Vegan cookies are a tasty treat for everyone, not just those who follow a plant-based diet. These desserts can be just as yummy as traditional cookies, but without any animal products.
You’ll find many fun and easy recipes to try at home.
You can make vegan cookies with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. These recipes often use plant-based substitutes like coconut oil, applesauce, or non-dairy milk to replace eggs and butter.
From classic chocolate chip to seasonal pumpkin spice, there’s a vegan cookie for every taste and occasion.
1. Classic Chocolate Chip
Classic chocolate chip cookies can be made vegan with a few simple swaps. You’ll need flour, baking soda, salt, vegan butter, sugar, and dairy-free chocolate chips.
Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and cream the vegan butter and sugar in another. Combine the two and fold in the chocolate chips.
Chill the dough for about 40 minutes. This helps prevent spreading during baking.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Scoop the dough onto lined baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Let them cool before enjoying your delicious vegan chocolate chip cookies.
2. Matcha Green Tea Cookies
You can make tasty vegan matcha cookies with just a few ingredients. Mix flour, matcha powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, cream vegan butter and sugar.
Add vanilla and a plant-based milk to the wet mixture. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until you have a soft dough.
Shape the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes. The cookies will be soft when warm but will crisp up as they cool.
These green tea cookies have a unique flavor and pretty color. They’re perfect for tea time or as a light dessert.
3. Lemon Poppy Seed Delight
These vegan lemon poppy seed cookies offer a bright, zesty treat. You’ll love their soft texture and tangy flavor.
To make them, mix ground flaxseed with warm water as an egg substitute. Combine vegan butter with white and brown sugars. Add lemon zest for extra citrus punch.
Mix in flour, cornstarch, and poppy seeds. Shape the dough into balls and flatten them on a baking sheet.
Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes until golden.
These cookies are perfect with tea or as a light dessert. Their lemony aroma will fill your kitchen as they bake.
4. Oatmeal Raisin Spice
Oatmeal raisin spice cookies are a tasty vegan treat. You’ll love the chewy texture and warm flavors. These cookies combine rolled oats, plump raisins, and aromatic spices.
To make them, mix vegan butter with brown and white sugar. Add a plant-based egg replacer for binding.
Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. Don’t forget the key spices – cinnamon and nutmeg.
Fold in oats and raisins last. The dough will be thick, but that’s normal.
Bake until golden brown. Let cool before enjoying. These cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
5. Double Chocolate Fudge
These cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream. They’re rich, fudgy, and packed with double the chocolate flavor.
To make them, start by mixing vegan butter, dairy-free yogurt, sugar, and vanilla. Then add cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda.
Fold in gluten-free flour and chocolate chips. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and flatten slightly.
Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes until the edges are set. Let cool before enjoying these decadent treats.
These cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while sticking to a vegan diet. You won’t even miss the dairy or eggs!
6. Peanut Butter Bliss
These vegan peanut butter cookies are a delightful treat. They’re soft, chewy, and melt in your mouth.
The recipe uses natural peanut butter, dates for sweetness, and oat flour to keep them gluten-free. You’ll also need almond milk and vanilla extract.
To make them, blend dates and peanut butter in a food processor. Add almond milk and vanilla. Mix oat flour, baking soda, and salt separately.
Combine wet and dry ingredients. Form into balls and bake at 375°F (190°C) for a golden, crispy exterior and soft interior.
These cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without added sugar. They’re a wholesome snack you can enjoy guilt-free.
7. Coconut Macaroons
Coconut macaroons are a delicious vegan cookie option. You can make these sweet treats with just a few simple ingredients.
Shredded coconut forms the base of these cookies. You’ll mix it with sugar and a binding agent like aquafaba or coconut milk.
Shape the mixture into small mounds and bake until golden brown. The outside becomes lightly toasted while the inside stays moist and chewy.
For extra indulgence, try dipping the cooled macaroons in melted chocolate. This adds a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the coconut.
These gluten-free cookies are easy to make and require no special equipment. You’ll love how quickly they come together for a tasty snack or dessert.
8. Snickerdoodle Twists
Snickerdoodle twists offer a fun spin on the classic cinnamon-sugar cookie. These vegan treats feature a soft, pillowy dough twisted into spirals before baking.
To make them, you’ll mix flour, sugar, and vegan butter to create a tender dough. Roll it out, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and twist into shapes.
Bake until golden and enjoy the aroma filling your kitchen. These cookies have a satisfying crunch on the outside and stay soft inside.
They’re perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a sweet, cinnamon-spiced snack. Serve with a glass of plant-based milk for a cozy treat.
9. Almond Joy Bites
Almond Joy Bites bring the beloved candy bar flavors to a vegan cookie. These treats combine coconut, almonds, and chocolate in bite-sized form.
To make them, mix almond butter, coconut nectar, and plant-based milk. Add shredded coconut and chopped almonds to the mixture. Form small balls and press an almond into the center of each.
Freeze the bites for a few hours to set. Then dip them in melted vegan chocolate. These no-bake cookies are easy to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Store Almond Joy Bites in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to two weeks.
10. Pumpkin Spice Delights
Pumpkin spice cookies are a fall favorite. These vegan treats are soft, chewy, and full of autumn flavors. You’ll love the blend of pumpkin and warm spices in every bite.
To make these cookies, use vegan butter as the base. Mix in pumpkin puree, flour, and a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. For extra richness, add a touch of molasses.
Shape the dough into small rounds and bake until golden. The result is a cake-like cookie that’s perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.
These pumpkin spice delights are great for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a cozy snack at home.
11. Ginger Molasses Chews
These vegan cookies are packed with warm, spicy flavors. You’ll love the chewy texture and rich taste of ginger and molasses.
To make them, cream vegan butter with brown sugar. Mix in molasses and vanilla extract for sweetness and depth.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes. Then roll it into balls and bake at 350°F (180°C) until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
These cookies are perfect with a cup of tea or as a cozy treat on a cool day.
12. Chai Spiced Cookies
Chai spiced cookies bring the warm, comforting flavors of masala chai to your baking. These treats blend aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves into a soft, chewy cookie base.
You can make these cookies vegan by using plant-based butter and a flax egg. The dough often requires chilling to help the flavors meld and prevent spreading during baking.
For extra chai flavor, try steeping a tea bag in warm plant milk before adding it to your dough. Bake until the edges are lightly golden for a perfect balance of crisp exterior and chewy center.
13. Maple Pecan Rounds
These cookies bring together the rich flavors of maple and pecans. You’ll love how easy they are to make.
Start by toasting pecans in a dry skillet for about 5 minutes. This brings out their nutty flavor.
Mix ground flax seed with water to create a vegan egg substitute. Let it thicken for 10 minutes.
Combine coconut oil, maple sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Add the flax egg and mix well.
Fold in chopped toasted pecans. Shape the dough into small rounds and bake until golden brown.
These cookies have a delightful chewy texture and sweet maple taste. They’re perfect for the holidays or any time you want a special treat.
14. Raspberry Linzer Cookies
Raspberry Linzer cookies are a tasty vegan treat you can easily make at home. To start, mix vegan butter with sugar and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, almond flour, and salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the butter mixture until just combined.
Roll out the dough and cut into shapes. Make sure to cut small holes in half of the cookies for the tops.
Bake the cookies until lightly golden. Once cooled, spread raspberry jam on the solid cookies and place the cut-out cookies on top.
These pretty sandwich cookies have a nutty flavor and sweet-tart filling. They make a great gift or dessert for special occasions.
15. Mint Chocolate Dreams
Mint chocolate cookies bring a refreshing twist to your vegan baking. These treats combine rich chocolate with cool peppermint for a delightful flavor combo.
You can make them with simple ingredients like almond flour, cocoa powder, and peppermint extract. Vegan chocolate chips add extra indulgence.
For a fun variation, try dipping the cookies in melted dark chocolate. This creates a thin mint-style cookie that’s crisp and chocolatey.
These cookies are perfect for holidays or any time you crave a minty sweet treat. They’re easy to make and sure to satisfy your chocolate mint cravings.
16. Cranberry Pistachio
Cranberry pistachio cookies are a tasty vegan treat. You’ll love the mix of sweet cranberries and crunchy pistachios in every bite. These cookies are easy to make with just a few ingredients.
To make them, you’ll need flour, vegan butter, sugar, cranberries, and pistachios. Mix the wet and dry ingredients, then fold in the fruits and nuts. Shape the dough into balls and bake until golden.
These cookies stay fresh for 2-3 days when stored properly. You can also freeze them for later. They’re perfect for the holidays or any time you want a special snack.
17. Salted Caramel Swirls
Salted caramel swirls are a delightful vegan cookie option. You can make these treats using plant-based butter, brown sugar, and salt as the base for the caramel.
To create the swirl effect, mix vegan condensed milk into your caramel sauce. Spread this mixture onto rolled-out cookie dough before baking.
For the cookie dough, combine vegan butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and flour. Roll it out, add the caramel, and then roll it up to create the swirl pattern.
Bake the cookies until golden brown. Let them cool before serving to allow the caramel to set. These sweet and salty treats are sure to please your taste buds.
The Benefits of Vegan Cookies
Vegan cookies offer many perks for your health and the planet. They can be tasty treats that align with your values.
Nutritional Advantages
Vegan cookies often have less saturated fat than regular cookies. This is good for your heart health.
Many recipes use whole grains, adding fiber to your diet. Fiber helps you feel full and aids digestion.
Some vegan cookies include nuts and seeds. These add protein and healthy fats. You might find omega-3 fatty acids in cookies with flax or chia seeds.
Vegan cookies can be lower in calories. This depends on the ingredients used. They’re great for people with dairy or egg allergies too.
Environmental Impact
Choosing vegan cookies can help reduce your carbon footprint. Animal products often have a bigger impact on the environment.
Plant-based ingredients typically use less water and land to produce. This helps conserve natural resources.
Vegan cookies don’t contain animal products. This means they don’t contribute to issues linked to animal farming.
By picking vegan options, you support more sustainable food choices. Every small change can make a difference for the planet.
Tips for Baking Perfect Vegan Cookies
Vegan cookies can be just as tasty as traditional ones. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can make delicious plant-based treats.
Choosing the Right Ingredients
Pick high-quality vegan butter or oil for rich flavor. Coconut oil works well in many recipes.
For binding, use ground flax seeds mixed with water as an egg replacement. This helps cookies hold together.
Choose plant-based milks like almond or oat milk. They add moisture without dairy.
For sweetness, try coconut sugar or maple syrup instead of white sugar. These give a nice caramel flavor.
Experiment with different flours. All-purpose flour works, but whole wheat pastry flour adds nutrients. Almond or oat flour can make cookies extra soft and chewy.
Baking Techniques
Chill your dough before baking. This stops cookies from spreading too much. Let the dough rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Use a light-colored baking sheet. Dark pans can make cookies burn on the bottom. Line the sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Don’t overbake. Vegan cookies can dry out quickly. Take them out when the edges are just set. They’ll keep cooking as they cool.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This helps them set up. Then move to a wire rack to cool fully.
Troubleshooting Common Vegan Baking Issues
Vegan baking can be tricky, but with a few tips you can fix common problems.
Here’s how to tackle texture issues and boost flavors in your vegan cookies.
Texture Problems
Dry, crumbly cookies are no fun. To fix this, try adding more liquid or fat.
Use applesauce, mashed banana, or plant-based milk. These will make your cookies moist and chewy.
For flat cookies, chill the dough before baking. This helps them keep their shape.
You can also add a bit more flour to the mix.
If your cookies are too dense, check your leavening agents. Make sure your baking powder and soda are fresh.
You can also try whipping aquafaba (chickpea liquid) to add air to the dough.
Flavor Enhancements
Bland cookies? Amp up the taste with a pinch of salt. It brings out sweetness and other flavors.
Don’t skip vanilla extract either – it adds depth.
For richer flavor, toast your nuts before adding them to the dough. This brings out their natural oils and taste.
You can also brown your vegan butter for a nutty flavor boost.
Try adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom. They add warmth and complexity to your cookies.
A dash of espresso powder can deepen chocolate flavors without tasting like coffee.