The Ultimate Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe: Soft, Chewy & Irresistibly Delicious

Want to bake cookies that are soft, chewy, and loaded with melty chocolate chips—all while being completely plant-based? This vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe delivers everything you love about classic cookies without any dairy, eggs, or animal products. Whether you're vegan, have dietary restrictions, or simply want to try a healthier twist on an American favorite, these cookies will become your new go-to recipe.

Ready in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, these vegan chocolate chip cookies prove that plant-based baking can be incredibly easy and delicious. Let's dive into creating the perfect batch of cookies that will have everyone asking for seconds—and the recipe!

Why This Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Works

Traditional chocolate chip cookies rely on butter and eggs for structure, moisture, and that signature chewy texture. This vegan version uses clever plant-based swaps that deliver the same results—sometimes even better.

The secret lies in using coconut oil for richness, flax eggs for binding, and just the right ratio of sugars to create crispy edges with soft, gooey centers. When paired with high-quality vegan dark chocolate, these cookies become absolutely irresistible.

Many home bakers discover that vegan cookies actually stay fresher longer than traditional versions because plant-based fats are more stable. You'll enjoy that just-baked texture for days after making them.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dry Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): Forms the cookie structure. You can substitute with gluten-free flour blends if needed, though the texture may vary slightly.

Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Creates lift and helps cookies spread properly while developing those beautiful golden edges.

Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness. Don't skip this—it makes a huge difference!

Wet Ingredients

Coconut Oil (½ cup, melted): Replaces butter perfectly, adding moisture and helping create chewy centers. Use refined coconut oil if you don't want coconut flavor, or virgin coconut oil for a subtle tropical note.

Coconut Sugar (¾ cup): Provides deep caramel notes and helps cookies stay soft. This natural sweetener has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar, making your cookies a bit better for you too.

Brown Sugar (¼ cup, packed): Adds moisture and chewiness. Make sure to pack it firmly into your measuring cup.

Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Essential for that classic cookie flavor. Use pure vanilla extract for best results.

Flax Eggs (2 eggs = 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 6 tablespoons water): Binds everything together just like chicken eggs would. Mix and let sit for 5 minutes until gel-like before using.

The Star: Vegan Chocolate

Vegan Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate (1½ cups): This is where quality matters most! Choose organic vegan chocolate bars and chop them into chunks for the best melty texture. Chocolate bars create those gorgeous pools of melted chocolate you see in bakery-style cookies.

Look for chocolate that's at least 70% cacao for rich flavor without being too bitter. The 81% dark chocolate variety provides the perfect balance of intensity and sweetness in cookies.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Vegan Cookies

Preparation (5 minutes)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.

Make your flax eggs by combining 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Stir and set aside for 5 minutes to thicken into an egg-like consistency.

Mixing the Dough (10 minutes)

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, and brown sugar until well combined and slightly fluffy. This takes about 2 minutes of vigorous whisking.

Step 2: Add the thickened flax eggs and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture. Whisk until everything is smooth and glossy.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to distribute the leavening agent evenly throughout the flour.

Step 4: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, fold gently until just combined. Don't overmix—stop as soon as you no longer see dry flour pockets. Overmixing develops gluten and creates tough cookies.

Step 5: Fold in your chopped vegan chocolate or chocolate chips. Reserve a few chunks to press into the tops of cookies before baking for that picture-perfect look.

Shaping and Baking (15 minutes)

Step 6: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out dough balls about 2 tablespoons each. Roll them between your palms to create smooth balls, then place them on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2-3 inches apart.

Pro tip: Slightly flatten each dough ball with your palm and press a few extra chocolate chunks on top. This creates those Instagram-worthy cookies with visible chocolate pieces.

Step 7: Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are golden brown but centers still look slightly underdone. The cookies will continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after you remove them from the oven.

Step 8: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes (this is crucial—they'll firm up during this time). Then transfer to a cooling rack.

For extra-soft cookies, bake for just 10 minutes. For crispier edges with chewy centers, go for 12 minutes. Every oven is different, so watch closely during your first batch.

Tips for Bakery-Quality Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chill Your Dough

For even better results, refrigerate your dough for 30 minutes before baking. Cold dough spreads less in the oven, creating thicker cookies with chewier centers. You can also make the dough ahead and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Use Quality Chocolate

The chocolate makes or breaks these cookies. Skip the cheap chocolate chips and invest in premium vegan baking chocolate. Chopped chocolate bars create irregular chunks that melt into gorgeous pools of chocolate—much better than uniform chips.

Organic, fair-trade chocolate not only tastes better but also supports sustainable farming practices. You can taste the difference quality makes.

Don't Overbake

Underbaking is better than overbaking when it comes to cookies. They should look slightly underdone in the center when you pull them out. They'll finish cooking on the hot pan and stay soft and chewy instead of becoming dry and crumbly.

Add Sea Salt

Before your cookies go into the oven, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top. This enhances the chocolate flavor and creates a sophisticated sweet-salty contrast that's absolutely addictive.

Creative Variations to Try

Double Chocolate Vegan Cookies

Replace ¼ cup of the flour with organic cacao powder for rich, fudgy chocolate cookies studded with chocolate chips. These taste like brownies in cookie form.

Nut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Add ¼ cup of almond butter or peanut butter to the wet ingredients for extra protein and a nutty flavor dimension. Reduce the coconut oil to ⅓ cup to compensate for the added fat.

Mix-In Magic

Customize your cookies with add-ins:

• Chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch
• Dried cranberries or cherries for tartness
• Shredded coconut for tropical flair
• A handful of rolled oats for heartier texture

Sugar-Free Option

For a lower-sugar version, use allulose or monk fruit sweetener in place of the sugars. You might need to adjust quantities slightly, but these natural sweeteners work well in cookies. Check out sugar-free chocolate options to keep the entire recipe sugar-free.

Storing Your Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Room temperature cookies stay fresh for 5-7 days when stored in an airtight container. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature for 20 minutes before eating, or warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to recreate that fresh-baked experience.

You can also freeze cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. Bake from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time. This means fresh cookies anytime the craving hits!

Why Vegan Cookies Are Worth Making

Beyond dietary considerations, vegan chocolate chip cookies offer real advantages. They're safe for friends with egg or dairy allergies, they often contain more wholesome ingredients like coconut sugar and quality chocolate, and they eliminate concerns about raw dough (no raw eggs means it's safer to sneak a taste!).

The environmental benefits matter too. Plant-based baking reduces your carbon footprint and supports more sustainable food systems. Every batch of vegan cookies you make instead of traditional ones helps the planet.

Most importantly, these cookies taste incredible. They're proof that vegan baking doesn't require sacrifice—it's simply delicious food that happens to be made with plants. Once you try this recipe, you might never go back to traditional cookies.

For more inspiration on plant-based baking, explore guides on how to make vegan chocolate and discover the endless possibilities of ethical desserts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Can I substitute the coconut oil in vegan cookies?

Yes! Vegan butter works wonderfully as a 1:1 replacement for coconut oil. You can also use avocado oil or vegetable oil, though these will create slightly different textures. Coconut oil gives the best results for classic chewy cookies because it solidifies at room temperature, creating structure similar to butter.

What can I use instead of flax eggs?

Other options include chia eggs (same ratio as flax), commercial egg replacers like Bob's Red Mill, or even ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce per egg. Each creates slightly different textures. Flax eggs provide the closest texture to traditional cookies, while applesauce makes softer, cake-like cookies.

How do I make gluten-free vegan chocolate chip cookies?

Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking (like Bob's Red Mill or King Arthur). The texture will be slightly more delicate, but delicious. Make sure your blend includes xanthan gum for proper structure. You may need to bake 1-2 minutes longer.

Why are my vegan cookies spreading too much?

Over-spreading usually means your dough is too warm. Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. Also make sure you're measuring flour correctly—spoon it into the measuring cup and level off rather than scooping directly. Too little flour causes excessive spreading.

Can vegan chocolate chip cookies be frozen?

Absolutely! Both baked cookies and cookie dough freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. For dough, freeze individual balls on a baking sheet first, then store in a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes. For baked cookies, layer them with parchment paper in an airtight container before freezing.

Featured Snippet Summary

Perfect Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe: Mix 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and ½ tsp salt. Separately, whisk ½ cup melted coconut oil with ¾ cup coconut sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 flax eggs, and 2 tsp vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients, fold in 1½ cups chopped vegan chocolate, and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Makes chewy, delicious cookies everyone will love!

Start Baking Amazing Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies Today

Now you have everything you need to create spectacular vegan chocolate chip cookies that rival any bakery version. This recipe combines simple techniques with quality ingredients to deliver consistently perfect results.

The key to success lies in using premium chocolate—don't settle for anything less than organic vegan chocolate bars that deliver rich, authentic flavor. Quality chocolate transforms good cookies into extraordinary ones.

Ready to take your vegan baking to the next level? Explore the complete selection of vegan baking ingredients including organic cacao butter, cacao powder, and coconut sugar to create even more delicious plant-based treats.

Share these cookies with friends and family—they'll never guess they're vegan! Once you experience how easy and delicious plant-based baking can be, you'll want to explore more recipes. Your kitchen is about to become a vegan bakery, one amazing cookie at a time.