Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies are made with coconut oil instead of butter. They are incredibly soft on the inside and firm around the edges. These butterless cookies are thick and fluffy and loaded with tons of chocolate chips! Perfect for when you are out of butter and are craving cookies!

I never say no to chocolate chip cookies! My Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie is perfect for sharing, and my classic Chocolate Chip Cookies are a tried and true favorite!

Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies on a white piece of baking paper with chocolate chips.

Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

I just discovered adding coconut oil to cookies and I have to say I am digging this trend. The coconut oil makes the cookies super soft and chewy with a subtle hint of coconut. These cookies are perfect for when you are craving cookies but don’t have any butter on hand!

I substituted brown sugar in these cookies to make them extra soft and chewy. These coconut oil cookies are so good you will not miss the butter!

A lot of coconut oil cookies require some chilling time before baking. I have made this cookie chilled and not chilled. I think it comes down to personal preference. If you like a thicker cookie chill the dough, if you want thinner cookies pop them right in the oven. (If you are impatient like me this is the way to go!) I would recommend testing one cookie just to make sure (every oven and condition can be different) Just make sure not to melt the coconut oil before creaming it with the sugar!

These cookies do have the faintest hint of coconut in them however my family was not able to detect that these were not made with butter!

Butterless Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough in a stainless steel mixing bowl with a red spatula.

What you’ll need to make Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Coconut oil: Coconut oil is a healthy alternative to butter! It contains anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties, and is perfect in chocolate chip cookies. If you’re not a fan of the coconut flavor in your cookies, use refined coconut oil.
  • Sugar: I added both brown sugar for a little caramel flavor, and white sugar for extra sweetness.
  • Eggs: Eggs are a binding ingredient and also give the cookies a little lift.
  • Vanilla: You can’t make cookies without a little vanilla! Vanilla extract brings in warmth and elevates the sweetness.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour is ideal for this cookie recipe.
  • Baking soda: Baking soda is a raising agent which makes the cookies a little less dense.
  • Chocolate chips: Add in your favorite kind! I opted for semi-sweet chocolate chips because I always have them on hand, however, milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even peanut butter chips are all delicious additions.

How to make Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Step One: Start by creaming the coconut oil and both sugars until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla and egg.

adding egg and vanilla to creamed butter and sugar

  • Step Two: Meanwhile add flour, baking soda, and salt to a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet in two parts. Fold in chocolate chips. The dough can be chilled for an hour or two if you prefer a thicker cookie. They can also go straight into the oven and are just a tad thinner if you choose not to chill the dough.

adding in dry ingredients to cookie dough

  • Step Three: Portion out 12 cookies and place them on a baking sheet lined with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper.

portioning out coconut oil cookies on baking sheet lined with nonstick silicone mat

  • Step Four: Place in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

cooling baked cookies on sheet tray with silicone baking mat

Tips for Making the Best Cookies

  • Light Brown Sugar: I also substitute some of the granulated sugar with light brown sugar. This produces a chewier cookie with lots of flavor.
  • Shorter cooking time: I always like to slightly underbake my cookies. Once they look set around the edges I take them out of the oven and let them continue to cook for 5 minutes longer on the baking sheet. Then I transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. This gives you a soft and chewy cookie!
  • Extra Chocolate Chips: When the cookies come out of the oven I like to place some chocolate chips on top for presentation.
  • Overnight Chill: These cookies can be made a day or two in advance. The longer the cookie dough sits the more the flavors develop.

Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough balls on a baking tray.

Storage Instructions

  • Store cooled baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3-4 months.
  • These cookies can be frozen baked or raw.
  • To freeze raw cookie dough I like to portion out the cookies using a cookie scoop and then place them on a baking sheet in the freezer to firm up. This takes about an hour or so. Then I place the raw cookie dough balls in a large ziplock bag and freezer them for up to 3 months! When you are ready to bake take out however many you want and let them come to room temperature while the oven is heating up. Bake as directed and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can coconut oil be used in place of butter in cookies? Absolutely! Coconut oil can replace butter at a 1:1 ratio. I recommend using refined coconut oil as extra virgin coconut oil has a coconutty taste.
  • What makes a cookie moist and chewy? The combination of oil (or butter) plus substituting some of the white sugar for light brown sugar makes the cookie deliciously moist and chewy.
  • Is coconut oil better for you than butter? Yes! Coconut oil contains anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties, which butter is lacking. Butter does (in my opinion) taste better, however, the health benefits just don’t stack up compared to coconut oil.

Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies on a metal baking tray with chocolate chips.

Here are more easy cookie recipes to enjoy!

Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

4.69 from 58 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 12 cookies
Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies made with coconut oil instead of butter. They are incredibly soft on the inside and firm on the edges. Thick and fluffy and loaded with tons of chocolate chips!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil not melted
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Images:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add coconut oil and both sugars to a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Mix until combined, 1-2 minutes.
  • Add in vanilla and egg. Mix until combined. Make sure to scrap the sides of the bowl throughout.
  • Meanwhile add flour, baking soda and salt to a medium bowl. Whisk to combine.
  • Slowly add in the dry ingredients to the wet in two parts.
  • Fold in chocolate chips.
  • Portion out 12 cookies and place them on a plate. The dough can be chilled for an hour or two if you prefer a thicker cookie. They can also go straight into the oven and are just a tad thinner if you choose not to chill the dough. (I usually do not. I would test one cookie first and see how it turns out) Place in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.
  • Allow cookies to cool for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Store cooled baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3-4 months.
Nutrition Facts
Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies
Amount per Serving
Calories
236.72
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
12.46
g
19
%
Saturated Fat
 
9.65
g
60
%
Cholesterol
 
14.09
mg
5
%
Sodium
 
148.59
mg
6
%
Potassium
 
76.5
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
29.12
g
10
%
Fiber
 
1.02
g
4
%
Sugar
 
15.94
g
18
%
Protein
 
2.54
g
5
%
Vitamin A
 
19.8
IU
0
%
Calcium
 
16.66
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1.33
mg
7
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Coconut Oil, Cookies, Easy Desserts, Holiday Baking

 

 

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Comments - page 1/10

  • Joanne

    I just wanted to say that your recipes look amazing! I can’t wait to try the Chocolate Chip Cookies! Thank you for the great recipes!

    • Annie

      You recipe says to add in the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla and mix together, but your post says to cream the oil and sugars first. I assume you don’t need to cream, since the recipe doesn’t say to?

    • Hi Annie,

      Sorry for the confusion. You want to mix the coconut oil with the sugars until combined, about 1-2 minutes. I updated this in the recipe as well.

      Thank you & Enjoy!

      Kelley

  • joleen

    I just now made these most wonderful cookies! I have never used coconut oil what a difference. Love them ?

  • Mo

    OH MY GOSH THESE COOKIES ARE AMAZING! I was using my organic coconut oil as a moisturizer and a hair deep conditioner. Saw your post and was like hey its worth a shot. I’M NEVER USING BUTTER AGAIN! These cookies are…..I have no words short of scrumdiddlyumptious!

  • Cheryl

    Just wanted to let you know that I just tried your cookie recipe and they turned out GREAT! I love the light coconut flavor, the consistency and the ease of the recipe. Definitely a winner! Thank you.

  • Kelly

    I MUST have missed something, because I followed your recipe exactly and it is entirely too dry. Like, big bowl of crumbs dry. Any insight? Sure smells good…

    • Hi Kelly,

      It should not be dry and crumbly at all. Was the coconut oil liquified? If the coconut oil was harder and clumpy when you used it that could be the issue.

      Hope this helps!

      Kelley

    • Aenn

      Kellie, Your recipe says coconut oil (not melted) and here you are saying it should be liquified.. why you are creating confusions.

    • Erica

      This is confusing… I didn’t melt my coconut oil either and mixed just as the recipe said and my dough is also crumbly. Once I smashed it into a ball it seemed to look more like cookie dough should look. Hopefully they still taste good! It does seem to be taking longer to cook than the recipe calls for as well.

    • Amanda

      I just add milk bc I made these twice and had the same issue with crumbly dough. Don’t really measure the milk, just add a little bit at a time until it looks like dough. Works perfect for me with that small addition.

    • Dani

      Mine too, so I just added a couple Tbs. of almond milk and it mixed right up! They are so, so delicious. My son and husband couldn’t stay out of the dough!

    • Lauren

      Amazing recipe! Cookies turned out perfect. My kids love them and so do I.

  • Tiffany

    Tried this today and it was so good!! My whole apartment smells amazing! I like how the cookies gives a hint of coconut after taste! Thank you so much for the recipe!:)

  • Mellissa

    I was looking for a recipe to try that didn’t use butter… My house smells amazing and these cookies are amazing. I made them immediately and they were still fairly thick. I used a small cookie scoop so this small recipe made about 2 and a half dozen. My kids love them! Definitely going to be making these cookies often! Thanks for the recipe! **just a side note to anyone stressing over the coconut oil being melted or not …..I had my oven on all day and I store my coconut oil by the stove and it was melted when I used it and my cookies still came out amazing!!

  • Andrea

    Thank you for the recipe. I made my first chocolate chip cookies today and they are delicious. The recipe asks for too much sugar for my taste, so I did reduce it. I also struggled with the coconut oil (that I had just gotten out of the fridge), room temperature would have been a bit better for mixing. I’ll know next time 😀

    Thank you and have a tasty year!

  • Melissa Howell

    Just made these last night. They were a hit! I love how they came out perfectly round. They were even better the next day after being stored in a plastic bag. Printing this one out for my special recipe collection!

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