This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
These AIP and paleo sugar cookies are so chewy and delicious, you’ll want to make a double batch! They are perfect for the holidays and loved by both adults and kids.
Mmmmm… sugar cookies. You really can’t go wrong with them. It’s always a crowd favorite!
It’s the first week of quiet after our wedding, now that all the events are over and my parents left to go back to South Korea this past weekend. The past month has been crazy and wonderful at the same time and my parents have contributed so much energy and effort into the wedding events, not to mention traveling an insane amount, that I thanked them by doing what I do best: cooking dinner and baking them treats.
AIP & Paleo Sugar Cookies Recipe
Since my mom has rheumatoid arthritis, and it’s difficult to stick to the autoimmune protocol in Korea, she always requests that I make a dessert for her that she can bring back home and enjoy. And this time, I decided to make a big batch of these AIP & paleo sugar cookies!
Coconut Butter Frosting
You can make these without the coconut butter frosting, but it seriously makes such a big difference with that moist, delicious layer. It also adds a touch of sweetness without added sugar that I love, so I highly recommend you make the frosting. Plus, it also looks so fun and snowy if you are making it for the holidays!
Getting Creative with Food Restrictions
I truly enjoy creating these AIP and paleo sugar cookies for my mom, because it allows me to help, not just her, but others out there who are also on restrictive diets. Just because you can’t have certain foods, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t indulge in sweet treats from time to time. You just gotta get a bit more creative in the kitchen!
I hope to bring you more AIP or AIP-optional recipes in the future. In the meantime you can check out other AIP recipes I currently have on the blog by clicking here!

AIP & Paleo Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup coconut flour
- 3/4 cup tapioca starch
- 2 tbsp cinnamon, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp grass-fed gelatin, Use code GREATGRANDMA10 for 10% off your entire order
- 1 tbsp room temperature water
- 2 tbsp hot water
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup coconut butter, for frosting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, stir together coconut flour, tapioca starch, cinnamon, sea salt, and baking soda.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together gelatin and room-temperature water. Add hot water and whisk until the gelatin is dissolved.
- Add maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract to the gelatin mixture and whisk together.
- Slowly add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, while stirring with a fork.
- Mix until combined and moldable.
- Using rounded tablespoons, drop the cookie dough on the parchment paper. It might seem sticky, but it'll be easier to work once they are dropped.
- Wet your hands slightly and roll the dropped dough into balls and flatten them.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until the edges are golden, but the cookies are still soft.
- Let cool for 15 minutes. The cookies will harden as they cool.
- Warm up coconut butter in the microwave or stovetop until slightly melted, but still thick and creamy. Spoon gently over cookies, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Let cool completely before serving.The coconut butter will solidify once cooled.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.
YUM!!! I used 1 TBSP of banana instead of gelatin since I didn’t have any. These are SO delish! I’ve missed cookies so badly since doing the AIP diet. Definitely worth it to make these, super easy and tasty!
So glad you enjoyed it! And what a great idea to use banana. I have to try that next time!
I made these with banana instead of the gelatin egg. I also sprinkled coconut on top. Really yummy!
What a great idea! So glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
These are fantastic! I made them as per recipe the first time then I substituted the cinnamon with carob -very yum!
Tried just as is except forgot the vanilla and added a bit of vanilla stevia to the coconut butter. I like when the tast in your mouth leaves you craving for more. They are grest. Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed them! And love how you improvised with the vanilla stevia. I bet that was super tasty!
I made this with banana instead of gelatin (THANK YOU SPOONIE SOPHIA) and it was DELICIOUS! Being without bread and cookies has been one of the hardest aspects of going AIP for me so I feel very lucky to have found this recipe. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Yeti, curious how much banana you used?
Oops forgot to rate the recipe! Gave it 5 stars 🙂
Best paleo cookie recipe I’ve ever tried!! Used less maple syrup and a banana instead of a gelatine egg. Amazing!!
Thank you so much!! So glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Hey Jean! Super excited to try these cookies. Just wondering if I could substitute collagen for the gelatin? I have collagen on hand already and was curious if it would alter the recipe a lot if I used that instead. Thanks!
Unfortunately, gelatin is necessary because it acts as an egg substitute and a binder in the recipe. If you can tolerate eggs, you can omit gelatin and water, and just make it with 1 egg instead.
Thanks for your quick reply! I’ll try them with an egg instead. 🙂
Can you use a substitute for coconut butter?
I’m not sure if anything can substitute coconut butter, but you can leave it out or try just using coconut cream with a bit of honey or maple syrup. It won’t solidify the same way though but it’ll still be tasty!
Can I sub one egg if I don’t have any egg allergies in place of the gelatin and water?
yes!
Could we substitute arrowroot for tapioca? We can’t do tapioca. 🙁
Hey there! I’ve never tried with arrowroot starch but I think you can try it without changing the recipe too much. It may alter the texture a bit because tapioca starch gives the cookies that chewiness. But I think you’ll still be able to make the cookies with the same taste.. Let me know how it turns out!
How did your cookies turn out with arrowroot substitution? I was wondering the same thing…
I use the Arrowroot and they are great.
Yes, worked just fine! Also raisins were a nice touch!