Sesame almond butter cookies [refined sugar, dairy, gluten, egg and flour free]

Do you sometimes long for those moments on quiet afternoons where you get to sit down with your cup of tea, a small delicious biscuit and a magazine, and lazily flip through the pages while enjoying a break? No “mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy” requests, no neverending list of tasks running through your end, just ultimate relaxation and refresh. I do. Often. (And I don’t even drink tea!) And you know what, even if you can’t quite make those moments a reality (every day or ever), these sesame almond butter cookies will help. I promise.

Sesame almond butter cookies – great for most diets
These cookies are fabulous. They are basically mostly made of nuts (almonds, to be precise), with some added sesame seeds, sweetened by maple syrup and flavoured with a pinch of salt, some vanilla and almond extract (which lends it an intriguing smell and taste).
In other words, there is no egg, no flour, therefore no wheat or gluten, no dairy and no refined sugar in these gorgeous cookies – which makes them suitable for most diets and sensational with that cup of tea (or for bribing your kids to leave you in peace for 5 minutes, just sayin’).
Unfortunately, as they have quite a lot of nuts in them (both in the almond meal and in the almond butter), they are not nut free and, therefore, not suitable for most school lunchboxes.

How these cookies come together – stop motion video/gif
I was recently involved in a great collaboration on Instagram where we got to practice our stop motion/gif making skills. I honestly love these collabs so much – even though I always feel I don’t have enough time, somehow even in the midst of a crazy timetable of work, kids, school and all the other adulting we have to do, I end up learning something new and connecting with my fellow (super talented) foodies and food photographers over that topic. And that’s something that really makes me happy, inspired and energised.
If you haven’t heard of stop motion, it basically involves taking a bunch of photos of the same subject/frame, with one or more elements moving in each shot and then stitching them together in an app or on your PC and playing them like a video, to create a perception of movement in an otherwise still frame.
Some of the collab participants created a gif of ingredients moving around to create a meal, or being chopped, some showed liquid filling up glasses or bowls, some of the gifs involved candles being lit and extinguished, some were of cakes being stacked and iced as if magically all by themselves, yet others showed icing dripping down a gorgeous cake or pasta being made step by step.
The world is your oyster with this technique – all you need is your imagination and a steady hand or a camera stand/mount, to make sure you are able to capture multiple photos of the same frame.
The video below is an example – this is my first stop motion which shows the mixing of the cookie batter and the stacking of the cookies onto the baking sheet. You will see that there is a bit of movement in the gif/video, because this was my first attempt and I didn’t use a stand.
Stacking cookies – what fun!
This is another stop motion video I created for the collab and the one I actually ended up posting. You will see the frame doesn’t jump around as much in this one – this is because, even though I didn’t use a stand for this one either (I know, I should really listen to my own advice more), I had two little helpers. So, I was able to hold the camera steady the whole time, with the twins stacking the cookies for me.
I made sure to take a photo of the empty stand first, and then each step as the pyramid was built, as well as the final cookie structure. Then, I stitched them with an app on my phone (I used Gif Maker by Momento but there are others) and voila! Done. So easy and we all loved the (family bonding) activity as well as the result (and no one needs to know we were tasting the cookies as we went).
Now I want to experiment with stop motion more – and it doesn’t need to be food related (try creating one of your child making faces, for example, it’s hilarious)! Have you created stop motion videos before and, if so, what’s your favourite subject? If not, are you inspired to give these a go?
More nut butter (and more healthy cookies)
If you follow my blog (or my Instagram account), you may have noticed I have been obsessed with nut butter as well as cookies. Yep, I can’t stop snacking but I guess at least I make sure whatever I eat is nutritious and low in sugar. Just like these sesame almond butter cookies.
So whether or not you drink tea, try some of these today! They are nutty, crunchy, crumbly, almondy, and just all over delicious and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Recipe
Sesame almond butter cookies [refined sugar, dairy, gluten, egg and flour free]
Ingredients
- 200 g almond meal
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- pinch salt flakes
- 6 tbsp almond butter (lookout for those made with 100% almonds and no added sugar)
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
- 1 tsp almond extract (try to find no alcohol extract)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Mix all ingredients together until well blended.
- Using an ice cream scoop, scoop about a tablespoon worth of the mixture into your hands, roll it into a ball, then place onto the lined baking sheet, squeezing lightly down with your fingers to flatten the top.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly brown. Let cook before enjoying!
Notes

Recipe notes
This recipe yields about 20 – 24 cookies, depending on how big you make them.
One baking sheet should be enough as they don’t really expand.
This recipe has been inspired by a recipe for tahini biscuits from Niki Webster’s gorgeous cookbook Rebel Recipes.


60 Comments
Rosemary Squires
First of all, you are a magician for balancing those cookies that tall, and second they sound amazing!! I LOVE using almond butter in dessert recipes!
Katerina
Thank you so much, Rosemary!
Dennis Yannakos
Great! Thanks for the recipe!
Katerina
You’re very welcome, thanks Dennis!
letscurry
Katerina,
These almond butter cookies with sesame seeds are the hearty and the health lot munchies. Will devour them making with my girls. Thanks for such a fabulous recipe and you have a lovely blog.
Katerina
Thank you so much, much appreciated!!
marcie
I’ve wanted to play around with a stop motion gif — they’re so cool and you did an amazing job! These cookies are right up my alley — I love the hearty texture of the almonds and flavor of the sesame seeds!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Marcie, much appreciated!
Jeff the chef
I love sesame cookies. I don’t think I’ve ever had a version with almond. I’ve recently experimented with gluten-free flour, and loved the texture that it produced in a pie crust. I’ll bet it’s also a great texture in a cookie.
Katerina
Yes it really is! Thanks very much, Jeff!
Naya
I haven’t come across a single recipe on your website, that I did not like! These cookies look amazing and I like that they’re quite nutritious as well. Perfect little treat xx
Naya
http://www.nayatilly.com
Katerina
Thank you so much, Naya, I so appreciate your kind words!
Rahul
Wow! These cookies look awesome Katerina. So easy and delicious! Wish I had a couple right now!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Rahul, appreciated!
Shea
Those cookies look so good, like a traditional peanut butter cookie but with a yummy twist! And your stop-motion video was so cool!
Katerina
Thanks very much, Shea, much appreciated!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
These look AMAZING, Katerina… and I just love how you used almond meal!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Heidi!
Laura
Katerina, I love your GIFs – that looks like something I need to learn! And, I also love using nut butters, so these cookies look like something I would love! I always have an abundance of nuts here and at least tahini and peanut butter. Love these and they are so cute, too!
Katerina
Thank you so much, Laura! The gifs were so much fun to make – I’ll need to try my hand at more of these!
Marissa
These cookies look wonderful, Katerina! Love all of the nutritious ingredients, yet still such a tasty treat.
Katerina
Thanks so much, Marissa!
Judee
Hello, this is my first time visiting your blog, and I am intrigued with these amazing looking cookies. My older son doesn’t eat any refined sugar or flour (by choice) and I always have difficulty finding a dessert for him. These will be perfect. Pinning them for later. thanks
Katerina
Hello Judee, welcome! I’m so pleased to read this – thank you so much for letting me know. I sincerely hope your son likes these!
Neil
I love how these cookies are refined sugar free and so easy to make Katerina. Definately a recipe for my list of “must make” recipes. Thank you and I hope you have a great week!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Neil, much appreciated! Happy Monday!
Juliana
Awesome recipe Katerina, like the idea of not using refined sugar and almond meal and butter…super aromatic with the sesame. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Have a wonderful week ahead!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Juliana, much appreciated! Happy Monday!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
The cookies look insanely delicious Katerina!! And I can always use a break from the insistent calls for “mama”. Your stop motion video is so inspiring!! I’ve barely dabbled in videos ~ just one more thing to pile on our plates, right? I’m intrigued and might need to try the stop motion though, it looks so fun!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Tasia! And yep, there’s so much to do and learn but when you finally get a moment to do it, it’s so much fun!
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness
I always love a healthy cookie recipe. This one looks perfect. Loved your stop motion video, it was really cool.
Katerina
Thanks so much Dawn, much appreciated!
Gemma
My mouth is watering just looking at the photos and videos – love the idea of including videos! I can’t get enough of cookies, definitely one of my favourite indulgences xo
Makeup Muddle
Katerina
Thanks so much Gemma, I’m glad you liked the videos!
Sophie
I love simple cookie recipes like this, such great ingredients too. They look absolutely delicious. I need to try these! x
Sophie
Katerina
Thanks so much Sophie, I totally agree!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
These look so good and I just love that photo where you have them all stacked on top of each other!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Carrie!
Nancy
Yummm the sesame almond butter cookies look delicious! Love that they’re simple to make and you really don’t need flour or eggs! I mean, I don’t mind the nuts, but that is jsut me. The stop motion video is pretty cool too! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Nancy ✨ exquisitely.me
Katerina
Thanks very much, Nancy, much appreciated!
Healthy World Cuisine
Katerina, not only do these cookings sound like the perfect lunchbox treat but they are healthish too.. Well done on the stop motion videos , super cute with your kids hands in there! Learning something new keeps what we do interesting but also adds lots more work.
Katerina
Thank you very much, appreciated!
Laura Bambrick
Yum, yum, YUM! I just love anything with almond in it! I definitely want to try making these!
Katerina
They are super almondy for sure! Thanks very much, Laura!
Auggie
Such an inspiring flavor combination! and I love that it fits numerous diets. I never made stop motion video before, so now I am totally inspired!
Katerina
Thanks so much Auggie! I’d love to see what you come up with!
jodie filogomo
I love how the kids got in on the movie too, Katerina. These cookies sound fabulous.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Jodie! They get in on most things, my little helpers 🙂
Lauren
I bet these are exceptional with a cup of tea! What a perfect treat, love that they’re on the healthy side too!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Lauren!
Michelle | Sift & Simmer
I love almond butter and sesame, and you’ve done it with these cookies Katerina! Such a great job with the stop motion too! I’ve always wanted to learn how to do it, but have felt intimidated by it. It seems like video is the way to go… with Instagram reels and all that. Sigh, just another thing to add to my learning plate :p
Katerina
Thanks so much Michelle! And yes, I know what you mean, there’s so much to learn, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But the results can be so fun – it’s worth having a go!
Allie Mackin
Oh these sound excellent I like sesame seeds. I am looking forward to fall when I can bake again, thanks for posting!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Allie!
Zoey
Oh wow, these looks so good! x
Zoey | http://www.zoeyolivia.com
Katerina
Thank you Zoey!
David @ Spiced
Oh my goodness. You nailed my feelings EXACTLY with this post. What I wouldn’t give for a quiet afternoon when I could sit back and not hear “Dad, Daddy, Hey Dad, Daddy.” I love my kid, but man I need a break…especially in this pandemic time. And I’m thinking a batch of these cookies could be the break I need – they sound delicious! Also, excellent job with that stop motion. I’ve played with it a little bit, and it’s fun for sure. The stacking cookies video is pretty cool!
Katerina
Haha.. Yep, I knew other parents could relate! I hope it’s a little easier knowing you’re definitely not alone, David. Thanks so much – we loved making the videos!
Kathrine Eldridge
These would be perfect with my afternoon tea! They look and sound delicious!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Katerina
Thanks so much Kathrine!