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    Home » Recipes » Cookies & Bars

    February 2, 2022 57 Comments

    The BEST Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies!

    889 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    These are hands down the best vegan chocolate chip cookies you will ever make! Crispy on the outside, super chewy in the middle, with tons of melty chocolate. This recipe is quick and easy to make with just 1 bowl needed and only 10 ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry (including a secret ingredient that gives these cookies their unique texture)! These cookies taste even better than the traditional version- no one will know they are vegan! 🍪

    These are hands down the best vegan chocolate chip cookies you will ever make! They are crispy on the outside, and perfectly chewy! They are sweet (but not too sweet), buttery, and oozing with melty chocolate. These cookies are easy to make, use only 1 bowl and 10 ingredients, and will stay chewy for days when kept at room temperature or freeze wonderfully as well. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganbaking #vegancookies

    This isn't my first vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe. Chocolate chip cookies were actually the first recipe I ever veganized! I already have a recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies here on the blog, and if you're looking for my original classic chocolate cookie recipe, you can find it on page 161 in my first cookbook Fuss-Free Vegan, and while I still love that original recipe, I've been writing vegan recipes for over 9 years now, and I've learned a few new tricks along the way. In this new recipe, I'm sharing with you my latest tips and tricks. (And one of these tips might sound a little weird, but you just have to trust me on this)!

    Tips and Tricks for the best vegan chocolate chip cookies:

    Tip 1 - Chop your chocolate: buying a bag of chocolate chips will work in a pinch, but for the best chocolatey experience I recommend buying a bar of vegan chocolate and then using a knife to chop it up. By doing this your cookies will have a variety of large chunks of chocolate and smaller pieces. This variety of textures will make for the most amazing chocolatey cookie! I honestly don't even buy the fanciest, I usually pick up a huge (10.5oz) store brand bar of dark chocolate which is under $6 and it works great.  Once you start chopping your chocolate, you will never go back!

    Tip 2 - Add Vinegar to Your Cookies: Yes, you read that right. This is a trick I learned when I was just a kid! Adding a small touch of vinegar to your cookie dough will cause a chemical reaction that makes the cookies extra chewy, and I promise you can't taste the vinegar! It's a tiny detail but it makes a big difference.

    Tip 3 - Apple Sauce Instead of Eggs: Using apple sauce in place of eggs in the recipe not only makes these cookies vegan, but it adds a ton of moisture which helps keep the cookies moist and chewy (instead of dry and hard, no thanks)!

    These are hands down the best vegan chocolate chip cookies you will ever make! They are crispy on the outside, and perfectly chewy! They are sweet (but not too sweet), buttery, and oozing with melty chocolate. These cookies are easy to make, use only 1 bowl and 10 ingredients, and will stay chewy for days when kept at room temperature or freeze wonderfully as well. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganbaking #vegancookies

    Common Questions:

    What makes a cookie plant-based? What are vegan cookies made of?

    Traditionally, cookies are made with cow butter, eggs, and chocolate that contains dairy. Vegan (or plant-based) chocolate chip cookies contain no animal products at all. Instead of cow butter, this recipe calls for vegan butter (also known as plant-based margarine). My go-to brand for baking is Earth Balance Buttery Spread. Instead of eggs, I use apple sauce which adds the perfect amount of moisture. And instead of dairy-filled chocolate chips, I use vegan dark chocolate, which could be any kind of chocolate that doesn't contain dairy as an ingredient.

    Are all chocolate chips vegan? Where to find vegan chocolate chips?

    Not all chocolate chips are vegan, many contain dairy so make sure you check the ingredients. There are some brands that are specifically vegan such as Enjoy Life, or you can find accidentally vegan chocolate chips by checking the ingredients of the brands in your grocery store. Just ensure that the chocolate chips do not contain dairy. For this recipe, I actually prefer buying a large bar of dark chocolate (check to make sure that it's vegan), and chopping it.

    What should the cookie dough feel like? How to fix sticky dough?

    This cookie dough is soft and sticky. Just ensure that you measure accurately and you should have the perfect dough. However, vegan butter brands can range in water content, so if you feel that your cookie dough is too dry, add a touch more applesauce, or if you think your dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour. Try to stick close to the original measurements as possible for the best results.

    What makes these cookies so perfect?

    They are crispy on the outside, and perfectly chewy! They are sweet (but not too sweet), buttery, and oozing with melty chocolate. These cookies are easy to make, use only 1 bowl and 10 ingredients, and will stay chewy for days when kept at room temperature or freeze wonderfully as well.

    Are vegan cookies healthy?

    While vegan cookies are a bit healthier as they do not contain any cholesterol or harmful animal proteins, these are not a health food. If you want a healthy vegan cookie, try my Healthy Vegan Breakfast Cookies recipe.

    Why are my vegan cookies flat?

    Likely because you flattened the cookies before baking them. Make sure you have nice round balls of dough on your cookie sheet and do not flatten them at all. If you did this and you still find your cookies are a bit flat, it is likely due to the vegan butter brand you are using. Next time try adding 1 - 2 tablespoons extra flour to your dough. Another option is to try chilling your cookie dough before baking.

    How to Bake Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies?

    Bake them at 350F (180C) on a parchment paper lined baking sheet for 12 - 15 minutes until golden around the edges. Leave them on the pan to cool for the best chewy texture. YUM!

    Chop your chocolate for the best chocolate chip cookies

    How to make the best vegan chocolate chip cookies ever!!!!

    Preheat your oven to 350F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.

    Whisk the wet ingredients together

    In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, white sugar, vegan butter, applesauce, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar.

    Add in the dry and mix well

    Add in the flour, baking soda, and salt, and use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix well. Lastly, stir in the chocolate. While you can get away with chocolate chips, I highly recommend buying a bar of chocolate and chopping it yourself for the best taste and texture.

    Make dough balls and spread out on a baking sheet

    Take about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough (I used a cookie scoop), and place the ball of dough on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat, giving each cookie room to spread making about 18 cookies. Do not flatten the cookies. Bake 12 - 15 minutes until the edges are just beginning to brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan.

    The cookies will be puffy when you first remove them from the oven but will flatten more as they cool. They will also get chewier as they cool, and will become super chewy when left overnight uncovered at room temperature.

    These are hands down the best vegan chocolate chip cookies you will ever make! They are crispy on the outside, and perfectly chewy! They are sweet (but not too sweet), buttery, and oozing with melty chocolate. These cookies are easy to make, use only 1 bowl and 10 ingredients, and will stay chewy for days when kept at room temperature or freeze wonderfully as well. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganbaking #vegancookies

    These cookies are:

    • Easy to make
    • 10 ingredients
    • 1 bowl
    • Crispy on the outside
    • Chewy in the middle
    • The perfect cookie.

    More Delicious Vegan Cookie Recipes:

    Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Easy Chewy Vegan Molasses Cookies
    Vegan Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies
    Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

    If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.

    Bon appetegan!
    Sam Turnbull

    Print Recipe
    4.98 from 38 votes

    The Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

    These are hands down the best vegan chocolate chip cookies you will ever make! They are crispy on the outside, and perfectly chewy! They are sweet (but not too sweet), buttery, and oozing with melty chocolate. These cookies are easy to make, use only 1 bowl and 10 ingredients, and will stay chewy for days when kept at room temperature or freeze wonderfully as well.
    Recipe adapted from Fuss-Free Vegan.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    ingredient tag: chocolate
    Servings: 18 cookies
    Calories: 203kcal
    Author: Sam Turnbull • It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup brown sugar packed
    • ½ cup white sugar
    • ½ cup vegan butter melted
    • ¼ cup applesauce
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (trust me on this)
    • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 8 oz chopped vegan chocolate
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350F (180C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, white sugar, vegan butter, applesauce, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar. Add in the flour, baking soda, and salt, and use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix well. Lastly, stir in the chocolate.
    • Take about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough (I used a cookie scoop), and place the ball of dough on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat, giving each cookie room to spread making about 18 cookies. Do not flatten the cookies. Bake 12 - 15 minutes until the edges are just beginning to brown. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan. The cookies will be puffy when you first remove them from the oven but will flatten more as they cool. They will also get chewier as they cool, and will become super chewy when left overnight uncovered at room temperature.

    Notes

    Vegan Chocolate: For the best gooiest most chocolatey cookies I highly recommend buying a bar of dark chocolate (check to make sure it's vegan) and then using your knife to chop it. The variation of larger and smaller pieces of chocolate will make for the best taste and texture.
    Apple Cider Vinegar: This is a trick I learned when I was just a kid! Adding a small touch of vinegar to your cookie dough will cause a chemical reaction that makes the cookies extra chewy, and I promise you can't taste the vinegar! (Sub white vinegar in a pinch).
    Apple Sauce: In this recipe, I use applesauce as an egg substitute. The added moisture is perfect! I use unsweetened applesauce, but sweetened will also work fine. In a pinch, you could alternatively sub ¼ cup of mashed banana, just make sure that the banana is mashed very, very well to ensure it mixes into the dough properly and there are no chunks.
    Storage: once cooled, store these cookies at room temperature uncovered on a plate, or in a cookies jar. They also freeze wonderfully, just put them in an air-tight container in the freezer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 cookie (recipe makes 18 cookies) | Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 139mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 241IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram and Hashtag #itdoesnttastelikechicken

     

    More Vegan Desserts You Might Enjoy:

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tara says

      December 17, 2022 at 10:35 pm

      5 stars
      I made these tonight and all I can say is wow. So easy, and so so so delicious. I’m not exaggerating when I say these are the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever made! There’s nothing better than a warm chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven, and these will forever be my go to!

      Reply
    2. Ruth says

      November 05, 2022 at 9:23 pm

      Sam, I love your recipes. My daughter especially enjoys the cheeses and my son has made one or another of your seitan recipes for football games, holidays, and cookouts.

      Please please please look into the conditions your chocolate is made in. Very often it's slave conditions and the slaves may even be children! I'm not sure you can say your chocolate doesn't harm animals if it's being harvested by human slaves.

      Tony's Chocolonely is Fair Trade, available in large bars, and doesn't break the bank. There are even better brands (like Alter Eco and Beyond Good) but they tend to be more expensive.

      Really looking forward to trying these cookies! Thanks for sharing your creativity and recipes with the world.

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        November 17, 2022 at 4:57 pm

        Thanks Ruth! I will look into that in the future 🙂

        Reply
    3. Lizzie says

      October 26, 2022 at 11:11 am

      5 stars
      These are so easy, fuss-free, and delicious. I made them as written the first time, and then reduced the brown sugar to 1/2 cup the second time. Equally good, just my preference. These don’t last long in our house! Thanks for a fab recipe!

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        October 28, 2022 at 10:09 am

        So happy you love them Lizzie!

        Reply
    4. Karrie says

      October 22, 2022 at 11:02 am

      5 stars
      Hi Sam! I love your recipes so much! What would be a good substitute for the white and brown sugar?
      We are refined sugar free due to my daughters health. I’m always looking for treats to make on special occasions.❤️

      Reply
      • Sam Turnbull says

        October 28, 2022 at 9:53 am

        Thank you so much, Karrie! I'm really not an expert in alternative sugars but this guide should help you. Enjoy!

        Reply
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    Sam Turnbull

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    I'm Sam. Bestselling cookbook author and full-time vegan recipe creator! I LOVE vegan food, but it didn't start that way. As someone who comes from a family of hunters, butchers, and chefs I'm the last person I thought would go vegan. Here's My Story →

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