Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe: Crispy Outside, Chewy Inside

The perfect Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe—soft, gooey, and packed with rich chocolate flavor, made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients.

vegan chocolate chip cookies

The best vegan chocolate chip cookies

There’s nothing like a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chip cookie, and everyone should be able to enjoy that treat. These vegan cookies recreate the classic flavor you love while remaining completely dairy-free and egg-free.

They stay soft even once cooled and have a rich, satisfying texture. This is an easy go-to recipe for anyone baking for egg or dairy allergies—or for anyone who wants a delicious vegan cookie.

vegan chocolate chip cookies

Ingredients & notes

  • All purpose flour (or substitute whole wheat pastry flour)
  • Salt
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • White sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Unsweetened applesauce — an egg replacement that keeps cookies soft and chewy
  • Vegan butter — Earth Balance is a reliable brand for baking
  • Vanilla extract
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips — check they are dairy-free; Enjoy Life is a good option for strict allergies
ingredients needed to make vegan chocolate chip cookies

How to make vegan chocolate chip cookies

Step 1: In a bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder until evenly combined. Set aside.

dry ingredients in a mixing bowl
whisking the dry ingredients together

Step 2: In a separate large bowl, cream together the white sugar, brown sugar, unsweetened applesauce, softened vegan butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.

wet ingredients in a mixing bowl
wet ingredients mixed together

Replacing eggs in vegan cookies

This recipe replaces eggs by using unsweetened applesauce along with baking powder and baking soda. The combination keeps the cookies tender and chewy without any eggs or dairy, delivering a rich flavor you wouldn’t expect from a vegan cookie.

adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients
vegan chocolate chip cookie batter mixed together

Step 3: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips gently so they’re evenly distributed.

adding chocolate chips to the batter
folding the chocolate chips into the batter

Recipe note

Not all chocolate chips are vegan. Many contain milk ingredients, so check labels and choose dairy-free chips when needed.

Baking tips

Step 4: Use a mini cookie scoop or spoons to place rounded portions of batter onto a nonstick or parchment-lined baking sheet.

vegan chocolate chip cookie batter on a baking sheet
vegan chocolate chip cookies on a baking sheet

Step 5: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–14 minutes. Around 12 minutes is ideal for a soft, chewy center. The tops should no longer look doughy and the edges should be set—avoid overbaking.

Step 6: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Fresh from the oven they’ll be slightly puffy and will flatten as they cool.

vegan chocolate chip cookies

This recipe reliably produces tender, chewy vegan cookies that keep well and still taste great the next day.

vegan chocolate chip cookies

Freezing cookie dough

To have fresh cookies on demand, scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray. Transfer frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag with wax paper. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

vegan chocolate chip cookies

Can you freeze baked cookies?

Yes. Store baked cookies in an airtight container or wrap them individually for best freshness. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

vegan chocolate chip cookies

More vegan desserts

  • Vegan Peanut Butter Cups
  • Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Vegan Muddy Buddies
  • Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
  • Best Vegan Apple Crisp
vegan chocolate chip cookies
vegan chocolate chip cookies
vegan chocolate chip cookies
4.76 from 25 votes

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

By: Joy Shull
Chewy and rich, these classic vegan chocolate chip cookies will be your new favorite vegan cookie recipe.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 22 minutes
Servings: 30 cookies
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Ingredients 

  • 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, dairy free

Instructions 

  • Whisk together the all purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder until combined. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream together the white sugar, brown sugar, applesauce, vegan butter, and vanilla extract.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and beat to combine.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Use a mini cookie scoop or spoons to portion the batter onto a baking sheet.
  • Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10–13 minutes, until the edges are set. Around 12 minutes works well. Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

I recommend Earth Balance vegan butter. Use butter that is softened but still holds its shape.

Nutrition

Calories: 128kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sugar: 12g

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