There’s nothing quite like the warm, spicy aroma of gingerbread cookies baking in the oven. It’s the scent of holiday magic, of cozy afternoons, and of cherished family traditions. But what if you’re navigating a vegan or gluten-free diet? For years, it seemed like the classic, slightly soft, perfectly spiced gingerbread man was a distant dream. Well, dream no more! These Vegan Gluten-free Gingerbread Men are here to save your holiday baking. They are incredibly flavorful with a perfect chewy-soft texture, 100% plant-based, and so simple that even little hands can help decorate them.
Did you know gingerbread men are credited to Queen Elizabeth I? It’s said she had them made in the likeness of important foreign dignitaries! While our cookies might not be fit for a queen’s political agenda, they are absolutely fit for your family’s cookie jar. This recipe is special because it masterfully combines simple, wholesome ingredients to create a dough that’s a dream to work with and bakes up into the most delightful cookies. They come together in one bowl, require no fancy equipment, and the preparation is wonderfully family-friendly. If you loved our [Vegan Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies], you’re going to adore this festive, spiced-up twist. So, preheat your oven and get ready to create some sweet, allergy-friendly memories. Let’s bake some joy!
What is a Vegan Gluten-free Gingerbread Man?
What’s in a name? Well, when it comes to our dear gingerbread man, it’s a pretty straightforward story, but let’s have some fun with it! Is he called a "man" because of his classic shape, complete with a little icing smile? Or is it because the spicy, robust flavor of ginger has historically been considered a "manly" spice? (We think it's a flavor for everyone!). While we may not have a royal anecdote for this specific version, we do know one thing for sure: the way to everyone's heart—vegan, gluten-free, or otherwise—is through their stomach. And these adorable, spiced-up little guys are guaranteed to win over any crowd. They are proof that you don't need dairy, eggs, or wheat to create a classic holiday treat that’s bursting with love and flavor. Ready to make a batch that will have everyone smiling? Let’s get to it!
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Gluten-free Gingerbread Men Recipe
This recipe is about to become your new holiday baking staple, and here’s why:
The Perfect Texture & Flavor: Say goodbye to crumbly, dense gluten-free cookies! The combination of oat flour and tapioca starch creates a cookie that is tender, slightly chewy, and holds its shape beautifully. The blend of blackstrap molasses, ginger, and cinnamon delivers that deep, warm, classic gingerbread spice that we all know and love. They are perfectly sweet, wonderfully spiced, and utterly irresistible.
Incredibly Simple & Cost-Effective: Skip the expensive, often lackluster store-bought free-from cookies. This recipe uses simple, pantry-staple ingredients you can feel good about. Making them at home is not only kinder to your wallet but also allows you to control the quality of every single ingredient, from the type of sugar to the unrefined coconut oil.
Endless Decorating Fun: The simple vanilla icing is the perfect canvas for your creativity. Pipe on smiles, ties, or funky patterns. This is where the recipe truly becomes a family affair, creating memories as you decorate each unique cookie. They are as fun to make as they are to eat!
If you're a fan of festive, no-fuss treats, you'll also love our [Vegan Peppermint Bark] for another quick holiday project. Now, are you ready to create a kitchen filled with the best smells of the season? Let's bake!
How to Make Vegan Gluten-free Gingerbread Men
Quick Overview
This recipe is all about simplicity and satisfaction. You’ll create a sturdy, easy-to-roll dough with minimal fuss (just one bowl for mixing!), and the result is a batch of soft, perfectly spiced cookies that are ideal for decorating. The key to success is chilling the dough, which makes it easy to handle. From start to finish, you’re about 2.5 hours away from homemade gingerbread bliss (with most of that being hands-off chilling time).
Key Ingredients for Vegan Gluten-free Gingerbread Men
Image: A styled photo showing all the ingredients listed below, neatly arranged on a kitchen counter.
For the Cookies:
1¾ cup oat flour, certified gluten-free: Provides the hearty, wholesome base. Ensure it's certified GF if you have celiac disease.
¼ cup tapioca starch: The secret to a soft, chewy texture and helps bind the dough.
½ teaspoon baking soda: For the perfect little rise.
½ teaspoon fine sea salt: Balances the sweetness.
1 teaspoon ground ginger & 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The classic, warming spice duo.
½ cup coconut sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
¼ cup blackstrap molasses: For that rich, dark color and iconic gingerbread flavor.
2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce: Our fantastic egg replacer that adds moisture.
¼ cup melted unrefined coconut oil: The fat that brings the dough together and adds a subtle aroma.
For the Icing:
¾ cup powdered sugar: The base of our simple glaze.
½ teaspoon vanilla extract: For flavor.
1-2 tablespoons non-dairy milk: To achieve the perfect piping consistency.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the oat flour, tapioca starch, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and coconut sugar. Ensure there are no lumps.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, vigorously stir together the molasses, applesauce, and melted coconut oil until they are well combined and emulsified.
Form the Dough: Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to fold everything together until a thick, slightly crumbly dough forms. It might seem a bit dry at first, but don’t worry! Just keep stirring. It will come together into a moist, firm dough.
Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal halves. Wrap each half tightly in parchment paper or plastic wrap. Press them into discs. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This is a non-negotiable step—it firms up the dough, making it easy to roll out without sticking.
Preheat and Prep: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly sprinkle a clean surface and a rolling pin with a bit of extra oat flour.
Roll Out the Dough: Place one disc of chilled dough on the floured surface. Gently roll it out to your desired thickness—about 1/4 inch for crispier cookies or 1/2 inch for softer, chewier cookies.
Cut Out Shapes: Dip your gingerbread man cookie cutter in a little oat flour to prevent sticking. Press shapes into the dough and carefully lift them away, using your fingers to pull away the excess dough. Re-roll the scraps and continue cutting until all the dough is used.
Bake to Perfection: Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch between them. Bake for 12 minutes. The cookies will still be soft but will firm up as they cool. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Do not ice warm cookies!
Make the Icing & Decorate: While the cookies cool, whisk the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of non-dairy milk in a small bowl. Add the second tablespoon of milk slowly until you reach a smooth, pipeable consistency. Transfer the icing to a plastic bag and snip a tiny corner off, or use a pastry bag. Once the cookies are completely cool, let your creativity run wild and decorate as desired!
What to Serve With Vegan Gluten-free Gingerbread Men
These gingerbread men are stars on their own, but they love good company!
With a Beverage: They are a match made in heaven with a tall glass of Oat Milk Hot Chocolate, a warm cup of Spiced Chai Tea, or a strong black coffee.
As Part of a Cookie Platter: Create a stunning dessert spread by pairing them with [Vegan Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies], classic Vegan Peanut Butter Blossoms, and some rich Chocolate Truffles.
For a Fun Activity: Serve them alongside small bowls of different colored icing, vegan sprinkles, and edible glitter for a DIY cookie decorating station at your holiday party.
Top Tips for Perfecting Your Gingerbread Men
Dough Too Sticky? If your dough is too soft after chilling, just work a little more oat flour into it until it's manageable.
No Oat Flour? You can make your own by grinding certified gluten-free rolled oats in a high-speed blender or food processor until a fine flour forms.
Molasses Matters: Blackstrap molasses has a stronger, more bitter flavor than regular molasses. For a lighter taste, you can use light molasses, but the color of your cookies will be lighter.
Chilling is Key: Rushing the chilling step is the most common mistake. A firm, cold dough is essential for clean cuts and cookies that hold their shape.
Roll Evenly: Try using rolling pin rings or two wooden dowels of the same thickness on either side of your dough to ensure an evenly rolled-out sheet every time.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing: Once iced and set, store these cookies in a single layer or between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to one week.
Storing Un-iced Cookies: The un-iced cookies freeze beautifully! Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
Freezing the Dough: You can also freeze the dough discs wrapped in parchment and plastic wrap for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and baking.
Reheating: While best enjoyed at room temperature, you can briefly warm a cookie in the microwave for 5-10 seconds for a soft, fresh-from-the-oven treat.
Nutrition
Information (Per Cookie, approximate):
Calories:
128kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat:
3g | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 126mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g
