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.
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 gluten free cookie, a chewy sugar gluten free cookie, and a cut-out sugar gluten free 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 traditional counterpart 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 any dessert for that matter!
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 is 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.
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 a tender texture.
- Vanilla Extract – Flavor!
Helpful Tips
- Try your stand mixer – Not imperative, but a great option! There are Notes in the recipe about using a stand mixer with a 3-quart 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 small batch 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.
Recipe FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
INGREDIENTS
- ¼ cup gluten free oat flour
- 3 tablespoons blanched almond flour
- 3 tablespoons sweet rice flour
- 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ 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
- ¼ 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).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
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the butter, brown sugar, and 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.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, 3 tablespoons light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar
- 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.1 large egg yolk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 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.1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 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!
RECIPE NOTES
- Mixing the Dough – 3-quart mixing bowl 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.
NUTRITION ESTIMATES
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I'm Erin and I'm all about desserts - and a little bit of butter!
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