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Home » Recipes » Dairy Free

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

By Erin · January 30, 2021 · Updated September 30, 2022 · 34 Comments

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Dairy FreeVeganVegetarian
cookie on parchment paper and cookie dough in a bowl

There's truly nothing better than biting into one of these Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies! They're soft and chewy, loaded with chocolate chips and made with easy-to-find ingredients like applesauce and coconut oil. This will quickly become your go-to homemade cookie recipe!

chocolate chip cookie on parchment paper

I'm gushing ear-to-ear as I type this -- I am so excited to share this vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe with you!

Vegan or not, these are the ultimate chocolate chip cookie: crispy edges with a soft and chewy center that's loaded with chocolate chips. Is there anything better?!

The texture reminds me of my chewy coconut cookies and my molasses chocolate chip cookies, but even better. I didn't know it was possible, but it is!

Recipe features

  • Soft and chewy middle with crispy edges
  • No refrigeration required!
  • Loaded with chocolate chips and made with easy-to-find ingredients

cookie ingredients on a table

Ingredient notes:

  • Coconut oil - No substitutions; The combination of butter and coconut oil works well in this recipe and I wouldn't use any other kind of oil. Make sure the oil is softened (similar to the butter).
  • Butter - Most grocery stores sell Earth Balance unsalted butter (the blue box); but, if you can only find the salted kind (the yellow box), then omit the salt in the actual recipe (see recipe notes below).
  • Sugar - I love the combination of cane and brown sugar; if you're looking for a substitution, you can use only cane sugar and the cookies will turn out fine.
  • Flour - I used all purpose flour, but I'm sure you can sub gluten free 1:1 baking flour to make these cookies gluten free.
  • Chocolate chips - Always double check to make sure they're vegan-friendly; I typically use Enjoy Life chips or Nestle allergen-free chocolate chips.

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Cream butter, oil and sugars. Add softened butter, softened coconut oil, cane sugar, and brown sugar to a mixing bowl, then cream them together for one minute.

whisked butter and sugar in a bowl

Step 2: Add wet ingredients. Next, add the applesauce and vanilla to that bowl and whisk all of the wet ingredients together.

Step 3: Add dry ingredients and chips. To that same bowl, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and stir to combine. Again, I'd use a stand or electric mixer to do this. Be patient -- it may take 30-60 seconds for the dough to come together.

Last, fold in the chocolate chips by hand or stir them in with the mixer for a few seconds.

cookie dough in a bowl with chocolate chips

Step 4: Scoop the dough. Use an ice cream scooper to scoop the dough and place it directly onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they're at least 3" apart. These cookies are on the larger side, and we don't want them touching when they bake.

cookie dough on a baking sheet

Step 5: Bake. Bake the cookies for 9-12 minutes. The bake time varies depending on your oven, so check them after 9 minutes and go from there. You want the edges to be set, but the middle to be slightly undercooked.

Tips and tricks

-Make sure the butter is softened. To test: gently press your finger into the stick of butter. It should easily be able to press in, but the butter shouldn't be melted at all. Using butter that's too soft will result in a different cookie texture.

-On that same note, If the butter is too cold, microwave it for 5-7 seconds. Sally's Baking Addiction has a great article on how to soften butter quickly.

-Be patient with the dough -- once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, it may take up to a minute for everything to incorporate.

chocolate chip cookie on parchment paper

Salted vs. unsalted butter?

When using vegan butter, it's important to check if you're using salted or unsalted.

If you're using the yellow box of Earth Balance, then you're using salted butter and you can OMIT the salt in the recipe. If you're using the blue box, then you're using unsalted and it's important to add more salt with the dry ingredients.

Does the dough need to be refrigerated?

Nope! Honestly, I'm too impatient for that. You can make these cookies from start to finish in about 25 minutes total.

How should I store these?

Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 48 hours, though cookies taste best when consumed within 24 hours. To freeze: wait for the cookies to cool, then place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month.

a brown chocolate chip cookie with melted chocolate chips

More vegan desserts:

  • Peanut Butter Fudge
  • Fudgy Vegan Brownies
  • Vegan Chocolate Cake

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

chocolate chip cookie on parchment paper

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

There's truly nothing better than biting into one of these Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies! They're soft and chewy, loaded with chocolate chips and made with easy-to-find ingredients like applesauce and coconut oil. This will quickly become your go-to homemade cookie recipe!
5 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 13
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • ½ cup dairy free butter softened
  • 2 tablespoon coconut oil softened
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup cane sugar
  • 2 tablespoon applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ⅓ cup all purpose flour + 2 tablespoon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅔ cup chocolate chips dairy free

Instructions

  • Preheat 350°.
  • Cream butter, coconut oil, brown sugar, and cane sugar together for about 1 minute. Then, add the applesauce and vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl, stir the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix with an electric mixer until the dough comes together. NOTE: if the dough isn't coming together after a minute, add 1 tablespoon of milk (any kind). Then, stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with nonstick spray. Use an ice cream scooper to scoop the dough onto the baking sheet, making sure to space the cookies apart. Bake for 11-13 minutes, then remove from the oven and wait 2 minutes before transferring them onto a cooking rack.

Notes

*Calories are per cookie and are an estimation 
*You want the coconut oil to be softened similar to the butter. If you're making these during the wintertime, the coconut oil might be a little hard, so you'll have to microwave for 5 seconds or so. 
*If you're using unsalted butter, make sure to add the ½ teaspoon of salt; if you're using salted butter, omit the salt 
*Storage: store cookies in a container at room temperature for up to 48 hours, or freeze them for up to 1 month 

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 34mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you Make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Leave a comment below and tag @thealmondeater on Instagram!

UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in September 2017. It was updated with new text and photos in January 2021.

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Paleo Beef Pho »

About Erin

Erin is the recipe developer, writer and photographer behind the healthy food blog, The Almond Eater. She's been blogging since 2014 and loves to create food for many different diets, including vegan, gluten free and/or Whole30 recipes.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristin Saupe says

    March 26, 2023 at 7:27 pm

    5 stars
    Made these the other day and they are seriously the best chocolate chip cookies EVER! They are the perfect combination of soft, chewy and chocolatey. If you are looking for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe, look no further! #TAEcookingchallenge

    Reply
    • Erin says

      March 27, 2023 at 9:27 am

      Thanks so much, Kristin!

      Reply
  2. Karmen says

    March 26, 2023 at 1:59 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for the delicious recipe. Finally a good one with chocolate! 😇

    #TAEcookingchallenge

    Reply
  3. Theresa kinkead says

    March 25, 2023 at 1:22 pm

    5 stars
    These cookies are so yummy and easy to make! Even my husband helped!

    Reply
  4. Lauren says

    March 22, 2023 at 2:38 pm

    5 stars
    Made these the other day and dang they are so chocolatey and soft! Would never have known they were vegan. Sooo good! #TAEcookingchallenge

    Reply
  5. Emily says

    March 12, 2023 at 5:18 pm

    5 stars
    Made these today! I’m not a huge baker and the instructions were super easy to follow. These are best chocolate chip cookies ever!!!

    #TAEcookingchallenge

    Reply
    • Erin says

      March 12, 2023 at 7:30 pm

      Thanks Emily, I'm glad you liked the cookies!

      Reply
  6. Colin says

    March 09, 2023 at 3:00 pm

    5 stars
    Made these just now and they're amazing! Just had one after doing the dishes and they're so chocolatey and gewy and just great! #TAEcookingchallenge

    Reply
    • Erin says

      March 12, 2023 at 7:30 pm

      I'm glad you liked the cookies!

      Reply
  7. Tina says

    February 15, 2023 at 10:34 am

    What coconut oil do you use?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      February 15, 2023 at 3:39 pm

      I use organic virgin coconut oil from Costco!

      Reply
  8. Angie says

    February 08, 2023 at 10:16 pm

    My cookies came out so flat and on the oily side. What am I doing wrong? 😭

    Reply
    • Erin says

      February 11, 2023 at 9:12 am

      Oh no! This might be a result of using too much butter, or not having the butter be the correct consistency (softened) before incorporating it.

      Reply
  9. Kate says

    November 23, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    5 stars
    Have you put peanut butter in these cookies? I've made them as is a couple of times and they are great; so hoping I can use it as a base recipe for other cookies.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      November 24, 2022 at 8:06 am

      Ohhh -- no I haven't tried that, but please let me know if you do so I can update the recipe card in case other people want to do that 🙂

      Reply
  10. Jennifer says

    November 23, 2022 at 5:16 pm

    5 stars
    Best recipe for vegan chocolate chip cookies!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      November 24, 2022 at 8:06 am

      Thanks for the 5-star rating, Jennifer!

      Reply
  11. Heather says

    November 01, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    Can you use regular oil instead of coconut?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      November 02, 2022 at 8:07 am

      Yes, but I'd stick to something neutral like canola or avocado oil.

      Reply
  12. Ashley Hauck says

    September 06, 2022 at 1:38 pm

    My sister and I bake chocolate chip cookies all of the time. We’ve tried so many recipes and this is by far one of THE BEST. If I’m baking for friends or family I always choose this one. Thank you, Erin!! All of your recipes are quick, easy, healthy and delicious!

    Reply
  13. Erin says

    November 06, 2021 at 8:30 pm

    5 stars
    Made these today and they turned out amazing! 10/10
    I didn't have applesauce and substituted Greek yogurt which worked great.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      November 08, 2021 at 1:16 pm

      This makes me so happy to hear! Thanks for the comment 🙂

      Reply
  14. Keani says

    April 20, 2018 at 7:15 pm

    5 stars
    Could I sub coconut oil for butter?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      April 21, 2018 at 9:26 am

      Hi! You're more than happy to try it, though I haven't tried it myself in these cookies. If you DO try it, make sure to use room temp coconut oil, not melted coconut oil.

      Reply
  15. Sarah | Well and Full says

    September 21, 2017 at 4:05 pm

    You had me at "these cookies are a little cake-y"!! *insert heart eyes emoji*

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 22, 2017 at 2:27 pm

      Ha, thanks Sarah!

      Reply
  16. Marina says

    September 21, 2017 at 7:23 am

    Ahhh I'm so sorry about Puerto Rico, I know you were looking forward to it. But at least you're safe and you have these cookies!! 🙂 Also, thank God I'm not the only one who's making a buttload of desserts. They look absolutely fantastic! 😀

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2017 at 8:28 am

      Exactly! And I don't know what it is, but I have to force myself to make savory recipes lately. I think I'm just very into pumpkin/caramel/pecan/chocolate everything right now.

      Reply
  17. Lucia Wright says

    September 20, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    These look so good, Erin!! Walnuts BELONG in cookies - I don't care what nut haters have to say 😉 Glad you're staying safe in PA - it looks like things are pretty bad in PR right now :/

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2017 at 8:27 am

      I'm so glad we decided to stay home, and YES I don't know why I don't make walnut cookies more often. They're so good!

      Reply
  18. Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says

    September 20, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    Oh man, it's a good thing you're not in PR right now! So sad what's happening down in the Caribbean. Again. Ugh! I guess luckily for you, you can eat all the cookies now! These look so yummy. I've never tried a flax egg, but every time I see a recipe with it I want to try it.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2017 at 8:26 am

      Yes exactly. I'm staying positive and enjoying the nice weather we've been having in Pittsburgh. And flax eggs are the best--you can't taste the flax and they're very similar in texture to regular eggs.

      Reply
  19. Alicia @bridges Through life says

    September 20, 2017 at 10:20 am

    I saw that the hurricane was heading to Puerto Rico. It's sad you had to cancel your trip but definitely better to be safe so you aren't stuck on an island during a hurricane. I hope Puerto Rico recovers. So horrible to be hit twice so close together.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      September 21, 2017 at 8:25 am

      Definitely better to be safe! I feel so bad for PR and all the surrounding islands 🙁

      Reply

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