If you’re on the hunt for a delightfully spooky treat that everyone can enjoy, let me introduce you to this fan-freaking-tastic Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies Recipe. These cookies are soft, chocolaty, and packed with fun Reese’s Pieces and chocolate chips, making them an irresistible fall favorite for all ages. I’ve made these every Halloween for the past few years, and trust me, they never last long—people beg me for the recipe! So stick around, because I’m sharing all the tips and tricks to help you nail these seasonal delights right in your own kitchen.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture Blend: Combining gluten-free 1:1 flour with almond flour creates a soft yet sturdy cookie that won’t crumble apart.
Flavor Boost: Cocoa powder pairs beautifully with brown sugar and vanilla, giving these cookies a rich, chocolatey depth that’s nostalgic and comforting.
Candy and Chocolate Mix: Adding Reese’s Pieces and chocolate chips adds bursts of sweetness and color, making them visually festive and delicious.
Chilling the Dough: Refrigerating the dough helps control spreading and develops flavors, which is crucial when baking gluten-free treats.

A group of nine round chocolate cookies are placed on white parchment paper over a white marbled surface. Each cookie is dark brown with a slightly rough texture and decorated with colorful candy pieces in orange, yellow, white, and brown, some shaped like small ghosts and sprinkles. A small black glittery spider decoration and two small orange pumpkins are arranged near the cookies. Some orange and yellow candy pieces are scattered around the cookies, and a clear glass jar with a white lid is in the upper right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies Recipe plays a starring role. From the gluten-free flours that give structure to the combo of butter and coconut oil that makes these cookies melt-in-your-mouth—I’ll walk you through what makes them tick, so you’ll feel confident picking your supplies at the store.

Gluten-free 1:1 baking flour: This is your base, designed to mimic regular flour so you won’t miss a beat on texture.
Almond flour: Adds moisture, tenderness, and a subtle nuttiness that makes the cookies extra flavorful.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: For that rich, dark chocolate flavor essential in Halloween treats.
Butter: Brings richness and helps with that classic chewy-yet-crisp cookie edge.
Coconut oil: Adds a slight softness and buttery flavor without dairy if you want to tweak it.
Brown sugar: Provides moisture and a deep caramel note.
Granulated sugar: For perfect sweetness and to help with cookie spread and texture.
Eggs: The glue that binds everything together and adds richness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors — I never skip this!
Reese’s Pieces: These colorful candies amp up the fun, adding bursts of peanut butter flavor and crunch.
Chocolate chips: Whether milk or semi-sweet, they bring melty chocolate pockets that make every bite a treat.
Halloween sprinkles (optional): For that festive, extra pop of color that makes these cookies party-ready.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love most about this Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Feel free to experiment to make the cookies truly your own.

Dairy-Free Variation: I tried swapping the butter for a vegan buttery spread and used dairy-free chocolate chips, and honestly, it didn’t lose any of its charm—just perfect for friends who avoid dairy.
Nut-Free Version: If almond flour isn’t your thing, you can replace it with more gluten-free baking flour. I’ve done this for a birthday party and it worked wonderfully.
Extra Festive: Add some Halloween-themed candies or switch up the sprinkles to match your party’s color scheme.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your gluten-free flour, almond flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl. This helps distribute the leaveners evenly so your cookies rise just right. Trust me, skipping this can lead to uneven texture, which nobody wants!

Step 2: Cream the Butter, Oils & Sugars

Using your stand mixer (or hand mixer), combine the softened butter, coconut oil, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until they’re light, fluffy, and well-blended. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes—don’t rush this part because it gives your cookies that lovely tender crumb.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. This is where your dough starts to come alive, and adding these ingredients slowly ensures a smooth mix without curdling.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet

On the lowest mixer speed, add your dry ingredients in three portions, beating well after each addition. This prevents flour clouds and keeps the dough cohesive without overmixing. Gluten-free doughs can be a bit delicate, so handle it gently.

Step 5: Stir in Candy and Chill

Fold in the chocolate chips and Reese’s Pieces by hand. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight if you can — I usually do overnight because I find chilling intensifies the flavors and prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake Your Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion dough balls spaced a couple inches apart. If you want, press a few Halloween sprinkles on top for that festive touch. Bake for 9-11 minutes, watching closely—the edges should be set and the center almost set but still soft. Let cool briefly on the pan before transferring to a rack.

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Pro Tips for Making Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies Recipe

Don’t Skip Chilling: Refrigerating the dough isn’t just extra work—it helps the gluten-free flours absorb moisture and keeps cookies from spreading into flat discs.
Watch Your Bake Time: These cookies might need a couple extra minutes compared to regular ones—be patient and check the edges for doneness.
Almond Flour Boost: I learned adding almond flour makes a massive difference in both flavor and texture, so don’t skip it even though it adds a nut component.
Handling Dough Gently: Gluten-free cookie doughs can feel different – don’t overmix, or the final cookies might turn dry or crumbly.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies Recipe

The image shows several soft, round chocolate cookies on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is decorated with colorful candy pieces in orange, yellow, and brown, some sprinkled with a bit of salt. One cookie in the front has a bite taken out of it, revealing a chewy inside. Small candy pieces and cookie crumbs are scattered around for a casual look. In the background, there is a small orange pumpkin as decoration and a glass of milk on the right side. The scene is bright and clean, focused on the rich dark brown cookies with vibrant colorful candy spots, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with festive sprinkles before baking—they add such a fun Halloween vibe! If it’s for little ones, you can also drizzle melted white chocolate colored with orange or green food coloring to mimic pumpkins or monsters.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine alongside a chilled glass of almond or oat milk, or even a warm cup of spiced chai or hot cocoa if you want to double down on cozy vibes. For a party, pair them with bowls of assorted candies and fruit for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged these cookies on a Halloween-themed platter in a circle to mimic a spooky jack-o’-lantern face, using black licorice for the mouth and candy eyes I found at the store. It was a huge hit! You can also package them in little cellophane bags tied with orange and black ribbons for cute party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, where they last about 3-4 days and stay soft and chewy. If your kitchen is warm, I like to keep them in the fridge to prevent melting of the chocolate candies.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a tray first to avoid clumping, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. You can also freeze the dough balls the same way—just thaw before baking and add a minute or two to the bake time.

Reheating

To warm frozen or leftover cookies, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to bring back that freshly-baked softness. It’s a small step that makes a world of difference.

FAQs

Can I make this Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies Recipe nut-free?

Absolutely! Simply replace the almond flour with an equal amount of gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. This swap maintains the structure, though the cookies may lose a hint of that almond flavor and moisture, so you might notice a slightly different texture, but they’re still delicious.
How important is chilling the dough for these cookies?

Chilling is key with gluten-free cookie dough. It helps hydrate the flour and solidifies the fats so the cookies don’t spread too thin while baking. Without chilling, you risk ending up with flat, crumbly cookies. I recommend at least 1 hour or ideally overnight for best results.
Can I substitute the Reese’s Pieces with other candies?

Definitely! You can swap in M&M’s, candy-coated chocolates, or even mini peanut butter cups chopped into pieces. Just choose candies that won’t melt too rapidly or change the dough’s consistency too much.
Will these cookies be crunchy or soft?

These cookies strike a perfect balance—they’re soft and chewy on the inside with slightly crisp edges. The almond flour and chilling help achieve this, so you get that comforting cookie texture every time.

Final Thoughts

This Gluten-Free Halloween Cookies Recipe is truly one of my favorite seasonal treats because it brings so much joy without any gluten stress. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or to share during a Halloween party, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles and maybe even a little nostalgic magic. I can’t wait for you to try them—and once you do, I promise these will become a yearly tradition in your kitchen, just like they are in mine!