Gluten Free Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

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This easy small batch recipe for Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies makes 6 bakery-style cookies.  Adapted from my classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, these cookies are made gluten free with an almond flour blend, and just like the originals, the cookies have chewy centers with perfectly crisp edges.

Chocolate chip cookie close up on a wire cooling rack.

Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

I figure every gluten free recipe box should include a chocolate chip cookie.  Better yet, there should be a chocolate chip cookie, a double chocolate chip cookie, a chewy sugar cookie, and a cut-out sugar cookie recipe!

And after quite a few test batches – because baking small batch and gluten free is tricky! – I think I’ve come up with a delicious gluten free chocolate chip cookie that can go up against any cookie made with gluten. 

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

  • Chewy Centers – Just like their gluten counterpart, and even the caramel stuffed chocolate chip cookie, these cookies have the expected chewy centers.
  • Crispy Edges – I like to think of the balance of chewy and crispy like a bakery-style cookie with perfect caramelized edges!  
  • Perfectly Sweet – There is no skimping on sweetness in these cookies and the combination of brown sugar and cane sugar yield a caramel-y flavored cookie.
  • Buttery – Butter is a key ingredient in chocolate chip cookies.  Or really any dessert for that matter!

Do gluten free chocolate chip cookies taste like regular chocolate chip cookies?

I say yes, but I suppose it depends on who you ask.  Gluten free chocolate chip cookies with almond flour may have a little more texture to them.  However, these cookies are made with a tasteful blend of almond, oat, sweet rice, and tapioca flour.

That said, if you are a chocolate chip cookie connoisseur, you may be able to pick up that they are gluten free.  

Bite shot of a chewy gluten free chocolate chip cookie.

Small Batch Gluten Free Cookies

Testing this recipe for gluten free chocolate chip cookies was tricky.  Gluten free baking comes with its own nuances.  Not every gluten free cookie can be as easy as the flourless chocolate cookies, or the flourless peanut butter cookies.  But when you add it being a small batch – I have to put on my thinking cap! 

I could give up and just make 2 dozen cookies, but I’m no quitter and am determined to figure out how to get 6 cookies!  I’m sure you heard baking is a science, and this is true even with these gluten free small batch chocolate chip cookies.

All of the ingredients in this cookie blend are needed to achieve optimal texture and structure.  And though it may seem silly to only include a couple tablespoons of flour, it is needed.  

Perfectly round chocolate chip gluten free cookies arranged in a curvy line on a table.

What You Need To Make Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

  • Oat Flour – Oat flour is at the base of these cookies and will give the cookies structure and flavor.
  • Almond Flour – I recommend blanched almond flour because it is ground finer and without the skins.  The almond flour adds protein and structure to the cookies, and helps to keep them soft and moist.
  • Sweet Rice Flour – Sweet rice flour will give the cookies chew.
  • Tapioca Flour  – Tapioca also makes the cookies chewy, and keeps them soft.
  • Baking Soda – The baking soda will lend to the texture and allow the cookies to spread a little.
  • Salt – Salt is key for balancing out flavors.
  • Ground Cinnamon – The cinnamon is optional but I highly recommend it!  It adds a subtle layer of flavor.
  • Brown Sugar – I use light brown sugar but dark will work too.  It may yield a chewier cookie.
  • Cane Sugar – I like to use organic cane sugar because it isn’t as refined as regular white sugar.  Either will work.
  • Unsalted Butter – We want unsalted butter so we can control the salt volume in the cookies.
  • Egg Yolk – The egg yolk works as a binder and gives the cookies the tender texture.
  • Vanilla Extract – Flavor!

Baking Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Cookie Scoop – My go-to cookie scoop is a medium cookie scoop, which will yield 6 cookies.  However, use any size cookie scoop you prefer.
Gluten free chocolate chip cookies cooling on a wire rack.

Tips For success when Making chocolate chip gluten free cookies

  • Try your stand mixer – Not imperative, but a great option!  There are Notes in the recipe about using a stand mixer with a 3-quare mixing bowl.  The smaller bowl works with regular attachments and is a wonderful addition to my small batch kitchen! 
  • Cream the butter and sugar adequately  – I’m learning to appreciate a proper cream time for the butter and sugar because it adds volume, texture, and even distribution of butter and sugar.  The color should be pale and the mix light and fluffy.  
  • Use a cookie scoop – If you like to bake, a cookie scoop is a great investment.  It makes portioning the dough so much easier, and I use one for almost all of my cookie recipes.  
  • Chill the dough – I find gluten free cookie dough needs time to chill.  It prevents spreading, plus gluten free dough benefits from having time to hydrate and develop flavor.  
  • Watch the bake time – Gluten free baked goods need a few more minutes in the oven.  Though, if you prefer a chewier cookie, take the cookies out at the minimum time noted.  For a crispier cookie, keep the cookies in for a minute or two longer than noted.
  • Achieve the perfectly round cookie – While the cookies are warm, use a round cookie or biscuit cutter and swirl the cookie around in the center.
Single cookie with a bite on a table.

FAQ’s for how to Make Gluten Free small batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

Can this small batch cookie recipe be doubled?

I can’t say for certain how simply doubling the recipe will work. But if you try it, let me know!

Will a 1:1 gluten free flour work instead of the almond flour blend

Probably not. The texture and ratios would likely need to be adjusted, as I find 1:1 gluten free flour to be much drier than the almond flour blend I use.

Do I really have to chill the gluten free cookie dough

My short answer is yes. The dough needs to hydrate and prevent spreading when baked. The dough can also be covered and refrigerated overnight.

How do you get perfectly round cookies?

Use a round biscuit cutter (or round cookie cutter), large enough to fit around the cookie with room, and when the cookies first come out of the oven, ‘swirl’ the cookie around inside of the biscuit cutter.

Are gluten free cookies good when they are warm out of the oven?

Personally, I find gluten free cookies taste better when they have had time to fully cool. When the cookies are warm, you may not experience all of the flavors in the cookies.

Do gluten free cookies need to be stored differently?

These cookies do not need to be stored differently. Gluten free cookies store well covered (in a Tupperware, cookie jar, or Ziploc bag) at room temperature for up to 5 days. Beyond that and they will start to get stale.

Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes. I recommend portioning/scooping out your cookies, wrap individual cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, and store them all in a Ziploc bag. Freeze for 2 to 3 months and bake straight from the freezer. The bake time may need to be increased by a minute or two to bake the frozen dough.

A stack of thick and chewy gluten free chocolate chip cookies.

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yield: 6 Cookies
This easy small batch recipe for Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies makes 6 bakery-style cookies.  Adapted from my classic chocolate chip cookie recipe, these cookies are made gluten free with an almond flour blend, and just like the originals, the cookies have chewy centers with perfectly crisp edges.  
Prep10 minutes
Cook12 minutes
Chill1 hour
Total1 hour 22 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 1/4 cup gluten free oat flour
  • 3 tablespoons blanched almond flour
  • 3 tablespoons sweet rice flour
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar (or granulated sugar)
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips (any chips/chunks of choice)

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a small mixing bowl whisk together the oat flour, almond flour, sweet rice flour, tapioca flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add the butter, brown sugar, and cane/granulated sugar. Using a hand held mixer on medium-high speed, mix the butter and sugar until fluffy and creamy. Tip – see Notes for using a stand mixer.
  • Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Continue to mix on medium-high speed until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy – about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Turn the mixer to low speed and spoon the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix just until no dry streaks remain. Turn the mixer off and stir the chocolate chips into the batter with a spatula or wooden spoon.
  • Use a cookie scoop (I prefer a #40 medium scoop) and scoop the dough into 6 equal cookie dough balls. Place 2-inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. You can add a few more chocolate chips to the tops of the cookies if you like.
  • Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. The cookie dough can also be refrigerated overnight.
  • 10 to 15 minutes before the cookies are done chilling – Preheat the oven to 350F degrees and adjust the oven rack to the middle position.
  • Bake the cookies for 11 to 12 minutes, or until the edges and tops are golden brown. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet set on a wire cooling rack for 10 minutes. Transfer the cookies to the wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
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RECIPE NOTES

  • Mixing the Dough3-quart mixing bowls are available for tilt-head stand mixers and work with the standard attachments. 
  • Sugar – I prefer cane sugar because it is not as processed and has a rich flavor.  However, regular granulated white sugar will work.  
  • Chilling the Dough – This is necessary to let the dough hydrate, the flavors develop, and so the cookies don’t spread into little puddles when baked.
  • Perfectly Round Cookie – When the cookies are hot from the oven, use a biscuit or cookie cutter – large enough to get around the cookie – and swirl the cookie around in the center.
  • Cool Completely – I find gluten free cookies taste better when completely cool.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Erin Cernich
Nutrition information is calculated by a third-party and should only be considered an estimate and not a guarantee.

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about the author ...

I'm Erin and I'm all about desserts - and a little bit of butter!

I've tested, written, and photographed hundreds of recipes on my website. Here you'll find the tastiest small batch gluten free and traditional desserts - all homemade, all simple, and all for you!

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