Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

These healthy chocolate chip cookies are the kind of recipe that would convert ALL non-healthy eaters! Soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips.

Love healthier cookie recipes? Try my flourless cookies, healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and healthy oatmeal raisin cookies.

I consider myself an expert on chocolate chip cookies. I’ve shared a fair few on here too, including specialty ones like vegan chocolate chip cookies and keto chocolate chip cookies. However, when we want to eat cookies ALL the time and not feel guilty about it, these healthy chocolate chip cookies are your answer.

Table of Contents

1. Why I love this recipe
2. Ingredients needed
3. How to make healthy chocolate chip cookies
4. Recipe tips and variations
5. Storage instructions
6. More healthy cookie recipes 
7. Best Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

• Always a show-stopper. I’ve brought these cookies to many events, and people always question me on whether I’ve secretly bought them from a bakery or dessert shop- they are THAT good and don’t taste healthy at all!
• Quick and easy. No chill time is needed, so these cookies only need 15 minutes in the oven.
• Wholesome ingredients. These healthy cookies need no white flour, eggs, sugar, or grains, but they still taste fantastic.
• Perfect texture and flavor. Sweet, buttery, and with mouthfuls of chocolate in every bite. The soft and chewy texture which we ALL love in any good cookie.

Ingredients needed

• Almond flour– Blanched almond flour gives the chocolate chip cookies a light texture. It’s also grain free, so keeps the cookies low carb, too. Avoid using almond meal, as it will make the cookies denser. 
• Arrowroot starch– Works with the almond flour to keep the cookies soft and chewy, without falling apart or needing eggs. You can also use cornstarch if you’d like.
• Baking powder– Gives the cookies some rise and width.
• Coconut oil– Replaces any need for butter, while keeping the cookies buttery and soft.
• Maple syrup– Gives sweetness to the cookies, without being overpowering. You can replace this with agave nectar or honey (although honey can be a little overpowering).
• Vanilla extract– A MUST for any good cookie recipe. 
• Milk of choice– I used unsweetened almond milk, but any milk of choice will work. 
• Chocolate Chips– Use a mix of mini chocolate chips and standard chocolate chips to ensure there are mouthfuls in every bite.

How to make healthy chocolate chip cookies

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1—Make the dough. Start by combining your dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Then, heat the maple syrup and coconut oil together, either using the microwave or a small saucepan. Add the coconut oil and syrup mixture to the dry ingredients, along with the vanilla extract and milk, and mix until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. 

Step 2- Shape. Finally, form 16 small balls of dough and place on a lined baking tray, pressing down on each one to form a cookie shape.

Step 3- Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly brown. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Recipe tips and variations

• These cookies contain no eggs and no sugar, so they won’t spread. As such, you can be quite flexible with how thick or thin you want them to be. I generally prefer them on the thicker side. 
• DO NOT overbake the cookies! Again, these cookies are eggless, so if they are a little undercooked, it’s no issue. 
• If your coconut oil and syrup mixture is still warm, let the cookie dough sit for a little bit, before folding through the chocolate chips- we don’t want the chocolate chips to melt!
• Avoid overmixing the batter- overmixing will make the cookies more prone to falling apart.
• Add more mix-ins, like chopped nuts, candy pieces, or even dried fruit. If the tough is a little crumbly, add a little milk to compensate.

Storage instructions

To store: Cookies should be stored in a sealable container for up to 1 week. You can also store in the refrigerator to keep them longer, for up to 2 weeks.

To freeze: Place cookies in a ziplock bag or freezer-friendly container. Cookies will keep fresh for up to 6 months. 

More healthy cookie recipes 

• Flourless monster cookies
• Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies
• Almond butter cookies

Originally published July 2020, updated March 2024