Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free)
These soft batch Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies are the best gluten free cookies I have ever eaten! If you love a bakery-style cookie, this easy recipe is for you.
Welcome to the best vegan + gluten free chocolate chip cookies I have ever tasted. Yes, I say that loud and proud. If you know me, you know that this is not a claim I make lightly. Every soft, chewy bite is loaded with melty chocolate chips (oh yes, you need to try these warm!) and pumpkin spices.
These cookies are the kind that are so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you don’t make them every weekend. They are the perfect soft batch cookies with just the right amount of chewiness. Best part? They’re way healthier than regular cookies, so let’s toast to that with about 3 or 4, yeah?
(If you’re looking for a recipe that is not gluten free check out these amazing vegan chocolate chip cookies!)
Notes on Ingredients
Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
- Solid coconut oil or vegan butter – Coconut oil replaces butter perfectly in its solid form.
- Cane sugar or coconut sugar
- Flour – Or use oat flour + ½ teaspoon xanthan gum or gluten free baking flour mix for a gluten free option.
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Pumpkin spice
- Cinnamon
- Sea salt – Some goes in the cookie dough, but you can also scatter some over the tops of the cookies if you’re a fan of sweet-and-salty desserts.
- Vanilla extract
- Pumpkin puree – This replaces the eggs that are used in a traditional chocolate chip cookie. Don’t forget to buy pure pumpkin, not the cans of pumpkin pie mix!
- Vegan chocolate chips
How to Make Vegan + Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
It’s cookie time! Here’s a step-by-step guide to making vegan chocolate chip cookies:
Cream coconut oil and sugar. Place the coconut oil (or vegan butter) and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to beat them together until they’re light and fluffy.
Add remaining ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and sea salt to the oil and sugar mixture. Beat for about 1 minute, then add the vanilla extract and pumpkin. Beat until all the ingredients are well-combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Chill the dough. Form the dough into a large ball or two smaller balls and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate them for at least 2 hours.
Form the cookies. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and take the cookie dough out of the fridge. Unwrap and scoop 2 tablespoons from the dough; roll it between your fingers to form a ball. Place the dough ball on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving two inches of space between them. (You may need two baking sheets.) Place the sheets in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to ensure the dough is cold.
Bake. Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, then remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool for 10 minutes.
Tips for Success
Here’s how to make perfect vegan chocolate chip cookies every time:
- Shaping the dough. Make sure the dough balls are taller rather than wider, which will ensure that they have a nice thickness to them.
- Refrigeration is key. Chilling the dough keeps it from spreading in the oven. It’s what makes your cookies thick and chewy, rather than thin and flat.
- Getting crispy and chewy cookies. If you love crispy edges and a chewy center, you might want to leave them in the oven for the full 15 minutes of baking time.
Add-In Ideas
You can’t beat a classic chocolate chip cookie! Or can you? Here are some add-in ideas if you’re in the mood for something more over-the-top:
- Raisins
- Dried cranberries
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Pepitas
- White chocolate chips
How to Store Leftovers
Store these vegan chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
Can I Freeze These?
Yes, if you want to have pumpkin chocolate chip cookies on hand at all times (who can blame you?!), you can keep them in the freezer. Make sure they are cooled completely, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Pop the baking sheet in the freezer, then once the cookies are frozen through, transfer them to an airtight container or zip-top bag. Thaw them at room temperature or in the microwave.
P.S. Here are some of the items I used to make this recipe if you’d like to use them too:
| WHAT YOU’LL NEED // SHOP MY FAVORITE INGREDIENTS & PREP PRODUCTS |
Enjoy friends! If you make this vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
MORE VEGAN DESSERT RECIPES
Vegan Chocolate Chewy Fudgy Brownies
Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 1/2 cup solid coconut oil, or vegan butter
- 1 cup cane sugar, or coconut sugar
- 2 cups flour, (or oat flour for gluten free + ½ teaspoon xanthan gum or gluten free baking flour mix)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 cup vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- In a large bowl, add the coconut oil and the sugar. With a standing mixer or a hand mix, until thoroughly incorporated, about 5 minutes.
- Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda, pumpkin spice, cinnamon and sea salt into the mix. Blend for about 1 minute. Add the vanilla extract and the pumpkin purée. Blend until thoroughly incorporated, scraping down sides, for about 3 minutes. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula.
- Form dough into a large ball or two smaller balls and cover with Saran wrap. Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours to set up.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove Saran Wrap and scoop 2 tablespoons out of the dough. Roll slightly between fingers to form a ball. Place out dough ball on a lined cookie sheet, leaving adequate space between each. Ensure the dough balls are higher rather than wider to ensure they stay as thick as possible. Use more than one cookie sheet if necessary. Place back in fridge for 10 minutes to ensure dough is very cold. Bake for 12-15 minutes; 15 will still be soft but slightly firmer.
- Remove and let cool for exactly 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!!
Notes
- This recipe is vegan and gluten free.
- IF USING REGULAR FLOUR
You can make these cookies using regular unrefined all purpose flour. Just swap it equally for the oat flour and do not add the xanthan gum. - Store these vegan chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days.
- To freeze, cool completely, then place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Pop the baking sheet in the freezer, then once the cookies are frozen through, transfer them to an airtight container or zip-top bag. Thaw them at room temperature or in the microwave.
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
These cookies look so inviting! I probably would have kept the whole batch at home :-))
O these look perfect Jessica! We all have to have that perfect go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe!
You can never go wrong with a warm chocolate chip cookie, especially when they are soft and chewy like these !
These cookies look delicious!!! Is it possible to substitute the cane sugar for honey instead?
Hi! Unfortunately I think not unless it’s very thick raw honey. Otherwise the batter may be too thin. I hope that helps!
You made these vegan cookies look amazing! They are on my must make list, especially with holiday parties coming up! Thanks Jessica!
Thanks so much Pamela and you’re so welcome!!
Can you leave out the xantham gum? I want to make these today and I don’t have zantham gum? If is it necessary, is there something you can substititute?
Hi Beckie,
If you’re making it gluten free you can’t leave it out. I haven’t tried to these cookies with regular flour, but they should work if using regular flour but I can’t guarantee since I tested it for gluten free flours. If you try it and it works please let me know!
These are proper cookies. They are sweet, chewy and have a crispy exterior. Not just good for a gluten-free vegan cookie, good for a cookie! This recipe is going in the keep pile.
Thanks so much Alma!!
Can cornstarch be substituted for the xanthan gum?
Hi Monique, I’ve never tried that so I really couldn’t guarantee the same result, but I have read that it works. If you try it, let me know please!
I substituted xanthum for corn starch and it came out just great!
I tend to react to oats so was wondering if you have tried this recipe with any other gluten-free flours like sorghum, millet, teff, brown or white rice (or any combination of things). Thanks!
Hi Gina,
Quinoa flour would probably work 1:1 for this! I hope this helps!!
Hello,
Back where I live (Colombia, that is) there is no pumpkin!! What can I use to replace it?
Thank you
Hi Lina,
I don’t have a substitute for it here unfortunately! Can you get canned pumpkin puree in the supermarket?
For pumpkin substitute, I use cooked winter squash or sweet potato.