26 Healthy Holiday Cookie Recipes to Make for Any Festivity

These easy peppermint dark chocolate chip cookies are made with whole wheat flour for an extra fiber punch, not to mention the antioxidant boost from the dark chocolate.

These fall-inspired pumpkin snickerdoodles are perfect for the entire family or any cookie swap. The holiday cookie recipe is super easy to make, dairy-free, full of nutrient-rich pumpkin, and makes use of ancient-grain einkorn flour. Research suggests that, compared to modern wheat, einkorn is higher in some nutrients including protein, phosphorus, potassium, and beta-carotene.

As long as your oats and oat flour have not been processed in a facility that contains wheat, these vegan holiday cookies are also gluten-free. Just check the package for either the gluten-free claim or under the ingredient list to see if it was processed in a facility with wheat. (While you have the oven on, make a batch of these seedy vegan, gluten-free cookies too.)

Fresh cranberries give these tender shortbread cookies a festive look and taste. With crunchy almonds and a hint of zesty orange, this holiday cookie recipe is perfect for your next gathering.

This holiday cookie recipe is made with five simple ingredients including whole grain oats and natural peanut butter. Though the gluten-free cookies are small, they're hearty and filling, with 4 grams of protein per cookie. Add melted chocolate chips (or more PB!) between them to make mini sandwiches.

These chocolate-studded cookies can be made both vegan and gluten-free, and they don't require any added oils or sugars thanks to applesauce and mashed banana. The holiday cookie recipe only takes a few simple ingredients to make and gets a fiber boost from whole grain oats. (Use up your leftover banana with this recipe for mini pancakes.)

In this holiday cookie recipe, candied oranges and chocolate come together to create an unforgettable treat that helps you finally understand the whole "too pretty to eat" thing. 

Layers and layers of crust, raspberry jam, and cream cheese will have guests picking these holiday cookies up in handfuls. For a festive and healthy topping, crush dehydrated raspberries and sprinkle them on top.

These chocolaty pieces of heaven are as close to perfect as a cookie can be. Made with less sugar than traditional chocolate chunk cookies, they're also gluten-free using nutrient-rich almond flour as the base. It's a holiday cookie recipe anyone at your celebration can enjoy.

Consider this the love child of the traditional chocolate chip cookie and, well, Christmas. These better-for-you cookies contain whole wheat pastry flour, which ups the fiber. Plus, half the butter is replaced with heart-healthy canola oil. The pistachios add healthy fat, protein, and a delicious crunch, and cranberries add sweetness and a pop of color.

These double chocolate treats celebrate the perfect union of a fudge-y brownie and chewy chocolate chip cookie. Free of gluten and dairy, and rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, this holiday cookie recipe is well-suited for those with allergies.

Nothing says the holidays quite like cinnamon. Baking this holiday cookie recipe will make your entire house smell like a candle store—plus, they're free of refined sugar and made with whole wheat flour to help boost the fiber.

This holiday cookie recipe features a base of whole grains and is packed with dried fruit (choose cranberries to keep it seasonal) and heart-healthy walnuts. They're not too sweet and can be made gluten-free.

These elegant Italian cookies are delicious and make a wonderful hostess gift. The base is a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for extra fiber. The holiday cookie recipe is also loaded with heart-healthy pistachios and antioxidant-packed dried cherries. (Related: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Biscotti Recipe for Relaxing Fall Mornings)

You can never go wrong with macaroons. And, if you add matcha, your holiday cookie recipe is sure to win over your friend's tastebuds. Pro tip: Corn syrup can make the matcha glaze shiny, but leave it out for more of a matte finish. (You can also use the matcha glaze in these black sesame bundt cakes for a gothic treat.)

Made with almond flour, whole wheat flour, and coconut oil, these treats are crunchy, nutty, and have a touch of caramel flavor. Plus, the holiday cookie recipe is dairy-free, so even your lactose intolerant friends can enjoy a plateful.

These Persian chickpea cookies are made with gluten-free, cardamom-flavored dough, and they have an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture. The holiday cookie recipe can be made nut-free and vegan by using light olive oil in place of the ghee. Regardless of how you make them, the treats are sure to be a keeper in your recipe collection.

Make this holiday cookie recipe with butter or swap it out for coconut oil to create a 100 percent plant-based treat. The two-ingredient glaze adds the perfect finishing touch. Bonus: Add holiday-colored sprinkles to make them even more festive.

This holiday cookie recipe may look like Pfeffernüsse, a German spiced cookie, but they're made with einkorn flour and coated in an orange-infused icing. The best part: The treats come together in less than half an hour.

These chocolate chip cookies ditch the cane sugar and replace it with puréed prunes. Since prunes are naturally sweet and have 3 grams of fiber per serving, this swap cuts out the added sugar while boosting both the fiber and nutrition content of the recipe.

These unique cookies are a cross between banana bread and a chocolate chip cookie — making them giant, soft, and delicious. They can be made gluten-free and are suitable for a low-FODMAP diet, so they're a great holiday cookie recipe to make  if you have guests with dietary restrictions.

This holiday cookie recipe has twice the crunch-factor thanks to cornmeal and toasted walnuts. Not a fan of apricot? Swap the fruit for dried cherries or figs.

These six-ingredient shortbread cookies deliver a healthy dose of antioxidants and a beautiful green tint courtesy of the matcha. Note: The holiday cookie recipe's dough needs to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, so plan your baking accordingly.