Erin’s Recipe Rundown
Texture: Chewy, with crisp golden edges and gooey centers.
Taste: Nutty notes from the brown butter and richness from the almond flour. Sprinkle them with flaky salt after baking!
Ease: SO easy to make! No mixer required.
Recommended GF Flour: Works great with many gluten-free flour blends. Use a high-quality flour that contains xanthan gum. I like King Arthur Flour and Bob’s Red Mill.
Would I make these again? Absolutely! Of all the recipes on my website, this is my very favorite! We make these cookies at least once a month. I especially love freezing the cookie dough balls so we can have freshly baked cookies in minutes.
xoxo erin
If you’ve been searching for the BEST gluten-free chocolate chip cookie recipe – look no further! I’ve been eating 100% gluten-free for over 10 years now and THIS is the chocolate chip cookie recipe of my dreams
Featured Comment
From Christine: “100 STARS!! Browning the butter is genius. My Mother made the best chocolate chip cookies (with regular flour)….I would put these up against her and no one would know they were gluten free. Thank you.”
Table of Contents
- Erin’s Recipe Rundown
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Why do I have to let the dough rest for 30 minutes?
- Why do you add almond flour? Can I make these cookies nut-free?
- Can I use all almond flour?
- Dough Consistency?
- Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
- Storage/Freezer Instructions
- More Favorite Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes
- Top Tips for Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (5-Star Recipe!) Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Gluten-Free Flour: For best results, use a high quality gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum. King Arthur Flour Gluten-Free Measure-For-Measure Flour is my favorite gluten-free flour. I’ve also had good results with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour.
- Almond Flour: I like to add a little almond flour along with the gluten-free flour. It gives the cookies richness and helps them to bake up golden brown. It’s my secret ingredient in many gluten-free baked goods like my gluten-free banana bread and gluten-free muffins! If you’re allergic to nuts you can leave out the almond flour and substitute more gluten-free flour.
- Butter: Sometimes gluten-free baked goods can lack flavor. Brown butter gives these cookies a delectable nutty, toasty almost caramelized flavor that you can’t get from anything else.
- Milk: I add 1 tablespoon of milk to replace the moisture lost by browning the butter. Any kind of milk will work.
- Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips are usually naturally gluten-free! My favorite brand is Guittard. You can also use chopped chocolate bars – any kind you like! I’ve used the bag from Costco, Nestle and Enjoy Life all with great results.
How to Make Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
To make these cookies, start by whisking together the dry ingredients. They you’ll brown the butter.
TO BROWN THE BUTTER:
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once the butter is melted and begins to foam, stir continuously to prevent the milk solids from sticking to the skillet. The butter will change from yellow to golden brown quickly and will have a nutty aroma. Remove from the heat and immediately pour into a medium bowl.
Whisk the brown butter together with the sugar, followed by the eggs and vanilla. Then stir in the dry ingredients and the chocolate chips.
Let the dough rest for 30 minutes before baking, or even better – chill it overnight to let the flavors develop.
Why do I have to let the dough rest for 30 minutes?
After you mix the dough together it’s important to give it at least a 30-minute rest. This gives the gluten-free flour time to hydrate and the flavors a chance to develop. It also helps guarantee non-gritty cookies.
If you have more time, I recommend refrigerating the dough for an even better flavor. The dough will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The longer the dough sits the better the flavor will be!
Luckily just a room temperature 30-minute rest will do and no overnight-in-the-fridge chill is needed. So you can still have chocolate chip cookies shortly after a craving strikes!
Why do you add almond flour? Can I make these cookies nut-free?
I like using a little almond flour because it gives the cookie dough moisture and richness. It helps the cookies bake up nice and golden color. To make these cookies nut-free substitute the 1/4 cup almond flour with an additional 1/4 cup gluten-free baking flour.
Can I use all almond flour?
No. I don’t recommend using all almond flour in this recipe. Almond flour has very different properties than gluten-free 1:1 baking flour. Check out this recipe for a great almond flour chocolate chip cookie!
Dough Consistency?
If your cookie dough looks too thin, add a few tablespoons of extra flour. The brand of flour and how you measure it can affect the dough’s consistency. (See the video/process shots for the ideal thickness!)
Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Yes! To make these gluten-free chocolate chip cookies dairy-free you can use melted vegan butter in place of the brown butter. No need to brown the vegan butter (it won’t work!). You can also replace the milk with almond milk.
Storage/Freezer Instructions
- To Store: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To Freeze: Scoop the dough into balls and place them on a small baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper. Pop the sheet into the freezer until the dough balls are solid, which usually takes about 1-2 hours. Then, transfer the frozen dough balls into a freezer bag or air-tight container, making sure to squeeze out any extra air. Label the bag with the date.
- To Bake From Frozen: When you’re craving cookies, simply take out as many dough balls as you need, place them on a baking sheet and bake according to the recipe instructions. You may need to add a few minutes onto the bake time. It’s a simple way to enjoy warm, fresh-baked cookies anytime!
More Favorite Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes
- Gluten-Free Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
- The One True Gluten-Free Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Gluten-Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
- Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies
Top Tips for Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Brown butter: Gives these cookies a delectable nutty flavor
- A tablespoon of milk: Prevents grittiness and helps the cookies get golden
- 1/4 cup almond flour: For a golden brown color and yummy flavor (can use more gluten-free flour instead if you have a nut allergy)
- 30 minute rest: Gives the flour time to hydrate and prevents grittiness
- A sprinkle of sea salt: Optional, but delicious for gourmet bakery-style cookies!
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (5-Star Recipe!)
Video
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 cups (200g) gluten-free measure-for-measure flour
- 1/4 cup (25g) almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Other Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113g) butter
- 1 tablespoon milk of choice
- 3/4 cup (160g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (170g) chocolate chips
- sea salt for sprinkling optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once the butter is melted and begins to foam, stir continuously to prevent the milk solids from sticking to the skillet. The butter will change from yellow to golden brown quickly and will have a nutty aroma. Remove from the heat and immediately pour into a medium bowl.
- Add the milk, brown sugar and granulated sugar to the brown butter. Whisk to combine.
- Whisk in the egg and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Using a rubber spatula, mix in the dry ingredients until well-combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Cover the bowl and let the dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Scoop the cookie dough into round balls, about 2 tablespoons per ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
- Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with flaky salt, if desired. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
I made these and must have done something wrong! The dough was really firm after 30 minutes in fridge and cookies did not flatten at all but stayed in a ball. They were however delicious. I used chunks instead of chips could that be it?
Hi Denisa, the chocolate chunks should be okay, but it sounds like they needed a bit of time to come back to room temperature after putting them in the fridge. The recipe instructs that they can be left for 30 minutes at room temperature to hydrate, so next time I’d recommend skipping the fridge! You can also flatten them a bit with your palm before baking to help them spread—but this shouldn’t be necessary if you leave them at room temp!
I am newly trying gluten free during the worst time- the holidays! I make my “famous” brown butter cookies normally with flour but needed a substitute. I was SHOCKED at how yummy these turned out. I can’t emphasize the importance of letting these sit for awhile, ideally overnight. It completely changed the consistency and they came out perfect. 10/10 recommend for gluten free newbies and veterans alike!
Hi Michelle, what great news! We love hearing this and so glad you could enjoy them. Happy holidays!
Professional gf baker here and these are absolutely the best chocolate chip cookie ive ever made or even eaten. Gluten free or not, they are hands down the best in texture and taste. weigh all the ingredients and make sure to follow the steps such as leaving it to rest for 30 mins. It is amazing!
Hi Katy, wow that is high praise! Thank you so much, it means a lot to hear that from you!
Our family avoids refined sugar but every once in a while I need a sweet treat that tastes like home. I used coconut sugar but wanted them to be less sweet so I only did 1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. They turned out amazing! Fluffy and crispy and chewy all at the same time. The flavor from the browned butter made all difference.
Hi Mikaela, that’s wonderful to hear! Glad the substitutions worked well for you! Thanks so much for the review.
I got the date wrong for a party I planned to bring these to and I baked them too early! Is there a chance I can freeze them already baked and they’ll still be ok?
Hi Jay, we usually freeze the dough rather than freezing the baked cookies, so we can’t say for sure. It may compromise the texture a bit, but I bet they’ll still be delicious!
I made these for my grandniece that has celiac, she said they were delicious. But did mine come out puffy not flat?
Hi Clairmarie, so glad your grandniece enjoyed them! Did you refrigerate the dough? If so, we recommend letting it come to room temperature before shaping the dough. This should give you the perfect shape—not too puffy, not too flat.
These are literally the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had. No one could even tell they were gluten free, I got so many compliments and requests to bake them again!! 100% my new go-to cookie recipe.
Could the chips be substituted for M&Ms without adjusting the recipe?
Hi Sean, Absolutely love hearing this! We haven’t tried substituting M&Ms, but that should work!
Made these cookies for a cookie swap and followed the directions exactly. They were absolutely delicious!!! I will be making them again this week. I used gluten free vanilla flavored oat milk.
Can this recipe be adapted to make cookie bars instead?
Hi Prudence, we haven’t tried making these as cookie bars, but it would probably work well if you increase the bake time. If you try it, we’d love to hear how they turn out!
How long to brown the butter? My butter stayed yellow and it was in the pan for at least 8 minutes. Stirring constantly once it melted.
Hi Doreen, good question! It really depends how cold the butter started out and how high the heat is. To speed the process, you can cut the butter into pieces and start it at room temperature. It can be tempting to crank the heat, but keep it at medium to prevent scorching. It can definitely take some patience! Anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes is a reasonable estimate!