Paleo Gingerbread Men Cookies (grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free)

These paleo gingerbread men cookies are soft and chewy and are also grain-free, gluten-free and dairy-free!

Does anyone else require gingerbread men to have a proper Christmas? It’s just not Christmas without them! You can get fancy and decorate your gingerladies and gingermen in a more complicated manner, but I was happy with the classic outline.

I just used melted white chocolate. First, because I absolutely love white chocolate and second, because I try to avoid powdered sugar (although I know white chocolate isn’t any better!) If you need to keep these gingerbread men paleo / dairy-free, you’ll want to make your own paleo white chocolate.

Paleo Gingerbread Men Cookies – soft and chewy! {grain-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free}

It would have been clever to try my grain-free soft and chewy ginger cookies to make gingerbread men, but I only realized this after futzing around with a new recipe creation.

Oh well. The new recipe worked out wonderfully! And I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. They’re pretty molasses-y, but not overwhelmingly so. But still, not recommended for molasses haters.

The dough isn’t the nicest to work with (you have to freeze it and flour the surface before rolling the dough into shapes) but it’s not that bad and not any more work than a normal roll-out cookie recipe.

And if you don’t want to roll them out at all, use the recipe I linked to above. They are just as amazing and the dough is a little easier to work with! :)

Paleo Gingerbread Men Cookies – soft and chewy! {gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free}

I eat a mix of grain-free and whole grain goodies and to be honest, I would totally take these over a whole grain version. Seriously, y’all. Make these!

And just a little heads up – be careful with how you store these! I packed my container too full, pressed them down a little, and they stuck together just a bit.

What other paleo Christmas cookies do you all want to see made? After making these paleo gingerbread men, I’d love to try some more! I like a little challenge every now and then. :)

These paleo gingerbread men cookies are soft and chewy and are also grain-free, gluten-free and dairy-free!

Soft and Chewy Paleo Gingerbread Men Cookies (grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free)

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Rated 5.0 by 2 readers
Paleo Gingerbread Men Cookies (grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free)
  • Prep Time:
  • Cook Time:
  • Ready in:
  • Yield: 16-20 gingerbread men

Ingredients

  • 285 grams (~2 3/4 cups, but please weigh it!) almond flour or almond meal
  • 1/4 cup (33 grams) coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (120 grams) honey
  • 1/4 cup (88 grams) molasses
  • 1/4 cup (56 grams) coconut oil, melted

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and set this bowl aside.
  2. In another medium bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined.
  3. Divide the dough into four balls, place the balls in plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes or until the dough is quite firm.
  4. Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Get out two pieces of parchment paper or two Silpats and flour both of them with almond flour or whatever kind of flour you like. I normally don't flour my Silpats but here it's absolutely necessary.
  5. Take out one ball of dough at a time, roll it out to about 1/8", and, working quickly, use your cookie cutters of choice to cut out the desired shapes. I prefer to cut the shapes, leaving about 3/4" between each one, and then remove the dough surrounding the shape. That way I don't have to worry about damaging the gingerbread men. Gather up the leftover dough and place back in the freezer. Bake the gingerbread men for 7 - 9 minutes. They'll still be soft when you take them out of the oven.
  6. Immediately remove the piece of parchment paper or Silpat from the pan to prevent the gingerbread men from baking even more. If you want them slightly crunchy, you can let them cool on the cookie sheet. When completely cooled, you can pipe on some white chocolate for decoration.
  7. Store in an airtight container. They get really soft if not properly stored or if left too long uncovered. I didn't pack mine up for several hours but luckily liked my gingerbread men that soft however. The only downside is that they stuck together a little (but you can easily pull them apart again).

Recipe by  | www.texanerin.com

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49 comments on “Paleo Gingerbread Men Cookies (grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free)” — Add one!

  • Paleo In AZ says
    December 22, 2019 @ 2:44 pm

    I made these for a cookie party and they were one of the first cookies to be gone, even alongside conventional cookies! Got a lot of compliments on them. I didn’t have time for the white chocolate, so I decorated with a few mini chocolate chips. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Paleo In AZ
      December 30, 2019 @ 12:44 pm

      You’re welcome! I’m super happy to hear that they were a hit, even among the non-paleo folks. Always a great thing. :) Thanks a bunch for your feedback!

      Reply
  • Aaron Parrott says
    November 27, 2018 @ 2:19 am

    Made these tonight. Very tasty!

    I only had hazel nut flour to use instead of almond…and not quite enough so I added more coconut flour to split the difference. Pre-rolled dough and stuck in the freezer between parchment which made it cool very fast for handling, though, I found I didnt really need to cool the dough.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Aaron Parrott
      December 17, 2018 @ 2:52 pm

      I’m so very sorry for just now seeing your comment. It landed in spam for some weird reason! I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the cookies. :) I bet these were great with hazelnut flour! Good idea to add extra coconut flour. Thanks for your comment and sorry again!

      Reply
  • Nancy says
    January 25, 2018 @ 5:04 pm

    Game changer!! Everyone liked these. Thank you so much!!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Nancy
      January 28, 2018 @ 9:46 pm

      You’re welcome! Thanks for your comment. :) I’m so happy they came out well!

      Reply
  • Claire says
    August 25, 2017 @ 1:23 pm

    What did you use for the icing?

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Claire
      August 26, 2017 @ 8:37 pm

      Check out the third paragraph. :)

      Reply
  • Angela
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    says
    January 5, 2017 @ 7:25 pm

    I made this for Christmas this year and I LOVED them! My favorite Christmas cookie. Mine didn’t look so textured like your photo. Maybe because I used blanched almond flour?

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Angela
      January 5, 2017 @ 7:32 pm

      I’m so happy that you enjoyed them and that they’re a favorite! I also used blanched almond flour but it wasn’t as finely ground as it should be. I now use Bob’s Red Mill and they come out much less textured looking. :) Thanks a bunch for your comment!

      Reply
  • Laura says
    November 28, 2014 @ 10:39 pm

    Erin,
    I am wondering if you have had success freezing your grain free Christmas treats – such as these ginger bread men?

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Laura
      November 29, 2014 @ 8:01 pm

      I haven’t tried freezing these but I know some of my grain-free treats freeze well (chickpea cookies, chocolate banana muffins, chewy ginger cookies, and more). You could always freeze the dough! That would definitely work. :)

      Reply
  • Kelly says
    October 10, 2014 @ 7:12 pm

    Thinking about making these this year but I was wondering what you would use in place of the almond meal since I have a kid allergic to nuts. My other kid, I keep gluten free…try to keep all the kids gluten free but it does not always work. Anyways, thanks.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Kelly
      October 11, 2014 @ 8:28 am

      I haven’t ever tried this but here’s something on a nut-free almond flour replacement. I hope that’ll work for you! It looks promising, at least. :) I hope you’ll all enjoy the cookies!

      Reply
  • Ada ~ More Food, Please
    ♥♥♥♥♥
    says
    December 31, 2013 @ 12:27 am

    Such cute and delicious gingerbread men! I also like how you used melted white chocolate. It’s not exactly healthy, but I much prefer it over powdered sugar as well!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Ada ~ More Food, Please
      January 10, 2014 @ 10:59 am

      Don’t know how I missed this, Ada! Thanks for the nice comment. And yes to white chocolate! Yum. :D

      Reply
  • Dani Richardson says
    December 8, 2013 @ 3:05 am

    Please tell me that you are completely aware of the complete awesomeness of the second picture? It absolutely appears that the ginger person drowned the other in the cup of milk and is completely pleased with himself (note the smirk) for doing so. It’s grain-free cookie homicide.. and it’s perfect. Coffee came out of my nose.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Dani Richardson
      December 8, 2013 @ 11:43 am

      Haha. Thanks so much, Dani! I’m happy you noticed the gingerbread man homicide going on in my post. Violence is never okay but gingerbread man on gingerbread women violence is quite sweet, right? ;) But now I wish I would have done it the other way around and have the gingerbread woman drown the gingerbread man. I’m sure he did something to deserve it. :D Thanks for your comment! It made my day!

      Reply
  • Deanna F says
    November 27, 2013 @ 5:07 am

    I made some of these for my daughter to decorate during thanksgiving weekend! I froze half the batter to use during december as well. Thanks for the recipe. They had a great flavor and texture!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Deanna F
      November 27, 2013 @ 9:46 pm

      Aww, so nice that your daughter has cookies to decorate for the weekend! How fun. :) I’m so happy that you liked them! Thanks a ton for the feedback. :)

      Reply
  • Kyra G says
    November 26, 2013 @ 4:41 am

    Hey Erin,

    So I love gingerbread men, but coconut does not always agree with me..So I was wondering if I could substitute it will all purpose gluten free flour? And if so how much would you say?

    Thanks,
    Kyra<3

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Kyra G
      November 26, 2013 @ 9:42 pm

      Hi Kyra! I don’t think using all-purpose GF flour would work here because coconut flour is totally different and absorbs a lot more liquid than other types of flour. Sorry! :( But I looked around and found these gingerbread men that use all-purpose GF flour. :D I hope that recipe will work for you!

      Reply
      • Kyra G replies to Erin
        November 27, 2013 @ 6:03 am

        Ok, thanks for the feedback Erin! :)

        Reply
        • Erin replies to Kyra G
          November 27, 2013 @ 9:41 pm

          No problem! :)

  • Carolyn says
    October 25, 2013 @ 2:45 pm

    These look wonderful, Erin. So glad to hear they are really soft and chewy!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Carolyn
      October 27, 2013 @ 8:54 pm

      I know! Dumb crunchy gingerbread men. ;) And hey, are you responsible for the sudden pinning of these little guys? Thank you! :)

      Reply
  • Love What You Do says
    December 30, 2012 @ 10:24 pm

    Those are so cute! I love the upside down guy swimming in the milk…so funny!

    Reply
  • Erin says
    December 27, 2012 @ 8:53 pm

    Thanks everyone! I hope you all enjoy the last few days of the holiday season. :)

    Reply
  • Kristina LaRue says
    December 27, 2012 @ 3:36 pm

    Just found your blog! Love all your better-for-you baked goods! Cute gingerbread men :)

    Reply
  • Heidi @ Food Doodles says
    December 27, 2012 @ 12:51 am

    Cute!! These look great :) I'm impressed that they turned out soft… I wouldn't think almond flour and coconut flour would do that, but maybe I just don't know much about it, haha. Anyways, I loved all your comments earlier today :D I'm just catching up too. I put a lot of effort into cookie week, but keeping up with my favorite blogs suffered :( Anyways, we had a great Christmas, thank you! I hope you did too! :D

    Reply
  • Averie @ Averie Cooks says
    December 26, 2012 @ 10:04 pm

    Wow these are just adorable – and healthy! And coconut flour, almond flour, molasses, honey – some of my faves right there! I can only imagine how much great texture they have and I want!

    Reply
  • Jennie @themessybakerblog says
    December 22, 2012 @ 2:58 pm

    Okay, this is the cutest gingerbread man I've ever seen. I love that there's one floating in the cup of milk in the background. Cracked me up! They sound delicious!

    Reply
  • FromBLCK says
    December 21, 2012 @ 6:50 pm

    They are adorable, these little gingerbread people. Can't wait to make these during the holiday break. Thank you Erin, and a very merry and warm, cozy Christmas to you and your family!
    all the best FromBLCK :)

    Reply
  • JulieD says
    December 21, 2012 @ 1:48 pm

    How cute are your gingerbread men? I love that they are chewy too!

    Reply
  • a Palate and a Passport says
    December 21, 2012 @ 9:08 am

    At least with chewy ones they are double the enjoyment. The look like they could be hung on the christmas tree. Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  • Baltic Maid says
    December 21, 2012 @ 8:14 am

    These are so cute! I love the one drowning in the milk… hahaha… Made me chuckle.
    You live in the land of crunchy cookies though… :-P And I miss them…

    Reply
  • london bakes says
    December 20, 2012 @ 1:46 pm

    These sound really delicious – I do love a good chewy cookie!

    Reply
  • Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen says
    December 19, 2012 @ 9:23 pm

    These are adorable, Erin!! I love chewy gingerbread cookies :D

    Reply
  • angela @ another bite please says
    December 19, 2012 @ 9:12 pm

    that frosting on him is so adroable…and i love a chewy cookie too!

    Reply
  • Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
    December 19, 2012 @ 3:22 pm

    Aww love these! They chewier the better!

    Reply
  • Erin says
    December 19, 2012 @ 2:06 pm

    I agree…I would definitely prefer chewy cookies over crunchy ones. These look so good, and so cute! I love the textured look they have.

    Reply
  • amy @ fearless homemaker says
    December 19, 2012 @ 5:03 am

    I'm all about chewy, not crunchy, cookies, too – so these are totally my type of gingerbread man. YUM!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to amy @ fearless homemaker
      December 19, 2012 @ 8:37 am

      Yeah! No crunchy cookies allowed around us. Chewy or those cookies can just grow legs and go away. :)

      Reply
  • eatgood4life.blogspot.com says
    December 19, 2012 @ 3:57 am

    Wow these are awesome and grain free!! I am so behind as well in the blogging world…oh well.

    You are a lucky girl. I have never been to Prague myself. Maybe some day :-)

    Reply
    • Erin replies to eatgood4life.blogspot.com
      December 19, 2012 @ 8:36 am

      You have to go, Miryam! It's amazing. And cheap. ;)

      And yeah, I feel kind of bad just how behind I am. I got up early today to catch up but I'm still replying to the comments on my own blog and haven't even begun to look at Google Reader or any social media. Yikes!

      Reply
  • Becca says
    December 19, 2012 @ 2:04 am

    Awww, these little guys are so cute! :) I love the first picture especially :3

    I've been Christmas crafting as well. I made my dad some candies and I crocheted a zebra for my sister. But that's all. I've actually done some shopping too :P

    Can't wait to hear about your trip!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Becca
      December 19, 2012 @ 8:34 am

      A zebra?! How do you crochet a zebra? That sounds amazing. I hope you post a picture of it on your blog. And I love that you've been doing Christmas crafting, too. Homemade presents are so much more fun to give / receive!

      Reply
  • The Life of Clare says
    December 19, 2012 @ 12:49 am

    These look wonderful! A soft chewy delicious ginger biscuit!

    Reply

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