Vegan Red Velvet Cookies

This EASY vegan red velvet cookies recipe is so delicious, you won’t believe it’s vegan too! If you love a rich, gooey cookie with lots of chocolate chips, these 5-ingredient cookies will be your favorite!

A stack of vegan red velvet cookies shows the top one with a bite taken out. There are more cookies in the background.

Every now and then you’re looking for a super simple, but a delicious cookie. That’s true whether you’re vegan or not. For example, these vegan no-bake cookies are so easy and delicious!

So, what makes these vegan red velvet crinkle cookies so simple? It’s made with only 5 ingredients thanks to a store-bought cake mix. That makes the batter come together in minutes!

Let’s get into the ingredients you’ll need.

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Red velvet cake mix — I used Duncan Hines because it doesn’t have dairy products. And as you can see, these Duncan Hines red velvet chocolate chip cookies turned out fabulous! I make my plant-based red velvet cake from scratch, but for these cookies, it’s much easier to use a cake mix.
  • Fat — In the past I’ve used vegan butter, but to make this recipe even easier for folks without access to that ingredient, I changed it to vegetable oil. If you prefer using vegan butter, I recommend Earth Balance, or you can make homemade dairy-free butter.
  • Vegan Egg — For this recipe, we’ll use 2 flax eggs or you can substitute chia eggs.
  • Chocolate chips — Use this dairy-free chocolate chips guide to find the best ones. You can make vegan white chocolate chip red velvet cookies.
  • Powdered sugar — We’ll roll the cookie dough balls in a bit of powdered sugar for that crinkly coating.

This recipe for red velvet chocolate chip cookies is a go-to during the holiday season because of their festive colors. I like to make them ahead, freeze them, and then give them out as gifts to friends and neighbors.

How to Make Vegan Red Velvet Cookies

  1. Stir melted vegan butter and flax egg into cake mix in a bowl. 
  2. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
  3. Use a cookie dough scoop to create 36 cookie dough balls.
  4. Roll the cookie dough balls in the powdered sugar and place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake.
  5. Let the baked cookies sit on the pan for a minute before transferring to a rack to cool.
Chocolate chips are in a bowl with red velvet batter.

Frequently-Asked Questions

Are red velvet cookies vegan?

Most red velvet cookies are made with eggs and are therefore not vegan. Can you make red velvet cookies without eggs? Absolutely. Use a flax egg or a chia egg and you’ll love the results!

What is red velvet cookie dough made of?

Typical red velvet cookie dough is made with flour, sugar, butter, eggs, leavening agents, and red food coloring. Make your dough vegan by using dairy-free butter and an egg substitute like a flax egg.

Red velvet chocolate chip cookies are on a plate. There's a bowl of chocolate chips and more cookies in the background.

Why is This the Best Recipe?

  • GOOEY — Using a red cake mix means making these tender, gooey cookies is so easy
  • PUFFY — Chilling the dough creates puffy cookies that are beautiful and delicious
  • FLAVORFUL — Adding chocolate chips brings out even more velvet flavor in these irresistible treats!
Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Cookies are stacked and surrounded by other cookies.

It’s obvious I used chocolate chips to make these red velvet vegan cookies. But guess what? There are lots of great add-ins to make your cookies special. Here are my favorites:

  • White chocolate chips — You can easily find dairy-free white chocolate chips these days. Check out my Guide to Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips to find your favorite:
  • Chopped Nuts — Adding somealnuts or pecans adds flavor and texture to these cookies.
  • Dried Fruit — Imagine little bits of cranberries or dried blueberries in these cookies. These additions not only enhance the flavor but also contribute texture and color.
  • Sprinkles — I’m inspired by these Christmas Sprinkle Chocolate Chip Cookies that illustrate how easy it is to add bursts of color to just about any cookie!

Storage Tips

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 5 days or in the fridge for up to 8 days. They can be frozen. Allow the cookies to cool, transfer to a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the cookie dough balls.

More Red Velvet Desserts

If you love this vegan red velvet chocolate chip cookies recipe, you must be a fan of festive treats. That’s one reason you’ll love this Vegan Red Velvet Whoopie Pie recipe or these vegan Christmas cookies! But if you’re looking for more velvet-inspired recipes, try these:

Looking down on vegan Red Velvet Cookies stacked with more cookies all around them.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Cookies

These vegan red velvet crinkle cookies are colorful cookies infused with chocolate chips. With only a few ingredients, they're so easy to prepare too!
5 from 3 votes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Resting time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 30 cookies
Calories: 124kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 flax eggs
  • 1 16.5 oz box red velvet cake mix (such as Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker)
  • cup vegetable oil (substitute vegan butter)
  • 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Combine ground flax with water to create the flax eggs. Stir and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Line two cookies sheets with parchment paper or silpat.
  • Pour the red velvet cake mix into a mixing bowl. Add the vegetable oil and flax eggs. Stir to combine.
  • Stir in chocolate chips.
    Chocolate chips are in a bowl with red velvet batter.
  • Use a cookie dough scoop to create 30 cookie dough balls. Roll the cookie dough balls in the powdered sugar and place on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 1½ inches apart. Bake for 9-10 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to sit on the pan for a minute or two before transferring to a rack to cool.

Recommended Equipment

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Video

Notes

You can substitute white chocolate chips.
Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

This post was originally published in 2015 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2020.

16 Responses to Vegan Red Velvet Cookies

  1. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMariah Reply

    Hi, trying this recipe and my dough is soooo sticky, basically too sticky to work with… do you have tips to make it less sticky?

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Hi Mariah. Did you use a Duncan Hines cake mix? I’ve never had a problem with this recipe being sticky. However, you could try putting it in the fridge for 30 minutes or so to help the dough firm up.

  2. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyLiz @ Floating Kitchen Reply

    YUM! Your photos are really amazing! Hope you’re having a great weekend!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks so much Liz!! xoxoxo!!

  3. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMelanie | Melanie Makes Reply

    Oh. My. Do these look divine, or what?! And that photo with the scoop? Just gorgeous, my friend!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks Miss Melanie! You just made my day! 🙂

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyHeidi Tweedell

      I had no idea their red velvet cake mix was dairy free!! So glad I stumbled upon you blog. I’m a home baker & am trying to find recipes that are delish for people with allergies & gluten sensitivity. Can’t wait to try these. Any idea on how to convert it to a cupcake?

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Hi Heidi! Thanks for your comment. Just so you know, these cake mixes are not usually gluten free, but you can find some that specifically are gluten-free. Regarding using the cake mix for cupcakes, it is tricky because a standard cake mix without eggs can be a little “flimsy” is the word that comes to mind. Check out my Vegan Christmas Tree Cupcakes, where I used a standard cake mix and made it vegan. I think this should work for red velvet too. I hope your delish desserts turn out great!

  4. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyHeather || Heather's Dish Reply

    5 stars
    COME.
    TO.
    MAMA <3

  5. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyCarla Reply

    Yea, the show is about humor and satire and not how the parks and rec departments are portrayed in real life. It’s like The Office where office life is overexaggerated. Anyway, love the sound of these cookies!

  6. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyNancy @ gottagetbaked Reply

    Major props for quoting from Sade – I love that song! I was listening to it on repeat about six months ago. Smooth Operator will always sound good! These red velvet cookies look absolutely amazing, Marly. I especially love the melty chocolate chips interspersed in there. Happy Galentine’s Day!

  7. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyLiz Reply

    I’m a cookie monster at heart and these babies look divine! So fun to celebrate Galentine’s Day with you.

  8. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMichelle @ Modern Acupuncture Volunteering Reply

    These look glorious! Wow, so gooey. The perfect cookie. I love Parks & Rec. I will be honest, I didn’t love it at first, either. It was too deadpan for me, and I was taking the characters too seriously. But with time, it’s grown on me. Galentine’s Day, begin! 🙂

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Thanks Michelle! I’m glad to know I wasn’t the only one who took awhile to like that show! 🙂 If these cookies had a middle name, I’m sure it would be Gooey! Take that Glass Animals!

  9. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyLindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen Reply

    These look so good! Happy Galentine’s Day!

  10. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyCourtney @ NeighborFood Reply

    Oh these are just gorgeous Marly! And so perfect for a lady party. Since they’re so easy to make I may have to whip some up this very weekend. Thanks for joining in the fun, friend!

Rate / Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.