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Pumpkin Meringue Cookies (Gluten Free & Paleo)

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Pumpkin Meringue Cookies

Cozy pumpkin meringue cookies made with egg whites, pumpkin puree, yummy maple syrup, and cinnamon. They’re an easy gluten free cookie that everyone loves.

Fall is here, and I’m really excited about it… Which is strange because I’m a summer kind of gal.

As a food blogger, you start making fall treats in the summer.

Pumpkin meringue cookies were inspired by my current obsession with whipping egg whites.

Seriously, from now on whip your egg whites before adding other baking ingredients and then add the other baking ingredients. 

It will change the texture of your gluten free baked goods. I’ve been whipping those egg whites and adding cream of tartar to them to keep them stiff. 

Pumpkin meringue cookies in a tea cup.

For these cookies, I used the swiss meringue technique of heating the egg whites and sugar but it is not a necessary step in creating “meringue cookies”.

Pumpkin Meringue Cookie Ingredients

Pumpkin meringue cookies in a tea cup.

How to Make Pumpkin Meringue Cookies

Fill a pot with about 1 inch of water and bring to a simmer.

In a bowl, mix together the egg white, maple syrup, cream of tartar, and vanilla extract.

Place the bowl over the pot of simmering water.

Whisk the egg mixture for about 3 minutes. The mixture should be warm to the touch and all the sugar is dissolved.

Take the egg white mixture and whip until stiff peaks. I used a stand mixer and put it on the whipped cream setting.

Preheat the oven to 200 F.

Using a spatula, gently fold by hand the pumpkin and cinnamon into the whipped meringue.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Either place the meringue in a pipping bag and make small shapes or drop the mixture onto the sheet by hand.

Once this is done, place the meringue candies in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Turn the heat to 170 F and bake for 1 hour -1 hour and 40 minutes.

*The baking time depends on the size of the cookies (small takes less time and large takes a long time).

The cookies are done baking when they can be lifted off the parchment paper without sticking. They are not sticky or soft to the touch.

If they are even slightly sticky or soft place them back in the oven and let them continue to “crisp” until they are completely dry.

They can be left in a warm oven overnight with the oven turned off.

Pumpkin meringue cookies in a tea cup.

How to store pumpkin meringue cookies

You can store pumpkin meringue cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I do not recommend this if you live in a humid environment without the AC on 24/7.

How long do pumpkin meringue cookies last?

Pumpkin meringue cookies should last about 2 weeks stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Can I switch the flavor of these meringue cookies?

Yes, you can switch the pumpkin, and cinnamon for jam, pureed fruit, chopped nuts, etc. Have fun creating new flavors.

Keto Pumpkin Meringue Cookies

I’m not sure if these will work with a keto sweetener. I never tried. Erythritol does not melt. I would suggest using powdered erythritol and skipping heating the sugar part.

More Gluten Free Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin Meringue Cookie Recipe

Yield: 80 small cookies

Pumpkin Meringue Cookies

Pumpkin meringue cookies in a tea cup.

Cozy pumpkin meringue cookies made with egg whites, pumpkin puree, yummy maple syrup, and cinnamon. They're an easy gluten free cookie that everyone loves.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg white
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (or any other sugar that will melt)
  • ¼ tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp canned pumpkin
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Fill a pot with about 1 inch of water and bring to a simmer.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the egg white, maple syrup, cream of tartar, and vanilla extract.
  3. Place the bowl over the pot of simmering water.
  4. Whisk the egg mixture for about 3 minutes. The mixture should be warm to the touch and all the sugar is dissolved.
  5. Take the egg white mixture and whip until stiff peaks. I used a stand mixer and put it on the whipped cream setting.
  6. Preheat the oven to 200 F.
  7. Using a spatula, gently fold by hand the pumpkin and cinnamon into the whipped meringue.
  8. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  9. Either place the meringue in a pipping bag and make small shapes or drop the mixture onto the sheet by hand.
  10. Once this is done, place the meringue candies in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
  11. Turn the heat to 170 F and bake for 1 hour -1 hour and 40 minutes.
  12. *The baking time depends on the size of the cookies (small takes less time and large takes a long time).
  13. The cookies are done baking when they can be lifted off the parchment paper without sticking. They are not sticky or soft to the touch. If they are even slightly sticky or soft place them back in the oven and let them continue to “crisp” until they are completely dry. They can be left in a warm oven overnight with the oven turned off.

Notes

Heating the egg whites is not necessary. It is a swiss meringue technique and helps create more volume since the egg whites have been heated. *You can switch the pumpkin, and cinnamon for jam, pureed fruit, chopped nuts, etc.

Did you make this recipe?

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DISCLOSURE: Not intended for the treatment or prevention of disease, nor as a substitute for medical treatment, nor as an alternative to medical advice. Use of recommendations is at the choice and risk of the reader. Ditch the Wheat is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. I only endorse products that I believe in.

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Carol Lovett is the founder of Ditch the Wheat and a Globe and Mail bestselling author of the cookbook, Ditch the Wheat. She has been eating gluten free since 2010. She loves all things food, natural living, and spiritual. She's also a reiki master and crystal healer.

Gluten Free Resources

Do you need help with gluten free meals?
I recommend this meal-planning app. It makes cooking gluten free dinners extremely easy and family-friendly.
What gluten free snacks can I eat?
Lots! I have a ton of practical gluten free snack recipes in my cookbook.
How can I eat dessert on a gluten free diet?
You can 100% eat dessert while eating gluten free. Try my dessert cookbook for easy gluten free dessert recipes.
How do I know what is gluten free and what isn’t?
I have a whole section is it gluten free?
How do I make substitutions?
If you need substitution advice I created a ton of resources here.

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