The Best Vegan and Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

By Alexandra Caspero on February 16, 2018
Chewy and packed with chocolate. These gluten-free and vegan cookies are a must-try.
Makes 16 Cookies

The BEST vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies! OMG! You’ve GOT to try these- no one will know these are gluten-free or vegan.

I’ve been working on these cookies for what seems like the better part of a year and friends, we did it. My mission: crafting a vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookie that is so knock-your-socks off delicious, you don’t even care that it’s free from dairy, eggs and wheat.

That’s what it’s all about isn’t it? I dislike the phrase, “good for being…” I don’t want my baked goods to be “good for being gluten-free” or “good for being vegan,” I just want them to be good. No apologizes, no back-story needed. Just a warm, chewy in the center, chocolate chip cookie that makes you want another one as soon as you’ve taken that first bite.

No less than a dozen tests later and I’m confident that you are going to love these cookies are much as we do. I know, I know. Tough job, huh? Making batch after batch of chocolate chip cookies on the quest to vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookie perfection. I’m pretty sure cookies are like pizza; some aren’t that great, but all are good. Even the crumbly ones got put to good use.

Ready for the secret? Almond butter. To get that delicious, soft-baked toffee flavor that chocolate chip cookies have we are using almond butter instead of actual butter. Once cooked, the almond butter tastes like browned butter, it’s pure magic.

Vegan And Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Batter Raw Vegan And Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

While I’m not myself gluten-free, I love the challenge of creating gluten-free meals for those who are. I think it’s the same feeling I get from crafting vegan recipes. While I still eat cheese and eggs on occasion, there’s the unique challenge in making something that’s ‘free-from’ while still being awesome. 

You’ll also need a bit of xanthan gum to help the cookies stay moist and fresh longer. You can usually find xanthan gum in the baking aisle, near the yeast and flour.

Close Up Of Vegan And Gluten-Free Vegan Cookies Stack Of Vegan And Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tips for Gluten-Free Baking:

While you can make your own gluten-free blends, I prefer to rely on a pre-mixed blends. Especially if you are new to gluten-free baking, use a trusted blend to make sure you are choosing a flour that mimics wheat as close as possible. Most gluten-free baked goods can taste gummy, which likely means the wrong ratio of flours was used. Using a pre-mixed product eliminates this possibility.

You’ll need to increase leavening agents (like baking soda/baking powder) to help give the gluten-free treats rise. These cookies use 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.

Gluten is the part of wheat that gives it its “stickiness”.  So when you bake gluten free, you are going to have a “less sticky” final result. To remedy that, you’ll need to add some type of binder to your mix. I use xanthan gum here, but agar-agar or guar gum will also work. For cakes, muffins, quick breads and cookies, add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum or agar-agar per cup of gluten-free flour used.

Gluten-free batter and dough can be gummier, so make sure to scrape the sides of your bowl down as you mix and blend. Properly butter or line pans with parchment to ensure your foods do not stick to the baking pans. Cookies work best on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Close-Up Stack Of Vegan And Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

More Gluten-Free and Vegan Dessert Recipes:

Fresh Cranberry Bars
Vegan Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vegan Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vegan Apple Crisp

 

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking! 

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Stack Of Vegan And Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

The BEST vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies

  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 34 minutes
  • Yield: 16 cookies 1x
  • Category: dessert, snack
  • Cuisine: American, Vegan, Gluten-Free
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

The BEST vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies! OMG! You’ve GOT to try these- no one will know these are gluten-free or vegan. Chewy and packed with chocolate.


  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 34 minutes
  • Yield: 16 cookies 1x
  • Category: dessert, snack
  • Cuisine: American, Vegan, Gluten-Free
  • Diet: Vegan
  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 34 minutes
  • Yield: 16 cookies 1x
  • Category: dessert, snack
  • Cuisine: American, Vegan, Gluten-Free
  • Diet: Vegan
Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/3 cup unsalted almond butter (the drippy creamy kind, not crunchy)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chip cookies, vegan if needed

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, melted and cooled coconut oil, water, almond butter and vanilla until just combined and smooth.
  2. Add the flour mixture to the almond butter mixture and stir together using a wooden spoon or spatula. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
  4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat mat. Scoop the dough using a large cookie scoop (roughly 3 tablespoons) and place on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
  5. Bake until golden and edges have just set, roughly 12 minutes. The center will still be soft when done. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet, then remove and store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

did you make this?

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Vegan And Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Chef, and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

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    1. chanel
      January 13, 2022 AT 10:16 am

      Can i make these with oat flour ?

      1. Alex
        January 13, 2022 AT 12:06 pm

        Hi Chanel– oat flour may work but you’ll need to still add the xantham gum to help bind. Keep me posted on how the oat flour works for you!

    2. Maddie
      June 10, 2020 AT 9:54 pm

      These look delicious and I’m so excited to try them! What gluten free flour blend do you like? Which one did you use for this recipe?

      1. Alex
        June 15, 2020 AT 7:04 am

        I’d recommend Hodgson Mills or Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free flours. I’ve used both of those and they are great. The bob’s version is called 1:1 flour and if you use that, you don’t need the additional xanthan gum.

    3. Wendi
      January 28, 2019 AT 6:04 pm

      I have a question- Can these cookies be frozen after they are baked? I need to make a large amount in advance.

      Also, I was hoping to make large cookies- like 3″ diameter, how many tablespoons of batter would I need for that? and how long to bake?

      Thanks for your help!

      1. Alex
        January 29, 2019 AT 5:41 am

        I don’t think I would freeze the cookies ahead of time, but you could freeze the dough? I do this all the time with cookie dough- just make what you need, individually freeze and then pop out to cook.

        If you add more batter, then you’ll need to bake them longer, but just take care that they don’t burn. I haven’t made them larger, but it should work. I’d recommend a 3T scoop to start; maybe do a test cookie for baking time.

    4. Lani
      December 27, 2018 AT 11:19 am

      If I wanted a heartier cookie, how would I add oats without compromising the original recipe?

    5. Violet
      July 17, 2018 AT 4:19 pm

      This recipe is a godsend. All the other vegan & gluten-free chocolate chip cookie recipes I’ve tried have turned out way too hard, been way too complicated, had way too much sugar, or just tasted off. These are chewy, easy, fast, and delicious. THANK YOU.






    6. Shannon
      May 18, 2018 AT 4:38 pm

      These are soooo good. I make these but add half cup 70% dark chocolate chips and half cup of dried cranberries. I’ve made them with both normal sugar and coconut sugar. My daughter has lots of intolerances. Great recipe!






      1. Alex
        May 20, 2018 AT 7:52 am

        Glad you like them! Thanks for letting me know about the adaptions as well!

    7. Carole MacMinn
      February 22, 2018 AT 5:49 pm

      Some of the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve eaten- as good as the classic recipe.

      I followed the recipe but did use Bob’s Red Mill 1+1 gluten free flour since I don’t bake gluten free that often, and didn’t want to get the xanthan gum.






      1. Alex
        February 22, 2018 AT 6:04 pm

        Awesome! Thanks Carole- so glad you liked them 🙂






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