Enjoy these delicious vegan and gluten free alfajores inspired by the traditional alfajores sandwich cookie from Argentina. Make them in your own kitchen with only 4 ingredients in under 25 minutes!

Alfajores are the perfect treat when you are craving something sweet. They remind me of my childhood, as an Argentinian who grew up eating alfajores as a dessert for holidays, birthday celebrations, and even snack at school. These light and delicate cookies with a crunchy outside and soft creamy filling will melt in your mouth and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Make gluten-free alfajores in your own kitchen with only 4 natural ingredients and a few simple steps. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or share with your friends and family!
If you're looking for more cookie recipes, try these Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Cookies.
What are Alfajores?
Traditionally, alfajores are a South American dulce de leche sandwich cookie originating from Argentina, also called "alfajores argentinos". The outer cookies are made with butter, eggs, refined sugar, cornstarch and white all-purpose flour. A creamy dulce de leche filling is sandwich between the two shortbread cookies.
Today, you can find different versions of this cookie, some with an additional outside coating like coconut or chocolate. You will also find different ingredient variations, including gluten free and vegan options, making this cookie accessible for all.

Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Natural Ingredients: This recipe uses ingredients that are gluten and dairy free to create a light cookie with natural flavors and sweetener.
- Make Ahead: Gluten free alfajores are the perfect treat to prepare in advance. You can make a batch and enjoy them for snack during the week or bring them to a celebration or holiday party.
- Quick and Easy: You only need 4 ingredients and a few simple tools to make these delectable cookie sandwiches. This no-fuss recipe requires only 25 minutes of time!
Ingredients You Need to Make Gluten Free Alfajores
- Gluten-free oat flour: You can make oat flour at home by pulsing gluten-free oats into a very fine flour. If you don't have a powerful blender or food processor, then I recommend using store-bought oat flour so that it has a much finer and smoother texture.
- Almond flour: You can buy almond flour or make it yourself by blending almonds. Store-bought almond flour is made with peeled almonds, which is why it is white or slightly yellow. However, if you make it with standard shelled almonds, you will end up with brown spots, which will not change the flavor of the alfajores, but will change the color.
- Coconut sugar: This is the sweetener for the cookies. You can substitute the coconut sugar with maple syrup, agave, brown sugar or even stevia. Adjust the amount to fit your taste. You can also omit the coconut sugar completely if you prefer less sweet flavor. The dates already provide a good amount of natural sweetness.
- Medjool dates: The best dates for this recipe are Medjool dates because they are plump and sweet. If you find another variety you want to use, I recommend hydrating them in boiling water for 20 minutes so they are well hydrated and easy to blend.

Nutritional Benefits
In addition to being delicious, these naturally gluten- free and vegan alfajores cookies are full of nutrients and health benefits.
- Gluten-free oat flour: Rich in fiber, it helps digestion and the feeling of satiety. It also provides protein and is a source of complex carbohydrates and provides sustained energy benefit.
- Almond flour: Contains healthy fats, protein, vitamin E and minerals such as magnesium and potassium. It helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and supports cardiovascular health.
- Coconut sugar: Used as a natural sweeter as it has a lower glycemic index then refined sugar, which means it does not cause such drastic blood sugar spikes.
- Medjool dates: These are an excellent source of quick energy, fiber, antioxidants, while containing minerals such as iron and potassium.
Variations
- Filling: If you don't have dates, you can fill them with homemade jam like sugar-free strawberry jam.
- Shape: Use different shaped cookie cutters to create fun new shapes. The traditional alfajores use a fluted or circular cookie cutter. You can make cute heart-shaped alfajores for Valentine's Day, or animal shaped ones for a child's birthday. The possibilities are endless!
- Coating: To add more flavor, roll the sides of each cookie in grated unsweetened coconut so that it sticks to the date paste.

Frequently Asked Questions
No, alfajores are not the same as macarons. Alfajores are a traditional Argentine cookie cut from rolled dough. They have a creamy caramel-like center. Macarons, on the other hand, are a meringue-based sandwich cookie with a slight crunch and chewy texture, typically found in French bakeries. They can be filled with buttercream, ganache or fruit-based jams.
You will find many different versions of alfajores in Latin America. The cookies are similar, but the Peruvian alfajor filling is commonly called "manjar blanco", rather than dulce de leche. They also sometimes use three cookies, instead of two. Either way, you will find delicious melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a caramel-like filling.
Yes! To freeze the alfajores, place them on a baking sheet and chill in the freezer for one hour. Transfer them to a freezer safe container or zipped-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.
If you tried these vegan and gluten free alfajores, please leave a recipe rating and comment below!

Vegan and Gluten Free Alfajores
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- ⅔ cup gluten free oat flour
- ⅔ cup almond flour
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 3 tablespoons water
For the date filling:
- 5 medjool dates
- 2 ½ tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the oat flour, almond flour and coconut sugar. Stir in the water, then use your hands to form the dough into a ball.
- Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll into a thin layer.
- Use a 2-inch fluted or round cookie cutter to cut into rounds, then place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, until golden brown on the edges. Allow the cookies to cool completely.
- To make the date paste, place the dates in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them rest in the boiling water for 10 to 20 minutes. Drain.
- Add the dates to a heavy duty blender or food processor with 2 ½ tablespoons water. Pulse until smooth and the consistency reaches a creamy date paste.
- Spread the bottom half of the cookies with date paste (1 teaspoon each.) Sandwich together with the remaining cookies, pressing lightly.
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