Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
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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 tablespoons 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
These turned out exactly as described. I chose to leave some plain, added allulose/cinnamon to some and to others – crushed pecans. All were delicious. My next variation will be using keto maple syrup in place of the regular.
Can I bake them in the air fryer?
Hi Ruth – I haven’t tried for this recipe specifically, but I have made cookies in the air fryer before successfully! https://thebigmansworld.com/air-fryer-cookies/
Tasty, chewy and simple to make.
Wow.. Just WOW! These ARE DELICIOUS! I did use cornstarch, since I didn’t have arrowroot. … and how about the dough.. oh my word, so yummy!! Tastes like marzipan (which is one of my FAVORITE things ever). Made 14 cookies.. I ate 2 in dough form and another 2 baked. Fantastic recipe!! Thank you. 😊
Could we use protein drink instead of milk???
Hi Mirnesa- I haven’t tried that for this specific recipe, but please let me know how it goes- I’m intrigued!
Hi I tried the recipe exactly the same. But the dough is a bit soft and I’m unable to shape it into balls. Can you please help
Hi Mahak- what brand almond flour did you use? I’ll do some troubleshooting for you 🙂
So soft, chewy, and delicious. Easy to make and even better to eat. I couldn’t stop eating them. Next time I’m making a larger batch!
These was my science fair project, thanks.
These were delicious! thanks for sharing, always impressed!
My daughter goes on a school trip so I can’t use the almond flour. Can I substitute with self raising or plain flour?
Thanks.
Hi Colette- this works with sunflower seed flour!
I always make all your cookies 🍪 brownies and they are delicious and perfect- thank you so much for all your recipes 😋
These look so yummy! Can I use all-purpose flower instead of almond flour? Or what can be substituted for the almond flour? 🙂
You can use sunflower seed flour. I’ll make a note in the recipe card 🙂
These were so good! The texture was slightly grainy, but the flavor was so good it didn’t matter. Thanks for another awesome recipe!
These are amazing! We’ve made them multiple times, both with honey and maple syrup, and always turn out great. Our boys prefer them without chocolate, so usually make both. Definitely recommend.
🙂 Love that, Tina!!
Made them tonight and omgggg they came out so good.
Will try adding some walnuts as well next time.
These are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!