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This recipe for Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies is my go-to cookie recipe! No one believes these cookies are gluten-free, grain-free, paleo, and refined sugar-free! This is one of my most popular recipes. You can easily make the cookies vegan.
When anyone asks me which recipe from my website they should try, one recipe comes to mind. It’s the same recipe my boyfriend begs me to make almost nightly, partially so he can eat the dough and partially so he can devour the warm cookie. Any guesses?
These paleo chocolate chip cookies are the BOMB! Not only are they one of my favorite recipes, but they’re also one of your, the readers, favorite recipes on the site. You guys seriously LOVE this one, and I don’t blame you. They’re so good. Obviously, all of these gluten-free cookies and vegan cookie recipes are also favorites, but this one is such a winner!
I hear all the time how you guys “tricked” your family and friends into believing they were “regular” cookies and were met with disbelief upon telling them these cookies were free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugars.
Let’s talk about making these irresistible Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies!
One of my favorite descriptions of these cookies comes from my college friend and roommate, Mariah, right after I first developed this recipe in 2014. She does not seek out healthy, gluten-free desserts, Paleo, or any other things that these cookies are; she just cares that they’re delicious. This is what she thinks about these cookies:
“Once you get past the crispy exterior, it’s so chewy and moist and wonderful. And OMG the chocolate chunks…they are like fudge put in cookie form. I want these always and forever. They’re little pillows of happiness.”
This is the common reaction to these paleo chocolate chip cookies. To develop this recipe, I took the traditional butter-and-flour chocolate chip cookie recipe I had spent years developing and switched out the key ingredients with paleo counterparts. Goodbye went the butter in favor of coconut oil, and coconut sugar instead of brown and white sugars.
I loved how much puffier the coconut oil cookies were than the ones I made using butter! Coconut oil was a definite success. I also tested the recipe using a flax egg to keep them vegan, and the recipe turned out just as scrumptious. In fact, I normally use a flax egg when making this recipe so that I can eat the dough.
What you need to make gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookies
Coconut Oil: You can also use butter or vegan butter. Make sure it has a soft texture to help it incorporate most easily with the sugar.
Coconut Sugar: I’ve also used date sugar with great success! If you don’t need these cookies to be paleo, you can substitute half white sugar and half brown sugar as well.
Flax Egg or Regular Egg: I make flax eggs with 1 tablespoon flax meal and 2.5 tablespoons water. Whisk together and let gel for 5 minutes before using. This keeps them vegan! A regular egg also works.
Vanilla Extract: a must in all baked goods!
Almond Flour: I prefer to use blanched almond flour in these cookies. They turn out best with almond flour. You can try different gluten-free flours at your own risk, but the amount may need to change depending on their absorbency.
Sea Salt & Baking Soda: These give flavor and lift to the cookies.
Chocolate: I love using a chopped chocolate bar, but good quality dark chocolate chips work great too.
How to make the best gluten-free chocolate chip cookies
Cream the coconut oil and coconut sugar together in a mixing bowl. The coconut oil should be the consistency of softened butter.
Once mixed, add in the flax eggs and vanilla extract. Stir until completely incorporated.
Add in the baking soda, salt, and blanched almond flour. Mix until completely mixed in.
Mix in the chocolate! Refrigerate the dough and then bake.
These Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies just might be one of the best chocolate chip cookies you’ve ever had, paleo or not!
Tips and Tricks for the Best Cookies EVER:
- Use high-quality chopped dark chocolate, which is always better than chocolate chips. It melts better because the wax in chocolate chips prevents them from getting gooey. And we all know chocolate chip cookies need to be melty and gooey!
- Let them chill! You could skip the chill if you need cookies ASAP, and I’ve done that before, but the cookies are even better after refrigeration for at least an hour. The chill helps the cookies stay thick and allows the flavors to develop.
- Use a flax egg. This will keep the recipe vegan, and you can eat all the dough you want without eggs.
If soft, thick, just-a-little-doughy-in-the-middle, crispy-edged chocolate chunk-loaded cookies are your thing, you’ll love these Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies. Make sure you tag me on Instagram when you make them @bakeritablog! I can’t wait to see your batch 😋
Want more cookie recipes?
Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
You’ll want to make a double batch of these u003cstrongu003eGluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookiesu003c/strongu003e – one for you, and one to share! These paleo-friendly cookies are perfect for the holidays and come together quickly.
Chewy Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Gluten-Free u0026amp; Vegan Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies will make your mouth water! The addition of miso to the cookies adds such a delicious, subtle umami flavor that will have everyone wondering what exactly is making these cookies so extra delicious!
Chewy Gluten-Free Vegan Sugar Cookies
These Chewy Gluten-Free Vegan Sugar Cookies are quick and easy to make with just eight ingredients! They’re soft, chewy, and absolutely delightful. Perfect for the holidays, or whenever a sugar cookie craving strikes.
Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup (100g) refined coconut oil, softened, similar in texture to softened butter, use refined coconut oil if you want no coconut flavor
- ⅔ cup (96g) coconut sugar, any granulated sugar will work here
- 1 large egg or flax egg, room temperature or for vegan/to eat the dough, use a flax egg: mix 1 tablespoon flax meal + 2.5 tablespoons water and let gel for 10 minutes before using
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2¼ cups (220g) blanched almond flour
- 1 cup (6 oz) chopped dark chocolate, or chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt, to sprinkle on top, optional
Instructions
- Mix together the coconut oil and coconut sugar until smooth. Add the egg or flax egg and vanilla extract and stir until smooth.½ cup (100g) refined coconut oil, ⅔ cup (96g) coconut sugar, 1 large egg or flax egg, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the almond flour, salt, and baking soda to the wet ingredients. Mix until well incorporated. Fold in the chopped chocolate.½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon sea salt, 2¼ cups (220g) blanched almond flour, 1 cup (6 oz) chopped dark chocolate
- Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour (or up to 48 hours). You don’t NEED to refrigerate the dough if you don’t have time, but it’s recommended for the best flavor and texture.
- When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350ºF. Use a cookie scoop to form cookies and place on a parchment lined baking sheet; press down slightly. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Bake for about 10 or until just beginning to turn golden brown around the edges.Flaky sea salt
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Notes
- To keep completely paleo, make your own chocolate or use Santa Barbara Chocolate’s Coconut Sugar Sweetened Dark Chocolate (code BAKERITA will get you 10% off), Hu Kitchen Chocolate Bars (code BAKERITA will get you 15% off), or Eating Evolved Chocolate Bars.
So many congratulations!! It must feel so good to be finishing! I can’t wait to hear all about what your plans are next. These cookies look and sound totally like pillows of happiness. I wish I lived next door so I could come ask for cookies!
Thanks so much, Sarah. Ahh…I wish I knew! My life is so up in the air. I’ll keep you guys updated though :) and I wish you lived next door so I could share!
These look WAYYYYYY to good to be paleo friendly! You are a sweet genius!!! And yay for almost done with college… that’s amazing!
I literally want to make all your paleo recipes!!!!
I made your cookies and they are great!!! I have been trying different recipes and none of them were just right for me. I did everything by the recipe except one item. When I placed them in the fridge – I decided to try rolling them into a log so that I could just slice and bake and for me – they turned out great and that was so easy to do. Thanks so much for posting this recipe!
What an awesome tip – thanks so much for sharing, Nancy! Made them even easier :) I’m going to have to try that.
We have seed and nut allergy in our house, can I use white rice flour?
Hi Loki, that would change the texture pretty significantly – I would recommend a similar nut or seed flour, like sunflower seed flour, hazelnut flour, tigernut flour, etc. Some others have also mentioned that 1:1 baking flours work well. Enjoy!
How long will the cookie get harder? They’ve been out on the oven for 20 minutes already and still soft.
Made these tonight for my 4 year olds. They were soooo good! I put them in the freezer for about 3 hrs and then in the refrigerator for about 30 mins prior to baking. Baked 7 mins, took them out and let them cool for about 15 mins. Perfection!!
Don’t know if you’ll read this now but does the coconut oil give off a really coconutty smell/taste?
Every time in the past I’ve used it, its always ended up being so strong no one can stomach it! These look sooooooo good!!
Hi Cayla. I’ve never noticed coconut oil’s taste in baked goods. Be sure you’re using a good quality coconut oil meant for baking and you shouldn’t notice the flavor. Enjoy!
Made these…love these…whole family loves these, and believe me they are picky! De-lish!
So good to hear! Glad they were a hit with your family. Thanks, Tamie :)
OH MY GOSH YES! I’ve been paleo for over 6 months now and i’m IN LOVE with this recipe! Clean cheating has never tasted sweeter. In all honesty I’ve never enjoyed regular chocolate chip cookies but these are a must. Tastes exactly like the paleo cookies at my favorite restaurant- a recipe I’ve been searching for FOREVER. Thank you so much!!!
Kylie, this is the best thing to hear!! I’m so glad you love the cookies, and I hope it’s a recipe you make again and again :) thanks for sharing!
These taste amazing! Thanks for the recipe!