Vegan Cassava Flour Applesauce Cookies {oil-free, GF}

Soft and cakey vegan cassava flour applesauce cookies! A cinch to make, they are vegan, Paleo, oil-free, grain-free, gluten-free, and only 36 calories each!

New Year, New (Healthy!) Cookies

December is inarguably all about cookies. But January needs cookies, too.

January cookies need to be comforting, uncomplicated, and not-too-sweet. They should be healthy, yes, but still fall squarely in the realm of cookies, not health food.

My 5-Ingredient Vegan Cassava Flour Applesauce Cookies fit the bill!

Recipe Benefits

Soft and cakey, these applesauce cookies are at once both old-fashioned and new-fangled (cassava flour). They are also:

• Vegan (egg-free & dairy-free}
• Paleo
• Oil-free
• Grain-free
• Gluten-free
• Low-carb & low-sugar
• Fast & easy to prepare
• Only 36 calories per cookie

Cassava flour is the only unusual ingredient. I am still getting the hang of it in my various kitchen experiments, but so far, I love it. It is a naturally grain-free and gluten-free flour made from the whole cassava root, which has been peeled, dried and ground into a fine powder.

Ingredients for the Vegan Cassava Flour Applesauce Cookies

A complete list of the ingredients, with amounts and instructions, is located in the recipe card below.

• Cassava flour
• Applesauce
• Coconut sugar
• Creamy nut or seed butter
• Baking powder

Cassava Flour Measurements Vary by Brand

Cassava flour has one issue that needs addressing: measurement.  

See the photo above? It is the measurement, by weight (in grams), for 1/4 cup. It does not come close to the top of the cup. Moreover, what constitutes 1/4 cup of cassava flour varies from one manufacturer to another (aargh)! Looking at 5 different brands (Bob’s Red Mill, Thrive, Otto’s, Terrasoul and Anthony’s) , the range is 30 grams to 35 grams (2 bags list 30 g, 2 bags 32 g, 1 bag at 35 g).

In the world of flours, that is huge difference that can create dramatically different results: based on the bags, a standard cup of cassava flour can be 120 grams to 140 grams!

Hence, for my cassava flour recipes, I am choosing the middle ground:

• 1/4 cup of cassava flour is 32 grams
• If using a cup measure, do not fill (anywhere close) to the top of the cup! 
• For greatest accuracy, use a small digital kitchen scale to measure

Step by Step Instructions

Now, back to this (otherwise) super-easy recipe!

Step One: Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheet

Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step Two: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together unsweetened applesauce, creamy nut butter (e.g., cashew, almond, peanut), and coconut sugar until blended and smooth.

Step Three: Add the Dry Ingredients

Stir in the cassava flour and baking powder until blended. You can also add 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt, if you like.

The cookie dough will be fluffy, not stiff.

Step Four: Scoop the Dough

Using a small cookie scoop or rounded tablespoon measure, scoop the dough onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches (5 cm) apart. You should get a yield of 13 cookies.

Step Five: Bake

Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 11 to 12 minutes until golden brown and set at the centers.

Let the cookies remain on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes (they will continue to firm up) before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

FAQ

Storage for the Cassava Flour Applesauce Cookies

Store the cookies in an airtight container at (cool) room temperature for 2 days, the refrigerator for 1 week, or the freezer for up to 6 months.

What is the Best Way to Measure Cassava Flour?

Cassava flour can be difficult to measure (and standards for 1/4 cup vary from 30 to 35 g, depending on the brand). Additionally, 30 to 35 grams does not fill a 1/4 cup measure. Here are the measurements I use: (1) 1/4 cup of cassava flour is 32 grams (128 g per cup); (2) If using a cup measure, do not fill (anywhere close) to the top of the cup! (3) For greatest accuracy, use a small digital kitchen scale to measure.

Related Recipes

• Cassava Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies {vegan, grain-free}
• Cassava Flour Gingerbread Cut-Out Cookies {vegan}
• 2-Ingredient Cassava Flour Tortillas {oil-free, vegan}
• Vegan Applesauce Oat Cookies {gluten-free}
• Vegan Cassava Flour Blueberry Mini Muffins (grain-free)