Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe – Soft, Chewy, and Easy to Bake

Introduction

Biting into a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven is one of life’s simple pleasures. For those avoiding gluten due to celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or personal dietary preferences, finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie that tastes just like the classic version can feel like chasing a dream. Too often, gluten free baked goods turn out dry, crumbly, or strangely textured. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

Gluten free baking has evolved significantly in recent years. With the right combination of ingredients and techniques, you can make cookies that are chewy in the center, slightly crispy on the edges, and bursting with rich chocolate flavor. The key is selecting the right flour blend and balancing moisture levels to achieve that iconic cookie texture. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your gluten free journey, this recipe delivers consistent results without sacrificing taste.

Get ready to impress your friends and family—gluten free or not—with a cookie recipe that no one will believe is actually free of wheat. By the end of this guide, you’ll have everything you need to bake your new favorite sweet treat from scratch.

Ingredients Needed

Below is a complete list of ingredients along with their approximate calorie count per serving. These estimates are based on standard product nutrition labels and may vary slightly depending on the brands used.

Ingredient	Quantity	Calories
Gluten free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum)	2 ¼ cups	480
Unsalted butter (softened)	1 cup	810
Brown sugar	¾ cup	550
Granulated sugar	½ cup	385
Large eggs	2	140
Vanilla extract	2 teaspoons	25
Baking soda	1 teaspoon	0
Salt	½ teaspoon	0
Semi-sweet chocolate chips	2 cups	1120
Optional: Chopped walnuts	½ cup	200

Total Estimated Calories (per batch): 3,710
Estimated Per Cookie (yields about 24 cookies): Approx. 155 calories

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven
   Set your oven to 350°F and allow it to preheat while you prepare the dough. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Cream the butter and sugars
   In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Mix until the texture is creamy and light in color. This step usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add the eggs and vanilla
   Crack in the eggs one at a time and add the vanilla extract. Continue mixing until fully incorporated. The mixture should appear smooth and slightly fluffy.
4. Mix the dry ingredients separately
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour blend, baking soda, and salt. Make sure the ingredients are well combined to avoid clumping in the dough.
5. Stir in the chocolate chips
   Fold in the chocolate chips (and optional nuts) using a rubber spatula. Make sure the chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. Chill the dough
   Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up, which prevents excessive spreading during baking and enhances the flavor.
7. Scoop and shape
   Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow room for spreading.
8. Bake
   Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look just set. Do not overbake if you prefer chewy cookies.
9. Cool before serving
   Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They’ll continue to set as they cool.

Tips for Customizing the Recipe

• Make them dairy free
  Replace butter with vegan butter or coconut oil. Use dairy free chocolate chips to keep the entire batch dairy free.
• Use different flour blends
  Not all gluten free flours behave the same. Look for a blend that includes xanthan gum or guar gum, or add ½ teaspoon separately if your mix doesn’t contain it.
• Add texture
  Mix in shredded coconut, dried cranberries, or chopped pretzels for added flavor and crunch.
• Adjust sweetness
  Prefer a less sweet cookie? Reduce the granulated sugar by ¼ cup. You can also experiment with coconut sugar or maple syrup for natural sweetness.If you want more information, you can also check out our article on Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Spice it up
  Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, cozy flavor that pairs well with chocolate.

Nutritional Information

This is an approximate nutritional breakdown per cookie (based on a batch of 24 cookies and standard ingredient values):

Keep in mind that homemade cookies can vary depending on your specific ingredients and portion sizes.

Serving Suggestions

Freshly baked gluten free chocolate chip cookies are incredibly versatile. Here are some serving ideas to elevate the experience:

• With a glass of cold almond or oat milk
  A perfect pairing that complements the richness of the chocolate.
• As an ice cream sandwich
  Scoop vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two cookies for a decadent dessert.
• Crumbled over yogurt
  Add crunch and sweetness to your morning bowl with cookie crumbles.
• Pack in lunchboxes
  These cookies travel well and make a great gluten free treat for school or work.
• Serve at gatherings
  Nobody will notice they’re gluten free. They disappear quickly at parties.

FAQs

Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, absolutely. Scoop the dough into balls and freeze on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes to the bake time.

Do I have to chill the dough?
Chilling is optional but recommended. It prevents cookies from spreading too much and gives a richer flavor.

Are these cookies safe for celiacs?
They can be, but always check that your flour blend and chocolate chips are certified gluten free to avoid cross-contamination.

Can I use almond flour or coconut flour?
This recipe works best with a gluten free all-purpose blend. Almond or coconut flour require different ratios and moisture adjustments.

How long do they stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container, they stay soft for up to five days. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to three months.

Conclusion

Few things satisfy a sweet tooth quite like a well-made chocolate chip cookie. When you remove gluten from the equation, the challenge lies in creating something that still delivers the same nostalgic, bakery-style results. This gluten free chocolate chip cookie recipe hits the mark with its chewy texture, rich chocolate flavor, and golden edges that everyone can enjoy.