Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

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5 from 82 votes
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These paleo chocolate chip cookies are perfectly soft, chewy, and loaded with paleo friendly chocolate chips! 5 ingredients, no flour, and made in just one bowl!

paleo chocolate chip cookies

Chocolate chip cookies should be their own food group.

I have yet to find a cookie I don’t like. I’ve tried them in tons of ways, too, including for breakfast, in the air fryer, and all kinds of dietary styles. I know I shouldn’t play favorites, but I love paleo cookies.

If you aren’t familiar with what the paleo diet entails, essentially, it omits wheat, processed sugar, and pretty much anything processed. Don’t fret, though- these cookies taste like any good cookie out there.

Table of Contents
  1. Why this recipe works
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make paleo chocolate chip cookies
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More cookie recipes to try 
  8. Perfect Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies (Recipe Card)

Why this recipe works

  • 5 Ingredients. Minimal ingredients but full of flavor! 
  • Ready in 12 minutes. The entire baking time is less than 12 minutes (and just two minutes prep time).
  • Soft and chewy. These cookies tick the texture boxes completely. 
  • Made in one bowl. No cleanup or huge mess made with these. Also, no hand mixers, kitchen mixers, or anything annoying.

These cookies are so darn delicious that no one will know they are paleo, grain-free and gluten-free. They taste like any good chocolate chip cookie out there. You won’t stop at one! 

Ingredients needed

As mentioned earlier, this recipe calls for just 5 simple ingredients and nothing that is hard-to-find. Here is what you’ll need:

  • Almond butter– Smooth almond butter with no added sugar. Skip the expensive store-bought kind and make your own
  • Coconut sugar– A paleo-friendly sweetener that is like brown sugar and white sugar. Maple syrup will also work.
  • Eggs– Room temperature. 
  • Baking soda– Helps the cookies from overspreading and yields thicker cookies. 
  • Paleo chocolate chipsDairy-free chocolate chips. You can also use chocolate chunks or dark chocolate chips (without dairy).
  • Extras– Optional, but I like some vanilla extract and a sprinkling of sea salt for that sweet and salty flavor.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make paleo chocolate chip cookies

Step 1- Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, cream together the almond butter, coconut sugar, eggs, and baking soda. Fold through the chocolate chips. 

Step 2- Refrigerate the dough: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least an hour or up to two days. 

Step 3- Bake the cookies: Roll out balls of cookie dough or use a cookie scoop and place them on two baking sheets. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are done. 

paleo chocolate chip cookie

Recipe tips and variations

  • Refrigerate the dough. Let the dough chill for at least an hour to help the cookies remain thick. I find 45 minutes to be the perfect amount of time.
  • Add chocolate chips on top. I like to reserve a handful of chocolate chips to top the cookies with, both for aesthetic purposes and to ensure there are chocolate chips in every bite.c
  • Do not over-mix the dough. This risks the cookies becoming flat and thin instead of thick and chewy. 
  • Use two baking sheets. There is nothing worse than cookies spreading into one another, so I recommend baking them on two baking sheets.  
  • Swap out the almond butter. Cashew butter, tahini, and sunflower seed butter are all paleo-friendly nut/seed butter. 
  • Make it eggless. Try one of these egg substitutes instead of eggs. 
  • Add some mix-ins. Chopped nuts, raisins, or even a chopped-up unsweetened chocolate bar. 

Storage instructions

To store: Leftover cookies can be stored at room temperature, covered, for up to two weeks. If you’d like them to keep longer, store them in the refrigerator. 

To freeze: Place the leftover cookies in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

paleo cookie

Frequently Asked Questions

How many carbs are in paleo chocolate chip cookies?

There are 15 carbs in each paleo cookie. If you want a lower carb cookie, try one of these keto desserts.

Are semi-sweet chocolate chips paleo?

If the semi-sweet chocolate chips have no dairy in them, they are suitable for a paleo diet. Popular brands include Enjoy Life and Bob’s Red Mill.

Can you have peanut butter on paleo?

Peanut butter is not suitable for a paleo diet. Alternatives include sunflower seed butter, tahini, and almond butter.

paleo cookie recipe

Perfect Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

5 from 82 votes
These paleo chocolate chip cookies are perfectly soft, chewy, and loaded with paleo friendly chocolate chips! 5 ingredients, no flour, and made in just one bowl!
Servings: 12 Cookies
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 11 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine all your ingredients, except for the chocolate chips, and mix until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold through the chocolate chips.
  • Using your hands, form 12 balls of dough. Place them on the lined baking tray, 2 inches apart. Gently press down into a slight cookie shape. Top with extra chocolate chips.
  • Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, until they go golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan for 10 minutes, before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

* You can substitute this for cashew butter, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini.
TO STORE: Leftover cookies can be stored at room temperature, covered, for up to two weeks. If you’d like them to keep longer, store them in the refrigerator. 
TO FREEZE: Place the leftover cookies in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1CookieCalories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSodium: 70mgPotassium: 162mgFiber: 2gVitamin A: 23IUCalcium: 75mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 10g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Recipe originally published May 2020 but updated to include new information for your benefit.

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These were great considering I don’t love almond butter. Added some gf oats for texture. Of course, they don’t taste exactly like a classic chocolate chip cookie- the flavor isn’t super amazing, so I only eat one every once in a while (which could be a bonus haha). This recipe is pretty good and worth trying!

  2. Hi there! I am new to the website and to KETO, but I just have to say THANK YOU for all of these wonderful-looking recipes! By far, the hardest part of KETO is not having snacks–that aren’t just veggies 🙂
    QQ-Can we substitute regular butter in place of the other types listed? Or is it necessary to use the other types for structure?

    Thank you!

  3. yum and thank you, I always appreciate that these work and are tested, I’m a mess with alternative ingredients like almond flour

  4. Does the taste change negatively when tahini is used instead of cashew butter like you mentioned?

  5. 5 stars
    Umm these are the definition of magic. I made these for my parents, who are used to normal “sugar, butter, flour” treats, and they thought I was lying when I told them the ingredient list. Side note: I used fresh homemade almond butter (still warm!) and coconut sugar. These are simply the best. Arman, I owe you.

  6. These are the best chocolate chip cookies without flour or sugar I have ever made ! Hands down . They hold their shape and texture so well and they are the most delicious and addictive . You are amazing and so passionate about what you do , thank you for sharing these gems 💎 with us !!!!!