Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies take the traditional cookie recipe and turns it on its head. Well, that doesn’t sound very appetizing, but you get the picture. Something super made superfluous! If you’re into superpower, flavorful chocolate chip cookies, check out my Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies. Or how about my Vegan Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Some days you have to treat yourself. That’s my theory, at least. And sometimes a treat means presents. Don’t you just love presents? 🎁
Another theory of mine? There’s no reason to wait for someone else to give you a present. You can give one to yourself.
That said, I love gifts that can be shared too. That means making a batch of these Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies means I can have both — a gift for myself and one to be shared as well.
Why You’ll Love Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
Well, first things first. Our friend Bob said these were his favorite chocolate chip cookies of all time. I’m not sure if Bob is a connoisseur of fine cookies, but I’m still going with it.
Honestly, if you can make vegan treats that tickles the taste buds of your typical omnivore friend like Bob, then you’re doing just fine. That’s the way I look at it.
Shawn agrees, by the way. He said to me today, What’s in these cookies? They’re really good. My response? Coconut oil. Who knew that something as simple as coconut oil could create such a unique, tasty cookie.
I love freezing these Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies and then reheating them right before serving so people can enjoy that “fresh-from-the-oven” feeling. Also, freezing the cookie dough balls is a great idea too. Then you can bake-and-serve just about any time you want.
These cookies are made with coconut oil rather than vegan butter or peanut butter. I was worried that the cookies would have a strong coconut flavor from the oil. The good news? They don’t.
In the end, it wasn’t the flavor that gave me fits. It was the texture. I’ll confess, it took me a few batches to get the recipe just right. The first batch kind of spread out on the pan.
I followed a self-imposed rule when using a new ingredient for cookies: I made only a few at a time so I could adjust the batter as I went along. After a few audibles on the line of scrimmage I landed with a touchdown in the end zone — a perfect chocolate chip cookie with a crispy golden crust on the outside and a gooey chocolate chip center.
What is Coconut Oil?
I’m glad you asked. You get coconut oil from pressing the white part from the inside of a coconut, otherwise referred to as the meat. You might recognize it most as coconut flakes, because that’s how we most commonly see it. That coconut meat has a high fat ratio, over 80%. That’s a lot, which is why coconut oil is one of the few plant-based sources of saturated fat.
Is Coconut Oil Good for You?
Another great question. Wow. You’re on a roll. Most experts for years said that we should avoid saturated fats like the plague. They’re not too good for us. But science is always evolving and now there is some evidence that seems to show that the saturated found in natural products like coconut, may have some health benefits. I think the jury is still out, though, which is one reason why we still use coconut oil in moderation.
The good news is that coconut oil does not cause an increase in inflammation as animal-based saturated fats do. However, there is some evidence that shows the saturated fats in coconut oil can increase cholesterol. That’s why it’s best to consume coconut oil, and things made from it, like these cookies, in moderation.
Of course, that’s not necessarily rocket science. Right? I think we all know by now that things like cookies should be eaten in moderation.
This Recipe Made Better
There’s a lot of things that make me happy, including creating delicious vegan recipes to share with you. Want to know something that makes me even happier than that? When you take that recipe and adapt it to your tastes, thereby making it your own!
If you’d like some ideas on changing this recipe, here are some of my thoughts to get the party started:
- Add some chopped almonds to the dough
- Why not include some actual coconut flakes to the dough as well?
- Make these double chocolate by adding cocoa powder to the mix
- I love mini cookies, so you could make these smaller, just be sure to reduce the baking time
- Sprinkle some coconut extract into the batter as well for extra coconut flavor
You get where I’m going with all this. Right? This recipe is made better, when the missing ingredient is added: YOU! Add your own flair to this recipe and every other recipe you come across.
Now, you know what goes well with a cookie? How about some Vegan Skinny Hot Chocolate? I know. It’s perfect!
Actually, these cookies are extra-special because they have another secret ingredient. I attended a food blogging conference where I was able to sample some very delicious dark chocolate chips. They’re called Scharffen Berger and you can read more about them on my Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Guide.
I’m a small town-girl living in a midwestern suburb, so the idea that I could be in love with dark chocolate is still a mystery to me. But, here I am, loving the stuff! Besides, there are definite health benefits to dark chocolate thanks to flavonoids, antioxidants, and a bunch of other phytonutrients too.
Finally, we hope you love these Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies as much as we do! If you decide to make them, snap a photo and use #namelymarly to share them with us on Instagram. We love seeing your creations!
- 1 cup Coconut Oil room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 flax egg 1T ground flax, 1T cornstarch, 3T water
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 - 2 tablespoons plant-based milk*
- 12 oz bag Dairy-free chocolate chips
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Heat your oven to 375F.
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Cream together the coconut oil and sugars. You could use a mixer here, but the upper arm workout is great if you want to go for it.
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Add the flax egg and vanilla. Stir to combine.
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In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
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Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until well combined. Add the plant-based milk, one tablespoon at a time and stir until you have a nice cookie dough consistency.
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Add chocolate chips. Stir to combine.
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Place rounded tablespoons of dough on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes until cookies are nice and gold around the edges.
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Remove from oven and wait for a minute before placing on a wire wrack to cool.
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Repeat these steps until you've worked your way through all the delicious dough.
* If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon additional plant-based milk.
Also, I found a few other sites offering tasty chocolate chip cookies made with coconut oil. I hope you’ll check them out as well.
- Picky Palate’s Bye, Bye Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Or how about these Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies by Cheeky Kitchen?
- Visions of Sugar Plums shares these Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Oh She Glows goes raw with these Raw Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Take a look at these Oatmeal Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies by yours truly
You know, there’s no end to the chocolatey goodness offered up in the form of a simple cookie. Whatever cooking you’re treating yourself to, enjoy!
We recently updated this Vegan Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies post with new photography. Once you see a sample of our old photos, I’m sure you’ll agree an update was a good idea.
Cassie - Vegan Fox
Love this post! I love the little story that you crafted from the pictures 🙂 Coconut oil is wonderful, we use it most of the time any more. I’ll definitely have to try some of those chocolate chunks, they sound wonderful!
Grace
I love presents!!! Hope you’re sending me a little box of these in the mail – yummy! What a coincidence I just bought a jar of coconut oil before leaving for the conference. I’ve never used it before, in fact Liana thought I was nuts for buying it because I am allergic to coconut but I thought it would be nice to bake with it, something different and as long as I don’t eat it and use gloves I should be okay.
By the way have I told you how excited I was to finally have met face to face, we make great traveling companions. Can’t wait for next time.
Nancy
I think I may have to try baking with coconut oil–and I’m not even vegan! But I may be hosting one in a few weeks….
Cookin' Canuck
This is the best kind of present! I have never baked with coconut oil, but it sounds like it’s time that I give it a shot.
Cooking with Michele
Any ideas about high altitude adjustments? I’d love to try these, but must confess I’m more of a cook than a baker!
Diane
Yummy! If these are as good as your old recipe, I want some! Sounds good!
Feast on the Cheap
Mmm, like a Mounds Bar in cookie form
Marly
It would seem like that would be the case, but believe it or not, the coconut flavor is very subtle. My husband didn’t even realize I used coconut oil instead of margarine!
Maria
I am a cookie fanatic and I can’t wait to try these!
Marly
I promise, they are well worth the effort!
PeaSoup
I want a stack of cookies – specifically those cookies!!
Marly
I couldn’t agree with you more – we’re all out and now I’m wishing we had some more. I may just have to make that happen…soon!
Ilke
Vegan or not, these cookies look awesome Marly! You know my chocolate all melted and became a big mess on the way back home 🙁 I am still keeping it though, might have to break pieces and use it that way!
Ricki
I never bake with margarine–only coconut oil! I love it (and of course the bonus is that it’s good for you). 🙂 Your cookies look phenomenal–just the right balance of crisp and chewy. Now you’ll have to start using coconut oil to saute, in other baking, on your muffins. . . ! 😉
Jason
Excellent photo progression…suspenseful and dramatic. And it made me hungry!
Jason
Jen @ LitasWorld
OMG those cookies look divine!!! I’m so going to buy the Scharffen Berger next time I’m at the store (my favorite chocolate) and make this recipe!! They look so yummy..thanks for taking the time to figure out the adjustments to work with coconut oil. YUM!!
Heather {Multiply Delicious}
These cookies look delicious! I just started to bake and cook with coconut oil and I’ve loved it! I can’t wait to try these amazing cookies! There is nothing like a chocolate chip cookie in my opinion!
Amber @Almost Vegan
These look perrrfect. I love thin, chewy CC cookies.
Leslie
these are wonderful!! they taste like traditional cookies, but much lighter! I used white chocolate chips and 1 cup of ground oatmeal in place of 1 cup flour (only b/c I was short)… and they’re delicious! My 2 year old vegan loves them!
Marly
I’m so glad you liked them!
Sandra
I submitted this recipe to foodgawker.com using the link to this page so you get credit of course. Hope that’s ok. The world NEEDS to have this recipe! It was so yummy raw too. I added a little unsweetened flaked coconut too.
I had to leave them in the oven longer than the recipe says because they came out raw and falling apart at first.
I even froze these and took them out of the freezer for an hour or so, popped them into the microwave for like 15 seconds and it was like fresh baked again. Thank you!
PS This is by no means a lot fat recipe because it’s “vegan.” There is a lot of coconut oil in this recipe but it makes these taste decadent and non-vegan. Yum.
Lacey Olsen
I thought you should know that I’ve made this recipe at least 2 dozen times! It’s my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and I’m not even vegan! AND I did have to drop dairy due to a breastfeeding issue, so this recipe was there to get me through it! So thank you!
Marly
Lacey – you just made my day! I’m so glad you love this recipe because I do too! That makes us like Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookie Buds!
Shannon
Did you use refined or unrefined coconut oil? Since you said they don’t taste coconutty, I figure it’s refined but wanted to check. The photos look awesome! Thanks
Marly
Hi Shannon, I use Better Body Coconut Oils which comes in refined and virgin, etc. I love that I can find Better Body Foods at places like Walmart which helps make vegan, healthy living so much more affordable and accessible! You’re right though, using a refined coconut oil does help reduce the coconut taste in the finished product.