The classic chocolate chip cookie with the protein punch of quinoa. Healthy, gluten-free, vegan, quinoa chocolate chip cookies that will fool anyone into thinking they’re eating a decadent dessert. These call for a double batch!
Savory, sweet, dinner, side dish, DESSERT? Ah!!! You know I write all my posts over the weekend and trying to figure out which recipe I wanted to post today took me all week plus the weekend. Then it was a mad rush to edit and write! I didn’t plan on posting these cookies for a few more weeks, but, well, they’re just too good to wait any longer! I made enough of these cookies to have stocked in my freezer and have been heating them up for a mid-morning “protein” burst the last couple of weeks. Daily cookies? Good stuff!
I think we can all agree that the chocolate chip cookie is the ultimate classic cookie. Everyone has had a chocolate chip cookie and everyone has a recipe…maybe. Actually baking did happen in my childhood at least. More than “just add water“. The ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe on the back of the Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips.
I’m pretty sure I’ve told you about making chocolate chip cookies as a kid before, but maybe not all the memories. So let’s take a trip down memory lane to a simpler time full of young innocence and gluten-filled goodies. Even then, ever since I can remember, I’ve just loved the excuse to get in the kitchen and cook or bake. So when my mom would randomly call out to my brother and I, asking if we wanted to help with some baking, I ran!
From what I remember, it was always nighttime, maybe after dinner, but it would be dark outside, the kitchen would be warm with the oven preheating and the overhead ceiling lights giving the room an orange glow. The big (and still only) red glass mixing bowl would be set down on the table, the all-purpose flour, and a bag of semi-sweet chocolate “morsels” to the side. I’d make sure I got prime spot in front of the bowl, kneeing up on the kitchen chair. To keep it fair, my brother and I would take turns adding each ingredient to the bowl.
First we would measure and dump in the flour to the big red bowl. Then one of us would measure out the brown sugar (which we always joked about how it looked like “poop” when combined with the melted butter). There was the the glorious smell of vanilla extract! I loved dumping that in! It was my favorite smell! Then the milk and egg which my brother and I both had my mom do. No scary raw egg cracking for us! Last but (really) not least, we got to add in the chocolate chips.
Now, obviously some of those chocolate chips ended up straight in our mouths, but for the most part, we got them in the batter where they belonged 😉 (P.S. my family DOES NOT eat raw cookie dough or any batter. That is so dangerous and never happened in our house!). But then came my favorite part and the most “work”. Mixing the batter!
When you first start, the batter is so hard to mix and we would have to mix for SO long (it felt like). My brother and I would take turns when our arms go tired, but then the batter would become smooth and the only bumps would be the great feel of the chocolate chips gooping around in the batter. I just loved that feeling of mixing the smooth batter! Of course, that also signaled that out work was over. My mom would be the one to drop the cookie batter ever so evenly on the bare greased cookie sheet while my brother and I started counting down the minutes until warm fresh baked cookie would be taken out from the oven in all their aromatic chocolatly gooey hot glory!
They say one of the simple pleasures in life is a fresh baked warm from the oven chocolate chip cookie, and they are correct. It’s one of those experience everyone must have (multiple times) in their lives. It’s pure and utter magic. Since I want everyone to be able to experience that (as well as myself, yet again), I had to make allergy-safe chocolate chip cookies. I whipped them up on a whim, all with quinoa! Quinoa flour, flakes, and of course a bit of arrowroot for the chewy factor. While baking they smelled EXACTLY like “real” chocolate chip cookies. And to my even bigger surprise, when I had my brother try one he said, “Wow, there taste like the actual thing!” <——- Mind blown! I can attest to that too! The crumb and texture is exact and the chew is perfectly how a cookie should be. No to mention the abundance of studded chocolate chips though out! These quinoa chocolate chip cookies are a MUST make, 5 times over!
Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies
Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies
The classic chocolate chip cookie with the protein punch of quinoa. Healthy, gluten-free, vegan, quinoa chocolate chip cookies that will fool anyone into thinking they’re eating a decadent dessert recipe. These call for a double batch!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3/4 Cup Quinoa Flakes
- 3/4 Cup Quinoa Flour
- 1/2 Cup Arrowroot Starch
- 2 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1 Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 Tsp Butter Emulsion (optional)
- 1/3 Cup Granular Erythritol
- 1/2 Cup Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and stir/whisk until you have a smooth batter.
- On a Silpat lined baking sheet, blob and smooth down, about 2 tablespoons each, 12 cookies, evenly spaced out.
- Bake the cookies in the oven for 20 minutes. Allow them to cool a bit before devouring (if you can).
- These freeze very well and can be reheated in 30-40 seconds for a nice warm cookie snack!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
Would you like a cookie? If you were to make one Strength and Sunshine recipe, right now, I would want you to make these! I promise, you may just rethink your Toll House classic when you get a taste of these! Quinoa chocolate chip cookies for EVERYONE! The joy, comfort, warmth, and love, it’s all right here just waiting for you! From my kitchen to yous, xoxo
So tell me:
+ I’m scared to ask, but I have to. Are there any NON chocolate chip cookie people out there? Bless your sad soul 🙁
+ What’s your favorite baking memory you have as a child? Definitely these cookie nights!
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Jan says
I think my daughter in law would really enjoy these! I can’t wait to make them for her! I always look forward to your posts! Love, Jan!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Fabulous!! That will be a great surprise! Thank you so much Jan 🙂
Deborah Davis says
What a treat! Who can resist the best of both worlds: healthy, high protein quinoa with bittersweet sweet chocolate chips all whipped up as a delectable cookie you can carry wherever you go! I can’t wait to make these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Honest Mum says
Wow these look beautiful!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Heidi's Wanderings says
I can’t resist chocolate chip cookies in any shape or form. I never really thought of using quinoa as an ingredient before.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well you must try these!
Susan says
These look amazing. I can’t wait to bake a batch this weekend.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O, please enjoy!!
Audrey says
Who is going to turn down chocolate chip cookies? not me.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope no one!
audrey @ unconventional baker says
I don’t have favorite baking memories because my mom NEVER baked. I think my favorite memory therefore was me starting to make a little scrapbook of recipes I wanted to try making. My first venture was chocolate coated bananas 🙂
Cookies look delish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well this is as far as our baking ventures go 😉
Katie says
amazing and i will be trying these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Awesome!
Erlene says
I always learn about a new healthy ingredient when I visit your blog. I’ve never used quinoa flakes or flour, interested to see how the texture is to a regular cookie.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They are spot on!!!
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
I need these, they sound fantastic. Just the thing for that mid-afternoon blood sugar nosedive.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ah yes! Even a nice kick of protein action!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
Quinoa is one of those ingredients that I can never get the hang of cooking with. I’ve tried every way but baking. These look delicious and I love chococlate chip cookies, so what a great way to perhaps try out the ever elusive quinoa that always seems to stump me.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I promise these will be a winner for you! No difficulties here!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
Quinoa to the rescue! These sound and look delish, can’t wait to try them! In fact I’m so impressed this recipe got the trifecta, Yummed, Pinned and Stumbled! Yeehaw! Gotta share this goodness!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O cookie joy 😉 that deserves a cookie (or 2)!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
Oh yum! I wish I had these for an afternoon snack right now.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Good thing they’re easy to whip up!
Marilyn Lesniak says
Pinned and shared.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Great, thanks!
Amberjane says
I must make some of these!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope you do!
Sarah says
I just spit my coffee out! “Are there any non chocolate chip cookie people?”
These look delicious and oh so filling, perfect for breakfast… or dessert I guess!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Bahahahaha! If there are….I just…I don’t even know what to say!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I am not sure I could be friends with an non chocolate chip person
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha, same Deborah 😉
Kathy Hester says
I’ve wanted to try quinoa flakes for awhile and you’ve pushed me over the edge to buy them with this delicious-looking recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Do it Kathy!!! They will change everything you know about baking, breakfast, “oats” 😉 Haha!
Elaine @ FoodParsed says
I’ve tried putting quinoa in muffins, but never in cookies. Quinoa flour sounds really intriguing, and these cookies look wonderful.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Always use the flour and flakes for best baking!
Lindsay @ The Toasted Pine Nut says
I LOVE the idea of using quinoa!! These are seriously guilt free and I’d have no issues eating them for breakfast 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They make the ultimate breakfast cookie 😉 Any day of the week!
Honest Mum says
Not sure where I can get some of these ingredients but going to try. They look amazing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you so much!!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven says
I love quinoa and what a great idea to make cookies with it! 🙂 I’ve never heard of quinoa flakes though.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You would love them Sina!
Midgie says
These look lovely! Who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie and I love the fact they are made with Quinoa I’m definitely going to have a go at these I’ve been meaning to bake with Quinoa for a while now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! The combo of the flour and flakes produces the most perfect cookie texture!
Gin says
I don’t come from a baking family but I’ve made up for it. 🙂 I love the idea of quinoa in a chocolate chip cookie. Two of my favorite things ever combined!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think I’m making up for it too!
lindsay says
YOu know I love baking with quinoa. COokies are on my list! or do you deliver? haha. Love the story and love the orange light glow and warm kitchen. I can picture it now. Sigh.. memories, right?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, yes!!! The best memories! And now making memories baking these which I will gladly do over and over to send out for delivery…. If I don’t eat them all in the process!
Mandy says
I seriously wish I could reach through the screen right now and grab a few…forget the serving size 😉 I love quinoa flakes so I can’t wait to try this version of a classic….who doesn’t love chocolate chip cookies?! xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I know!!!! I really should send you some (belated Christmas present! Bahahaha!) xoxo
Lucie says
Yum! I love quinoa but I never tried sneaking it into cookies. Delicious <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Try it! They are so yummy!
Howie Fox says
Wow, Rebecca! These look super delicious, and pretty nutritious as well. I wish quinoa was a little cheaper over here 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
So crazy it’s not!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
With a description like that an your bother’s endorsement, I’m sold! I used to love making those Tollhouse cookies with my mom. Or brownies. My favorite part was always licking the bowl. Still it, truth be told. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
These are legit! I’m telling you!
Hahaha! No raw batter licking! It’s not worse it! Wait for the REAL thing! Or in this case…..you don’t have to worry 😉
Cayanne Marcus @healthyezsweet says
Okay so I deffffffinitely want to make these but I’m wondering where to find some of the ingredients.. quinoa flakes, arrowroot starch for example. And can the Granular Erythritol be subbed for sugar??
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Just look in your grocery on any health food aisle!
And yes, it can be subbed 1 to 1 of you so desire.
Becky McKinney says
Been CRAVING chocolate chip cookies and just started playing with quinoa flakes so the timing is perfection 😉 Excited to try these!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ah, then these are a must make!!!! Aren’t quinoa flakes the best!?
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says
I’ve used quinoa flour but never flakes. Sounds like a fun and delicious idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O girl, get some flakes!
jules says
Hmmmmmmm. Never tried the butter emulsion- I’ll look into it. I love using quinoa flakes in baking – this looks like another perfect recipe use for them!
~jules
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They add the most perfect texture! I just love them!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Such a sweet and wonderful memory. Thank you for sharing it. 🙂 Those cookies look fantastic. The perfect protein snack.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes they are! Thanks Linda!
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health says
not too crazy about chocolate chip cookies…opps! we are still friends right? i do like the use of quinoa here,,i have never baked with it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think these are about to change all that for you 😉
Miss Polkadot says
Braving up here and taking the risk to admit chocolate chip cookies aren’t high up on my list of childhood favourite cookies. That is as they weren’t part of it ;). We have a lot of different classic cookies over here. Like Vanillekipferl or Nussecken … mmmh.
That being said your rendition of this American classic sounds fabulous. The quinoa ingredients are a great idea for those gluten-free folks who can’t eat oats, either. Congrats on getting your brother’s approval – family members giving their thumbs up is the ultimate test for recipes by my standards.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well, as long as some type of cookie baking was involved, all is right with the world!
Whenever I can win him over with my sweets, I know it’s good!
Cailee says
YUM!! These look amazing! I love that you used quinoa! So healthy! Great recipe! Thanks for sharing girl!!
xoxo Cailee!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you! I hope you can make some soon 😉
Evi @ greenevi says
Every time I think I’ve already seen everything, I come here and realise you have always something new to make me extremely curious. Quinoa chocolate chip cookies, absolutely amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Absolutely delicious 😉 xoxo
JANET VINYARD says
Hi Rebecca, Looks like this recipe is a great gluten-free version of the chocolate chip cookie. Thanks for sharing! Blessings, Janet
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Hedi Hearts says
I could do with one right now, they look delicious and very cute!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Hedi!
Jess @hellotofit says
I LOVE chocolate chip cookies. Looks like you’ve mastered this variation!! YUMMM
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! These are just so delightful! Give them a try Jess!
Amanda says
love chocolate chip cookies and love the addition of the quinoa!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Amanda!
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
These look and sound fabulous Rebecca. I love chocolate cookies like most people (I guess there will be someone out there who doesn’t). I’ve never thought of adding quinoa flour to the mixture – it’s a great idea!
Angela x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Thank you so much Angela!
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
What sweet memories. My daughter also loves the scent of vanilla extract.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Isn’t it just fantastic?!
Vicki Montague - The Free From Fairy says
These look and sound divine! I want one right now 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Vicki xoxo
neil@neilshealthymeals.com says
It’s always great to see that it’s still possible to make the things you love by substituting the ingredients you can’t have, with the ingredients you can! 🙂
I have to admit, that I haven’t seen quinoa flour here before (in the U.K) I’ll need to look into it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I bet you could find this one Neil!
Sylvie says
You’re right, there’s nothing quite like the pleasure of biting into a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s just the best!
Gina says
These look so good! I’m dying for some chocolate chip cookies right now!!! I don’t have a lot of experience with gluten free. But, my father in law is gluten free and I know that he would be so excited if I baked some of these for him. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I promise you these will not let him or you down!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Love the family baking memories! Love these cookies, too — double batch, for sure! I cant’ wait to give these a try – such a great idea to include quinoa!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O thank you so much Patricia!
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
Oooh these look good! Chocolate chip cookies are always a winner!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They can never fail at bringing smiles!
Lisa @ RunWiki says
These are a must try! Yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes they are! Thank you Lisa! xo
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
Chocolate chip cookies are by far the most classic cookie and my go to. I am interested in trying out quinoa flour and flakes. I do love quinoa.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They give these cookies so much lovely texture! It’s amazing!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I adore chocolate chip cookies – there’s nothing quite like one! And my favorite childhood baking memories are of boxed brownies and eating the little bit of batter left in the bowl. I was never all that concerned about raw egg stuff, apparently ????
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You risked it all for some brown goop…just think about it 😉
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
Honestly I think it’s impossible to have too many chocolate chip cookie recipes, they are the best without a doubt. I totally remember the first time baking them from scratch with my mom when I was probably 4 years old! Lifelong love 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O yes! I mean, can you get anymore classic? The #1 best cookies. Chocolate Chip!!!! Never met someone who would pass one up or refuse to bake some 😉
Citra Kale @Citra's HOme Diary says
I never try to use quinoa in my recipe… yours looks fantastic!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope you give these a shot!
Laura @PetiteAllergyTreats says
Love chocolate chip cookies and have the fondest memories of trying to bake them as a kid! Love the added protein and nutrients in your new classic version!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Thank you Laura!
Josefine @ Sprouted Fig says
These look super delicious! You can never have to many chocolate chip cookie recipes – especially not when they are healthy 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Totally agreed 😉 Thank you dear!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
OMG first of all you didn’t eat the batter. Ok my mind is just blown. That was my favorite part. My mom always used the kitchenaid mixer so I would love to watch the butter and sugar get blended together and then how we would have to mix wet and dry in batches. I always wanted to help and was always stealing chocolate chips lol! What great memories! These cookies look amazing Rebecca, pinning for later!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ew! Sorry, but I’m not going to die of salmonella!
Haha! I’m glad my mom had enough baking know-how to at least be able to bring these memories to us! It’s an essential part to childhood!
Uma says
Sounds interesting! Even I like to cook with my brother and sister when we are kids 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O, haha, I’m the one who did most of the cooking!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
You were right when you said I was going to be excited about this one, I am definitely excited about COOKIES! They look so soft and sweet <3 Quinoa and I could become much much closer through cookie munching! And as for the first part of the post where you were trying to decide what to post, I think these cookies could count as breakfast, dessert, side dish, dinner, all the meals! Oh and I'm so sorry for all that missed cookie dough eating time, but you do eat the dough now right?? 😮
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
No, I’m sorry. No dough eating 😉 I have too much self control in that department! Plus, quinoa flour tastes bad if you eat it raw…just like chickpea flour. It must be cooked!!
Ruth Bloch says
Ooooh these look interesting! Just gotta make sure the kids don’t see me making them!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, why?
Laura says
Cheers to all things quinoa in baking! I love using quinoa flour in baked goods – protein boost and it’s gluten free. The best!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Right? It’s becoming my go to flour now!
Nadia says
I love quinoa AND I love chocolate chip cookies so this recipe is a winner in my book! 😀 Love the idea of using quinoa in desserts as a way to add in some extra protein! You’re a genius Rebecca!! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’m obsessed with baking with quinoa flakes (and now flour), but there were just so great and pretty steadfast GF replacements!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
Chocolate chip cookies are absolutely one of life’s simple pleasures (and s’mores). I LOVE this recipe Rebecca! Passing it along to my mom friends that have kids with food allergies.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ah great!!! Chocolate chip cookies for everyone! Thank you Chrissa!
Melissa @ vegan does it says
Aww, I have those exact same memories with my grandma. She always made sure to have a bag of Toll House chocolate chips on hand whenever we came for a visit and then her and I would bake a batch. Fresh baked, warm out of the oven cookies, there’s nothing like it! II love that these are made with quinoa. I need all the protein I can get right now growing this baby and if I can do it with a cookie, even better!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Toll House just wants everyone to have an amazing childhood 😉 Hahaha!
O yes!!! And when you eat these (all of these) you will be growing a VERY happy baby 😉
Sarah says
These look tasty! I’m always searching for new cookie recipes, pinning for later!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Sarah!
Meredith says
As I was reading this, my son said “are those cookies?” So he definitely wants to make these. I love adding quinoa into anything and everything, so I will be trying this one out. Thanks for the share!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O I hope he loves them!!! You’ll be the best mom 😉
KeeleyMcGuire says
These look delicious and simple!
PS: If there is a non-choc chip person in my life, I need to distance myself. I don’t need that kind of negativity. 😉 LOL
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Bahahaha! I feel you there! We do not need those people in our social circle 😉
Lauren says
These look scrumptious! Can’t wait to try them!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Lauren!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters says
Always love a chocolate chip cookie! And I can eat a bunch with this recipe 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes you can 😉
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
You sure are right – one of the simple pleasures in life is a fresh baked warm from the oven chocolate chip cookie – even more pleasurable when they are as healthy as these! Well done Rebecca – this is a fantastic recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The best childhood baking memories! Thank you so much Shashi! xo
Randi Tisdall says
Yummy! I’ve never tried quinoa flour before- I’ll have to look for some at the grocery store! Chocolate chip cookies are my absolute FAVORITE cookie!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You will love quinoa flour AND these cookies! xo
Lynn says
I am always looking for good gluten free options. Thanks so much for sharing. Need to get some erythritol!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you! I don’t use sugar in my cooking or baking, but you can use normal granulated sugar if you prefer! It’s a one to one replacement!