{"id":133503,"date":"2025-10-14T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/minimalistbaker.com\/?p=133503"},"modified":"2025-09-25T11:28:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T16:28:10","slug":"easy-gluten-free-monster-cookies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/minimalistbaker.com\/easy-gluten-free-monster-cookies\/","title":{"rendered":"Easy Gluten-Free Monster Cookies (Vegan, Flourless!)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Picking<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Monster Cookies have leveled up! Say hello to our healthier twist on the chewy, tender, peanut buttery, chocolate- & candy-studded cookie you know and love. Our version has all<\/em> the decadence and deliciousness, but it\u2019s vegan<\/strong>, gluten-free<\/strong>, flourless<\/strong>, oil-free<\/strong>, and maple-sweetened<\/strong> (magic, we know)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even better? These cookies are a breeze to make! You\u2019ll need just 1 bowl<\/strong>, 9 ingredients<\/strong>, and about 20 minutes<\/strong> until it\u2019s cookie time. Let\u2019s bake, friends!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mini<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What are Monster Cookies?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do they look like monsters? Do they taste like monsters? Or do they turn you into<\/em> a monster? The origin story of these classic chocolate, oat, peanut butter, and M&M-loaded cookies is a bit of a mystery! Some say<\/a> monster cookies got their name due to their large size. Others claim<\/a> it’s due to the bumpy texture and bright colors or because all the great ingredients make them the “monster” of all cookies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We vote for the latter! Come on.<\/em> Melty chocolate, chewy oats, peanut butter and<\/em> M&Ms \u2014 how can something with all those ingredients not be the best ever<\/em>?! These ingredients are pretty standard in all monster cookie recipes. Where the recipes typically vary is whether they contain flour or only oats, as well as the types of sugar, eggs, and ratios of ingredients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our version? Flourless! Lots of oats! Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free\/butter-free, naturally sweetened, nothing artificial. Monster cookies for all (and no one\u2019s getting turned into a monster \ud83d\ude09)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Make Gluten-Free Monster Cookies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aren’t monster cookies already gluten-free? Not quite! Those with all-purpose flour are not gluten-free. But versions made with all <\/em>oats (no flour) are typically gluten-free<\/strong> as long as you’re using certified gluten-free oats and avoiding crispy<\/em> M&Ms (which contain barley malt extract). If you can’t have oats, you’ll unfortunately have to skip out on this recipe, but you can find all of our oat-free sweets here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We went with an all-oat (no-flour) version for several reasons \u2014 easy, wholesome, pleasantly chewy texture, and when baked, it almost tastes like the oats are<\/em> flour (magic!). The other cookie classic omitted from this recipe? Butter! Instead, we use extra peanut butter, which keeps them vegan and gives these mega peanutty flavor + more fiber and simplifies the ingredient list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bowl<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of the other ingredients, they\u2019re super simple: maple syrup, vanilla, baking powder + soda, and salt. Stir them all together then add the monster cookie classics (oatmeal, chocolate, and “M&Ms”).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pouring<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sticking with a more wholesome<\/strong> cookie vibe, we went with a natural M&M alternative<\/a> that’s dyed with beet juice and spirulina and made with better-for-you ingredients. Feel free to use any M&Ms you prefer, ensuring gluten-free for GF eaters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Using<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of it all (just 22 minutes<\/strong>!), you will have dirtied minimal dishes (it’s a 1-bowl<\/strong> mixing situation) and the result is SO worth it! Happy cookie eating!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hand<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You’re going to LOVE these cookies! They’re:

Crispy on the edges
Tender in the centers
Chewy
Chocolaty
Peanut buttery
Wholesome
& SO easy to make (they fit ALL of our simple factors<\/a>)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These cookies are perfect for using up leftover Halloween candy, will be a hit at holiday gatherings, are sturdy enough for lunch boxes, and are easy enough to whip up a batch practically any time the craving strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More Oat & Chocolate Cookies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n