Easy 6 Ingredient Classic Greek Almond Cookies Recipe

If you love cookies and easy recipes, then you have to try making a batch of Greek almond cookies!

Round white plate with 9 beige cookies with sliced almonds on them. There is a gray cloth napkin next to the plate. The items are on a wood surface.

These classic Greek cookies are bursting with almonds and don’t contain any flour! They are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free which is great for your dairy and gluten sensitive friends!

Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 15 minutes
Additional time: 10 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 2 dozen
Prep level: Beginner +

What You’ll Love

Naturally Gluten-Free – These almond-based cookies are perfect for anyone avoiding flour without sacrificing flavor.
Crisp Yet Tender – Lightly crunchy on the outside with a soft, chewy almond center that melts in your mouth.
Easy to Make – No complicated steps – just mix, shape, and bake. You’ll have bakery-style cookies in under an hour!

This simple cookie is the Greek version of macaroons although there is absolutely no coconut used in them. They are similar to macaroons texture, which is a meringue like texture – crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

There is a pile of beige cookies with sliced almonds and white powdered sugar on them sitting on a round clear plate. Plate is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

I grew up in Tarpon Springs, Florida. I graduated high school there and consider it my hometown so it’s easy to say that I know and love Greek food!

Ingredient Notes

Three white round bowls. One with thin sliced almonds, one with white granulated sugar and one with egg whites in it. There is a beige bag of almond flour, a small bottle of almond extract, and a small clear ramekin with salt in it. Items are on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Almond Flour: Finely ground blanched almonds give these cookies their signature texture and rich nutty flavor. Make sure to use almond flour, not almond meal for a smooth, tender crumb.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a light crispness on the outside.
Egg Whites: Acts as the binder, holding the almond mixtures together while keeping the cookies light and chewy. Whip them just until frothy.
Almond Extract: Enhances the natural almond flavor and gives these cookies their irresistible aroma.
Pinch of Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the nutty flavor of the almonds.
Sliced Almonds: Pressed on top before baking for a wonderful crunch and a classic presentation.
Powdered Sugar (optional): For dusting the top of the cookies after baking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Flour, sugar, and butter mixture for baking in a bowl, on a speckled countertop.

Preheat oven and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients and almond extract and mix throughly.
In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites at high speed until they form stiff peaks.

Crumbled cookie dough in a white mixing bowl.

Soft cookie dough balls on a black baking sheet.

Gently fold the egg whites into the dry ingredients until completely blended. The dough will be thick.
Form cookie dough balls.

White round plate with four round cookie dough balls and sliced almonds on it. The plate is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Roll dough balls in almonds.

There are twelve cookie dough balls with sliced almond pieces on them. The cookies are on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet and flatten a bit with your fingers.

There are twelve baked cookies with sliced almond pieces on them. The cookies are on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake until edges are lightly brown.
Let rest on pan to cool.

There are eight beige cookies with sliced almonds and white powdered sugar on them. The cookies are on light brown paper.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

There is a black wire rack with twelve beige cookies with sliced almonds and white powdered sugar on them sitting on it. The rack is on a white and black terrazzo surface.

Transfer to wire rack for cooling.

See the recipe card below for complete measurements and bake time.

Laura Belle’s Tips

Don’t over mix the dough – Mix just until combined. Over mixing can make the cookies dense instead of light and chewy.
Add sliced almonds gently – Press them lightly into the cookies so they stay in place while baking.
Bake until just golden – Almond cookies can brown quickly. They should be lightly golden brown on the edges but still pale in the center.
Cool completely before dusting – Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Wait until they’re cool before sprinkling powdered sugar on them so it doesn’t melt.

Variations

Instead of almond flavor, you can replace it with vanilla extract. For extra flavour add rose water or orange blossom water.

You can find these cookies made in different shapes so have fun creating them! Instead of round cookies, try forming the dough ball into a crescent shape or use a piping bag (pastry bag) with a large star attachment and create a swirl round cookie.

Greek Butter Cookies are also another traditional cookie that is delicious. It’s similar to the Greek almond cookie and made with butter, all purpose flour, a whole egg, sugar, and both vanilla and almond extract.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag and store them for up to 3 months.

White rectangle plate with twelve beige cookies on it. Six of the cookies have white powdered sugar on them. There is a gray cloth napkin next to the plate. The items are on a wood surface.

Fun Fact

Tarpon Springs, Florida, has the highest percentage of Greek-Americans than any other American city.

Festive occasions and gatherings always include delicious traditional greek dishes and of course traditional greek cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Difference Between Almond Meal and Almond Flour?

They are very similar but the two have some distinct differences.
Almond meal is whole ground almonds with the skin still on.
Almond flour is made with blanched whole almonds and the skin has been removed. Also, almond flour is ground more finely.

What Does Whisking Egg Whites Do?

Whisking or whipping egg whites with an electric mixer, incorporates air into the egg whites. This technique is used to add height and lightness to baked goods and other recipes.

More Must-Try Sweet Treats

Mini Pecan Raisin Tarts – An easy recipe you can whip up without spending hours in the kitchen.
Crispy Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies – These crispy old-fashioned molasses cookies are packed with warm spice and rich molasses flavor.
Easy Libby’s Pumpkin Bars With Penuche Frosting – Soft, spiced pumpkin cake meets a caramel-like brown sugar frosting, the perfect melt-in-your-mouth treat.
Baked Apple Dumplings with Caramel Sauce – These are old-fashioned apple dumplings with a grown-up twist on caramel apples.

Yield: 2 dozen