Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies – The Best Gooey Gluten-Free Recipe

Hello, fellow dessert lovers! If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years in the kitchen, it’s that baking is pure magic. It’s about taking simple ingredients and turning them into something truly special. Today, I’m absolutely thrilled to share a recipe that holds a very special place in my heart: my go-to for almond flour chocolate cookies. These aren’t just any cookies; they’re wonderfully soft, incredibly chewy, and packed with irresistible gooey chocolate goodness in every single bite. What makes them even more amazing is that they are naturally gluten-free, yet no one would ever guess! They offer that classic comfort cookie experience without compromising on flavor or texture, just like the traditional Little Chocolate Chip Cookies we grew up loving.

I love making these for all sorts of occasions. They are perfect for a cozy night in when you need a little sweet treat, or to share at a potluck where they always disappear fast. Sometimes, you just need to bake them because you deserve a moment of sweet indulgence. Baking these is a joy, and seeing the smiles they bring is even better. I truly believe these almond flour chocolate cookies bring people together.

Table of Contents

What You’ll Need: Ingredients for Amazing Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these incredible almond flour chocolate cookies. Gathering all your ingredients before you start is a great tip! It makes the whole baking process smooth, organized, and much more fun. Let’s get everything ready for these delightful chocolate cookies.

Ingredients List

  • 1/3 cup butter (I like using salted butter), softened
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups packed fine blanched almond flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 heaping cup chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, or even milk chocolate works beautifully for these almond flour chocolate cookies)
  • Maldon sea salt, for sprinkling on top (optional, but highly recommended for that extra sparkle and flavor kick on your almond flour chocolate cookies)

Baking Bliss: Step-by-Step Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies

Let’s get baking! This is the part where the magic really happens. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have delicious almond flour chocolate cookies ready to enjoy in no time. The wonderful thing about these chocolate cookies is how simple they are to make, even if you’re just starting your baking journey. You’ll be amazed at the delicious results!

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

First things first, let’s get your oven ready. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. This simple step is a real game-changer! It helps prevent your precious almond flour chocolate cookies from sticking and makes cleaning up later an absolute breeze.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Now, in a large mixing bowl, combine your softened butter and brown sugar. Beat them together with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is super important for getting that perfect soft and chewy texture in your finished almond flour chocolate cookies. Take your time here; it really makes a difference.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Next, crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat these into the butter and sugar mixture until everything is well combined and smooth. Be sure to stop and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. This ensures all the ingredients are mixed evenly, leading to perfectly consistent almond flour chocolate cookies.

Step 4: Whisk Dry Ingredients Separately

Grab a separate medium-sized bowl for this step. Whisk together the fine blanched almond flour, baking soda, and salt. Give them a good whisk to make sure they’re fully combined and there are no hidden clumps. Properly mixing your dry ingredients ensures your almond flour chocolate cookies will rise beautifully.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

It’s time to bring everything together! Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture from your smaller bowl into the wet ingredients in the large bowl. Mix on low speed until the ingredients are just combined. A friendly reminder: be careful not to overmix the dough for your almond flour chocolate cookies; overmixing can make them tough, and we want them perfectly tender.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Now for the best part – the chocolate! Fold the chocolate chips into the mixture slowly and gently with a spatula. We want them spread out nicely throughout the cookie dough so that every bite of these almond flour chocolate cookies is a truly chocolatey dream. Feel free to use your favorite kind of chocolate; semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work wonderfully.

Step 7: Scoop and Shape

Using a cookie scoop (or about 1.5 tablespoons for each cookie), drop rounded balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Leave roughly 2 inches between cookies to allow for spreading. These almond flour chocolate cookies don’t spread quite as much as traditional ones, but giving them a little room helps them bake evenly and prevents them from sticking together.

Step 8: Sprinkle with Sea Salt

If you’re a fan of that amazing sweet and salty combo, now’s the perfect moment! Lightly sprinkle a few flakes of Maldon sea salt over the top of each cookie dough ball. This small touch truly enhances the rich chocolate flavor and adds a delightful pop to your almond flour chocolate cookies. It’s totally optional, but highly recommended!

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop your baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of your almond flour chocolate cookies are lightly golden brown and the centers look just set. Remember that ovens can vary, so keep a close eye on them, especially after the 10-minute mark. You want them perfectly soft and chewy, not overly crisp.

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Once baked, let the almond flour chocolate cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This cooling time is crucial as it helps them firm up so they don’t break when you move them. After 5 minutes, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, the best part: dig in and savor every delicious bite of your homemade chocolate cookies!

Close-up of an almond flour chocolate cookie with a bite taken out, revealing gooey melted chocolate and sea salt.

Chef’s Secrets for Perfect Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies

Want to bake the absolute best almond flour chocolate cookies every single time? I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that make a huge difference. These simple tips will help you master baking with almond flour and ensure your chocolate cookies turn out wonderfully.

Tricks to Succeed

  • Measure Almond Flour Correctly: Almond flour is very fine, so it can easily pack down in your measuring cup. For the most accurate amount, lightly spoon the almond flour into your measuring cup until it’s full, then level it off with a knife. Don’t scoop directly from the bag. This ensures your almond flour chocolate cookies are moist and chewy, not dry.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature before you start. This allows them to cream together much more smoothly and evenly. When your base ingredients are well combined, it leads to a much better texture in your finished almond flour chocolate cookies.
  • Don’t Overbake: These chocolate cookies bake quickly, usually just 10-12 minutes. Take them out of the oven when the edges look lightly golden brown and the centers are just set, even if they seem a little soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet, giving you perfectly soft and tender almond flour chocolate cookies.

Possible Substitutions

  • Sweetener: If you’re looking for a slightly different flavor or want to try something new, you can easily substitute coconut sugar for the brown sugar in your almond flour chocolate cookies. It adds a lovely, subtle caramel note.
  • Chocolate: Get creative with your chocolate! Instead of just semi-sweet, try using white chocolate chips, rich dark chocolate chunks, or even a mix of different types for unique and delightful chocolate cookies. For a truly rich experience, you might also enjoy our Double Chunk Chocolate Cookie recipe!
  • Add-ins: For an extra layer of texture, consider adding a sprinkle of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans to the dough. They add a satisfying crunch to your soft almond flour chocolate cookies.

Recipe Variations for Your Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies

The best part about these almond flour chocolate cookies is how easily you can switch things up to create new and exciting flavors. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with new flavors. You can transform these classic chocolate cookies into something exciting with just a few simple additions.

Other Versions to Try

  • Nut Butter Swirl: For a delightful nutty twist, take about a tablespoon of your favorite nut butter (like creamy almond butter or classic peanut butter). Swirl it gently into half of the cookie dough before you fold in the chocolate chips. This adds a wonderful depth of flavor to your almond flour chocolate cookies.
  • Oatmeal Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies: If you love a chewier cookie, try adding 1/4 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats to the dough along with the dry ingredients. This will give your almond flour chocolate cookies a fantastic texture and a touch of wholesome goodness.
  • Espresso Kick: Want to make the chocolate flavor in your cookies even richer? Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to your dry ingredients. Don’t worry, it won’t make your almond flour chocolate cookies taste like coffee, but it will truly deepen and enhance that delicious chocolatey taste.
  • Mint Chocolate Chip: For a refreshing spin, swap out some of the regular chocolate chips for mint chocolate chips. Or, add a few drops of food-grade peppermint extract to the wet ingredients. This creates a wonderfully cool and classic flavor combination in your almond flour chocolate cookies.
Close-up of almond flour chocolate cookies, one bitten to show melted chocolate and sea salt on parchment.

My Sweetest Memories: A Story Behind These Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies

Baking has always been more than just a hobby for me; it’s a heartfelt way to connect with people, celebrate special moments, and create lasting memories. I vividly remember the first time I truly decided to experiment with almond flour chocolate cookies. My best friend had recently found out she had a gluten sensitivity. I wanted to bake something just for her, something that felt as comforting and delicious as the classic chocolate chip cookies we adored since childhood.

I dedicated an entire afternoon to this mission, diving deep into the kitchen. I tried different amounts of almond flour, carefully adjusted the sugar levels, and tweaked the baking time over and over. There were a few batches that spread too much on the pan, and some that ended up a bit too crumbly for my liking. But then, after much testing, it finally happened. The perfect batch of almond flour chocolate cookies emerged from the oven. They were beautifully golden at the edges, wonderfully soft and chewy in the middle, and bursting with gooey, melted chocolate.

The amazing smell filled my kitchen with such warmth and happiness. When my friend took her very first bite, her eyes lit up, and that genuine smile on her face told me everything. That’s exactly why I bake. These almond flour chocolate cookies symbolize that wonderful feeling of finding a way to share a sweet moment with someone you care about, regardless of any dietary needs. They are a delicious reminder that with a little passion, a dash of persistence, and a lot of love, you can truly create something wonderful that brings people together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I often get asked lots of questions about baking with almond flour, especially when it comes to making delicious chocolate cookies. It’s totally normal to have questions about new ingredients! Here are some common ones that come up, along with my answers to help you feel super confident in your kitchen.

What is the secret to baking with almond flour?

The real secret to baking successfully with almond flour, especially for amazing almond flour chocolate cookies, is understanding how it’s different from regular flour. Almond flour doesn’t have gluten, which means your baked goods will be extra tender and delicate. It also soaks up liquids differently. You might find recipes use a bit less liquid or add more binders, like eggs, to help everything hold together. Always measure it lightly, and don’t overmix your dough!

Can I substitute almond flour for regular flour in chocolate chip cookies?

You can try to swap almond flour for regular flour, but it’s not a simple one-to-one exchange, especially for perfect almond flour chocolate cookies. Since almond flour has no gluten, just swapping it out in a regular recipe might make your cookies crumbly or spread too much. You often need to adjust the amount of liquid or fat, or add an extra egg to help bind everything. For the best results, always use a recipe made specifically for almond flour, like the one shared here for delightful almond flour chocolate cookies

Why do my almond flour cookies fall apart?

If your almond flour chocolate cookies are falling apart, don’t worry, it’s a common issue! It usually means they need a bit more help staying together. Since almond flour lacks gluten, it sometimes needs an extra egg or egg yolk for binding. Another reason could be overbaking; pulling them out when the edges are just set prevents them from becoming too dry. Also, make sure you let them cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them, as this helps them firm up and prevents breaking.

What are Snoop Dogg cookies?

“Snoop Dogg cookies” usually refers to a famous chocolate chip cookie recipe that the artist Snoop Dogg has shared. His recipe is known for being a classic, comforting treat, often featuring simple ingredients like brown sugar and chocolate chips, sometimes with a special twist. While his version might not specifically use almond flour, it shows how much universally loved chocolate cookies are! This recipe for almond flour chocolate cookies offers a wonderful, gluten-friendly alternative to classic versions. 

Conclusion

There you have it! We’ve made it through the steps, and now you have a recipe for truly irresistible almond flour chocolate cookies. I know these are sure to become a cherished favorite in your home, just as they are in mine. Baking these wonderful cookies is such a simple, joyful way to bring warmth and sweetness into any day.

Whether you’re whipping up a batch for your family, sharing them with friends, or simply treating yourself, I truly hope each delicious bite brings you as much joy as it brings me. That sprinkle of sea salt really is the perfect finishing touch, making these chocolate cookies absolutely divine. Happy baking, everyone, and savor every single crumb of these delightful almond flour chocolate cookies!

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Golden-brown almond flour chocolate cookies on parchment, one with a bite revealing gooey melted chocolate and sea salt.

Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies


  • Author: Lana
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 18 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Soft, chewy, and gooey almond flour chocolate cookies that are naturally gluten-free and irresistibly rich with melty chocolate chips.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups packed fine blanched almond flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 heaping cup chocolate chips
  • Maldon sea salt, for sprinkling on top (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl and beat until well combined.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together almond flour, baking soda, and salt until no clumps remain.

5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.

6. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula until evenly distributed.

7. Scoop dough using a cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons per cookie) and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between cookies.

8. Optionally sprinkle each dough ball with Maldon sea salt.

9. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set.

10. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

Notes

For extra flavor, add 1 tsp espresso powder or a swirl of almond butter. Substitute coconut sugar for a caramel-like taste. Use white chocolate or chopped nuts for variety. For dairy-free, use vegan butter; for egg-free, substitute with a flax egg. Gluten-free and ideal for those with sensitivities.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 150kcal
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 90mg
  • Fat: 11g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: almond flour chocolate cookies, gluten-free cookies, chewy almond cookies, almond flour recipes, chocolate chip cookies, dairy-free option, soft cookies