December 2, 2022

Desserts

Healthy Thumbprint Cookies

These Healthy Thumbprint Cookies are quick and easy to make, they come together in just about 30 minutes and only require 6ish ingredients. They're both vegan and gluten free and have a chewy, yet crispy texture that are filled with a homemade chia seed jam!

JUMP TO RECIPE

**this post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission for products purchased through my link.

A plate filled with five thumbprint cookies.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Healthy Thumbprint Cookies are quick and easy to make!
Only require 6ish ingredients!
Are vegan, plant-based, dairy free, gluten free, and grain free!
These cookies are chewy, crispy and are filled with a homemade chia seed jam.
You can also use store bought or any other flavored jam that you prefer!
These cookies make for a great DIY gift for the holidays.
As written, this recipe is refined sugar free.
Start to finish, these cookies are ready in about 30 minutes.
If you loved this recipe, check out my peanut butter and jelly version!

Ingredients And Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for Healthy Thumbprint Cookies. Scroll down to the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and instructions.

Almond flour- Since these cookies are made with almond flour, they are both gluten and grain free. I like to buy a big bag of it on Amazon, which is the best deal I’ve ever seen!

Maple syrup– To make these cookies vegan, it’s best to use pure maple syrup. You can also use agave or if you are not vegan, you can also use honey for this recipe and it will still work great.

Coconut oil- Will give these cookies are soft but crispy texture that tastes so delicious. You may sub for butter, vegan butter, ghee, or another oil like avocado oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Almond and Vanilla extract– I love to use these extracts together hand-in-hand because I believe it adds such a nice flavor to the cookies.Cinnamon– This is optional, but I believe it adds more flavor to the almond cookie base.Salt- To help balance out the sweetness.Chia jam– As mentioned before, I used my homemade chia seed jam recipe for this cookie. However, you can use any store bought jam that you’d like. Feel free to get creative with it and use different flavors!

all the ingredients you need to make these cookies in individual bowls.

How To Make

ONE: In a large bowl, combine the maple syrup, melted coconut oil and vanilla + almond extract. Then, add in the almond flour, cinnamon and salt and mix with a rubber spatula until a dough is formed.

maple syrup, melted coconut oil and vanilla + almond extract combined in a large bowl.

almond flour, salt and cinnamon added to the bowl.

TWO: Use a double cookie scoop and roll the dough into a ball with the palm of your hands. Then, using a spoon or the back of the cookies scoop, make an indent in the center of each cookie where the jam will go.

the cookies rolled into balls and then flattened with the back of a tablespoon to create a well in the center.

seven cookies on a baking sheet with wells in each center.

THREE: Fill each cookie with jam and then bake at 350F for 15-17 minutes. Allow to cool before removing from the baking sheet and enjoy!

chia seed jam added to the center of each cookie.

the cookies after being baking still on the baking sheet.

Tips And Tricks

Make the chia seed jam before you get started on the cookies as the jam needs to thicken for about 10 minutes before filling.

The sides of the cookies may crack slightly when making an indent in the center, that’s ok! Just use your fingers to form the edges back together.

For a more crunchy cookie, bake for 17 minutes. If you prefer a softer cookie, bake for 15 minutes.

Get creative and use any other flavored jam that you’d prefer. Try orange, lemon, blueberry, mango etc!

a hand holding a cookie with chia seed jam in the center.

How To Serve And Store

Serve these chia cookies warm, straight out of the oven or at room temperature. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.

Store in an airtight container on the counter and enjoy within 2-3 days, or refrigerate and enjoy within 5-7 days.

Taste And Texture

These Healthy Thumbprint cookies are perfect sweet and are filled with a delicious homemade chia seed jam.

The texture is soft and chewy, yet crispy and crunchy on the edges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use another type of flour instead of almond flour?

I have not tested this recipe with any other type of flour, but I would assume oat flour would be the best substitute. If you try it out, please let me know in the comments below!

Can I use a different type of jam or jelly instead of the chia seed jam?

Totally! Feel free to use your favorite homemade or store bought version!

Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?

Yes, you can! But the cookies will taste like honey!

Other Recipes You May Like

If you make these Healthy Thumbprint Cookies, I would really appreciate a comment and rating down below, under the recipe card. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me over on Instagram, Tiktok or Pinterest!

Healthy Thumbprint Cookies

5 based on 2 reviews

PIN RECIPE

PREP TIME:

5 minutes

COOK TIME:

17 minutes

Author - Hannah

Ingredients

1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanila extract
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
2 cups almond flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

SCALE:

YIELDS:

6 cookies

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheeting with parchment paper of a silicon baking mat.
In a large bowl, combine maple syrup almond + vanilla extract and melted coconut oil. Whisk until well combined.
Then, add in almond flour, salt and cinnamon and mix with a spatula until well incorporated.
For large cookies, use two scoops of batter and roll into a ball with your hands.
Place on the baking sheet and either with your thumb or the back of the cookie scoop, press down into the center to create a hole where the jam will go.
Add about 1-2 tsp of jam in the center of the cookie.
Bake for 15-17 minutes. Allow to cool and enjoy.
Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3-4 days.

Notes

Make the chia seed jam before you get started on the cookies as the jam needs to thicken for about 10 minutes before filling. The sides of the cookies may crack slightly when making an indent in the center, that's ok! Just use your fingers to form the edges back together. For a more crunchy cookie, bake for 17 minutes. If you prefer a softer cookie, bake for 15 minutes. Get creative and use any other flavored jam that you'd prefer. Try orange, lemon, blueberry, mango etc!