Welcome to what might be the easiest and most delicious cookie recipe you’ve ever tried. It’s like your favorite candy bar in a warm, chewy, homemade cookie.
Table of Contents
These gluten-free Almond Joy Cookies are loaded with sweet coconut, rich chocolate chips, and crunchy sliced almonds, all held together by a single magic ingredient.
This is the ultimate quick and easy cookie for anyone who loves that classic coconut, chocolate, and almond combination.
A Little Story About This Dish
I’ve always been a huge fan of the Almond Joy candy bar—the combination of textures and flavors is just perfect. I wanted to capture that exact experience in a simple cookie I could whip up anytime a craving hit.
The search for the best Almond Joy cookie recipe led me to this incredibly simple, one-bowl method. I was amazed that you could get such a chewy, decadent cookie with so few ingredients.
This gluten-free Almond Joy Cookies recipe is my go-to for a fast and impressive treat. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a perfect example of a recipe for almond joy cookies that truly delivers.
Get Ready to Cook!
You are literally one bowl and about 20 minutes away from a warm, chewy batch of gluten-free Almond Joy Cookies. It doesn’t get any easier than this!
What to Expect
Time: Under 25 minutes from start to finish.
Difficulty: The easiest cookie recipe you’ll ever make!
Before You Begin
The number one “secret” to this recipe is sweetened condensed milk. It acts as the binder, sweetener, and source of moisture all in one, making this a foolproof, one-bowl recipe.
Don’t overbake these cookies! They are ready when the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. The centers will look soft, which is perfect for ensuring a wonderfully chewy texture once they cool.
Finally, you must let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. They are very soft and delicate when warm, and this cooling time is essential for them to set up properly before you try to move them.
The Heart of the Dish: Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are the few simple ingredients for this incredible gluten-free Almond Joy Cookies recipe.
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Sweetened Condensed Milk | 1 cup (1 14-oz can) |
| Sweetened Shredded Coconut | 3 cups |
| Semisweet Chocolate Chips | 12 ounces (2 cups) |
| Sliced Almonds | 1 cup |
| Baking Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
Let’s Get Cooking! Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these ridiculously simple instructions for a perfect batch of gluten-free Almond Joy Cookies.
1. Prep Your Oven and Mix Everything:
First, preheat your oven to 325°F. In a single large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, sliced almonds, baking powder, and salt.
2. Stir It All Together:
Use a sturdy spatula to fold and mix all the ingredients together until everything is evenly moistened and combined.
3. Scoop the Cookies:
Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper. Use a medium cookie scoop (about 1 ½ inches) to drop mounds of the cookie mixture onto the prepared sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one.
4. Flatten the Cookies:
Gently press down on each mound with your fingers or the back of a spoon to flatten them into round disc shapes.
5. Bake Until Golden:
Bake for 12-14 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges and the coconut on top are a light golden brown. Be sure to watch them closely, as they can go from golden to burnt very quickly.
6. Cool Completely:
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the gluten-free Almond Joy Cookies cool completely on the pan. Do not try to move them while they are warm, as they will be very fragile. Once cooled, they will be firm and chewy.
Mastering the Dish: Pointers for Perfection & How to Store
A few final tips will make your almond joy cookie recipe absolutely perfect.
Pointers for Perfection
This is a very sticky dough! Using a cookie scoop makes portioning the cookies much easier and less messy than using spoons.
How to Store
Store your completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and chewy for up to a week.
Here are some recipes that can provide you with new ideas for gluten-free cooking: Cinnamon Roll Cookies, and 5-Ingredient Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Gluten Free Vegan Pistachio Cookies.
Print
Gluten-Free Almond Joy Cookies
- Total Time: 45 minutes (includes cooling)
- Yield: 28 cookies 1x
Description
The easiest Gluten-Free Almond Joy Cookies you’ll ever make! This simple, one-bowl recipe is packed with chewy coconut, rich chocolate chips, and crunchy almonds. A decadent treat that tastes just like the classic candy bar.
Ingredients
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
3 cups shredded coconut
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
1 cup sliced almonds
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a single large bowl, combine and mix all the ingredients (sweetened condensed milk, coconut, chocolate chips, almonds, baking powder, and salt) with a sturdy spatula until thoroughly combined.
3. Using a 1½-inch cookie scoop, drop mounds of the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.
4. Gently press down on each mound to flatten it into a round disc shape.
5. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges and coconut tips are golden brown.
6. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before attempting to move them, as they will be very soft when warm.
Notes
Cool Completely: This is the most important step! The cookies are held together by the condensed milk and need to cool completely on the pan to set up and become firm.
Don’t Overbake: Watch these cookies closely. They are done when the edges are just golden. Overbaking can cause them to taste burnt.
Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 96mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 4mg
Your Burning Questions Answered!
Here are answers to some common questions about this gluten-free treat.
1. Are Almond Joy cookies gluten-free?
Yes, this specific recipe for Almond Joy cookies is naturally gluten-free because it contains no wheat flour. The main ingredients are coconut, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate, and almonds, all of which are gluten-free. As always, be sure to check that your specific brands of chocolate chips and baking powder are certified gluten-free.
2. Are Almond Joys safe for celiacs?
The Almond Joy candy bar itself, made by Hershey, is officially listed as a gluten-free product, making it a safe choice for those with Celiac disease. This homemade cookie version is also a safe and delicious alternative.
3. Does Pepperidge Farm make any gluten-free cookies?
As of late 2024, Pepperidge Farm has introduced a line of certified gluten-free cookies, including versions of their popular Farmhouse Thin & Crispy cookies in Milk Chocolate and Butter Crisp flavors.
Dig In & Enjoy!
You are now ready to bake a batch of the easiest and most satisfying cookies imaginable. Enjoy every chewy, chocolatey, coconut-filled bite!
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