter: First up, you’ll need 1 stick of softened room temp butter for these gooey and soft cookies.
- Coconut sugar: Next, you’ll need 1/2 cup of coconut sugar to sweeten these gluten free cowboy cookies.
- Eggs: You’re going to need 2 eggs for this recipe.
- Vanilla extract: A dash of vanilla goes a long way and is a total must! You’ll need 1 and 1/2 teaspoons.
- Almond flour: Instead of regular flour, we’ll use 1 and 1/2 cups of superfine almond flour. Blanched almond flour gives these chocolate chip cookies a light texture; but avoid almond meal!
- Baking soda: Use 1 tsp of baking soda and remember that baking soda is not the same thing as baking powder.
- Salt: Next, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Rolled oats: For these almond flour oatmeal cookies, you’ll need about 1/2 cup of rolled oats. Remember to use certified gluten-free if you need and do not substitute with steal-cut oats.
- Chocolate chips or chunks: You’ll add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips or chunks.
- Pretzels: Crush up 1/3 cup of your favorite pretzels to make these healthy salted cowboy cookies extra fun and delicious.
Kitchen tools used
These almond flour oatmeal cookies are made using 5 tools and items. You are going to love how easy clean up is going to be! Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need for this healthy dessert recipe:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
- Spatula
- Cookie dough scooper
- Measuring cups: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make healthy salted cowboy cookies from scratch
Healthy salted pretzel chocolate chip cookies are incredibly easy to make! All you need to do is beat the butter and coconut sugar together with an electric mixer, add the eggs and flour, fold in the oats and chocolate chips, and then bake them. Here, are step by step instructions:
Step 1: First, preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Next, using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer, beat the softened butter and coconut sugar on medium-high. It should take about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then, scrape the sides with a spatula and add in the eggs and vanilla extract; beat again on medium-low until just combined, for about 15 – 20 seconds.
Step 3: After that, add in the almond flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix on medium-low until just combined. Then, using a spatula, hand fold in the rolled oats and chocolate chips.
Step 4: Using a cookie scooper or your hand, roll dough into equal-sized balls (2 Tablespoons of dough for each). Make sure to evenly space them out as they will spread a little. If the dough is too soft, I recommend popping it into the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.
Step 5: Next, gently press a few crushed pretzel pieces into each cookie dough ball. Do not flatten into a patty shape. Then, bake for 10 – 12 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the center is still a bit doughy.
Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, sprinkle with flaky salt, and enjoy the salted cowboy cookies warm!
Baking tips
Here are my top 5 tips and trick to making the very best, gooey, and soft gluten free chocolate chip cookies:
- Use room temperature ingredients. Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temp before beating them with a mixer. This will make sure you get the softest and gooiest cookies possible!
- Use a standard electric mixer or a hand electric mixer. This healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe calls for an electric mixer. I highly recommend using one to whip the butter and achieve maximum softness.
- Avoid overmixing the cookie batter. The cookies might fall flat or break apart by over beating the butter, eggs, and flour.
- Do not flatten the cookie dough balls while you press the pretzels into the dough. Right before you bake these cookies, make sure to only gently press the crushed pretzel pieces into the balls. Check out the picture above for reference! If you are having a hard time, you can certainly place the cookie dough into the refrigerator or freezer for 15 minutes to firm up before baking.
- DO NOT overbake these cookies! They will look a little underdone when they are ready to come out of the oven, but trust me; these cookies will finish baking on the tray while they cool.
What makes these cowboy cookies healthy?
I love making baked goods that taste delicious with good-for-you ingredients! And these homemade salted cowboy party cookies are as clean and nutritious as they can be without taking away from the gooey chocolate chip cookie taste. You only need a few very simple ingredients, all of which are healthier alternatives to what you’ll find in store-bought brands. There are no preservatives, no refined sugars, and random ingredients!
- Almond flour adds healthy fats, vitamins, and a little protein. It also makes these cowboy cookies gluten free.
- Coconut sugar instead of refined sugar. By using this type of healthier unrefined sweetener, I am removing all refined sugars, and sweetening these cookies more naturally!
- Rolled oats are full of fiber and a dash of protein. Make sure you use certified gluten free rolled oats if you need!
Fequently Asked Questions
Are these salted cowboy cookies gluten free?
Absolutely! Almond flour is naturally gluten free. Just make sure you buy gluten free certified rolled oats.
Can I freeze cookie dough?
Yes! Just prepare the cookie dough, roll it into balls, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy them, let the cookie dough balls defrost at room temperature for 1. -2 hours before baking them.
Can I whisk the dough by hand?
No, I do not recommend whisking by hand. It is very important to beat the butter and sugar together which requires an electric mixer.
How to store & freeze cookies
Storing: Simply store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 – 4 days.
Freezing: You can freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Simply follow instructions when you are ready to bake them!
Try these healthy desserts out next!
- Healthier Gooey Cookie Skillet
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars
- Sweet Potato Peanut Butter Blondies
- Flourless Double Chocolate Brownies
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Healthy Salted Cowboy Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, 1 stick, softened at room temperature
- ½ cup coconut sugar *
- 2 large eggs
- 2 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup superfine almond flour, packed
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup rolled oats, gluten-free or regular
- ½ cup chocolate chips or chunks
- ⅓ cup mini pretzels, crushed
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer, beat the softened butter and coconut sugar on medium-high. Should take about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Scape the sides with a spatula and add in the eggs and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-low until just combined, for about 20 seconds.
- Add in almond flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix on medium-low until just combined.
- Using a spatula, hand fold in the rolled oats and chocolate chips.
- Using a cookie scooper or your hand, roll dough into equal-sized balls (2 Tablespoons of dough for each). Make sure to evenly space them out as they will spread a little.
- Gently press a few crushed pretzel pieces into each cookie dough ball. Do not flatten into a patty shape.
- Bake for 10 - 12 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the center is still a bit doughy.
- Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, sprinkle with flaky salt, and enjoy the cookies warm!
Notes
Nutrition
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Janet says
Totally love this recipe!!!!
Tati Chermayeff says
SO HAPPY TO HEAR THIS!!
Manon says
Hey ! Would love to try this recipe but any chance I could make it lactose free? What would you replace the butter with if it was possible?
Thanks !
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi Manon! I would use vegan butter or coconut oil (softened not melted) as a substitute.
Saskia says
Super fun cookies and the pretzel was an amazing add-in crunch.
Brie says
One of the best healthy cookies I’ve ever made! 11/10 recommend to anyone!!
Sally N says
Highly recommend!!! Best cookies ever. Can’t believe they are made with almond flour!
Ariella Hamilton says
These were delicious, and soft! I think it would be cool to also add Carmel into the mix but it was great anyway!
The Lazy Ranch says
Great recipe but I have to stress that you need gluten free pretzels If you’re making these for someone who can’t eat gluten.