Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies (V & GF)

Are you ready for the BEST healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies EVER?! They’re chewy, vegan, gluten free and SO GOOD that they’ve officially become one of my favorite cookies to make when I’m looking for a healthy and nourishing, but still satisfying treat.

And guys, what is life without a little chocolate? Frankly, I’m not sure.

I first came up with this vegan chocolate chip oatmeal cookie recipe when I was messing around in the kitchen late at night. We usually eat dinner at 7pm and by so by 9pm, I’m ready for a little something sweet to end the night. I have a go-to oatmeal cookie that I’ll always make, but this time wanted it to be dairy free, vegan and gluten free because frankly, if I give you a recipe for one version, you’ll ask for the other. LOLZ.

So, tell me, what’s better than a cookie for just about everyone? Enter these RIDICULOUSLY GOOD HEALTHY OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES. Yummmmmmm.

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Ingredients in healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

The best part about these healthy chocolate chip cookies? They’re easy to make, take only 20 minutes, are made in one bowl and you probably already have all of the ingredients for them in your pantry! You’ll need:

Gluten free oat flour: this flour is one of my favorites to bake with and you can easily make it yourself! I’ve included instructions on how to do so below.
Gluten free oats: I recommend using gluten free rolled oats in this recipe to ensure that the cookies bake up properly and have that delicious chew to them.
Flaxseed meal: baking with flaxseed meal is a great way to substitute a flax egg for regular eggs to keep them vegan.
Coconut oil: just a bit of coconut oil give these healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies the right amount of moisture without having to use butter.
Coconut sugar: we’re sweetening these cookies with all natural coconut sugar instead of regular, refined sugar. You can use brown sugar if you’d like.
Shredded unsweetened coconut: the coconut gives these healthy oatmeal cookies an extra delicious chew to them plus a little natural sweetness.
Vanilla: an essential for yummy baked goods.
Baking soda & salt: to ensure these bake up properly.
Chocolate chips: feel free to use your favorite brand or keep these oatmeal cookies vegan by using dairy free chocolate chips! I love using dark chocolate chips or breaking up a dark chocolate bar.

What makes these oatmeal cookies healthy?

Classic chocolate chip cookies are made with refined sugar, refined flour and plenty of butter, but this healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe has no butter and the cookies are sweetened with just a bit of coconut sugar. They still taste INCREDIBLE, of course.

These healthy chocolate chip cookies have the perfect texture with crispy edges, a chewy inside and are so absolutely delicious that no one will be able to tell that they’re vegan or gluten-free! Don’t forget to top them with a little flaky sea salt for a fun sweet and salty twist.

Can I use a different flour?

Unfortunately, no, I cannot recommend a substitution for these oat flour in this recipe, but see below for an easy way to make it at home! If you’re looking for a flour alternative, try one of these chocolate chip cookies:

Get all of my chocolate chip cookie recipes here!

How to make a flax egg

This recipe calls for a flax egg to keep these healthy chocolate chip cookies vegan. If you’ve never made a ‘flax egg’ before, it’s very easy and replaces traditional eggs in recipes. Just add flaxseed meal and water to a bowl, allow it to sit for a few minutes, then use it in the recipe as directed. I also have a guide for how to make vegan egg substitutes here.

How to make gluten free oat flour

You can easily make your own gluten free oat flour by simply placing oats into a blender and blending or pulsing until they’re smooth and resemble flour. Check out my tutorial with all of my best tips & tricks. This is a super easy & affordable option. Be sure to measure out 3/4 cup of your oat flour after making it!

The right type of oats to use

These healthy oatmeal cookies use gluten free rolled oats, if you are making them for someone who is gluten free, it’s important to make sure the oats are gluten free certified. If you aren’t gluten free, you can use old-fashioned rolled oats. Please do not use quick oats or steel cut oats in this recipe, it will not work out the same.

Make these healthy chocolate chip cookies your own

Don’t skip the coconut! The shredded coconut helps to bind these cookies together and give them extra flavor so I would not suggest leaving it out. If you want to leave it out though, simply add in 1/4 cup more oat flour instead.
Swap out the flax egg: if you want to use a regular egg, you can, you just may need to add in some extra oat flour. I would guess about 2-3 tablespoons of extra oat flour would do the trick.
Swap the coconut oil for butter: feel free to use regular melted butter instead of coconut oil if you are not vegan/dairy free.
If you want additional healthy fats: feel free to add in ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

Why these cookies are great for nursing mamas + kids

These healthy oatmeal cookies are very similar to my lactation cookie recipe and are great for mamas who are nursing because they’re made with ingredients that have been known to increase milk supply like:

Oats
Healthy fats from coconut oil
And flaxseed meal

Not only are they great for moms, but these healthy cookies are also an awesome, wholesome treat for kids, too! Throw them in a lunchbox, or bake them up for an after-school treat. Keep these cookies on hand, or feel free to freeze them for later.

How to freeze healthy chocolate chip cookies

You can either freeze the chocolate chip cookie dough or batches of already-baked cookies! Check out my full tutorial here and enjoy these wonderful cookies from the freezer for months whenever your sweet tooth hits.

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More healthy cookie recipes you might like

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You’re going to love these healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, please let me know if you make it by leaving a comment and rating the recipe below. I’d love to hear from you and it helps encourage others to make the recipe! Enjoy xo!

Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (vegan & gluten free!)

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Serves10 cookies

My very favorite healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies just so happen to be vegan and gluten free. This easy, healthy chocolate cookie recipe is perfect for lactating mamas or kids thanks to flax, oats and plenty of healthy fats. These chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are outrageously delicious!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
3 tablespoons room temperature water
1/4 cup melted and cooled coconut oil*
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup gluten free oat flour
1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (do not use big coconut flakes)
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips, vegan/dairy free if desired
Fancy sea salt, for sprinkling on top

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, mix together flaxseed meal and water, let it sit for 5 minutes while you get all your other ingredients ready. After 5 minutes the ‘flaxegg’ will be ready and you can add the melted and cooled coconut oil, coconut sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl; whisk together until smooth.
Next add in the oat flour, rolled oats, shredded coconut, baking soda and salt. Mix until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
Use a medium cookie scoop and place about 1 heaping tablespoon dough on prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. You should get 10 cookies. If you want thicker cookies, leave as is. If you want slightly thinner cookies, very gently push ONLY the top of the cookie down just a very tiny bit. Don’t overdo it — these are vegan cookies and we want them to stick together!
Bake cookies for 9-12 minutes until edges are just slightly golden brown. Once cookies come out of oven, sprinkle the tops with fancy sea salt.
Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before removing and transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Leaving them on the baking sheet will help them settle up and hold together. Makes 10 cookies.

Recipe Notes

If you want to use a regular egg, you can, you just may need to add in a tablespoon or two of extra oat flour. I haven’t tested these with a regular egg though so I can’t be certain.
The shredded coconut helps to bind these cookies together and give them extra flavor so I would not suggest leaving it out. If you want to leave it out, simply add in 1/4 cup more oat flour.
Feel free to use regular melted butter instead of coconut oil if you are not vegan/dairy free.
If you want additional healthy fats, feel free to add in ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats

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