If you've ever wondered if it's possible to make a gluten free chocolate chip cookie that tastes just as good (or honestly, even better) than the "real thing," welcome to my kitchen! This is the cookie recipe I bake when I want to treat everyone - gluten free or not - to something gooey, golden, and totally homemade.
These cookies are soft in the middle, a little crisp around the edges, and packed with big chocolate flavor. They're the kind of cookie you can whip up fast, no mixer needed, and they always impress. If you've ever tried a dry, gritty, or disappointing gluten free cookie, you'll be blown away by how chewy and rich these are. The trick? Browned butter, a high-quality gluten free flour blend, and a little almond flour for texture and flavor. (And yes, you can make them nut-free too.)
I've made this recipe more times than I can count - sometimes dairy-free, sometimes with whatever chocolate I have on hand, always delicious. Want to freeze some dough for future cookie emergencies? Go for it! This recipe is basically foolproof and super forgiving. Let's make a batch together.
Why These Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Work
- No mixer needed and simple pantry ingredients
- Browned butter = next-level flavor (no boring cookies here)
- Chewy middles and crisp edges, every single time
- Freezes perfectly (dough or baked cookies)
- Works with your favorite gluten free flour blend
- Nobody can tell they're gluten free - promise!
Simple Gluten Free Ingredients
Gluten Free Flour Blend:
Use a good 1:1 gluten free flour (with xanthan gum). I love King Arthur Measure-for-Measure or Bob's Red Mill 1:1.
Almond Flour:
This adds richness and helps the cookies brown nicely. If you're nut-free, just use a little extra gluten free flour.
Butter:
Browned for flavor! If you're dairy-free, use melted vegan butter (don't brown it).
Brown Sugar + Granulated Sugar:
A combo for perfect chew and sweetness.
Egg:
Just one, for the perfect cookie texture.
Vanilla Extract:
Because you want real cookie flavor, right?
Milk:
Just a tablespoon to keep things moist (any kind works - regular, almond, oat, etc).
Chocolate Chips:
Most chocolate chips are naturally gluten free! I use Guittard, Nestle, or Enjoy Life.
Sea Salt:
Sprinkle on top for that bakery look and a little burst of flavor.
How to Make Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
1. Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together your gluten free flour, almond flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

2. Brown the Butter
Melt butter over medium-low heat. Keep stirring as it foams, turns golden, and starts to smell nutty. Pull it off the heat and pour into your mixing bowl right away so it doesn't burn.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients
Add the brown butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and milk. Whisk to combine. Add the egg and vanilla, then whisk again until smooth and creamy.

4. Combine Wet and Dry
Add your dry ingredients to the wet and stir together until you have a thick, scoopable dough. Stir in the chocolate chips.

5. Let the Dough Rest
This is important! Let the dough sit for at least 30 minutes at room temp (or chill it longer in the fridge). This lets the gluten free flour hydrate, so your cookies bake up chewy, not gritty.
6. Scoop and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Scoop dough into balls (about 2 tablespoons each) and place on a lined baking sheet. Leave space for them to spread a bit.

Bake 10-12 minutes, just until the edges are golden and the centers look set but still soft. Let them cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then sprinkle with flaky salt if you like.

7. Enjoy and Repeat!
Move cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling. If you can wait that long before grabbing one, I salute your willpower.

My Best Tips for Gluten Free Cookie Success
- Use a quality gluten free flour blend with xanthan gum for best results.
- Brown the butter for big flavor (but don't skip the tablespoon of milk - it keeps things chewy).
- Let the dough rest at least 30 minutes to hydrate the flour and prevent graininess.
- Want them nut-free? Just swap the almond flour for more gluten free flour.
- Make it dairy-free with vegan butter (no need to brown) and plant-based milk.
- Freeze extra dough balls so you can bake off cookies whenever you want!

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions
To store:
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days.
To freeze dough:
Scoop dough balls onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then store in a bag or container. Bake straight from frozen (add 1-2 extra minutes).
To freeze baked cookies:
Let cool, then freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
FAQ
Can I make these cookies nut-free?
Yes! Replace the almond flour with more gluten free flour.
Do I need to chill the dough?
A 30-minute rest at room temp is all you need, but you can chill the dough for even better flavor.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes! Use vegan butter (melted, not browned) and dairy-free milk.
How do I know when they're done?
The edges will look golden and the centers will look just set. Don't overbake - they'll finish setting as they cool.
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate, these gluten free chocolate chip cookies are a foolproof favorite-crispy on the edges, tender in the middle, and nobody can tell they're GF. Browned butter and almond flour make all the difference.
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cups (200g) gluten free measure-for-measure flour
- ¼ cup (25g) almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup (113g) butter
- 1 tablespoon milk (any kind)
- ¾ cup (160g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (170g) chocolate chips
- Sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk gluten free flour, almond flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring until it turns golden and smells nutty. Pour into a mixing bowl.
- Add milk, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to the brown butter. Whisk together.
- Whisk in the egg and vanilla until smooth.
- Mix in the dry ingredients until a dough forms. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Let the dough rest at room temp for 30 minutes (or chill up to 5 days).
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Scoop dough into 2 tablespoon balls, place 2 inches apart.
- Bake 10-12 minutes, until edges are golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a rack.
- Sprinkle with sea salt if you want and enjoy.
Notes
Letting the dough rest helps hydrate gluten free flour and improve texture. To make nut-free, replace almond flour with more GF flour. Vegan butter works for dairy-free version-just don't brown it.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg














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