These Low Carb Grinch Cookies are soft, chewy, and full of pistachio flavor with that signature green holiday look.
Made with almond flour and a sugar free pistachio pudding mix, they're a festive Christmas cookie that's low carb, easy to make, and perfect for anyone watching their sugar intake.
I develop low carb recipes that taste like the real thing but keep blood sugar steady. These Low Carb Grinch Cookies do exactly that: balanced, simple, and perfect for the holidays.
If you're planning more holiday baking, you'll like my other Christmas favorites too. Try my Low Carb Pistachio Snowball Cookies for a buttery melt-in-your-mouth bite, or my Low Carb Chocolate Crinkle Cookies for a rich, fudgy treat.
If you prefer something lighter, the Low Carb Orange Cake Loaf adds a citrus twist, and my Low Carb Snickerdoodle Cookies bring that classic cinnamon sweetness without the sugar. For something a little sweeter, you will enjoy these Low Carb Pistachio Cranberry Chocolate Bark, Low Carb Holiday Pecan Toffee Bites and Low Carb White Chocolate Coconut Clusters.
Jump To:
- What are low carb grinch cookies?
- Ingredients You'll Need for these Sugar Free Grinch Cookies
- Ingredient Substitutions for Blood Sugar Management
- Carbs vs Protein in these Low Carb Grinch Cookies
- Step by step instructions
- How to make Keto Grinch Cookies?
- Recipe Tips for Perfect Texture
- Decorating Ideas
- Recipe Variations
- How to store, freeze and gift these Sugar Free Grinch Cookies
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More low carb holiday recipes
- Recipe Card
What are low carb grinch cookies?
Low Carb Grinch Cookies are bright green, festive treats inspired by the classic holiday movie. They look fun and playful, but stay low in sugar and carbs, making them perfect for your Christmas baking lineup.
- Festive and fun: Bright green color and pistachio flavor make them stand out on any Christmas cookie tray.
- Low carb and sugar free: Perfect for anyone watching carbs or managing blood sugar.
- Soft and chewy texture: Just like traditional cookies, without the dry or crumbly feel.
- Quick to make: Simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes.
- Guilt-free treat: Only 4g of carbs per cookie, enjoy the holidays without the sugar crash.
Ingredients You'll Need for these Sugar Free Grinch Cookies
These simple ingredients make the cookies soft, chewy, and perfectly festive without added sugar.
- Almond flour: the low carb flour that keeps these cookies gluten-free and slightly nutty.
- Powdered sweetener: A powdered sweetener like powdered monk fruit, erythritol or allulose works best. If you only have a granular sweetener, mix it in a blender to make it powdered.
- Sugar-free pistachio pudding mix: We use Simply Desserts Sugar Free Pistachio Pudding mix because it's made without aspartame, maltodextrin, or artificial dyes. It's keto-friendly and naturally flavored. (Shop the link for 10% off)
- Egg whites: binds the dough and adds a light, airy texture with a protein boost.
- Almond extract: enhances the nutty pistachio flavor without overpowering it.
- Optional: a few drops of natural green food coloring for a brighter color.
- Optional: crushed sugar-free candy cane or red icing for a festive finishing touch.
* See the recipe card for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Ingredient Substitutions for Blood Sugar Management
- Sweeteners: Monk fruit or allulose give the best taste and minimal cooling effect. Avoid maltitol, as it can raise blood sugar.
- Flour blends: Almond flour is lowest in carbs, but you can use half almond, half coconut flour for firmer cookies (reduce coconut flour slightly).
- Pudding mix: Always choose a healthier sugar free brand like Simply Desserts, no maltodextrin, aspartame, or hidden sugars.
- Coloring: Natural food dyes (from spirulina or chlorophyll) work well if you avoid artificial colors.
These adjustments keep these Diabetic Grinch Cookies consistent in flavor and texture while staying safe for people managing their blood sugars.
Carbs vs Protein in these Low Carb Grinch Cookies
Each cookie contains 112 calories, 4g carbs, 3g fiber, 1g sugar, 5g protein, and 8g fat. That's about 1g net carb per cookie, a solid ratio for low carb holiday baking.
- Low in carbs: 4g total with most from almond flour, plus 3g fiber to help keep blood sugar in check.
- Protein boost: 5 grams of protein per cookie from egg whites and almond flour for better balance and satiety.
- Healthy fats: 8g from almonds add flavor and help slow down digestion.
- Diabetic-friendly macros: Higher protein and fat help reduce blood sugar spikes.
- Compared to regular cookies: Most have 15-20g carbs each and these Low Carb Grinch Cookies stay festive without the sugar load.
Step by step instructions
How to make Keto Grinch Cookies?
- Step 1: Preheat oven and mix cookie dough.
- Step 2: Flatten cookie dough balls and bake.
STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, powdered sweetener, and the Simply Delish sugar-free pistachio pudding mix.
Add the egg whites, almond extract, and natural green food coloring (optional). Stir with a rubber spatula until the dough starts to come together, then use your hands to knead it into a smooth cookie dough ball.
Use a large ice cream scoop or cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons) to portion the dough into balls and place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
If you prefer smaller cookies, use a medium scoop instead; you'll get a few extra cookies from the batch.
STEP 2: Gently flatten each ball to about ½ inch thick with a flat spatula. Leave about 1 inch apart to allow air to circulate. The cookies should not spread very much.
Bake at 350°F for 16-18 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers look just baked.
Let the cookies cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then move them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
For an optional "heart" decoration, pipe a small red heart in the center of each cookie with sugar-free red icing, or press a little pile of crushed sugar-free candy cane into the top while the cookies are still slightly warm so it sticks.
Recipe Tips for Perfect Texture
- Don't overbake; remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are just set and the tops still look light.
- Almond flour browns quickly, so 16-18 minutes is the sweet spot for a soft center.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a rack; they will firm up a little as they cool.
- If the dough feels dry, add 1 teaspoon of egg white at a time until it holds together.
- Pro Tip: If your kitchen is warm, chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking; it helps maintain shape and texture.
Decorating Ideas
- Pipe a small red heart using sugar free icing for that classic Grinch look.
- Sprinkle some crushed sugar free candy cane for color and crunch. I like to use crushed sugar-free hard peppermint candies.
- Add a dusting of powdered sweetener for a "snowy" finish.
- Mix a drop of darker green coloring into a small portion of dough and swirl it through for a marbled look.
Recipe Variations
- Swap the pistachio mix for sugar-free chocolate, cheesecake, or vanilla pudding mix for different flavors.
- Replace almond flour with pecan flour or walnut flour for a deep, nuttier taste.
- Add sugar-free chocolate chips or nuts to change the texture profile.
How to store, freeze and gift these Sugar Free Grinch Cookies
- Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They will stay soft and chewy if sealed properly.
- Freeze: Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Gift: Pack in cookie tins or clear bags with tissue or parchment between layers, add a ribbon and a tag noting they're low carb and sugar free for a thoughtful, diabetic-friendly holiday gift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each cookie has roughly 1g net carb, based on 4g total carbs and 3g fiber.
Yes. The combination of almond flour, egg whites, and the sugar free pistachio pudding mix gives a soft, chewy bite without added sugar. The key is not to overbake and remove them when the edges are just set.
A monk fruit and erythritol or allulose blend may be gentler on blood sugar for many people, though everyone responds differently. Use blanched almond flour for the best low carb texture.
More low carb holiday recipes
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Recipe Card
Low Carb Grinch Cookies (Sugar Free Pistachio Cookies)
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- ½ cup powdered sweetener sugar substitute
- 6 tablespoon Simply Desserts sugar free pistachio pudding mix shop the link for 10% off
- 6 tablespoon egg whites or whites from 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 drops natural green food coloring optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, powdered sweetener, and Simply Delish sugar free pistachio pudding mix.
- Add the egg whites, almond extract, and optional green food coloring. Stir with a rubber spatula, then use your hands to knead the dough until it's smooth and holds together.
- Use a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons of dough, roughly a #20 scoop) to portion the dough into balls. If you want smaller cookies, use a medium scoop instead. Place the balls about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
- Gently flatten each ball to about ½ inch thick with a flat spatula. Bake at 350°F for 16-18 minutes, until the edges are set but the tops are still light in color.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then move them to a cooling rack. If you like, add a small red heart with sugar free red icing or press a bit of crushed sugar free candy cane into the tops while they're slightly warm.
Notes
- Let cookies cool completely before storing; they firm up as they cool.
- If dough feels too soft to scoop, chill for 10-15 minutes before baking.
- For a brighter green color, add food coloring gradually; a few drops go a long way.
Important Information
For more information, tips and variations please review the recipe video and content above and below the recipe card.
Updates and Revisions
If the video and recipe card differ, follow the recipe card for the latest ingredients and instructions.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition info is estimated and varies by ingredients, measurements, and portions.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooked food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more food guidelines
Oscar Chimenti says
These cookies are super soft, lightly sweet, and full of pistachio flavor, the perfect festive treat when you want something fun without the sugar.