Soft and chewy, naturally sweetened and absolutely delicious! Vegan sweet potato cookies are healthy enough for breakfast and tasty enough for dessert.

stack of cookies with one cookie leaning on the stack.

This recipe was originally published in May 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.

Not only are these vegan sweet potato cookies nutrient dense and scrumptious, but they’re allergen friendly too! Making them perfect for school or workplace safe snacks.

Why sweet potatoes?

At first thought, it might sound strange, but just think about how naturally sweet, sweet potatoes are. They’re a great base for these healthy cookies.

Sweet potatoes are nutrient dense, and incredibly versatile, with several great uses from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and yes, even dessert. For more awesome ways to use this versatile vegetable, check out this collection of healthy sweet potato recipes.

Cookies on parchment paper with bananas and sweet potatoes beside them.

Why the flour combo?

I’m including two flour options for these sweet potato cookies.

The first option is a mixture of brown rice flour and oat flour. Both of which I make myself, in my Vitamix. Or you may purchase them in the health food section of most grocery stores.

The combo of rice and oat flour, not only keeps these cookies gluten free, but adds more of a crumbly texture, when compared to the whole wheat flour option.

If you’re not avoiding gluten, feel free to try the whole wheat option. Both yield very similar results, with the wheat option being slightly softer and chewier.

Tower of cookies with platter of more cookies behind it.

How to make them

(This is a summary with step by step photos, full recipe measurements and instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Gather your ingredients, and make your flour, if needed. (I grind brown rice and oats in my blender to make the flour.)

Ingredients needed to make vegan sweet potato cookies.

Peel and cube your sweet potato. Then place it in a pan and cover with water. (photos 1-2)

Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are very soft, about 8-10 minutes. Then drain and return to the pan, and mash using a potato masher. (photos 3-4)

Collage of images of cubed sweet potatoes being cooked and then mashed.

Once smooth, add all remaining ingredients to the same pan. (photos 5-6)

Mix well, using a spatula until combined. (photo 7)

NOTE: The batter will be very thick, but just keep mixing until combined.

Collage of images of mashed sweet potato, with remaining ingredients to make cookie batter

Now, using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop your batter onto a prepared baking tray. (photos 8-9)

Then, use a fork to press down on each cookie, to flatten them into a disc shape. (photo 10)

NOTE: Make smaller cookies for little hands, or larger ones for adults. This recipe makes about 22-24 small cookies or 11-12 large.

Cookie scoop placing cookies down on baking sheet and then pressing them with a fork.

Now bake your cookies for 15-18 minutes, until golden. Then remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before enjoying. (photos 11-12)

Image collage of sweet potato cookies before and after baking, on baking tray.

Enjoy them warm, or cooled completely to room temperature.

Tall stack of sweet potato cookies with more cookies scattered around it and bananas in the background.

How long do they keep?

Leftover sweet potato cookies keep at room temperature for 1-2 days, or refrigerate for 3-4 days.

You may also freeze them to keep for up to 3 months. Make sure the cookies are completely cooled to room temperature. Then store in an airtight container and freeze.

Substitutions & Variations

If you’re not avoiding gluten you may sub both of the flours with all purpose whole wheat flour with similar results.

For banana free, you may sub the mashed banana with ½ cup of unsweetened apple sauce.

To jazz up these vegan sweet potato cookies, you may add ⅓ cup of any of the following fill ins:

dairy free chocolate chips
unsweetened raisins or cranberries
unsweetened shredded coconut
walnut or pecan pieces (as long as you don’t need them nut free)

Expert Tips

Use very ripe bananas with brown spotted skins. Since these cookies are naturally sweetened, you want to make sure to use very sweet bananas.

If possible, use a scale to weigh your flour/s for best results. If you do not have a kitchen scale, spoon and level your flour into your measuring cup. Don’t scoop from the bag, or you may end up with too much.

If you don’t have oat or brown rice flour, you may sub both for all purpose whole wheat flour. Use 110g (approx ¾ cup) with similar results, only if you’re not avoiding gluten.

These healthy cookies are great for babies, kids and adults alike. To make them for toddlers and little ones, use a smaller cookie scoop to make around 22-24 bite sized cookies. Also great for baby led weaning, just skip the optional maple syrup, if preferred.

Cooling rack with sweet potato cookies on top and bananas on the side.

If you tried this recipe, please let me know about it in the comments below. I always love hearing from you! Don’t forget to Subscribe to This Healthy Kitchen to be among the first to get my new recipes! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter to see more delicious food and get all the latest updates.

Buon appetito

Rosa

📖 Recipe

Allergen Friendly Vegan Sweet Potato Cookies

Soft and chewy, naturally sweetened and absolutely delicious! Vegan sweet potato cookies are healthy enough for breakfast and tasty enough for dessert.

5 from 16 votes

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Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 16

Total Time: 36

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Canadian

Servings: Cookies

Calories: 96kcal

Equipment

Potato Masher

Ingredients

▢ 1.25 cups mashed sweet potato from approx 1 large potato (2.5 cups cubed)
▢ ½ cup mashed banana from approx 2 medium bananas (use RIPE bananas)
▢ 70 grams oat flour approx ½ cup + 2 tbsp, use gluten free if preferred
▢ 50 grams brown rice flour approx ¼ cup (or use more oat flour)
▢ 70 grams quick cooking steel cut oats or rolled oats approx ½ cup
▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon optional
▢ 1 tablespoon maple syrup optional

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F, and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Peel and cube your sweet potato and add them to a pan or pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until soft, approx 8-10 minutes. Drain and return to the pan and mash with a potato masher.
Add all the remaining ingredients to the pan with your mashed potato and mix well. The batter will be thick.
Use a cookie scoop to make your cookies, placing them on your baking tray. Then, gently press each one down with a fork to flatten and shape. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden.
Remove from the oven and let cool a few minutes and enjoy.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas with brown spotted skins. Since these cookies are naturally sweetened, you want to make sure to use very sweet bananas.

If you don’t have oat or brown rice flour, and you’re not avoiding gluten, you may sub for all purpose whole wheat flour. Use 110g (approx ¾ cup) with similar results.

For banana free, you may sub the mashed banana with ½ cup of unsweetened apple sauce.

To jazz up your cookies, you may add ⅓ cup of any of the following fill ins:

dairy free chocolate chips
unsweetened raisins or cranberries
unsweetened shredded coconut
walnut or pecan pieces (as long as you don’t need them nut free)

Leftovers keep in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days, refrigerated for 3-4 days or you may freeze air tight for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

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*Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools and does not include optional ingredients unless otherwise indicated.