Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies

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Reader Rating
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 22 cookies

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Soft and chewy Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies are the perfect gluten free cookie! Made with butter, sugar, almond flour, and cocoa powder, this recipe is scrumptious, easy to make and so delicious. 

a chocolate cookie with a bite taken out of it

Almond flour may just be my gluten free flour of choice, and it’s the star of the show in these Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies.

I figured since my almond flour chocolate cake is such a hit, why not create a similar recipe but in cookie form? Almond flour tends to create a light and airy texture, versus other gluten free flours, which can occasionally cause desserts to be dense. 

My almond flour blueberry muffins and almond flour peanut butter cookies are two of my favorite almond flour recipes, so if you haven’t already, be sure to check them out! 

Recipe features

  • Tons of chocolate-y flavor bursting throughout these almond flour chocolate chip cookies.
  • Soft and chewy texture, just the way cookies should be.
  • Delectable gluten-free cookies that you’ll want to make for anyone in your life who may be following a gluten free diet.
chocolate cookie with chocolate chips on parchment paper

Ingredients

This list is to provide further clarification on a few things; the full ingredient list is below in the recipe card. 

Butter – Regular dairy butter or dairy-free butter works, and make sure it’s at room temperature. 

Sugar – A combination of cane sugar (granulated sugar) and light brown sugar works wonders in this recipe. 

Egg – I haven’t tested this recipe without an egg (aka using a flax egg); Typically, gluten free baking can be a bit tricky, so I highly recommend making these with an actual egg and not an egg substitute. 

Vanilla extract – Necessary for almost all cookie recipes! 

Almond flour – Make sure to use almond flour, and not almond meal. Almond meal will work, but the overall taste and texture will be slightly different. 

Cocoa powder – A must-have for almost all chocolate recipes.

Chocolate chips – I used semi-sweet, but dark chocolate chips will work too. 

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Instructions

Cream the butter and sugars. Start by placing the softened butter into a large mixing bowl, then pour in the brown sugar and cane sugar. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to cream them together, then add in the egg and vanilla and stir to combine.

Mix the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, stir the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together. 

Combine. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and whisk to combine. Last, stir in the chocolate chips by hand with a wooden spoon. 

cocoa powder and flour in a bowl on the left and chocolate cookie dough in a bowl on the right

Roll into balls. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat mat. Use your hands to roll the cookie dough into balls, spacing them about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread. 

chocolate balls of cookie dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet

Bake the cookies. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes. Immediately remove the baking sheet from the oven and drop it onto your stovetop a few times to flatten the cookies out. 

Leave the cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack. Sprinkle with a little flakey sea salt before eating (optional, but highly recommend!).

Tips and FAQs 

To quickly soften butter: I never remember to take the butter out of the refrigerator ahead of time. Instead, place the stick of butter on a small plate and microwave it for approximately 15 seconds, until you can easily press your finger down into it. 

Use a cookie scoop: Truthfully, I don’t own a cookie scoop (I know, I know, who am I?), but if you want the cookies to be even in size, a cookie scoop is the way to go. Otherwise, using your hands is fine. 

Pan-banging technique: If you want a cookie with slightly crunchy edges and a soft middle, this is the way to do it! (NOTE: since these cookies are gluten free, the texture won’t be exactly the same as traditional cookies). To do this, remove the baking sheet with the baked almond flour cookies from the oven and lift it 1-2 inches above your stovetop, then drop it onto the stove. To this a few times, which will flatten the cookies out.

Is there a way to make these cookies healthy? 

I mean… kind of? I didn’t develop these cookies with the intention of them being healthy. But, if you want to lighten them up a bit, try using coconut sugar instead of cane/brown sugar, and use less chocolate chips, which will reduce some of the sweetness. 

If you’re looking for a healthy cookie recipe, try my chocolate avocado cookies or my healthy birthday cake cookies

Do I have to use almond flour?

Yes! This is very important. Almond flour cannot be subbed for any other kind of flour, as it’s its own unique properties and is very different from all purpose flour/coconut flour/oat flour/etc.

Can I make them vegan?

I wouldn’t! I use eggs in my almond flour recipes to ensure they bake properly. You might be able to get away with using a flax egg, but I haven’t tested it myself. 

Add-ins: 

  • Walnuts
  • Pecans
  • Peppermint extract
  • A pinch of cinnamon
  • Sliced almonds
  • 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter (haven’t tested this but I’m guessing it would work) 
several chocolate cookies with chocolate chips on parchment paper

Storage

Room temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Freezer: Or, wait for them to cool, then place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

More gluten free cookies

If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!

4.98 from 88 votes

Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies

Servings: 22 cookies
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Soft and chewy Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies are the perfect gluten free cookie! Made with butter, sugar, almond flour, and cocoa powder, this recipe is scrumptious, easy to make and so delicious. 

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Ingredients 

  • 2/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup cane sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups almond flour, packed
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350° and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cream the butter, brown sugar and cane sugar together in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer; then, add the egg and vanilla and whisk to combine.
  • In a separate bowl, stir the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and stir to combine, then stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
  • Use your hands to roll the dough into balls (slightly smaller than golf-ball sized) and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. NOTE: you may need to bake the cookies in batches.
  • Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes. Immediately remove the baking sheet from the oven and hold it about 1 inch above your stovetop (or kitchen counter) and drop it a few times on the counter. This is known as the pan-banging technique and it will help flatten the cookies out.
  • Leave the cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes before using a spatula to transfer them to a wire rack. Enjoy!

Notes

*Calories are per cookie and are an estimation

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 196IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this?Leave a comment and star rating below!
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Welcome! I’m Erin, author of the Almond Eater.

Here, you'll find recipes for all diet types, because I believe that healthy food should be delicious without being complicated.

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4.98 from 88 votes (26 ratings without comment)

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176 Comments

  1. Christie says:

    5 stars
    Just made these, very good!!

    1. Erin says:

      Thanks for the 5-star rating, Christie!

    2. Krista M says:

      5 stars
      These were the BEST almond flour cookies I’ve ever made. I used coconut sugar instead of the sugars in the recipe and it worked like a dream. Added some dried cherries. Chefs Kiss! Thank you 🙏

  2. Brittany says:

    5 stars
    Some of the best gluten free cookies I’ve ever made!

    1. Erin says:

      Wow, thank you so much! I’m glad you liked the cookies 🙂

  3. Kathy Clark says:

    Can you make the batter a day ahead and refrigerate overnight?

    1. Erin says:

      Hmm.. I haven’t tried it so I’m not sure if it would work with almond flour. Please let me know if you do try it and how they turn out!

      1. Kathy C says:

        I found several posts that recommend refrigerating a night because it allows the almond flour to blend with the other ingredients. I have mine refrigerated now and will let you know how the cookies turn out.

      2. Karyn says:

        Wondering if the person who kept the dough in the fridge overnight ever replied. I was about to put them in the fridge till I read the comments. Froze them overnight instead and they are baking as we speak

      3. Erin says:

        How did they turn out?

  4. Kacy says:

    5 stars
    Hello! I am not normally an almond eater because, although they are delicious, they are not a clean or sustainable crop. I had some almond flour to use up though, and I’m glad I tried these. Mine took 13 minutes and they are lovely. I was unsure when they came out of the oven.. they were okay. Now that they have cooled, they are hunky mounds of chocolate beauty. I did add walnuts, I always do with cookies; I also decreased the sugar (by about 50g, and used all maple sugar), I always do that too. Really nice, healthy chocoholic treat!

    1. Erin says:

      Thanks so much Kacy! Glad you loved the cookies so much!

  5. Liz says:

    5 stars
    These were the best gluten free chocolate chocolate chip cookies that I have made. So easy and fast to make. Will keep in my rotation for my grandchildren who eat gluten free.

    1. Erin says:

      Thanks Liz! Glad you enjoyed the cookies so much!

  6. Jeannine says:

    Hi!
    I made this for a cookie swap with my friends (one is gluten intolerant) and they were so easy and very delicious! I added some walnut pieces on the top before I popped them into the oven! Delicious!
    Thank you !

    1. Erin says:

      Thanks Jeannine! Glad you enjoyed the cookies!

  7. Beverly Hilder says:

    I’ve made these, they are very easy, simply devine. If you are a chocolate lover, you will not regret trying this recipe. It’s a keeper in my home. I’m the only here right now & it’s very difficult for me to not over-test my accomplishment in this moment. Honey come home soon. Cheers, Bev

    1. Erin says:

      Thanks Beverly! Glad you love the cookies so much!

  8. Ausilia Piperni says:

    Hi,
    I have made these cookies and they were a hit.
    Can I freeze the un-baked cookie dough balls and then bake them as needed? Just concerned if it would change the texture or tasted of the cookies. Thank you.

    1. Erin says:

      I believe so! Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet like you were going to bake them, then place the whole baking sheet into the freezer for about an hour. Then, transfer the frozen cookie dough into a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, you’ll have to bake for closer to 12-15 minutes probably.

  9. Kristine g says:

    Erin these are amazing!!! I used Swerve brown and white sugar replacement and lilys white chips. I used a #40 scoop and got 31 perfect beauties. These will be a new household fave. Until I try your pumpkin spice cookies lolol!!!

    1. Erin says:

      Woohooo — this makes me so happy! I’m glad you liked the cookies.

  10. Sally Farrell says:

    Lovely texture. Looked great. Easy to make… But why so much sugar? I reduced the amount by 50g and they were still VERY sweet. Next time I will reduce by half and see how they turn out.

    1. Erin says:

      Sorry you felt they were too sweet! Let me know how they turn out with half the sugar.