Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy inside — these gluten-free Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies are irresistibly good and ridiculously easy to make!
Whether you’re baking for a holiday, cookie exchange, or simply craving something sweet and nutty, this almond flour cookie recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
⭐ Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- Gluten-free and packed with almond flavor
- Crispy edges and chewy centers
- Foolproof and flexible — hard to mess up!
- Freezer-friendly and perfect for make-ahead baking
- Delicious with or without chocolate chips (but why skip them?)
🛒 Ingredients
- 3 cups almond flour (not almond meal)
- ¾ cup sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 Tbsp orange or lemon zest (optional)
- 3 egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
- ½ cup chocolate chips (use quality chips like Ghirardelli)
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
🧑🍳 How to Make Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and zest (if using).
- In a separate bowl, beat egg whites and vanilla (or almond extract) with an electric mixer until thick and stiff.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the egg whites using a spatula until a sticky dough forms.
- Gently fold in chocolate chips.
- Add sliced almonds to a plate. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough, roll into a ball, and coat in sliced almonds.
- Place on prepared baking sheet about 3 inches apart.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden around the edges but still pale in the center.
- Let cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!
🔁 Variations
- Swap orange zest for lemon (or omit altogether)
- Use white chocolate or dark chocolate chips
- Try cranberries, macadamia nuts, or other mix-ins
🥄 Helpful Tips
- Use almond flour, not almond meal, for the best texture.
- Don’t overbake — cookies continue to firm up as they cool.
- Use a medium cookie scoop (~2 inches) for evenly sized cookies.
- Store in an airtight container at room temp for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
🍪 Make It Your Own
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. You can leave out the chocolate chips, skip the zest, or mix in your favorite nuts or dried fruit. However you tweak it, you’re in for a truly delicious cookie!