Indulge in these delicious monster cookies that are not only gluten-free, but also loaded with oats, chocolate chips, M&M’s, and peanut butter. They are so chewy they practically melt in your mouth!
I’ve been on the hunt for a bomb monster cookie recipe and then I found one and adapted it very slightly and doubled it. It is from What Molly Made because literally no flourless peanut butter monster cookie recipe compares to hers.
Monster cookies are like an oatmeal cookie, m&m cookie, chocolate chip cookie and peanut butter cookie all smashed together in one. They are perfection! They are the best monster cookies!
What are Monster Cookies?
There are a few different stories out there for how this cookie got its name, but my favorite is that it’s a little bit of everything just like Frankenstein. A monster! These cookies can also be know as kitchen sink cookies because they have everything but the kitchen sink in them. They are super adaptable to whatever mix-ins you and your family love.
Ingredients for Monster Cookies
You won’t find any flour or dairy products (substitute the m&m’s) in this cookie recipe! This is for you, my gluten-free and dairy-free friends! Here is what you need:
- Eggs: give structure and rise to the cookies
- Peanut Butter: I prefer creamy, processed (not natural) peanut butter like Skippy or Jif.
- Brown Sugar: adds rich flavor and sweetness
- Sugar: more sweetness
- Vanilla Extract: enhances flavor
- Oats: old fashioned rolled oats adds so much texture and make sure they are certified gluten-free oats
- Baking Soda: gives rise and fluffiness
- Salt: enhances flavors and balances the sweetness
- Mini M&M’s (or milk chocolate chips): can use regular size too or holiday themed
- NOTE: To make this recipe dairy-free, you’ll need to use a dairy-free candy or omit the m&m’s completely. Same story for the chocolate chips.
- Mini Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips: regular sized may be used
- Raisins: totally optional for those raisin haters out there
Keep scrolling to the recipe card down below for measurements for all the ingredients.
How to Make Gluten-Free Monster Cookies
Monster gluten-free cookies are so easy that you don’t even need a stand mixer or an electric mixer if you don’t want to get it out. There’s no butter to whip, so it really is just mixing all the ingredients together. Here are the basic steps:
- Combine: Add all the wet ingredients to a large mixing bowl and beat/stir to combine until smooth.
- Mix: Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and mix until well combined.
- Fold: Add all the mix-ins and fold them in using a wooden spoon.
- Scoop: Using a large cookie scoop, scoop out the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- NOTE: Use any size cookie scoop you want! Baking time will be a little less for smaller cookies.
- Chill: Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 8-10 minutes.
The complete recipe can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post. You can also save or print the recipe there.
Now Watch These Monster Cookies Be Made…
Why are My Monster Cookies Flat?
Cookies can be quite temperamental, especially these cookies since they don’t have the flour for structure. Chilling the dough before baking is critical to keeping the cookies thick and chewy. Measuring all the ingredients accurately is also so important to having the right ratio of all the ingredients together. Another culprit for flat cookies is that the oven is too hot. All ovens cook a little different, so if you know your oven cooks hot, then maybe bake at 325 degrees F.
Substitutions/Variations
I mentioned earlier that this recipe was so versatile and easily adaptable to your favorite mix-ins. You can omit some of the mix-ins we use or substitute something else for them. Here are a few ideas:
- Peanut Butter Chips
- Butterscotch Chips
- Chopped Nuts – Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans
- Craisins
- Nut Butter – Almond Butter, Cashew Butter
- Crunchy Peanut Butter
- Pretzels Bits
- Coconut Flakes
- White Chocolate Chips
- Dark Chocolate Chips
The options are really endless when it comes to throwing everything but the kitchen sink into these cookies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
For people with certain dietary restrictions, these cookies are great because they can be made gluten free and dairy free.
They are super easy to make which makes them an awesome recipe to make with the kiddos. My youngest makes these on his own all the time!
Monster cookies are thick and chewy. They have the texture and flavor and you crave in a good hearty cookie.
Those m&m’s reel the kids in like nothing else. These cookies are so kid-friendly and with the peanut butter and oats, they are filling and satisfying.
Are Flourless Monster Cookies Healthy?
The short answer is no. Haha! So sorry to disappoint everyone! They are still cookies and high in calories, sugar and fat. They do have a good amount of protein (16g) and fiber (6g). That being said, they are indulgent, so balance is key!
Tips for Success
The dough will be very sticky, so don’t be alarmed it if seems stickier than your average cookie dough. It’s fine! They will turn out great!
Don’t skip the chilling time! Refrigerating the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and stay thick and chewy.
Make sure your ingredients are fresh, especially the baking soda. If your baking soda is expired, you won’t get the rise from it that you want.
I love to use a large cookie scoop so these cookies are super indulgent, but you can use any size scoop you want.
Save a few m&m’s and chocolate chips to stick on the top of the dough balls just before baking. It makes them look so pretty and appetizing as they bake.
Storage Tips
Monster cookies store great at room temperature in an airtight container. They will keep for up to a week.
These cookies also freeze great. You can freeze them before or after baking. If you freeze them before baking, scoop them into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze them for an hour or so and then place the monster cookie dough balls into a freezer safe container.
If you freeze them after baking, let them cool completely and then place them in a freezer safe container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Frozen dough can be baked from frozen. You will just need to add a minute or two to the baking time.
Monster cookies are a great make ahead cookie too. You can make the dough up to 2 days ahead of time before baking and follow the baking instruction as written.
Treat yourself to these delicious and easy-to-make monster cookies! Packed with oats, chocolate chips, and M&M’s, these chewy cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. They are a new favorite cookie in our house!
More Gluten-Free Desserts to Enjoy:
Description
Indulge in these delicious monster cookies that are not only gluten-free, but also loaded with oats, chocolate chips, M&M’s, and peanut butter. They are so chewy they practically melt in your mouth!
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Add the eggs, creamy peanut butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
4 Eggs, 2 Cups Creamy Peanut Butter, 1 ½ Cups Brown Sugar, 1/2 Cup Sugar, 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
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Add the oats, baking soda and salt and mix well until combined.
1 ½ Cups Old Fashioned Oats, 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda, 1 teaspoon Salt
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Stir in the mini M&Ms, mini chocolate chips and raisins and mix well until all of the chips are incorporated. Scoop onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
1 Cups Mini M&M’s, 1 ¼ Cups Mini Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips, 1/2 Cup Raisins
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Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
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After the chilling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and baked for 8-10 minutes.
*I like to boil my raisins to plump them so they are soft in cookies. Barely cover them in water in a small glass measuring cup or saucepan and boil on stovetop or microwave until they begin to plump. Drain well and pat dry.
Calories: 703kcal