Indulge in the ultimate healthy vegan dessert with this incredible Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie recipe. When a craving for something warm, comforting, and sweet hits, this skillet cookie delivers without compromising your healthy lifestyle. It’s meticulously crafted to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and remarkably easy to prepare using wholesome, everyday pantry staples like nutrient-rich chickpeas.
This post has been significantly updated and expanded from its original version, first published on June 28, 2017, to bring you even more valuable insights and delicious details.
The Irresistible Allure of a Skillet Cookie
Imagine biting into a cookie that’s ooey, gooey, rich, and perfectly chewy all at once. That’s precisely what this chocolate chunk skillet cookie offers – the epitome of healthy comfort food. Skillet cookies have rapidly gained popularity, and for good reason! Unlike traditional cookies that require endless scooping and multiple baking sheets, a skillet cookie is a single-serving (or easily shareable) marvel that bakes beautifully in one pan. This not only simplifies cleanup but also ensures every bite is soft and moist in the center, with delightfully crispy edges. It’s a truly communal and enjoyable dessert experience, perfect for sharing directly from the pan with spoons, or slicing into generous wedges for individual portions. If you’re searching for effortlessly easy vegan cookie recipes that deliver maximum impact with minimal fuss, look no further. This recipe is your go-to for a quick, wholesome treat, removing the need for individual portioning. However, if you prefer classic individual cookies, you’ll absolutely adore my vegan chocolate chunk cookies as well.
Why This Skillet Cookie Recipe is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another cookie; it’s a revolutionary way to enjoy dessert that aligns perfectly with a health-conscious lifestyle. Here are compelling reasons why this vegan chocolate chunk skillet cookie will become a staple in your kitchen:
- Edible Cookie Dough: Perhaps one of the greatest joys of vegan baking is the freedom to enjoy the cookie dough raw! Made without eggs or traditional dairy, this dough is perfectly safe and utterly delicious to sneak a spoonful (or two!) before it even hits the oven.
- Guilt-Free Indulgence: Yes, healthy chocolate recipes truly exist! This cookie proves that you can satisfy your deepest chocolate cravings with a dessert that actually provides nutritional benefits.
- Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: Forget specialty stores. This recipe utilizes basic, natural ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, making it accessible and convenient.
- Nutrient-Packed Powerhouse: Thanks to the inclusion of chickpeas, this cookie boasts a significant amount of plant-based protein and fiber, contributing to satiety and digestive health.
- Naturally Sweetened: Sweetened exclusively with maple syrup, this recipe is refined sugar-free, offering a delicious taste with a lower glycemic impact.
- Allergy-Friendly: Being gluten-free and dairy-free, it caters to various dietary needs and makes it a perfect treat for those with common food sensitivities. It’s also surprisingly low in carbs for a dessert.
- Effortlessly Easy: Designed for simplicity, this recipe comes together quickly with minimal steps, making it perfect for novice bakers and busy individuals alike.
- Authentic Cookie Flavor: Experience the classic, comforting taste of a chocolate chip cookie without the heavy butter and sugar typically found in traditional versions.
- Truly Healthy: This isn’t merely “not bad” for you; it’s genuinely *good* for you! Enjoy a sweet treat that nourishes your body from the inside out.
- Deeply Satisfying: Rich, flavorful, and wonderfully textured, this skillet cookie will thoroughly satisfy your sweet treat craving, leaving you feeling happy and wholesome.
Essential Ingredients and Smart Substitutions
Crafting this delicious and healthy skillet cookie starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in both flavor and nutrition:
- Chickpeas: The secret star! These legumes provide an excellent source of plant-based protein and dietary fiber, transforming a simple dessert into a surprisingly nourishing treat. They also contribute to the cookie’s incredibly moist and chewy texture.
- Peanut Butter: Not just for flavor, peanut butter adds healthy fats and a significant protein boost, contributing to satiety and a rich mouthfeel. You can substitute with almond butter, cashew butter, or for a nut-free option, sunflower seed butter (SunButter), though the flavor profile will shift slightly.
- Rolled Oats: A fantastic source of soluble fiber, rolled oats are crucial for regulating blood sugar levels and promoting a healthy digestive system. Use certified gluten-free oats if you have gluten sensitivities. Quick oats can also work in a pinch, but rolled oats provide a better texture.
- Applesauce: Acting as a natural egg substitute and binder, applesauce helps activate the baking powder, ensuring the vegan cookie rises beautifully. It’s also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, contributing natural sweetness. Always opt for unsweetened applesauce to avoid added sugars.
- Maple Syrup: This natural sweetener offers a lovely caramel note and is a healthier alternative to refined sugars, boasting a lower glycemic index. Agave nectar or date syrup can be used as substitutes, though they may alter the flavor slightly.
- Baking Powder: The primary leavening agent that gives the cookie its desirable lift and soft texture. Ensure your baking powder is fresh for optimal results.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Essential for that authentic, beloved chocolate chip cookie flavor. Don’t skip it!
- Cinnamon: Beyond its warm, inviting aroma, cinnamon is loaded with powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It also naturally enhances the sweetness of other ingredients, reducing the need for more added sugar.
- Dark Chocolate: The cornerstone of any great chocolate chunk cookie! For the healthiest option, look for dark chocolate bars with a higher cacao percentage (70% or above) and minimal added sugar. Chopping a bar yourself allows for beautiful, varied chunks that melt gloriously throughout the cookie. Feel free to use high-quality vegan chocolate chips if preferred.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is vital to balance the sweetness and deepen the overall flavor profile, making the chocolate taste even more pronounced.
Crafting Your Perfect Vegan Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this skillet cookie is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these simple steps for a truly delightful result:
Preparation is Key: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease your chosen cast iron skillet with a healthy oil like avocado or olive oil. For an oil-free option or easier removal, line the pan with unbleached parchment paper. Next, thoroughly rinse and drain your canned chickpeas. The secret to an exceptionally smooth cookie dough lies in gently rubbing the drained chickpeas with a clean dish towel. This simple step helps dislodge and remove their skins, resulting in a creamier, more refined batter texture. Discard the skins once removed.
Blend the Base: Into the bowl of a high-speed food processor or powerful blender, add your prepared chickpeas, rolled oats, peanut butter, maple syrup, applesauce, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and baking powder. Process these ingredients for about 1 minute. Stop the machine, scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated, and then continue blending until the mixture achieves a wonderfully smooth and creamy consistency, with no visible chickpea chunks.
The Perfect Batter: After processing, your batter should be thick, uniform, and irresistibly creamy. This smooth base is what ensures the skillet cookie has that desired soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Take a moment to appreciate the transformation of simple ingredients into a delectable dough.
Chocolate Perfection: Take a 3-ounce bar of your favorite dark chocolate and chop it into delightful chunks. A 3-ounce bar typically yields about ½ cup of chopped chocolate. While you can certainly use pre-made chocolate chunks or chips, chopping a quality dark chocolate bar yourself often results in a superior flavor and a more luxurious melt. It takes just a couple of minutes and is, in my humble opinion, absolutely worth the effort for that extra touch of gourmet indulgence.
Fold in the Chocolate: Transfer the blended batter to a mixing bowl if it’s easier, or simply use a sturdy spatula to gently fold the chocolate chunks into the batter by hand within the food processor bowl. Ensure the chocolate is evenly distributed throughout. And if you’re a true chocolate lover, don’t hesitate to add a little extra – because there’s no such thing as too much chocolate!
Into the Skillet: Carefully transfer the thick cookie dough into your prepared cast iron skillet. The batter will be quite dense, so use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it evenly across the bottom of the skillet, ensuring a uniform thickness for consistent baking. You can leave it slightly mounded in the center if you prefer a thicker middle.
Bake to Perfection: Place the skillet in your preheated oven. Bake until the edges are just set and lightly browned, while the center remains slightly jiggly for that signature gooey texture. Using an 8-inch skillet will typically require about 18 minutes. If you’re using a larger 10-inch skillet, the cooking time will be closer to 15 minutes, as the cookie will be thinner. Remember, the cast iron pan retains heat, so the cookie will continue to cook slightly even after it’s removed from the oven. This residual heat helps achieve that ideal soft center.
Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven. Resist the urge to dive in immediately, although it will be tempting! Allow it to cool for a few minutes. Then, grab a spoon and dig right in for a truly decadent experience!
Debra’s Pro Tips for the Best Skillet Cookie
Unlock the full potential of this recipe with these expert tips, ensuring every batch is a resounding success:
- For a Super Smooth Dough: Do not skip the crucial step of rubbing the chickpeas with a dish towel to remove their skins. This small effort makes a significant difference in achieving a wonderfully creamy and smooth cookie dough batter, free from any grainy texture.
- Choose Quality Peanut Butter: Always opt for organic peanut butter whenever possible. Peanuts are known to be a heavily sprayed crop, and choosing organic helps avoid unwanted pesticides. Before using a new jar, ensure it is thoroughly mixed to evenly distribute the oils and solids, preventing dry or overly oily sections. A helpful trick is to store unopened jars upside down in your pantry; this allows the oil to redistribute, making mixing much easier when you open them.
- Master the Bake – Do Not Overbake: Since this recipe contains no raw eggs or animal products, there’s absolutely no concern about eating the dough or an underbaked cookie. For the ultimate rich, gooey, and melt-in-your-mouth experience, always err on the side of slightly underdone. The residual heat from the cast iron skillet will continue to cook the cookie gently after it’s removed from the oven, preventing it from becoming dry.
- Source Your Oats Wisely: Oats can sometimes be heavily treated with glyphosate, a common herbicide. For a cleaner, healthier cookie, consider checking with reputable resources like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to find trusted brands that are certified glyphosate-free.
- Elevate with a Drizzle: If you’re feeling a little fancy and want to add an extra layer of sweetness and sophistication, drizzle some date syrup over the warm skillet cookie just before serving. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt can also beautifully enhance the flavors.
- For Cleaner Slices: If your skillet cookie is too warm and gooey to cut into neat slices, simply place the entire skillet in the refrigerator for at least 15-30 minutes. Chilling the cookie will firm it up, making it much easier to portion cleanly.
- Smart Storage: Store any leftover skillet cookie in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze individual slices for up to 3 months. This makes it an excellent make-ahead dessert or a convenient treat for meal prep.
Embracing Healthy Indulgence: The Philosophy Behind This Cookie
As a strong advocate for mindful eating, I’ve moved away from refined white sugar in my recipes, but that doesn’t mean I’m a party pooper when it comes to dessert! I firmly believe that it’s entirely possible to savor genuinely delicious desserts that simultaneously offer significant nutritional value. This isn’t about compromising on taste; it’s about making smarter choices that nourish your body without sacrificing the joy of a sweet treat. My philosophy is simple: don’t settle for ingredients that offer little to no benefit. Instead, choose ingredients that add valuable nutrition, fiber, and healthy fats, while always prioritizing spectacular taste. This vegan chocolate chunk skillet cookie is a testament to that philosophy – a dessert that delights your palate and supports your well-being.
Customize Your Skillet Cookie Experience
While this recipe is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully versatile, allowing you to experiment with different flavors and textures to suit your preferences:
- Nut Butter Swaps: As mentioned, feel free to substitute peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or even a mixed nut butter. Each will impart a slightly different flavor profile. For a nut-free option, ensure you use sunflower seed butter.
- Spice It Up: Enhance the warm flavors by adding a pinch of nutmeg, a dash of cardamom, or a touch of pumpkin pie spice to the batter.
- Additional Mix-Ins: Get creative with extra additions! Consider stirring in a handful of chopped walnuts, pecans, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut along with the chocolate chunks for added texture and flavor complexity.
- Chocolate Varieties: Explore different types of vegan chocolate. White chocolate chunks, milk chocolate-style pieces, or even a mix of dark and semi-sweet can create unique results.
- Serving Suggestions: While heavenly on its own, this skillet cookie is also fantastic served warm with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream, a dollop of coconut whipped cream, or fresh berries for a burst of freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about this healthy vegan chocolate chunk skillet cookie:
- Can I make this skillet cookie nut-free? Yes! Simply substitute the peanut butter with a seed butter, such as sunflower seed butter (SunButter). Ensure all other ingredients (especially chocolate chips) are also certified nut-free if allergies are a major concern.
- Is it really healthy with chocolate? Absolutely! Dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher) is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which have been linked to various health benefits. Combined with protein-packed chickpeas, fiber-rich oats, and natural sweeteners, this cookie offers a more wholesome profile than traditional desserts.
- Can I use a regular baking pan instead of a cast iron skillet? Yes, you can! An 8×8 inch square baking pan will work well, yielding a thicker, brownie-like result. Adjust baking time accordingly; it might be similar to the 8-inch skillet time. For a thinner cookie, you could use a 9×13 inch pan, but the cooking time will be significantly shorter. Always keep an eye on it to prevent overbaking.
- How do I know when the cookie is done? Look for golden-brown edges that are set, while the center still has a slight “jiggle” when you gently shake the pan. Remember, it will continue to firm up as it cools, especially in a cast iron skillet.
- Can I prepare the dough ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the dough and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days before baking. When ready to bake, press it into the skillet and proceed with the baking instructions. You might need to add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time if baking from a chilled state.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie
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Equipment
- Cast iron skillet
- 8 x 8 Inch Square Baking Pan
Ingredients
- 1 15 ounce can chickpeas* drained, rinsed and drained well (1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas)
- ⅔ cup organic peanut butter
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ¼ cup apple sauce
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 3-oz bar dark chocolate chopped (½ cup chocolate chunks or chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet* with avocado or olive oil*, or line the pan with unbleached parchment paper for an oil-free option and easy removal.
- Rinse and drain the chickpeas thoroughly. To achieve a smoother cookie batter, gently roll the drained chickpeas in a dry dish towel to remove their skins. Discard the skins. While this step is not strictly necessary, it significantly improves the texture of the finished cookie.
- Place all ingredients EXCEPT for the dark chocolate into a food processor. Process for approximately 1 minute. Stop the machine, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and continue to blend until the mixture is exceptionally smooth and creamy. Once the batter is smooth, stir in the chopped dark chocolate by hand.
- Pour the prepared cookie mixture into the greased or lined skillet. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the thick batter evenly across the pan. For an extra touch of indulgence, sprinkle a few additional chocolate chunks on top, if desired.
- Bake for 15 minutes. For a perfectly gooey center, bake until the sides are just beginning to brown and appear set, while the middle still has a slight “jiggle.” If needed, continue to cook for an additional 3 minutes, but be vigilant not to overcook, as this can easily lead to a dry cookie. The skillet cookie will continue to bake gently even after being removed from the oven due to the retained heat of the cast iron.
- Serve the skillet cookie warm, directly from the pan, or at room temperature. If you find it too gooey to slice cleanly, simply place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes (or longer) to allow it to firm up, making cutting into slices much easier.
Notes
CHOCOLATE: One 3-ounce chocolate bar, when chopped, yields about ½ cup of chocolate chunks. You can also use pre-made chocolate chunks or chips. Typically, higher quality dark chocolate is easier to find in bar form, which can then be chopped.
OPTIONAL: Once the cookie is finished baking and has slightly cooled, enhance its flavor and appearance by drizzling it with date syrup and sprinkling with a pinch of flaky sea salt.
STORAGE: This skillet cookie can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, or frozen for up to 3 months for a longer shelf life.
Nutrition
Note
The nutrition calculations provided were performed using online tools. For the most precise and accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, it is recommended that you calculate the nutritional data using the specific ingredients you personally use. You bear the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that any nutritional information you rely upon is accurate, complete, and useful for your dietary needs.