22 Delicious Cookie Recipes Made Without Any Butter
These butter-free cookie recipes prove you don’t need traditional ingredients for amazing results. Each recipe uses creative alternatives like oils, cake mixes, and natural substitutes.
From quick cake mix shortcuts to traditional family recipes, these cookies deliver incredible flavors and textures without butter or margarine.
01. Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
This version uses red velvet cake mix, eggs, and oil for quick homemade cookies. The cake mix provides all the flavor and color needed.
These cookies bake up soft and chewy with that classic red velvet taste. Perfect for when you need treats in a hurry.
Takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Great for last-minute parties or unexpected guests.
02. Easy Lemon Cookies
These bright cookies use lemon cake mix, eggs, and oil for a simple five-ingredient recipe. The citrus flavor comes through beautifully.
The cookies develop a crinkled top that looks bakery-perfect. They’re sweet with just the right amount of tartness.
Ready in just 20 minutes with minimal cleanup required. Perfect for beginner bakers or busy weeknights.
03. Almond Joy Cookies
This method combines coconut, almonds, and chocolate without any butter. The cookies stay incredibly moist and chewy throughout.
Each bite delivers the classic Almond Joy candy bar flavors. The coconut provides natural moisture and sweetness.
These cookies are surprisingly easy to make from scratch. Everyone loves the familiar candy bar taste.
04. Funfetti Birthday Cookies
Colorful sprinkles and vanilla cake mix create these festive celebration cookies. Oil keeps them soft while eggs bind everything together.
The sprinkles stay bright and colorful throughout baking. These taste just like birthday cake in cookie form.
Perfect for kids’ parties or adult celebrations alike. They bring instant joy to any occasion.
05. Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies with Almond Flour
Almond flour replaces both wheat flour and butter in this recipe. Coconut oil provides the necessary fat for perfect texture.
These cookies turn out crispy outside and chewy inside. The almond flour adds natural nutty flavor and protein.
Great option for gluten-free diets without sacrificing taste. Nobody can tell they’re made differently than traditional cookies.
06. Robbi’s M&Ms Cookies
Colorful M&M candies and vegetable oil create these crowd-pleasing treats. The candies add sweetness and fun visual appeal.
The cookies bake up crispy on edges but stay soft in the center. Each bite has colorful candy pieces throughout.
Super easy recipe that kids love helping make. The M&Ms make every cookie feel special and festive.
07. Easy Roasted Almond Cookies
Ground roasted almonds provide both flavor and the fat typically from butter. These cookies have rich, nutty taste throughout.
The roasted almonds create natural oils that keep cookies tender. Simple ingredients let the almond flavor really shine.
Perfect for nut lovers who want something different. These cookies are both elegant and surprisingly simple to make.
08. Earthquake Cookies
Any flavor cake mix works for these crackled cookies that look like earthquake damage. Oil and eggs create the perfect chewy texture.
The cookies develop dramatic cracks on top during baking. This creates the signature earthquake appearance that gives them their name.
Endless flavor possibilities depending on cake mix choice. Fun project for kids who love the dramatic cracked appearance.
09. The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie
Vegetable oil replaces butter while both almond and vanilla extracts boost flavor. Classic chocolate chips complete this traditional favorite.
The double extract combination creates deeper, more complex flavor than single extract. Oil keeps cookies soft for days.
This method works great for anyone avoiding dairy products. You get classic chocolate chip taste without the butter.
10. Chewy Brownie Cookies
These fudgy cookies use cocoa powder and oil for intense chocolate flavor. They stay soft and chewy like brownies.
The texture falls perfectly between brownies and cookies. Each bite delivers rich, chocolatey goodness that melts slightly.
Perfect for serious chocolate lovers who want something different. These satisfy brownie cravings in convenient cookie form.
11. Pignoli Cookies
Traditional Italian cookies made with almond paste, sugar, and pine nuts. No butter needed when almond paste provides richness.
Pine nuts create a beautiful coating that toasts golden during baking. The almond paste keeps cookies incredibly moist inside.
These elegant cookies make wonderful gifts during holidays. The traditional Italian recipe has been perfected over generations.
12. Crisp Oatmeal Cookies
Old-fashioned oats and vegetable oil create these classic crispy cookies. The oats provide natural texture and wholesome flavor.
These cookies bake up completely crisp throughout rather than chewy. Perfect for dunking in milk or coffee.
Simple recipe that delivers consistent results every time. Great for anyone who prefers crispy over chewy cookies.
13. Easy Pumpkin Chip Cookies
Canned pumpkin puree provides moisture and flavor without needing butter. Chocolate chips add sweetness and visual appeal.
The pumpkin keeps cookies soft while adding subtle fall spice flavors. These taste like autumn in every bite.
Perfect for fall baking or using up leftover pumpkin puree. Easy recipe that turns out great every single time.
14. Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Just peanut butter, sugar, and eggs create these simple cookies. The peanut butter provides all the fat and flavor needed.
Natural oils in peanut butter keep cookies tender and chewy. These have intense peanut butter flavor in every bite.
Perfect recipe for teaching kids basic baking skills. You can’t get much simpler than three common ingredients.
15. Mama’s Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
This family recipe uses oats, brown sugar, and oil for perfectly chewy texture. The cookies stay soft for days.
Brown sugar adds molasses notes that complement the oats beautifully. These have that nostalgic homemade cookie taste.
Time-tested family recipe that creates consistent results. Perfect for anyone seeking that classic childhood cookie memory.
16. Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Plant-based ingredients create cookies that taste just like traditional versions. Vegan chocolate chips complete the dairy-free approach.
These cookies turn out perfectly every time with great texture. Even non-vegans love the taste and consistency.
Great for accommodating dietary restrictions at parties. Kids especially love these cookies regardless of dietary preferences.
17. Olive Oil Sugar Cookies
Extra-virgin olive oil replaces butter in this simple sugar cookie recipe. The result is rich, dense cookies perfect for dunking.
Olive oil creates a unique texture that’s more substantial than butter cookies. These have a sophisticated, grown-up flavor profile.
Perfect with tea or coffee for afternoon treats. The olive oil adds interesting complexity to familiar sugar cookie taste.
18. Homemade Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
Chocolate cake mix and oil create cookies that sandwich together with cream filling. These look completely bakery-made.
The filling can be customized with different flavors and colors. Everyone thinks these came from a professional bakery.
More involved than simple cookies but worth the extra effort. Perfect for special occasions when you want impressive results.
19. Coconut Oil Sugar Cookies
Solid coconut oil works perfectly in place of butter for these sugar cookies. They have subtle coconut flavor throughout.
The coconut oil creates incredibly tender texture that melts beautifully. These might be the best sugar cookies you’ll ever taste.
Make sure coconut oil is solid before mixing for best results. These cookies exceed all expectations for flavor and texture.
20. Blueberry Drop Cookies
Fresh or frozen blueberries and oil create these fruity alternatives to chocolate chip cookies. Each bite has bursts of berry flavor.
The blueberries provide natural sweetness and beautiful color throughout. These cookies taste like summer in every bite.
Great way to use up extra blueberries from baking projects. Perfect for anyone wanting lighter, fruitier cookie options.
21. Molasses Cookies
Rich molasses and oil create these soft, spiced cookies without any butter. The molasses provides both flavor and moisture.
These cookies have that classic old-fashioned molasses taste and aroma. They stay soft and chewy for days after baking.
Super easy recipe that kids love helping make. Perfect for anyone craving traditional comfort food flavors.
22. Grandma’s Gingersnap Cookies
This century-old family recipe uses molasses and oil for authentic gingersnap flavor. The cookies literally melt in your mouth.
Traditional spices create that perfect gingersnap taste that’s been loved for generations. These have incredible nostalgic appeal.
Time-tested recipe that’s been perfected since 1899. Perfect for carrying on family baking traditions with proven results.
Final Thoughts
These butter-free cookie recipes prove that amazing cookies don’t require traditional ingredients. From quick cake mix shortcuts to traditional family recipes, there’s something for every taste and skill level.
Start with the simpler three-ingredient options, then work up to more complex sandwich cookies as your confidence grows.