A twist on classic chocolate chip cookies, these chewy Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies have a base of creamy sesame tahini and are studded with semisweet chocolate. They're naturally gluten-free and utterly delicious.
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Why You'll Love These Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you love the nutty, unique flavor of tahini, you'll love folding it into chocolate chip cookies. These gluten-free tahini chocolate chips rely on whole grain oat flour for structure. They're packed with caramelly brown sugar and semisweet chocolate chips for a special treat. Here's why you'll love this recipe:
- Gluten-Free: These cookies are naturally gluten-free with the addition of gluten-free oat flour. The rest of the ingredients are also gluten-free, making them a great choice if you avoid gluten.
- Dairy-Free: You can make these cookies with olive oil or coconut oil to make them dairy-free as well and gluten-free.
- A fun twist on chocolate chip cookies: How many chocolate cookies does one person need? I happen to think, a lot! Different kinds of chocolate chip cookies can suit different needs and moods, and tahini chocolate chip cookies take everything I love about chocolate chip cookies and then give them a slightly different and special flavor.
Ingredients Needed
I've included the ingredients in these cookies below. The full amounts and detailed instructions will be found in the recipe card lower down.
- Tahini - I buy plain tahini at Whole Foods. Whatever brand you choose, make sure to stir it well before putting it in the dough.
- Olive oil - Or use unsalted butter.
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar - You can use light or dark brown sugar.
- Eggs - You'll need 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk.
- Vanilla - Pure vanilla extract will give the best flavor.
- Oat flour - Use certified gluten-free oat flour if needed.
- Leavening agents - Baking soda and baking powder.
- Salt - I always use fine sea salt in my recipes.
- Chocolate chips - Semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate work best.
How to Make Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Make dough: Whisk together the tahini and olive oil, then add sugar, egg and egg yolk, and vanilla.
- Whisk dry ingredients: Blend together the oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, then add to the wet mix. with the chocolate chips.
- Chill: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 1 hour.
- Bake: Place the cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake them at 325℉ for about 13-15 minutes until set.
Tips & Variations
You can change up these cookies a bit if you, throw in some nuts, adjust the flour, and more. Here are a few tips and variation suggestions to try when you make tahini chocolate chip cookies:
- Oat flour substitute - Swap sorghum or teff flour by weight for the oat flour. You can also try a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute or use 1 cup of all-purpose or whole wheat pastry flour.
- Use butter - I love using olive oil in this recipe to keep it dairy-free, but I also love using unsalted butter for a richer, more buttery note. You could also use coconut oil for the olive oil.
- Chill the dough thoroughly - My preference is to make the cookie dough up to a day in advance of baking the cookies. This allows the gluten-free flour to fully hydrate. The cookies' flavor will also be much deeper and more delicious the longer you can let the dough rest.
- Make refined sugar-free - Use coconut sugar in place of the granulated sugar and brown sugar.
- Add nuts - Stir in 1 cup of chopped walnuts to the cookie dough for a bit of crunch.
- Add coconut - Shredded sweetened or unsweetened coconut would also be a lovely addition to these tahini chocolate chip cookies.
- Different chocolate - For a sweeter touch, try milk chocolate chips instead of the semisweet chocolate, or even white chocolate chips.
Storage Suggestions
These cookies keep well, and here's how to store them:
- Counter - Place tahini chocolate chip cookies in an airtight container and store them on the counter for up to 5 days.
- Fridge - Keep cookies in an airtight container or sealable bag in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- Freezer - You can freeze chocolate chip tahini cookies in an airtight container or freezer-safe, sealable bag for up to 3 months. Defrost the cookies completely in the fridge before serving.
More Gluten-Free Cookie Recipes
Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup tahini , stirred well
- 4 tablespoons olive oil , or unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light or dark brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups + 1 tablespoon gluten-free oat flour , 150 grams
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the tahini and olive oil. Whisk in the sugar, egg and egg yolk, and vanilla. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry mix to the wet and stir well to combine. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- If at all possible, refrigerate dough for 12 hours. If you don’t have enough time, try to get at least an hour.
- Then heat oven to 325℉. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove dough from fridge and scoop balls of dough about 1-2 teaspoons’ worth. Place on sheets at least three inches apart. Bake for about 13-15 minutes, until edges are set and lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a rack, at least 15 minutes.
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