25+ Refined Sugar-Free Cookie Recipes

Over 25 of the best refined sugar-free cookie recipes, all gluten-free and most vegan too! From classic chocolate chip to soft gingerbread, every cookie on this list is sweetened with coconut sugar, maple syrup, or another unrefined sweetener. No white sugar required.

If you love cookies but want to skip the refined sugar, you are in exactly the right place. Every recipe on this list uses natural sweeteners like coconut sugar or maple syrup instead of white sugar, which means you get all the cookie satisfaction with ingredients that feel a little more wholesome.

A quick note on what refined sugar-free actually means here: coconut sugar and maple syrup are still sugar, and these are still cookies. But swapping refined white sugar for unrefined alternatives means a slower blood sugar response, more trace minerals, and a deeper, more complex flavor in your baking. Coconut sugar in particular adds a natural caramel note that makes these cookies taste even better than the originals.

All of the recipes below are also gluten-free, with the majority being vegan and paleo-friendly too. If you want a list that is 100% vegan, head over to the Vegan Cookie Recipes roundup. For an even broader look at gluten-free baking, the Gluten-Free Cookies roundup has you covered.

Tips for baking with refined sugar-free sweeteners

Coconut sugar can be swapped 1:1 for white or brown sugar in most recipes and is the easiest swap to make. It has a lower glycemic index than white sugar and adds a rich, caramel-like flavor. Look for a light-colored coconut sugar for cookies where you want a more neutral color.

Maple syrup works well in recipes that call for liquid sweeteners. It adds a subtle maple flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate, oats, and warm spices. If you want to make a recipe fully sugar-free, a sugar-free maple syrup substitute like Lakanto works well as a swap.

Want to go fully sugar-free? Many of the recipes below call for coconut sugar, which you can replace with a 1:1 granulated sugar-free sweetener like allulose, erythritol, or a blend from a brand like Lakanto or Purecane.

More cookie roundups to explore

• Vegan Cookie Recipes for a full list of 100% plant-based options
• Gluten-Free Cookies for the complete gluten-free cookie collection