Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Creating a recipe for chewy, gooey cookies with melty pools of chocolate and crispy edges is a lifelong quest for me. I want to bring you only the best when it comes to cookie recipes and this Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe is all these things and more. 

The flavor and perfect texture of these cookies is, dare I say, on par with my Best Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe, which, my friends, is not vegan. Yep, I said it and I honestly believe it!

I love these chocolate chip cookies that much. These chewy cookies just happen to be vegan and I certainly do not discriminate when it comes to serious topics such as cookies.

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Preparing the best vegan dessert

Preparing vegan oatmeal cookies is not much different than making any other type of cookie. There are a few ingredients substitutions to achieve a fully plant-based recipe, however, these simple ingredients are relatively easy to find in most grocery stores.

Vegan chocolate chip cookies still contain all the good stuff like flour and sugar that make cookies cookies. And those staple baking ingredients make any cookies taste so darn good!

So, why make a vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe if you're not vegan or following a strict plant-based diet? Well, I like a little variety in my cookie diet and these oatmeal cookies bring just that. Plus, the lack of dairy is easier to digest (let's be honest, these things happen as we get older).

And having vegan recipes like these cookies means I can share these with my vegan and dairy-free friends.

Vegan substitutes used in this vegan cookie recipe

The majority of the ingredients in this chocolate chip cookie recipe look like those in a non-vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe. The vegan substitute for eggs that I typically use in my baking is flax eggs.

Flax eggs are simply a combination of water and flax meal. When these two ingredients are allowed a few minutes to gel together, they substitute for eggs in vegan recipes very well.

As a substitute for the butter or vegan butter typically found in chocolate chip cookies, I used coconut oil and some full-fat coconut milk. The addition of coconut milk brings in moisture as well as added fat, a necessary ingredient in any baking recipe.

The final vegan substitution in this cookie recipe is the use of dairy-free chocolate chips. There are many varieties available in grocery stores and online everywhere now. I tend to use Enjoy Life brand's dark chocolate chips. I find they melt well and have great flavor.

Ingredients & substitutions for the best vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Flax Egg

• 5 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons flax meal

Cookie Dough

• Coconut oil: use refined coconut oil instead of unrefined coconut oil. Refined coconut oil has less of a coconut flavor than unrefined. Be sure your coconut oil is room temperature and solid and not melted.
• Brown sugar: I recommend using dark brown sugar, however, you can use light brown as well. Look for a vegan variety. I would not recommend substituting with maple syrup, as this will change the consistency of the cookie dough
• Coconut milk: Look for full fat coconut milk in a can. Do not use coconut milk beverage from the refrigerated section, as this does not have enough fat in it. Be sure to stir well after opening the can, as the cream often separates from the liquid
• Vanilla extract
• Rolled oats: you can use old fashioned oats or quick oats. To make gluten-free, use gluten free oats. Do not use Irish or Steel Cut Oats
• All-purpose flour: to make gluten-free, use a cup-for-cup gluten free baking flour such as Bob's Red Mill. I would not recommend using oat flour or almond flour, as these flours absorb liquid differently than all-purpose flour. This will change the consistency of the cookie
• Ground cinnamon
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Vegan chocolate chips: Substitute with raisins, walnuts, pecans or cranberries for different flavor variations. Please note these substitutions will change the nutrition information

How to Make Vegan Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with silpats or parchment paper. Set aside.

Step 2

Prepare the cookie dough: Make the flax eggs by whisking together the water and flax meal (ground flaxseed) in a mixing bowl and place in the fridge until needed. 

Step 3

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the wet ingredients - coconut oil and brown sugar. Scrape down the sides and mix again until it looks like wet sand.

Add the coconut milk and vanilla and mix on medium speed until evenly incorporated and light in color, 1-2 minutes.

Step 4

Add flax eggs and mix on medium speed for 1 minute, scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue mixing until thoroughly combined and light in color, about 2 minutes total.

Step 5

With the mixer off, add in the dry ingredients - oats, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir or fold in with a rubber spatula to combine. Add in chocolate chips and stir again to combine.

Step 6

Using a small cookie scoop, scoop dough and place on cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Add additional chocolate chips to the top of each cookie by pressing them gently into the tops.

Step 7

Bake in a 350ºF oven, one tray at a time for 4-5 minutes, then rotate the tray and bake for another 4-5 minutes, until just starting to turn golden brown at the edges. Allow cookies to cool on the trays (they’ll continue cooking slightly on the trays) the transfer to cooling rack

To store, place cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days

To freeze, place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Remove desired amount and warm gently in the microwave at 50% power until warmed through and melty, 30-60 seconds

Tips for Making Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

• I have tried these cookies with other plant-based, dairy-free milks such as cashew milk and almond milk, however, I found that full-fat coconut milk produces the best results. I don't know the science behind this, however, it just works the best and produces the chewiest, best tasting vegan chocolate chip cookies ever
• I recommend using refined coconut oil instead of unrefined coconut oil in this recipe. Using refined coconut oil vs unrefined produces a less pronounced coconut flavor. If you like slightly more coconut flavor and/or all you have is unrefined coconut oil, these cookies will still taste banging, so bake away
• I like my chocolate chip cookies chewy, so I recommend baking them for 10 minutes only. They should look golden brown on top and the edges and perhaps slightly underbaked in the middle. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets. They'll continue to bake for a few more minutes as they cool and that center will be perfect when you bite into them. Of course, if you like cookies that are more cakey, bake them a couple of minutes longer

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