If you have a sweet tooth but want to keep things light and guilt-free, this Low-Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a dream come true. These cookies are soft, chewy, and brimming with rich chocolate flavor, all while packing fewer calories than your average cookie. Using wholesome ingredients like oat flour and unsweetened applesauce, this recipe delivers a perfectly balanced treat that you can enjoy anytime without the usual heavy feeling. Whether you’re baking for your family or just craving a healthier indulgence, these cookies will soon become your new favorite go-to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making low-calorie treats—this recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create a delightful cookie. Each component serves an important role: from the nutty base of oat flour to the natural sweetness and moisture provided by applesauce, and the touch of melted coconut oil to achieve that irresistible chewiness.
- Oat flour (1 cup): Provides a tender texture and wholesome, nutty flavor while keeping the cookies light.
- Coconut sugar or granulated sweetener (1/4 cup): Adds just the right amount of sweetness without the high calories of regular sugar.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise for a soft and tender bite.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
- Unsweetened applesauce (1/4 cup): Acts as a natural fat substitute, keeping the cookies moist and tender.
- Coconut oil or melted butter (1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle richness and contributes to the perfect chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Gives the cookies that classic warm and inviting aroma.
- Almond milk or milk of choice (3 tablespoons): Helps bind the ingredients while keeping the batter smooth and easy to handle.
- Mini dark chocolate chips (1/4 cup): Brings the signature chocolatey goodness with less sugar per chip.
How to Make Low-Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies won’t stick and will bake evenly, giving you that perfect golden-brown edge.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, and salt. This dry mix forms the foundation for your cookie dough, so make sure everything is well combined to distribute the rising agent and sweetness evenly.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Next, stir in the unsweetened applesauce, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and almond milk. These ingredients bring moisture and richness to the dough without adding extra calories, giving your cookies a wonderfully soft and chewy texture.
Step 4: Fold in the Mini Chocolate Chips
Gently fold the mini dark chocolate chips into the batter, making sure they are evenly distributed. The smaller size of these chips means every bite melts with gooey chocolate, creating that classic cookie experience with less guilt.
Step 5: Shape and Flatten the Cookies
Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Flatten each scoop slightly with your fingers or the back of a spoon to help the cookies spread evenly while baking.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden. Keep a close eye because these cookies bake quickly and you want to avoid overbaking which can dry them out.
Step 7: Cool Before Enjoying
Once out of the oven, let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Cooling allows the cookies to set and makes them easier to handle—plus, it’s the perfect time to get ready for that first delicious bite!
How to Serve Low-Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on your freshly baked cookies for an unexpected flavor boost that highlights the chocolate and sweet notes beautifully. For a touch of indulgence, dip the edges in a bit of melted dark chocolate or almond bark.
Side Dishes
The best companions to these low-calorie cookies are a cup of herbal tea or a glass of almond milk, which keep the treat feeling light and refreshing. A bowl of fresh berries on the side can also add a vibrant pop of color and a burst of natural sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn your Low-Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookies into a dessert platter by stacking them with layers of Greek yogurt and sliced fruit, creating a delightful parfait. Or sandwich two cookies together with a light spread of nut butter or low-fat cream cheese for a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days, making them a perfect snack to enjoy throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to bake ahead, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. When sealed properly, they can last for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
For a freshly baked taste after freezing or storing, simply warm a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This softens the chocolate chips and revives their chewy texture, making them taste like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I substitute oat flour with regular flour?
Absolutely! While oat flour adds a nice nutty flavor and keeps the cookies lighter, all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour can also be used. Just keep in mind the texture might change slightly.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This Low-Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oat flour. Be sure to check your oat flour packaging to confirm if you need to avoid gluten for dietary reasons.
Can I use other sweeteners instead of coconut sugar?
Yes, feel free to substitute with your preferred sweetener such as monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, or stevia blends. Adjust the quantity to taste, especially if your sweetener has higher sweetness intensity.
What makes these cookies low-calorie compared to regular chocolate chip cookies?
The use of oat flour, applesauce instead of butter, controlled amounts of sweetener, and mini dark chocolate chips helps reduce calories while maintaining flavor and texture, making these cookies a smarter indulgence.
Can I make these vegan?
Certainly! Just swap out the melted butter for coconut oil (as suggested) and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free. The almond milk is already plant-based, so the recipe is naturally vegan-friendly with these minor tweaks.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie and knowing it’s better for you at the same time. This Low-Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is proof that healthier baking doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own—these cookies might just become the star of your baking line-up!
Print
Low-Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
These Low-Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookies are a deliciously guilt-free treat made with wholesome ingredients like oat flour and natural sweeteners. They combine the rich flavor of dark chocolate chips with a tender, chewy texture, perfect for satisfying your cookie cravings without the extra calories.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour (or finely ground oats)
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar or granulated sweetener of choice
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons almond milk (or milk of choice)
Add-ins
- 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir in the unsweetened applesauce, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and almond milk until the dough is well combined and smooth.
- Incorporate chocolate chips: Fold the mini dark chocolate chips into the dough evenly, making sure they are distributed throughout.
- Shape cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten each slightly for even baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden for a perfect texture.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your healthy treat!
Notes
- For a vegan version, use a plant-based butter or coconut oil and a non-dairy milk.
- Oat flour can be made by grinding rolled oats finely in a food processor if you don’t have it on hand.
- Adjust sweetness by using your preferred sweetener; coconut sugar adds a subtle caramel flavor.
- Be careful not to overbake to keep cookies soft and chewy.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
