Having braces can make eating certain foods more difficult, but there are still plenty of tasty cookie options for those wearing orthodontic appliances. When choosing cookies to eat with braces, softer varieties tend to be easier on the teeth and wires. Cookies that avoid very hard or sticky ingredients can help minimize discomfort or damage to braces. Additionally, small bite-sized cookies are often a better choice than large or thick cookies, which could be more likely to get stuck in the braces.
Quick Answers
Some quick answers to common questions about eating cookies with braces include:
- Softer cookies like shortbread, butter cookies, and biscotti tend to be easier to eat with braces than crunchy/hard cookies.
- Avoid cookies with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or other hard bits that could get stuck in braces.
- Bite-sized and thinner cookies are better than big, thick cookies that you need to bite into.
- Cookies made with soft or pureed fruit like applesauce tend to be gentler on braces than those with chunks of fruit.
- Avoid extremely sticky cookies like snickerdoodles as they can cling to braces.
The Best Cookie Types to Eat With Braces
When deciding what kinds of cookies are ideal for braces, softer varieties are typically the most comfortable and safe. Here are some of the top types of cookies that are brace-friendly:
Shortbread
Shortbread cookies are one of the best options for braces as they have a delicate, crumbly, and tender texture. Shortbread is made with just butter, flour, and sugar so it avoids hard chunks or pieces. The simple ingredients make shortbread easy to chew and swallow without discomfort. Try making shortbread cookies plain or adding in vanilla, lemon zest, or cinnamon for extra flavor.
Rolled Sugar Cookies
Standard sugar cookie dough is soft enough that it can be gentle on braces. For even easier eating, you can roll dough into thin cookies before baking. Rolled sugar cookies have a lightly crisp exterior with a chewy interior. While they contain sugar, the sugar dissolves during baking so it won’t stick in braces like granulated sugar. Decorate rolled sugar cookies with icing instead of toppings like sprinkles which could potentially get caught.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Oatmeal gives oatmeal raisin cookies a crumbly, dense texture that doesn’t require much chewing to break down. Try grinding the oats into a flour for even finer consistency. Raisins add chewiness and sweetness while being brace-friendly. Since the raisins are mixed throughout the dough, they won’t have a chance to stick in the braces like chocolate chips might. Enjoy oatmeal raisin cookies with a glass of cold milk for a wholesome treat.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
You don’t have to give up chocolate chip cookies just because you have braces! The key is to use mini chocolate chips instead of regular size. Mini chips are smaller than the wires and brackets of braces so are less likely to get stuck. Just be sure to brush and floss carefully after eating them. For even softer chocolate chip cookies, under-bake them slightly so they are extra chewy and tender.
Peanut Butter Cookies
The dense, fudgy texture of peanut butter cookies makes them a braces-friendly choice. Peanut butter adheres the cookie dough together so the cookies don’t contain hard chunks. While the peanut butter can be quite sticky, it softens quickly in the mouth and rinses easily off of braces if needed. Enjoy peanut butter cookies with a cold glass of milk and avoid crumbling them so the small pieces don’t get trapped.
Biscotti
Unlike many crunchy cookies, biscotti have some properties that make them a good option for braces wearers. Biscotti have a firm but delicate crispness that softens readily with a few chews. Their low moisture content means they don’t stick persistently to braces like chewy cookies. Biscotti are specifically designed for dipping into coffee or tea, which can help further soften them. Stick to plain biscotti or those with mix-ins like cranberries or chocolate chips.
Madeleines
These small, buttery sponge cakes are another better-for-braces cookie. Their light and airy texture requires minimal chewing to avoid discomfort. Madeleines offer the satisfaction of a sweet baked good without putting too much pressure on braces. Enjoy them simply dusted with powdered sugar or drizzled with icing. Madeleines pair perfectly with after-school milk or coffee.
Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
Shortbread-like lemon thumbprint cookies have a mild lemon flavor that brightens the palate. These butter cookies are durable yet tender with a slightly grainy crystallized sugar texture. The small indented centers are the perfect size to fill with lemon curd, berry jam, or chocolate hazelnut spread. The fillings provide extra moisture and flavor without braces-unfriendly chunks or stickiness.
Types of Cookies to Avoid with Braces
While many cookies are fine to enjoy in moderation, some varieties are more likely to cause issues with braces. Here are some kinds of cookies it’s generally best to avoid with orthodontic appliances:
Crunchy/Hard Cookies
Cookies like biscotti and shortbread have just the right amount of crunch for braces, while other hard cookies go too far. Avoid very crunchy cookies such as snickerdoodles and ginger snaps as they could potentially damage wires or brackets. Granola cookies, cornflake cookies, and other recipes with hard add-ins should also be avoided for the same reason.
Chewy/Sticky Cookies
Highly chewy cookies like brownies and soft chocolate chip cookies can cling to braces and be difficult to fully remove. Other sticky varieties to avoid include snickerdoodles, macaroons, and gingersnaps. Take care when eating soft oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookies not to over-chew.
Large/Thick Cookies
It’s best to avoid large cookies that require opening the mouth wide to take a full bite. Giant cookies from bakeries are likely too big and thick for braces. Even average-sized cookies may be better consumed in smaller pieces. Break cookies into halves or quarters and nibble off small bits at a time.
Hard Add-Ins
While chocolate chips are okay in moderation, cookies with very hard mix-ins are difficult for braces. Avoid cookies with nuts, toffee, caramel, peanut butter chips, and hard candies which could damage wires or get stuck. Fruit add-ins like dried cranberries are safe if finely chopped first.
Crumbling Cookies
Cookies that easily break into many tiny pieces can allow small particles to get lodged in braces. Skip cookies that crumble apart when bitten such as shortbread and cornmeal cookies. Opt for cookies that instead chew or soften for minimal crumbling.
Tips for Eating Cookies with Braces
While cookie choice matters, how you eat them also makes a difference in minimizing braces issues. Here are some tips for smoothly enjoying cookies when you have orthodontic appliances:
- Break larger cookies into smaller pieces before eating.
- Consider dunking crunchy cookies like biscotti into milk to soften them first.
- Avoid crumbling soft cookies like shortbread and instead nibble off small sections.
- If a sticky cookie like chocolate chip gets stuck in your braces, rinse your mouth with water to help dislodge it.
- Brush and floss carefully after eating to remove any lingering cookie particles.
- Avoid eating cookies in a rush, and chew deliberately and thoroughly but not excessively.
Recipes for Brace-Friendly Cookies
Get your cookie fix even with braces by trying these delicious recipes that avoid hard, crunchy, chewy, and crumbly textures:
Brace-Friendly Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 and 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugars until creamy.
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
- Gently fold in mini chocolate chips.
- Drop dough by rounded spoonfuls 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned but still soft in the center.
- Allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup lemon curd
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and both sugars until fluffy.
- Mix in lemon zest and salt.
- Gradually stir in the flour until a soft dough forms.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and arrange 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each ball.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes until lightly golden brown.
- Cool on pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. When cool, fill each center with 1/2 tsp lemon curd.
Brace-Friendly Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup raisins, finely chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- Place the oats in a blender or food processor and process into a fine flour.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and both sugars until fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in the oat flour and the dry ingredients until combined.
- Fold in the chopped raisins.
- Drop dough by rounded spoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 9 minutes until lightly browned around the edges.
- Cool on pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Healthy Cookie Alternatives
If you want a sweet treat but traditional cookies don’t work well with your braces, try these healthier cookie alternatives:
Oatmeal “Cookies”
For a cookie-like texture without the trouble of dough, bake oatmeal like cookies. Simply spread oats on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 10 minutes at 350°F. Remove and top with fruit, nuts, chocolate chips or other mix-ins. The oats will be chewy and crispy.
Protein Balls
Protein balls provide portable nutrition thanks to ingredients like nuts, oats, nut butter and protein powder. They have a dense, chewy texture similar to cookie dough. Store bought options abound, or make your own by blending the ingredients and rolling into bite-sized balls.
Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits
For a healthier play on an ice cream sandwich, layer vanilla yogurt with fresh fruit like strawberries or mango between two oats and honey granola bars. The textures and flavors mimic a cookie, but provide more nutrition.
Zucchini Oat Bran Muffins
Shredded zucchini gives these muffins a lush, soft texture when baked. Oat bran adds fiber while cocoa powder provides chocolatey flavor. Top with a dollop of nut butter or jam for an on-the-go mini meal.
Conclusion
Having braces doesn’t mean giving up beloved cookies. By choosing softer, bite-sized versions without hard or sticky mix-ins, you can keep enjoying these classic treats. Focus on shortbread, butter cookies, oatmeal, and other tender varieties. Break or dip crunchy cookies to soften them first. Avoid crumbling cookies and those with chunky add-ins. Slightly underbake chewy cookies for a softer effect. With some small tweaks to ingredients and eating habits, cookies can still be a part of your braces diet.
