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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.
Best Paleo Choc Chip Recipe I have found. Made the dough last night and baked this morning. Really amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. This is now my only Paleo Choc Chip recipe.
So good to hear, Judith. Thanks for sharing! :D
These cookies are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! I’ve made them for my family & given the recipe to everyone!!! I keep a batch of the cookie dough in the fridge for whenever I need a sweet snack!! My hubby even loves them!! I read through the comments ‘ didn’t see the nutritional info, can you post them?
Thanks!!
I have never ever commented on a recipe before and I am no stranger to perusing recipes online but I felt compelled to comment on this. I am new to paleo and these were SO GOOD. Amazing. I feel like a whole new world of baking has opened up for me even if I’m no longer following paleo strictly in the future. Thank you!!
Christine, your comment gave me a HUGE smile! I’m so glad this recipe compelled you to leave your first comment :) this recipe one of my favorites as well – so glad they made their way into your kitchen. Enjoy!
Hello,
Can you please make a recipe almost like this but without the sugar or any sweetener? Cacao mass for chocolate?
Hi Julie. Chocolate chip cookies without any sugar or chocolate wouldn’t really taste like chocolate chip cookies anymore…you could try substituting a calorie-free sweetener for the sugar if that’s what you’re looking for. Since cacao mass has no sweetener, I imagine it would be pretty bitter in cookies, but you could give it a shot – I’ve never used it before so I’m unsure of how it will work.
These cookies were absolutely wonderful! Recently completing the Whole 30, my major craving throughout was chocolate chip cookies so I set out to find a paleo-friendly version. I found it here! My mother-in-law, who is not a sweets fan, devoured them and raved about them. Thanks for a great recipe!
I’m so happy they were a hit and satisfied the chocolate chip cookie craving ;) thanks for sharing, Tonya!
I made this today and it was a HUGE hit with my kids. I made it in a pie pan so that it was a large chocolate chip cookie. We loved the recipe so much that I made another batch right afterwards for a friend. Thank you!
So happy to hear it was a hit, Mariuxi! Thanks for sharing how it turned out :D
I’ve recently become Paleo after doing Whole30 and loving it. These look great, but I’m confused about the dark chocolate. Doesn’t have sugar in it, therefore making these “un-Paleo”? Or is there a dark chocolate without sugar? Thanks!
Hi Cindy! I linked to my homemade Paleo chocolate recipe which is made with cocoa powder, coconut oil and maple syrup. You can find dark chocolate made no dairy and unrefined sugars, but I recommend making your own to keep it 100% Paleo friendly. Hope this helps!
These were delicious! Even my husband liked them, and he hates anything that might have a hint of a coconut flavor. He said they tasted like an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.
I used almond meal from Trader Joes and brown sugar instead of coconut sugar because that is what I had and I really wanted to try this.
Thanks for the recipe! I will definitely make these again.
This makes me so happy, Ashley! So glad you and your husband enjoyed the cookies.
These were so good!!!! Seriously best recipe I’ve ever tried, but they were so oily even leaving residue on my fingers. Do you recommend to half the coconut oil? Or is this normal lol
Hi Claudia, was your almond flour blanched and superfine? This never happens to my cookies, but if your almond flour isn’t absorbent enough, it can leave them a little oily.
I have been wheat intolerant for 6 years and these cookies are the best and nicest thing I have eaten! Thank you! They are the nicest cookies I ever had! Perfect texture! They are gooey and crispy all at the one time! The only problem I have with them is they disappeared as quick as I made them! Thank you :-)
So happy to hear you loved the cookies, Linda! Next time you’ll need to make a double batch ;) thanks for the kind comment!
I made these and while they taste good, they expanded and became one flat cookie. I made sure to leave lots of space but they never rose.
Hi Anna – was the dough cold when it went into the oven? That can help stop the cookies from spreading so much.