The best healthy chocolate chip cookies [flour and refined sugar free]

Do you know the kind of cookie that pretty much disappears the minute you pull it out of the oven? Well, this is it. The best healthy chocolate chip cookie that doesn’t taste healthy at all. In fact, it tastes rich and luxurious and a little bit naughty. It’s full of nutty, crunchy bits and gooey chocolate, and has a soft slightly chewy centre. These are the real deal, people, and will manage to fool even the biggest of healthy cookie sceptics.
And all that with no flour and no refined sugar, and full of delightful ingredients which are good for you. Interested yet? Thought you might be!

The healthy chocolate chip cookie birth story
I used to think that healthy cookies had to be boring. You know, the texture is weird, they have a funny aftertaste, there’s no cruch and there’s no chewiness. Some of the healthy cookies I’ve tried were more like a piece of tasteless cardboard than a cookie!
After those sort of experiences, I used to gravitate back to the standard cookie recipes, you know – every now and again for a treat. But, I thought to myself, there must be a better way.
Surely there is a recipe which does not require a whole bunch of sugar and blanched flour in order to recreate all the things we love about cookies – the crunchy outside, the soft centre and the combination of chocolate, nuts and coconut in one bite, melting on your tongue and begging you to eat more. (Can you tell I love cookies?)
And you know what, there is! I have come up with this recipe for healthy chocolate chip cookies when the craving for a cookie was at its peak – the body wants what it wants, right? I am not saying you should eat a whole bunch of these but, I suspect, if you have a partner and kids, or a roommate, you won’t have that choice anyway – these will go as fast as you can make them. They’re really that good. (Ask me how quickly my husband ate two lots of these!)

So what is in these healthy chocolate chip cookies?
All good stuff, my friends, all good stuff. I’ve used the following ingredients:
- almond meal – which I am using instead of flour here. It works so well and it’s incredibly nutritious. It provides many potential health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and improved blood sugar control. Almond meal is also gluten free, which makes it a great option for those with celiac disease or a wheat intolerance.
- oats – which are among the healthiest grains on earth. They’re a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Studies show that eating oats has many health benefits including weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and a reduced risk of heart disease.
- nut butter – I know, I can’t help myself lately. Feel free to browse these recipes for more information on nut butter and recipe ideas! (And, as if I didn’t advertise it enough, I love the Kirkland mixed nut butter available from Costco – try it if you haven’t already!)
- maple syrup – a natural sweetener which, unlike refined sugar, is high in minerals and antioxidants. However, it still has a high sugar content so I’ve only added 1/4 cup for the whole batch of cookies.
- butter and egg – to make these cookies tasty but they can be replaced by alternatives, if you so desire – try substituting macadamia oil for butter or whatever egg alternative you prefer (I’ve not tested this so proceed at your own risk – and let me know how you go!).
- flavourings – cinnamon and vanilla, because everything tastes better with these in them – yum!
- baking powder – my leavener.
- cookie additions – these are not optional, people – use them all, they’re an integral part of the reason these cookies are so delicious (but feel free to substitute what you like, of course, if you prefer)!
- crushed walnuts because they’re super delicious and you can never have enough nuts in a cookie. Plus, walnuts are exceptionally nutritious nuts. They have higher antioxidant activity and significantly more healthy omega-3 fats than any other common nut. This rich nutrient profile contributes to the many health benefits associated with walnuts, such as reduced inflammation and improved heart disease risk factors.
- shredded coconut – rich in fiber and MCTs, it may offer a number of benefits, including improved heart health, weight loss, and digestion. However, it’s high in calories and saturated fat, so you should only eat it in moderation (don’t worry, there’s not that much here). On balance, unsweetened coconut meat makes a great addition to a balanced diet.
- chocolate chips – no cookie is complete without chocolate chips, am I right? Try to use dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage for best results. (There’s only a quarter a cup in total here anyway – so yep, it’s ok.) And I bet you already know that dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. It is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. Studies show that dark chocolate can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease.
Source: Healthline
And the best thing? All of these ingredients are represented in these healthy chocolate chip cookies in moderation. You’ll make about 20 out of this amount of cookie dough and if you manage to restrain yourself, compared to your standard cookie, these are a perfectly healthy little snack. And soooo delicious! I hope you enjoy these!

Recipe
The best healthy chocolate chip cookies [flour and refined sugar free]
Ingredients
- 100 g butter, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon (or speculaas spice mix)
- 1 tbsp nut butter
- 1 cup almond meal
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup raw (natural unsalted) walnuts, crushed
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (preferably dark chocolate)
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C. Line two cookie trays with baking paper.
- Melt the butter and place it in a large mixing bowl. Add the maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and nut butter and whisk together.
- Add the almond meal and baking powder and whisk them in.
- Add the egg and whisk again.
- Then add the walnuts, coconut, chocolate chips and oats and mix with a spatula until well combined.
- Using a small ice cream scoop, drop small mounds of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, a little way apart so that they have room to spread while baking (I do about 3 in a row).
- Bake for about 15 to 17 minutes until the cookies are brown around the edges.
- Let cool before enjoying (at least a little, come on, I know you can do it)! Enjoy!
Notes

Recipe notes
This recipe makes about 20 cookies. They are best kept in a glass container on top of your kitchen bench. They will last about 5 days.

68 Comments
Julia Rees
Ooh, these look and sound delicious! I love how they are soft in the middle!
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I can’t wait to try them
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Katerina
Thanks so much Julia, hope they become your favourite too!
Naya
Well done, Katerina!
Omg I am crazy about cookies, especially if they have chocolate in them! Yours look absolutely delicious. I bet they taste even better if you eat them semi-hot xx
Naya
http://www.nayatilly.com
Katerina
Haha.. they definitely are best fresh out of the oven! Thanks so much, Naya!
Christie
These cookies are so amazing and I love how they’re healthy as well! It’s rare to find healthy chocolate chip cookies that also taste amazing. I love how they’re crispy around the edges but soft in the middle. MMM! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Katerina
Thank you, Christie! You’re so right – that’s why I really love these!
tonya
That’s the misconception that many people have that, healthy delicious food has to compromise taste and that’s soooo not true. Case in point: you did an amazing job here with these healthy chocolate chip cookies. I want some!
Katerina
Thank you so much, Tonya, I’m so glad you like these!
Ashley
I love this healthier spin on a classic cookie! YUM!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Katerina
Thanks so much, Ashley!
CoCo
These cookies look amazing, Katerina! I’ve never had chocolate chip cookies with coconut before so I’m super excited to try this recipe. Thank you for always giving us a healthy option! Hope you’re having a great week, CoCo
Katerina
Thank you so much for your kind words, CoCo! I hope you enjoy these!
Marissa
Loving all of the nutritious ingredients in these beautiful cookies! Definitely a must try recipe!
Katerina
Thanks very much, Marissa, much appreciated!
Balvinder
Jeez! they really look amazing!
Katerina
Haha.. thanks so much, Balvinder!
Jill
Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite! These look so yummy!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Katerina
Thanks so much, Jill!
Shea
Mmm, these sound delicious! I make muffins with maple syrup a lot, but I’ve never tried it in cookies, but I imagine it gives such a great flavor. I can never say no to a chocolate chip cookie!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Shea, much appreciated!
Lauren
Love a healthy cookie that doesn’t taste like a sacrifice! These look amazing!!!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Lauren! Definitely my favourite cookies right now!
Kate
Holy YUM! I need a plate of these right now <3
Green Fashionista
Katerina
Haha… I like your attitude!
David @ Spiced
I have an amazing ability to eat chocolate chip cookies! I consider it one of my special talents. So of course I need to try these healthy chocolate chip cookies! I totally know what you mean about healthy cookies, too – all too often they taste pretty blah and just leave me wanting the real thing. These look delicious, though, and I love the use of maple syrup here!
Katerina
Thanks so much, David! That’s definitely a fabulous special talent to have. I hope you like these!!
Neil
This is a great recipe Katerina. Proving that healthy cookies can be made and definitely do not taste of cardboard! Love these. I showed my Lynne and she wants me to make them as soon as possible. Lol
Katerina
Haha.. Yep, a totally reasonable reaction! I hope you both enjoy these, Neil! Thank you.
Rach
Healthy chocolate chip cookies?! Sign me up! I’m going to try to make these!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Katerina
Excellent! I hope you love them, Rach!
Emily
Oooh I am going to have to try making these as they look delicious!
https://www.emilyclareskinner.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Emily, hope you enjoy them!
Shannon
YESSS! Oh I knew the second I saw your lovely pictures here that these were some AMAZING cookies, Katerina! Then I read the ingredient list and that just confirmed what the pictures show! These are absolutely the perfect cookies 😋. Seriously wish I had one of these (well, more like a dozen!) in front of me now, YUM!!!
Katerina
Haha.. thanks so much, Shannon, I’m so glad you like these!
Miri
wow they look just so delicious ! Can’t wait to try the recipe.
lots of love, Miri
http://www.meetmimri.com
Katerina
Thanks very much, Miri!
Linger
It’s so wonderful that you’ve created a healthy cookie that checks all the boxes of what a cookie should be. Your photos alone have made me hungry – they look fabulous. I can’t wait to pop these babies in the oven. As always, thanks so much for sharing.
Katerina
Thank you so much, Kristy – your comment means a lot! I do hope you love these as much as we do!
Sophie Wentworth
They look delicious! I know the struggle of getting a healthy cookie right – it’s a great feeling when you finally get a good batch though! x
Sophie
Katerina
Absolutely! It’s been a bit of a process but these are really wonderful! Thanks Sophie.
Natalia
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! Sounds delicious and looks great.
Lindifique
Katerina
Thanks very much, Natalia!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Wow! I need to try these. Chocolate chip cookies are my fave and with these I won’t feel as bad for indulging!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Carrie, I hope you like them!
Sam | Violet Hollow
I always fancy a chocolate chip cookie! I love that you have added so much good stuff to the recipe. They look delicious and guilty-free xx
Violethollow.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Sam, I’m so glad you like it!
Laura Bambrick
These look delicious! I really want to try these! It’s hard to stop at just one cookie so these are a great idea to make in case I indulge a bit too much!
Katerina
Thank you so much, Laura! They are definitely much healthier than your standard cookie!
jodie filogomo
You always hit it out of the park for healthy and wonderful tasties Katerina!!
I’m printing this and going to try it for Rob’s birthday.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Jodie! I hope you and Rob like these as much as we do!
Cris A Santos
Love this recipe What a great option to healthier choc cookie Thanks for sharing it Cris
http://www.photosbycris.com.au/?p=7344
Katerina
Thanks so much, Cris!
Nancy
Oooh! I love chocolate chip cookies, but I feel you on the health factors. So cool that there are many variations of it. Your version is so much more healthier! Love that there are walnuts and shredded coconuts in it. Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe! 🙂
Nancy ✨ exquisitely.me
Katerina
Thank you so much, Nancy, I’m a little obsessed with these – glad you like the recipe!
Amy Aed
Oh my goodness I didn’t even think I needed these until I read this. They look absolutely delicious.
Katerina
Haha.. I totally understand! They are a little addictive, I have to warn you! Thank you Amy.
Anika
I absolutely love chocolate chip cookies so this is the perfect recipe for me. They look so delicious!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Anika! Hope you enjoy these!
The Exclusive Beauty Diary
These chocolate chip cookies look so delicious. Thank you for sharing recipe.
New Post – https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2020/06/shelas-rotating-makeup-organiser.html
Katerina
Thanks very much!
Alex
I love your twist on such a classic cookie! These look incredible – I love your ingredients. Definitely need to make a batch soon!
Katerina
Thank you very much, Alex, hope you find them as delightful as we do!
Gemma
These cookies look realllllly delicious! It’s so hard to find delicious yet healthy cookies, so I must give these a try! xx
http://www.GemmaEtc.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Gemma, hope you enjoy them!
Allie Mackin
Oh WOW this sounds so good and such a nice alternative to the traditional which can be challenging to some. Book marking this!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Allie, we’re really obsessed with these right now!
Kathrine Eldridge
These looks so devious! I saw them on your Insta and had to stop by. Have a great weekend!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Katerina
Haha.. they really are, Kathrine! Thanks so much – hope you had a lovely break.