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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
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
Best Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups blanched almond flour
- 1/4 cup arrowroot starch * See notes
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoon maple syrup ** See notes
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/4 cup coconut milk *** See notes
- 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.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients and mix well.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or in a saucepan over the stove, combine your coconut oil and syrup, 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 your chocolate chips.
- Form 16 small balls with the cookie dough. Place each ball on the lined tray and press each one lightly, into a cookie shape.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published July 2020, updated March 2024
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These are sooo good! wowzer!! I did add chunks of broken almonds and dried cherries in addition to the chocolate chips….best gf cookies ever!! one would never know they were gf….=) definitely a top winner.
Super delicious! My two favorite ingredients besides chocolate, almond flour and almond butter ❤️
Love that!!
These are the best chocolate chip cookies that are healthy that I’ve ever made!!
Surprisingly!! Delicious! I have tried so many healthy, chocolate chip cookies, and they’ve all tasted like powder. These were moist and delicious. I just have to get used to almond flour versus flour on the healthy train.
Very good!
Hi!
I am loving your recipes!
I am allergic to coconut, and cannot use coconut milk or oil.
So I am asking you what I can use for a substitute, especially in the chocolate chip cookies or muffin recipes. I often use bananas and apple sauce for sweeteners and softeners too.
I am dairy free and gluten free as well.
Thank you so much.
-Karen
You could try butter! 🙂
I ran across this recipe about a year ago and LOVE these cookies! I will say it is the first time I have ever seen a cookie recipe without salt. I automatically added a 1/2 tsp.
I gave the recipe to a friend but forgot to tell her to add salt. She said they were not good. I have given the recipe to many people and I always make sure to tell them to add salt.
Thanks for my go-to cookie recipe!!
This recipe is incredible. Salt is a must, 1/8-1/4 tsp. Whisk into dry ingredients. DELICIOUS.
😀
I was dx with gluten intolerance a few years ago , but never really cut back completely. My family has been wanting to bake CC cookies for a while so i thought of trying a healthier version and was expecting a dry, hard, bland tasting cookie. Boy was I wrong! These CC cookies are by far the best! They are moist, chewy and delicious! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Just made these….So good 😊
Yummmm
First time was ok, my own fault in adding to much almond flour. Second time I made a double batch and wowser what a difference in a great way!
What can one use instead of coconut oil?
Butter works!
Taste really good. Just wondering if I could add eggs to the recipe?
Thank you!
Hi! These sound delicious! Can I use all purpose gluten free flour instead of almond flour and arrowroot? Thanks!!❤️
Haven’t tried! Feel free to experiment and see.
Can I add real cherries into the recipe in addition to the chocolate chips and if so, how does this modify the recipe?
I don’t see why not! Just cut back on the chocolate chips.
This is the only healthy recipe that I’ve tried that turned out great. Highly recommend!