These Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies will satisfy every cookie craving that you have. They are chewy, chocolatey, and perfectly hit the spot!
*Originally published June 15, 2021 and updated with new copy and photos 3/14/22.
When I think of chocolate chip cookies, I think of soft on the inside, chewy on the outside, and loaded with gooey, melty chocolate. You can throw those crisp cookies out the window, chewy and soft is where it's at! Even better is when you add some peanut butter into the mix. I mean really, does it get any better than Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies? These cookies are everything. So easy and delicious and the perfect treat for vegans and non vegans alike!
For some other great cookie recipes, check out these Almond Flour Oatmeal Cookies, these Cookie Monster Cookies, these Red White and Blue Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles, these Vegan Lemon Cookies, these Chewy Chocolate Molasses Cookies or these Giant Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!
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What Makes These the Best Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies?
- Less than 10 ingredients - With a short ingredient list, the chances are you have most, if not all ingredients in your pantry right now!
- No rest time- We can all agree that the best part about making cookies is the eating part. These cookies are great because there is no rest time required so you can bake them right away and enjoy a cookie in under 20 minutes!
- Easy to find ingredients- There isn't anything crazy in this recipe, all the ingredients are easy to find. Some are a little bit indulgent but that is what cookies are for, amiright?
Ingredient Notes
- All-Purpose Flour- The base of these peanut butter cookies is All-Purpose Flour, you can use gluten-free flour or whole wheat flour if you prefer to switch it up some. Whole wheat will give the cookies a nuttier flavor.
- Brown Sugar- Part of what makes these cookies chewy and delicious is the brown sugar. The brown sugar has molasses in it which helps to make the cookies softer and less crisp. You can swap for coconut sugar if you want to keep these refined sugar-free, however you might not get the same texture.
- Peanut Butter- These cookies already have quite a bit of sugar so I always make sure to get peanut butter that is sugar-free and only contains peanuts and salt. Avoid those peanut butters that are stuffed with fillers if you can.
- Vegan Chocolate Chunks- I find that having larger chocolate chunks instead of chocolate chips in cookies helps to give them more of a chocolate flavor. Chocolate chunks also melt better into the cookies. I get my vegan chocolate chunks at Trader Joe's but any dairy-free chocolate chunks will do.
See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Make the flax eggs and set them aside
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until well combined.
- Add in the peanut butter and mix
- Slowly add the flour, baking powder, baking sugar, salt, flax eggs, vanilla extract, and chocolate chunks. Mix until well combined.
- Using a cookie scoop or a measuring spoon, spoon out the cookies and roll into balls. Place them onto a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and lightly sprinkle with sea salt if you prefer and if you really want a chocolate flavor, press some chocolate chips into the tops of the cookies.
Hint: Cookie scoops are a great way to make sure all your cookies come out the same size. I love mine and use it for all my recipes!
Substitutions
- Gluten-Free -Make these with Gluten-Free flour if you want these to be gluten-free.
- Low-Sodium - Omit the salt to keep these lower in sodium.
- Nut-free - If you love the taste of peanut butter but need to keep it nut-free. Swap out the peanut butter for some sunflower butter. It will have the effect as the peanut butter.
You are going to love these Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar!
Variations
- Add Cocoa Powder - If you want these cookies to be extra chocolaty, swap out ½ cup of the flour for some cocoa powder to make the ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie
- Marshmallows- Throw a few vegan marshmallows in the cookie dough for a fun variation.
- Vegan M&M's - M&M's aren't vegan but there are a few fun brands that are similar. Add a pop of color and swap the chocolate chunks for some Vegan M&Ms!
Check out another delicious cookie recipe, like these Vegan Anise Pizzelles!
FAQ's
Even though this recipe is vegan, I would not reccomend eating this cookie dough raw due to the flour in the recipe. It is not advised to eat raw flour. However you can make these with Almond Flour and then just eat the whole bowl, which is what I would do!
Yes! This cookie dough freezes perfectly. I like to scoop them out into balls on a cookie sheet and flash-freeze them. Then, once they are frozen, I will add them to a gallon sized bag and throw in the freezer. It is perfect because you can take out individual servings to bake.
Nope! That is what I love the most about this recipe, no chilling required! You can bake them right away!
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. See below for the equipment you will need to make this recipe.
- Mixing Bowl
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Spatula
- Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon
- Cookie Sheet
- Parchment or Silicone paper
Storage
Make sure cookies cool completely before storing. Store them at room temperature in an air-tight container for up to one week.
To make the cookies last longer, you can freeze them! They will last up to 6 months in the freezer.
Top Tips
- You don't need to sprinkle the cookies with sea salt, but if you have it, it makes a world of difference. Just a little pinch of salt on top takes the cookies to a whole other level!
- The cookies will spread a little but not much. Space the cookies about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet
- The key to getting beautiful cookies is gently pressing a few chocolate chips into the tops of the cookies after you bake them. It isn't required but it is what will make pretty cookies with extra chocolate deliciousness!
Other Great Recipes You'll Love!
- Vegan Butterhorn Cookies
- Spiced Vegan Persimmon Cookies
- Italian Chocolate Ball Cookies
- Ultimate Nut-Free "Peanut Butter" Cookies
- Vegan Lemon Bars with a Graham Cracker Crust
- Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
- Matcha Cookies
- Oreo Red Velvet Cookies
Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup vegan butter I use Earth Balance
- 2 flax eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 16 oz vegan chocolate chunks
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- Sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Make the flax eggs and set them aside
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until well combined.
- Add in the peanut butter and mix
- Slowly add the flour, baking powder, baking sugar, salt, flax eggs, vanilla extract, and chocolate chunks. Mix until well combined.
- Using a cookie scoop or a measuring spoon, spoon out the cookies and roll into balls. Place them onto a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and lightly sprinkle with sea salt if you prefer and if you really want a chocolate flavor, press some chocolate chips into the tops of the cookies.
Notes
- You don't need to sprinkle the cookies with sea salt, but if you have it, it makes a world of difference. Just a little pinch of salt on top takes the cookies to a whole other level!
- The cookies will spread a little but not much. Space the cookies about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet
- The key to getting beautiful cookies is gently pressing a few chocolate chips into the tops of the cookies after you bake them. It isn't required but it is what will make pretty cookies with extra chocolate deliciousness!
Anaiah says
This vegan chocolate chip recipe was so easy to make! I added toffee bits in mine and it was the perfect treat.
Pastor Natalie says
Great post. I love chocolate chip cookies 🍪 I will have to make them gluten free though. Thank you for sharing.
Karen | Online Blog & Business Help says
These look delicious 🙂 I've yet to try baking with flax egg but it's something I've always wanted to do. Thanks for the inspiration.
Emmeline says
Wow, I had no idea how new chocolate chip cookies were. That means they were new and fashionable when my grandma perfected her recipe lol. Can't wait to try the vegan version!
Kari says
My best friend is vegan and she has a girls' night planned for us, I am totally making these as a surprise for her! She looooooves chocolate chip cookies!