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These healthy chocolate chip cookies are the recipe that would convert ALL non-healthy eaters! They are soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips in every bite. No chill time needed.
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.
These cookies are so easy to make, perfectly soft, chewy, and crisp with edges. I’ve brought them to many events, and people always question whether I’ve secretly bought them from a bakery or dessert shop- they are THAT good and don’t taste healthy!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- 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.
- 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.
If you enjoy healthier cookie recipes, try my flourless cookies, healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and healthy oatmeal raisin cookies next.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“These are amazing! We’ve made them multiple times, both with honey and maple syrup, and they always turn out great. Our boys prefer them without chocolate, so we usually make both. Definitely recommend.” – Tina
Ingredients needed
- Almond flour. Blanched almond flour gives the chocolate chip cookies a light texture. 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. It replaces any need for butter while keeping the cookies buttery and soft.
- Maple syrup. Adds sweetness to the cookies without being overpowering. You can replace this with agave nectar or honey (although honey can be slightly overpowering).
- Vanilla extract. A MUST for any good cookie recipe.
- Milk. 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
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1– Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2- Heat the maple syrup and coconut oil together. Add the coconut oil and syrup mixture to the dry ingredients, vanilla extract, and milk. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 3- Form balls of dough and place on a lined baking tray, pressing down on each one to form a cookie shape.
Step 4- Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly brown.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Shape cookies any way you like. Since these cookies don’t spread much, you can be 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 undercooked, it’s no issue.
- If your coconut oil and syrup mixture is still warm, let the cookie dough sit briefly 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.
- If the dough is crumbly, add a little more milk.
Storage instructions
To store: Cookies should be stored in a sealable container for up to 1 week. They can also be stored in the refrigerator 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 desserts
If you tried this Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe or any other recipe on The Big Man’s World, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
Best Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups blanched almond flour
- 1/4 cup arrowroot starch * See notes
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup ** See notes
- 2 stablespoon coconut oil or butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 175C/350F. Line a large tray with parchment paper or prepare a cookie sheet. Set aside.
- Combine the almond flour, arrowroot starch, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl and mix well.
- Combine the coconut oil and syrup in a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan over the stove, and heat until melted. Whisk together until combined.
- Add the syrup/coconut oil mixture to the dry mixture, along with the vanilla extract and coconut milk, and mix very well. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Form 16 small balls of cookie dough. Place each ball on the lined tray and press each one lightly into a cookie shape.
- Bake for 12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
I tested these cookies with white flour and whole wheat flour, and the texture wasn’t the best. If you can’t tolerate almond flour, you are better off making one of my non-almond flour recipes.
Because there aren’t any eggs or granulated sugar in the dough, these cookies won’t spread. This is why I recommend shaping them into a cookie shape before placing them in the oven.
Originally published July 2020, updated and republished May 2025
Can I use granulated sweetener instead?
I haven’t tried- feel free to experiment and see.
Hi! Is almond flour can substitute with cassava flour or coconut flour?
Nope, not that I’ve tried
Addendum: I also substituted Kerrygold salted butter for coconut oil-Less calories!
Fabulous! I used beef gelatin instead of arrowroot-it worked great.
Fantastic!
These cookies are perfect! I used unsweetened almond milk and bittersweet chocolate chunks. I also added some salt and only used 5tbsp of sweetener (would recommend if you like a less sweet cookie). They are super soft and the whole family enjoyed!
😀 thanks for the feedback, Marie!
can i leave the dough in the fridge for about 30 min before baking to make them not spread as much?
For sure- that sounds like a great idea!
Hi Arman can I substitute almond flour for coconut flour? Thanks
That won’t work at all 🙂
These…Cookies….are…Phenomenal!!! I am NOT Vegan. If anything, I’m a carnivore that also LOVES sweets….Cookies being the main type (Every year my friends give me a new Cookie Monster Shirt….this $h*! is serious). My Fiancee, however, is Vegan and in her attempts to prolong my life and keep me healthy (as well as reach my health goals), she lovingly attempts to make vegan versions of cookies I like to help me keep the food I love while staying healthy. Most of the times I have to smile and say they taste okay and other times they actually taste kinda good, but still too healthy and not the dessert I’d wanna end my meal on after a long day. These cookies are the CLOSEST THING TO REAL chocolate chip cookies I have ever had. I dare say they taste like unhealthy (aka heavenly) Chocolate Chip Cookies, but I don’t think my brain will let me say it….but they’re D@MN Close if not just as good. I will be effing these cookies up on a VERY regular basis! God Bless you for this!
Wallace you are an absolute legend!
Since I can’t use almond flour vanilla or almond extract, what can I do? Also has to be gluten free! Any help?
Not sure, that is all I’ve tried. You can experiment with something else if you like
Holy moly this batter is do delicious! I could eat this without bothering to bake it haha. These turned out really sticky for me though, I couldn’t roll them and mixture stuck to the spoon. I did sub to cornflour. Any tips on what to do to stop this or what I may of done wrong?
Hi it sounds like it could be the brand of flour used- Just drop them onto the pan instead 🙂
Hi Arman 🙂 Your recipe sounds perfect, but I do not have arrowroot powder or cornstarch. If i don’t have problems with eggs, can I sub an egg for the arrowroot?
I haven’t tried subbing one of those out, so feel free to experiment and see
Hi Arman! Can I use corn flour instead of corn starch? Tks!
That should be fine 🙂
Thank you Arman – I LOVE how you write in the above “substitutions” and tips/tricks for making these recipes!! I’ve spent time searching the internet for substitutions when I don’t have the exact ingredients on hand so it’s SO HELPFUL you’ve really thought out these answers and tips for us “average” cooks that still want to try out your recipes! So glad I stumbled upon your site! 🙂
You are so welcome! 🙂
Hi, can I use whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour instead? Thanks!
That might work- I haven’t tried it myself but let me know how it goes!
well the only difference i did was use coconut flour instead of almond and the dough is CRUMBLES. i rolled some into balls which did stay but i cooked it for 15 mins and they never formed or cooked thru. >:(
Yes, that doesn’t surprise me, you can’t use coconut flour instead of almond flour.