Small Batch Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

These Small Batch Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies are deliciously chewy and easy to bake at home. Made without butter or egg, they also happen to be vegan. Plus, the combination of almond flour and coconut flour keeps the cookies gluten free and grain free.

Since it’s a small batch recipe, it makes four large, bakery-style cookies with a soft and fudgy interior. You can also divide the mixture into eight small cookies if you prefer. Baking in smaller batches can be handy if you want to keep your dessert intake under control.

Small batch cookies with no butter or egg

This small batch cookie recipe is made without butter or eggs. However, no one would know unless you tell them. Almond butter works as a substitute to provide richness and healthy fats. It also helps to bind the cookie dough.

These cookies are also paleo because they are gluten free, grain free and sweetened with coconut sugar. Paleo cookies and paleo desserts are still meant to be treats. They just provide some less refined options so you don’t feel like you are missing out. Plus, they work for people who can’t eat gluten or grains.

Cookies with almond flour and coconut flour

These cookies are made with a mixture of almond flour and coconut flour instead of a grain-based flour. Almond flour is also sometimes called blanched almond meal. It’s made by blanching or removing the skin from the almonds, then grinding them into a flour.

In addition to the almond flour, a small amount of coconut flour gives these paleo cookies structure. If you leave it out, the dough will be too sticky to shape into portions. Make sure you measure it carefully, since adding too much coconut flour can make your cookies dry.

Coconut sugar vs sugar

I sweeten these chocolate chip cookies with coconut sugar. Coconut sugar is made from coconut palm blossoms and it’s technically less refined than regular sugar. It offers some trace nutrients and is usually allowed in moderation on a paleo diet.

However, it is still sugar at the end of the day. I personally love to use coconut sugar in these cookies because it adds a toffee-like flavor. Brown sugar should work as a substitute if needed, although it may alter the texture and spread of the cookies.

What chocolate is paleo?

You can buy paleo chocolate, such as Hu brand, to use in these cookies. Paleo chocolate is usually sweetened with coconut sugar and doesn’t contain dairy, such as milk solids, or emulsifiers like soy lecithin.

However, regular dark chocolate with a high cocoa content is also usually allowed in moderation on a paleo diet. The higher the cocoa content, the less sugar or sweetener in the chocolate. Good quality 70% to 85% cocoa dark chocolate also won’t usually contain milk solids. Just check the ingredients list if you are concerned.

If you don’t need the cookies to be paleo or vegan, feel free to use whichever chocolate or chocolate chips you like best. I personally still choose a chocolate with at least 70% cocoa to keep the overall sugar content of the cookies down.

Ingredients for small batch paleo chocolate chip cookies

• Almond butter: Natural almond butter holds the cookies together so you don’t need an egg. I use unsalted almond butter that lists almonds as the sole ingredient. You could also use another nut butter if you prefer.
• Coconut oil: A small amount of coconut oil helps to keep the cookies moist and fudgy.
• Coconut sugar: I sweeten these cookies with coconut sugar so they are suitable for a paleo diet. Coconut sugar also gives a beautiful toffee-like flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla is always a great addition to cookies. I usually use pure vanilla extract, but vanilla bean paste or the seeds from a vanilla bean pod would be even better if you happen to have them.
• Almond flour: Almond flour, or blanched almond meal, keeps the cookies paleo and grain free. It also adds some healthy fats.
• Coconut flour: We need a small amount of coconut flour to give the cookie dough some structure.
• Baking soda: Also known as bicarbonate of soda or bi-carb soda, baking soda gives the cookies a bit of lift.
• Fine salt: Salt is essential to season the cookie dough. I highly recommend that you include it.
• Dark chocolate: I like to chop dark chocolate into chunks to add to the cookie dough. You can also use chocolate chips if you prefer. I talk about paleo chocolate options above.

More paleo dessert recipes

• Flourless Zucchini Brownies with Chocolate Frosting
• No Bake Vegan Lime Cheesecake
• Almond Flour Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
• Gluten Free Gingerbread Cake without Molasses

Check out the Dessert Recipes page for more healthy dessert ideas.

Small Batch Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Notes

1. Chocolate – You can buy paleo chocolate or just use good quality dark chocolate with at least 70% to 85% cocoa to keep the sugar content down. I talk more about paleo chocolate in the body of the post above.
2. Cookie size – I use a 2 inch / 5 cm cookie dough scoop to make 4 large cookies. If you don’t have a cookie dough scoop, you can roll the mixture by hand. For smaller cookies, you can divide the mixture into 8 portions and bake for about 9 to 10 minutes.
3. Storage – I store the cookies in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the healthy fats from the almond butter and almond flour as fresh as possible.

Nutrition Facts

• Serving size: 1 large cookie
• Energy: 255 Calories / 1065 Kilojoules
• Total Fat: 17.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 6.2 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 19.3 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3.3 g
• Sugars: 13.1 g
• Protein: 5.5 g
• Sodium: 163 mg
• Potassium: 195 mg