Pinch of Wellness

  • Breakfast
  • Main Entrees
  • Side Dishes
  • Snacks
  • Desserts
  • Wellness
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Spring
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    The Best Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies

    Published: Aug 10, 2020 · Modified: Sep 2, 2023 by Ashlee Welter · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These gluten free pumpkin cookies are soft & light! The perfect balance of pumpkin and spice, these delicious cookies are hard to resist. They are topped with a cream cheese frosting and can be made in under 30 minutes!

    Gluten free pumpkin cookies sitting on a cookie cooling rack.

    Note: There are links on this site that are "affiliate links". This means that I may receive a small commission if you subscribe or purchase something through the links provided.

    These GF pumpkin cookies are the perfect fall recipe! They have just enough pumpkin spice flavoring to satisfy any craving!

    These delicious pumpkin cookies are soft, chewy and moist. They are gluten free, but you can't even tell!

    Pair these cookies with a side of white chicken chili or chicken tortilla soup for a true fall treat!

    If you're looking for more gluten free pumpkin recipes, be sure to check out my gluten free pumpkin bread, healthy pumpkin smoothie or gluten free pumpkin bars!

    Jump to:
    • Reasons to Love These
    • Ingredients Needed
    • Variations
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Healthy Alternatives
    • Pumpkin Nutrition Information
    • More Gluten Free Desserts
    • Recommended Products
    • Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies

    Jump to:
    • Reasons to Love These
    • Ingredients Needed
    • Variations
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Healthy Alternatives
    • Pumpkin Nutrition Information
    • More Gluten Free Desserts
    • Recommended Products
    • Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies

    Reasons to Love These

    • These GF pumpkin cookies are light, fluffy and soft. They are the perfect fall dessert.
    • They are easy to make! Whip these up in under 30 minutes!
    • The cookies are gluten free, yet still have the same texture as normal cookies.
    • The pumpkin helps to add a natural sweetness to the cookie, and also keeps them moist and soft.

    Ingredients Needed

    ingredients for gf pumpkin cookies labeled and sitting on a counter.
    • Canned Pumpkin: Be sure to use canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. This will change the recipe significantly.
    • Butter: adds moisture to the cookies. Butter is recommended, this recipe has not been tested with margarine.
    • Brown Sugar: The sugar is split between part brown sugar and part granulated sugar. The brown sugar makes the cookies extra moist.
    • Flour: I used the Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour 1: 1 ratio. Any flour that is a 1:1 ratio baking flour will work. The flour must contain xanthan gum for these cookies to turn out.
    • Cinnamon & Pumpkin Pie Spice: Adds that good pumpkin spice flavor! Use extra for a deeper flavor.
    • Cream Cheese: Use softened cream cheese. Let the cream cheese sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before using. Pick low fat cream cheese for an option that is lower in fat and calories. 
    • Powdered Sugar: adds sweetness to the frosting, use less for a less sweet frosting 

    See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    Variations

    This recipe makes 22 cookies. If you are wanting more cookies, double or triple the recipe.

    Flatter Cookies: Drop the cookie dough by the tablespoon on a cookie sheet and press down lightly with the back of a spoon to flatten the cookie.

    Round Plump Cookies: Drop the cookie dough by the tablespoon on a cookie sheet and do not flatten with a spoon. The cookies will rise and have a round top.

    Add-in's: Add some extra flavor or texture to the cookies! Choose any of the following and add up to ½ cup: white Chocolate Chips, chopped walnuts or pecans, craisins, or coconut.

    Step By Step Instructions

    4 process shots showing how to make pumpkin cookies.

    Step 1: Combine all dry ingredients in a small bowl. Mix and set aside. (Image 1)

    Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine the butter and sugars. Mix with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the pumpkin, egg and vanilla. Mix until combined. (Image 2)

    Step 3: Combine the pumpkin mixture with the flour mixture. Mix until combined. (Image 3)

    Step 4: Use a cookie dough scoop or heaping tablespoon and drop cookies onto a baking sheet. Flatten with the back of a spoon and bake. Ice with frosting if desired!

    Expert Tips

    • Measure the flour by scooping spoonfuls of flour into the measuring cup and leveling off at the top with a knife. Packing flour in the measuring cup or not leveling it will result in too much flour and a dry cookie.
    • Use a Silicone Non-Stick Baking Mat to make clean up easy. Place the mat on your cookie sheet and bake the cookies on top of it. Throw the baking mat in the dishwasher when done for easy cleanup.
    • Don’t overcook! These cookies took about 10 minutes to cook in my oven. I would recommend setting the timer for 8 minutes, checking them, and then cooking another 2 minutes if still not done. They should look soft, but not doughy when done.
    • Freeze your extra dough and then cook a couple cookies whenever desired. Simply drop your tablespoon of cookie dough on to waxed paper, freeze for a few hours, then place in a freezer safe bag. Whenever you want a cookie, just preheat the oven, place on a pan, and cook away!
    • Store the cookies in the refridgerator if they have frosting on them.
    • The cookies taste best when at room temperature or warm. Heat them in the microwave for a few seconds or let them sit out at room temperature for about 15 minutes before eating. 
    close up shot of  a hand holding a gluten free pumpkin cookie with a bite taken out of it.

    Healthy Alternatives

    • Use half the amount of butter and and replace the other half with applesauce or one of these applesauce substitutes to cut back on the fat. Replace part of the brown sugar with applesauce
    • Leave off the frosting (they really do taste good alone!)

    Pumpkin Nutrition Information

    Here’s some fun nutrition information on pumpkin:

    • Pumpkin is loaded with Vitamin A, Vitamin K and fiber! In fact, ½ of a cup provides about 200% of the daily recommended value of vitamin A. Vitamin A is great for your immune system, eyes and in supporting cell growth. (More on vitamin A)
    • Are these cookies healthy because they contain pumpkin? In reality, these cookies realllly don’t contain that much pumpkin per individual cookie. It equals out to about 1 teaspoon of pumpkin per cookie. So while the pumpkin does help cut down on the amount of fat used in the recipe, unfortunately you’re not getting loads of health benefits from just 1 cookie.

    More Gluten Free Desserts

    • Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars (2 of 11)
      Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
    • Gluten Free Banana Cake
      The Best Gluten Free Banana Cake
    • Almond Flour Oatmeal Cookies on parchment paper
      Almond Flour Oatmeal Cookies
    • Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
      Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies

    Recommended Products

    Nonstick Cookie Sheets

    Silicone Non-Stick Baking Mat

    Gluten Free Flour

    The Best Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies

    Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies

    Ashlee Welter
    These are the best gluten free pumpkin cookies! These cookies are moist, light and fluffy. The perfect balance of pumpkin spice flavors and sweetness.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 12 minutes mins
    Total Time 22 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 22 cookies
    Calories 117 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.25 cups gluten free baking flour 1:1 baking flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    • ¼ cup butter softened
    • ½ cup brown sugar packed
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup canned pumpkin

    Frosting

    • 8 oz low fat cream cheese softened
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350F and grease a cookie sheet.
    • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Mix until combined.
    • In a seperate medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat using an electric mixer at medium speed for 2 minutes. Mixture should be creamy.
    • Add in egg, pumpkin and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
    • Add the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture. Mix using an electric mixer just until combined. Don't overmix!
    • Drop the cookie dough by rounded heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheet.
      For flatter cookies: gently press down the center of the dough using the back of a spoon.
      For round cookies: do not press down the center.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until a toothpick is clean when inserted -into the middle of the cookies. Don't over bake or they will be dry.
    • Allow cookies to cool, and then drizzle frosting over the top (optional). Enjoy!

    Frosting

    • Combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat for 2 minutes on medium speed, until combined and creamy.
    • Drizzle over the top of cooled cookies.

    Notes

    1 Cookie without frosting: 75 calories/cookie
    1 Cookie with frosting: 117 calories/cookie
    TIPS: 
    • Gluten free flour: use 1:1 baking flour (King Arthurs or Bob's Red Mill). The flour must contain xanthan gum.  
    • Measure the flour by scooping spoonfuls into the measuring cup and leveling off at the top with a knife. Packing flour in the measuring cup or not leveling it will result in too much flour and a dry cookie. 
    • Don’t overcook! Set the timer for 8 minutes, check them, and then continue to cook another 2 minutes if still not done. They should look soft, but not doughy when done
    • Flatter Cookies: Drop the cookie dough by the tablespoon on a cookie sheet and press down lightly with the back of a spoon to flatten the cookie
    • Round Plump Cookies: Drop the cookie dough by the tablespoon on a cookie sheet and do not flatten with a spoon. The cookies will rise and have a round top.
    • Add-in's: Add some extra flavor or texture to the cookies! Choose any of the following and add up to

    Nutrition

    Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 180mg | Potassium: 49mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g
    Tried this recipe?Mention @pinchofwellness or tag #pinchofwellness!

    More Dessert Recipes

    • oreo protein shake
      Oreo Protein Shake
    • chocolate protein mousse
      Chocolate Protein Mousse
    • 3 ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls
      3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
    • chocolate bliss balls
      Chocolate Bliss Balls

    Comments

    1. Kay Nobel says

      November 27, 2020 at 8:56 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe if you don't want to make a huge batch! I had leftover pumpkin from another recipe. This recipe let me use them and not have to open another can.

      I also did not feel like making the icing as the pumpkin bars I made had a terrific frosting, instead I added a few handfuls of white chocolate chips and pecans. I think cranberries and pecans would be another incredible option.

      Reply
      • Pinch of Wellness says

        November 28, 2020 at 4:54 pm

        Glad you enjoyed these! Great ideas on the add-ins????

        Reply
    2. Maggie says

      August 10, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      5 stars
      Awesome! These Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies look tasty! I love pumpkin in my baked foods. Looking forward to making sometime! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Pinch of Wellness says

        August 10, 2020 at 2:52 pm

        Thank you!! If you like pumpkin, you will love these????

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    ashlee welter pinch of wellness

    Hi, I'm Ashlee! I'm a Registered Dietitian with over 12 years of experience in nutrition, cooking, and health! I am an expert in developing gluten free and healthy recipes!

    More about me!

    as featured in

    Top Healthy Recipes

    • salmon buddha bowls with teriyaki sauce
      Teriyaki Salmon Bowl
    • low-carb-philly-cheesesteak-skillet
      Healthy Philly Cheesesteak Skillet (Low Carb)
    • air-fryer-buffalo-cauliflower wings
      Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
    • air-fryer-buffalo-chicken-tenders
      Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
    • gluten-free-sweet-and-sour-chicken
      Healthy Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Chicken
    • Healthy Spaghetti Sauce
      Healthy Spaghetti Sauce
    • Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip
      Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip
    • BBQ Chicken Sweet Potatoes
      BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    Winter Favorites

    • bowl filled with chicken tortilla soup topped with tortillas, cheese and jalapenos
      Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
    • The-Best-Baked-Oranges
      The Best Oven Baked Oranges
    • healthy-buffalo-chicken-dip
      Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
    • healthy-white-chicken-chili
      Healthy White Chicken Chili (Crockpot or Stovetop)
    • bowl of air fryer butternut squash cubes with pumpkin seeds
      Air Fryer Butternut Squash
    • sautéed frozen broccoli and cauliflower
      Sautéed Frozen Broccoli and Cauliflower
    • honey chipotle wings
      Honey Chipotle Wings
    • Healthy Taco Soup
      Healthy Taco Soup
    • Chicken Burrito Skillet
      Chicken Burrito Skillet
    • Oven Baked Chicken Quarters
      Oven Baked Chicken Quarters
    • Healthy Chicken Burritos
      Healthy Chicken Burritos
    • buffalo-chicken-rice-bowls-8
      Buffalo Chicken Rice Bowls

    Popular

    • Chili flakes on a blue background
      Chili Flakes vs. Red Pepper Flakes
    • grilled chicken breasts on a wood cutting board
      Chicken vs. Tofu (A Nutritional Comparison
    • recipes with frozen cherries
      Recipes with Frozen Cherries
    • filipino chicken pancit
      Chicken Pancit

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Footer

    as featured in footer 360x200
    • About Me
    • Accessibility

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Disclosure
    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2024 Pinch of Wellness LLC

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.