Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

These gluten-free chocolate chip cookies are absolutely spectacular. Soft, not too chewy, not too crispy. The ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe that just happens to be naturally dairy-free too!

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This recipe is based on my childhood favorite cookie recipe, converted to be gluten-free. As I was writing the recipe up, I realized they are also dairy-free. No substitutions are required.

Growing up with always made our chocolate chip cookies without butter. Cookies made with butter tend to spread and get thin and crispy. Which is fine, but I like mine soft with the perfect mixture of softness and crisp texture. And that is what these cookies are.

And if you can't wait for them to bake you need to try my edible cookie dough- totally GF and amazing!

Jump to:

• 🧾Ingredient Notes
• ⏲️ How to Make GF DF Chocolate Chip Cookies
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
• 🌡️Storage
• 🍪 More Gluten-Free Cookies
• 📖 Recipe Card
• ⭐Reviews

🧾Ingredient Notes

One thing I love about making chocolate chip cookies is that they take pantry and fridge staples. Things I typically have on hand.

Margarine (Dairy Free)- Margarine is a combination of vegetable oil and water. Some brands add whey or lactose back so be sure the brand you are using is in fact dairy-free. I typically use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter.

Vegetable Shortening- A few things you might find helpful are my list of Crisco substitutions and this article on gluten-free Crisco.

Eggs- I have not tested this recipe with an egg replaced.

Sugar- This recipe uses a blend of white sugar and brown sugar for the perfect flavor.

Chocolate Chips (Dairy Free)- use Enjoy Life brand because they are totally allergy-free. Even nut-free.

Best Gluten-Free Flour for Cookies

First, this recipe uses a 1 to 1 gluten-free flour blend. Meaning if you just want dairy-free cookies you can use regular flour.

Bread and pasta often require specific blends of gluten-free flour for the best result. However, this recipe is very forgiving and a simple pre-made blend will do.

For the best flavor, avoid using a garbanzo or chickpea flour for sweet bakes like this.

Can you use all vegetable shortening or all margarine in cookies?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. margarine ranges between 51% and 65% vegetable oil, and the rest is water. By using one or the other the water content of the recipe is thrown off.

Can these cookies be made vegan?

Typically, cookies need a binder to avoid being too crumbly. If you want to make them vegan, use a powdered egg replacer specifically for baking. Do not use a homemade flax egg or aquafaba.

⏲️ How to Make GF DF Chocolate Chip Cookies

We are going to mix our dry ingredients, cream the margarine and vegetable shortening, then combine dry with wet. Basically cookie 101.

Start by preheating your oven to 375 F degrees.

Step 1- Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl sift together the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Don't skip mixing your dry ingredients as it ensures even distribution of the salt, xanthan gum, and baking soda.

Step 2- Combine Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl combine the margarine and vegetable shortening. Use an electric mixer or the paddle attachment on a stand mixer to cream together on medium speed. This takes about 2 minutes.

Add the eggs, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla to the wet mix. Mix on medium speed until light and fluffy. About another two minutes.

Step 3- Combine Wet and Dry

Slowly add the dry flour mixture a cup at a time. I rarely use the exact amount of flour in the recipe. Humidity plays a big part. Sometimes it is a little less, sometimes a little more. Add by the tablespoon until you get the texture shown below.

Step 4- Scoop and Bake

Stir in the chocolate chip cookies by hand. Then let the dough rest for 10 minutes.

Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheets. I don't do anything fancy with an ice cream scoop or any of that. Two teaspoons are all you need. I typically make these in 3 to 4 rounds in the oven.

Bake for 10 minutes turning halfway through. Allow cookies to cool on the cookie sheets for 5 minutes. Then move to a wire rack to cool.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

• I prefer a richer flavor in my chocolate chip cookies so I do slightly less of the white sugar and slightly more of the brown sugar.
• Don't reduce the salt, it may seem like a lot but it perfectly balances out the sweetness of the cookies.
• Don't skip softening the margarine, cold margarine will create folds in the cookie.
• Don't skipping resting the dough. Gluten- free flours need to be hydrated before baking to ensure the proper structure develops.

🌡️Storage

Cookies should be kept at room temperature in an airtight container. They will keep for 3 to 5 days. Unlike most gluten-free cookies, I find that these cookies keep their texture fairly well.

Towards the end of the 5 days they may need to be rewarmed. To rewarm pop in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds.

Can you freeze gluten-free chocolate chip cookies?

Baked cookies can be placed a in a freezer bag and frozen for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw at room temperature and then bake a 325 F degrees for 5 to 10 minutes to warm up.

🍪 More Gluten-Free Cookies

📖 Recipe Card