Chocolate Chip Cookies Made Without Butter

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Chocolate chip cookies are made with a healthy twist with the same great taste as classic chocolate chip cookies
clos up of cookie cookies on a white plate

This chocolate chip cookie recipe with no butter is a delicious and simple recipe. Even though the cookies are made without butter and healthier ingredients, they have the same great flavor as classic chocolate chip cookies.

cookies on a plate with more on a cooling rack in the background

Why bake butterless chocolate chip cookies?

I decided to give my family’s treasured original recipe for chocolate chip cookies a healthier spin, and while I was at it, I decided to replace the butter with coconut oil.

Coconut oil is not necessarily healthier than butter, but it has a longer shelf life and is a good plant-based and dairy-free option for baking.

If you prefer butter in your chocolate chips, you can replace the coconut oil with an equal amount of unsalted butter.

There aren’t any crazy ingredients in these cookies, just natural ingredients which is how I like to bake. If you like these cookies, try these old-fashioned butter cookies, healthy almond joy bites or these no-bake fudge brownies.

Picture of the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies

Here is what you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make Chocolate Chip Cookies Made Without Butter and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

🥄Equipment

  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie sheet
  • Mixing bowls (large bowl & small bowl)
  • Stand mixer or electric mixer
  • Small cookie scoop
  • Wire rack
  • Measuring cup
an overhead view of chocolate chip cookies on a baking rack

How to make chocolate chip cookies without butter

Prepare: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and measure the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees f.

Process photo flours mixed together in a bowl

STEP 1. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to a small bowl and combine them together with a wooden spoon

STEP 2. Place the coconut oil and coconut sugar into a large mixing bowl. Use an electric or stand mixer at low speed to combine the two together.

coconut sugar and coconut oil mixed together in a bowl
Recipe image to show consistency of batter when adding eggs and vanilla to mix again. Batter in glass bowl.

STEP 3. Add the eggs and vanilla; blend again at low speed. At this point the mixture will be thin.

Step 4. Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour mixture) to the sugar and egg mixture in the mixing bowl.

Process flour added to bowl with wet ingredients
process dough mixed with chocolate chip in a bowl

STEP 5. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine the wet and dry ingredients into a stiff dough, and stir in the chocolate chips.

STEP 6. Use a small cookie scoop, medium cookie scoop or spoon to form the cookies and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Process cookies on a tray not cooked
process photo cookies baked

STEP 7. Place the cookies into a preheated oven (375 degrees F) and bake for 12 minutes until golden.

Note: There is not a lot of sugar in this cookie recipe, if you prefer your cookies sweeter, add 1/4 cup more sugar.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The full list of ingredients to make these delicious chocolate chip cookies is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients, along with ideas for substitutes.

Coconut oil – This is a plant-based fat that is a great substitute for butter in baking recipes and it’s healthier than shortening.

Coconut oil can be substituted with an equal amount of room-temperature unsalted butter in this recipe.

Flour – This recipe uses a mix of whole wheat flour and all-purpose white flour. Whole wheat flour can be replaced with all-purpose white.

Coconut sugar – Is my sweetener of choice when I bake. It’s less refined than white granulated sugar and it can be swapped one for one if you prefer to use refined sugar.

You can also use an equal amount of brown sugar to make these cookies or half brown sugar and half sugar.

The best way to store chocolate chip cookies

Homemade chocolate chip cookies will last for up to two weeks stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Freeze chocolate chip cookies for up to 2 months by placing room temperature cookies on a baking tray and popping it into the freezer.

Once the cookies are frozen remove them from the tray and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.

clos up of cookie cookies on a white plate

How to change up chocolate chip cookies

Try some of these suggestions to make these chocolate chip cookies with no butter your own creation.

Vegan chocolate chip cookies – Replace the eggs with 2 tablespoons chia seeds and 5 tablespoons water and vegan chocolate chips for vegan cookies.

Gluten-free and butter-free chocolate chip cookies – Replace the flour with your favorite gluten-free baking flour.

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies – Use 1/2 cup coconut oil and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter instead of all coconut oil.

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies – stir in 3/4 cup of rolled oats into the dough.

Almond coconut chocolate chip cookies – Stir in 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds and 1/4 cup coconut flakes into the dough before baking the cookies.

Tips

  • This recipe will make a stiff dough, especially if you use whole wheat flour. If for some reason it is not stiff, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes which will help to keep the cookies from spreading too much on the baking tray.
  • Use your hands during the last addition or two of flour to thoroughly combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients.
Can you make the chocolate chip cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this dough a day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Can I freeze chocolate chip cookie dough?

Yes, you can freeze chocolate chip cookie dough for up to two months. Wrap the dough up tightly and place it in the freezer. Thaw the dough out in the refrigerator overnight. Or roll the dough into little balls of dough and freeze the cookie dough balls on a baking sheet. Once frozen, place them into a freezer safe container to make smaller portions of cookies.

Can I use vegetable oil, margarine, or shortening to make these butter-free chocolate chip cookies?

Yes, you can. But look for a neutral oil such as avocado oil which isn’t highly processed.

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clos up of cookie cookies on a white plate

Butter Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are made with a healthy twist with the same great taste as classic chocolate chip cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes

Click on serving size to scale this recipe

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 15 People
Calories: 299kcal
Author: Anne
Scale this Recipe 15 People

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white all purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup coconut oil solid
  • 1 cup coconut sugar or refined or brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips 60 % cacao or higher

Instructions

  • Prepare: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Add the flour, baking soda and salt to a small mixing bowl and stir them with a wooden spoon
  • Place the coconut oil and coconut sugar in a separate bowl and use an electric mixer or stand mixer to combine the two together
  • Add the eggs and vanilla; blend again until all ingredients are mixed together. At this point the mixture will be thin.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients in the small bowl to the mixing bowl with the eggs and coconut oil and coconut sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon until all of the flour is mixed in and forms a stiff dough.
  • Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to form the cookies, and arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Place the cookie sheet into a preheated oven (375 degrees F) and bake for 12 minutes.
  • Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for 5 to 8 minutes before removing them from the baking sheet.

Notes

Store chocolate chip cookies for up to two weeks in an airtight container at room temperature.
Freeze cookies for up to 2 months by placing room temperature cookies on a baking tray and popping it into the freezer. Once the cookies are frozen remove them from the tray and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
See the article above for tips, variations and more!

Nutrition

Serving: 2cookies | Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 84mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 33IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

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13 Comments

  1. I absolutely love that you made these healthier with whole wheat flour and dark chocolate chips! I love cookies, but I am always searching for a healthier version!! Pinned!

  2. They look perfect for a dunk in the milk! I always look for heathier version of desserts for me and this fits the bill.

    1. Kiki, my favorite way to make these is the gluten-free version. And I don’t have to eat gluten-free but sometimes alternative ways just taste better

  3. I love chocolate chip cookies and I love that these are healthy because that means I don’t have to feel bad about eating a ton of them!

  4. I’m so glad I found a healthier chocolate chip cookie recipe! We do love our chocolate chip cookies and I love making them for the grandsons but I’m also trying to make sure that their treats aren’t loaded with sugar and fat. This recipe is a winner in my book.

  5. Loving this version of chocolate chip cookie! And I love that you made a gluten free and vegan option!! Loving me some cookies this time of year!!

  6. Love the variety of options you offer. These cookies look so good and I’ve never met a chocolate chip cookie I didn’t like. Going to have to give these a try 😉

  7. I’m always in the mood for good delicious cookie. I love the texture and flavors in this recipe. I must give it a try. Love that these are gluten free and healthier than regular cookies. So yummy!