The Best Healthy Tagalongs Recipe: Vegan & Gluten-Free Treats

Healthy tagalongs offer a guilt-free twist on a classic treat that satisfies sweet cravings without compromising nutrition.

These delectable cookies combine rich, indulgent flavors with wholesome ingredients that nourish your body.

Reimagining the beloved dessert, vegan and gluten-free tagalongs prove that dietary restrictions never mean sacrificing taste or enjoyment.

Creamy, luscious peanut butter nestles between crisp, delicate cookie layers coated in smooth chocolate.

Each bite delivers a harmonious balance of textures and complex flavor profiles that dance across your palate.

Crafted with mindful ingredients, these tagalongs represent a smart alternative for health-conscious individuals seeking delightful dessert experiences.

Nutritious yet decadent, these cookies elevate traditional expectations and invite you to savor every meaningful morsel.

Healthy Tagalongs (Vegan & Gluten-Free) That Actually Taste Great

• Guilt-Free Indulgence: These homemade tagalongs offer a healthier twist on the classic cookie, packed with wholesome ingredients like almond flour and natural peanut butter, making them a nutritious treat you can enjoy without compromise.
• Texture Sensation: Savor the delightful contrast between the crisp, buttery almond flour cookie base, the creamy peanut butter center, and the rich, cracking chocolate coating that delivers a multi-layered sensory experience.
• Quick and Easy Baking: Whip up these delectable cookies with minimal ingredients and simple steps, perfect for novice bakers or busy individuals craving a sweet, satisfying dessert in under an hour.

Ingredients for Making Healthy Tagalongs at Home

• Almond Flour: Gluten-free base with nutty flavor and soft texture for the cookie.
• Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener that helps bind ingredients and provides gentle sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm and classic flavor to enhance the overall taste of the cookie.

• Natural Peanut Butter: Creamy and protein-rich center with authentic peanut flavor, choose runny and unsweetened variety.

• Dark Chocolate Chips, Coconut Oil: Smooth coating that creates glossy and crisp chocolate shell, select dairy-free dark chocolate for vegan option.

Instructions for Baking Vegan and Gluten-Free Tagalongs

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm oven to 250°F (120°C). Cover baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough

• Almond flour
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla extract

Blend until smooth dough forms.

Step 3: Shape Delightful Cookies

Scoop dough into small balls. Press gently to flatten into circular shape. Create center indent using fingertip or knuckle.

Step 4: Initial Baking Process

Place cookies on prepared sheet. Bake for 25-27 minutes. Allow complete cooling.

Step 5: Add Creamy Peanut Filling

Fill cookie centers with natural peanut butter. Freeze for 20-30 minutes until filling sets.

Step 6: Craft Chocolate Coating

• Dark chocolate chips
• Coconut oil

Heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between rounds until silky smooth.

Step 7: Chocolate Drenching

Remove cookies from freezer. Generously coat each cookie with melted chocolate. Place on parchment paper or wire rack.

Step 8: Final Freezing

Return chocolate-covered cookies to freezer. Chill for 5 minutes until chocolate hardens completely.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from freezer. Savor these delectable vegan and gluten-free treats!

Pro Tips for Texture, Coating, and Storage

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements of almond flour and maple syrup to ensure the right cookie texture and consistency.
• Create Uniform Cookies: Roll dough balls to the same size for even baking and consistent appearance.
• Indent Technique: Press gently with your knuckle to make a clean, centered well for peanut butter without cracking the cookie.
• Chocolate Coating Trick: Ensure melted chocolate is smooth by stirring frequently and using short microwave intervals to prevent burning.
• Freezing Magic: Allow sufficient freezing time for peanut butter and chocolate layers to set completely, which helps achieve the perfect tagalong texture and prevents crumbling.

Keep Healthy Tagalongs Fresh with These Storage Tips

• Refrigeration: Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Keep them in the refrigerator to maintain chocolate's firm texture.
• Freezing: Carefully place cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper separating each layer. Freeze for up to 2 months for extended enjoyment.
• Reheating: Let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent chocolate from melting or becoming grainy.

Snack or Drink Pairings for Healthy Tagalongs

• Pair with Creamy Almond Milk: Complement the nutty almond flour cookies with a cold glass of smooth, unsweetened almond milk. The subtle sweetness and creamy texture perfectly balance the rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
• Serve with Berry Smoothie: Blend a refreshing mixed berry smoothie to cut through the richness of the chocolate-coated cookies. The tartness of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries provides a delightful contrast to the sweet treat.
• Enjoy with Herbal Chai Tea: Brew a warm, spicy chai tea to enhance the cookie's complex flavors. The aromatic cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger notes will beautifully highlight the peanut butter and chocolate combination.
• Match with Coconut Yogurt Parfait: Create a light dessert companion by layering coconut yogurt with fresh berries and a sprinkle of granola. This protein-packed side adds a refreshing, creamy element to the indulgent cookies.

Variations to Change Up Your Tagalong Flavor

• Almond Butter Crunch: Swap peanut butter with almond butter and sprinkle crushed almonds on top of the chocolate coating for added texture and nutty flavor.
• Coconut Caramel Fusion: Replace peanut butter with coconut caramel sauce and use white chocolate chips for a tropical-inspired treat that's creamy and indulgent.
• Berry Chocolate Blast: Mix dried raspberry pieces into the cookie dough and use raspberry jam instead of peanut butter for a fruity, tangy alternative that adds vibrant color and fresh taste.
• Seed Sensation: Incorporate ground sunflower seeds into the almond flour base and use sunflower seed butter as the filling to create a nut-free version that's equally delicious and crunchy.

Healthy Tagalongs (Vegan & Gluten-Free) Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Healthy tagalongs bring peanut butter and chocolate magic to classic cookie lovers seeking a guilt-free indulgence. Crafted with wholesome ingredients and dairy-free chocolate, these plant-based treats offer delightful nostalgia without compromising nutrition.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond flour

Sweeteners:

• 2.5 tablespoons maple syrup

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 teaspoons natural runny peanut butter
• ½ cup vegan dark chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by setting the temperature to 250°F (120°C) and arranging a parchment-lined baking sheet for optimal cookie preparation.
2. Create a cohesive dough by thoroughly mixing almond flour, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until a uniform consistency develops.
3. Transform the dough into delicate cookie shapes by portioning approximately 1.5 tablespoons, gently rolling into spheres, and carefully flattening with fingertips.
4. Craft distinctive cookie centers by delicately pressing a knuckle into each flattened dough disc, creating a signature indentation.
5. Position cookies on the prepared baking sheet and allow them to transform in the oven for 25-27 minutes, ensuring complete cooling afterward.
6. Generously fill each cookie’s center with natural peanut butter, then temporarily suspend in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to solidify the filling.
7. Simultaneously prepare a luxurious chocolate coating by gradually melting dark chocolate chips with coconut oil, stirring meticulously to achieve a smooth, glossy texture.
8. Extract cookies from the freezer and lavishly enrobe each one with the molten chocolate mixture, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
9. Return chocolate-coated cookies to the freezer, allowing approximately 5 minutes for complete chocolate solidification.
10. Remove from freezer and savor these delectable, plant-based, allergen-friendly tagalongs as a guilt-free indulgence.

Notes

• Gentle baking at a low temperature ensures the cookies maintain a delicate, soft texture without burning.
• Creating an indent in each cookie provides the perfect pocket for holding creamy peanut butter.
• Freezing helps set the peanut butter and allows for easier chocolate coating, preventing messy melting.
• Melting chocolate with coconut oil creates a smooth, glossy finish that hardens quickly and adds richness.
• Using natural ingredients like almond flour and maple syrup transforms a classic treat into a nutritious, guilt-free dessert.
• Storing in the freezer helps maintain the cookies’ crisp chocolate shell and keeps them fresh for later enjoyment.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 2mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg