Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies

5 from 6 votes

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Soft and chewy Vegan Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies are easy to make in one bowl with just 8 ingredients!

Stack of 4 chocolate chip zucchini cookies. One on the top has a bite out of it.

These cookies feature wholesome ingredients like rolled oats and oat flour, they have no added oil and are made with less sugar than a classic oatmeal cookies. Here’s what else is to love about the recipe:

  • Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free) and gluten-free.
  • Quick and easy one bowl recipe.
  • 8 ingredients.
  • Good use for extra zucchini.
  • Store and travel well.
  • Can be frozen.
  • Chewy texture.

We love adding zucchini to sweet recipes like these easy oatmeal cookies, it has the perfect mild taste and soft texture. Whole Wheat Vegan Zucchini Bread, Healthy Zucchini Brownies Recipe and Chocolate Zucchini Bread are all delicious too.

You could also add shredded zucchini to these Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies, which are made with just banana, oats and nut butter with no added sugar, or these 3-Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies made with just maple syrup, oats and nut butter.

Ingredients

Just 8 simple ingredients and you can even make your own oat flour. No eggs needed and a number of other substitutions you can make. Ingredient details below!

Visual list of ingredients for making chocolate chip zucchini cookies.

This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.

  • Zucchini: Use fresh zucchini. Do no need to strain it to remove excess moisture. Just finely grate and add right to the cookie dough.
  • Peanut Butter: If you need a peanut-free recipe, swap this for almond butter or any other nut or seed butter. If you need a nut-free recipe, you can use sunflower seed butter or tahini. Note that sunflower seed butter will react with the baking soda and may turn the cookies green!
  • Sweetener: Coconut sugar, cane sugar, white sugar or dark brown sugar or light brown sugar all work here.
  • Oat Flour: Use store-bought or make your own by blending oats into a fine consistency. You can use quick oats, instant oats or rolled oats to make oat flour. You can substitute all purpose flour or whole wheat flour.
  • Oats: Rolled oats or large-flake oats are best for texture.
  • Plant-Based Milk: Almond or cashew milk work well for their neutral flavour but any kind of plant-based milk works, such as soy milk, oat milk, etc.
  • Chocolate Chips: For a vegan recipe, use dairy-free chocolate chips like Enjoy Life or Camino brands. Dark chocolate chunks or morsels would also work well. If you prefer, for a healthier option you swap the chocolate chips for raisins or walnuts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before You Start: Preheat the oven to 350 F and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Step 1: Stir together the oat flour, oats, baking soda and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

Dry baking ingredients mixed together in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients: grated zucchini, nut butter, milk, vanilla and chocolate chips. Fold everything together until it forms a thick dough. It might seem dry at first but keep mixing until everything is moist.

Place the batter in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. This will make it easier to roll into balls.

Raw chocolate chip zucchini cookie batter in a glass mixing bowl.

Step 4: Use a cookie scoop or roll the batter into 12 equal-sized balls and place on the sheet pan. Press each ball down a little with your palm.

Raw chocolate chip zucchini cookies on a baking tray.

Bake for 10-15 minutes until light golden brown around the edges. Cool and enjoy!

Chocolate chip cookies on a baking tray.

Storing

  • Let cool completely before storing.
  • Store at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
  • Fridge: Up to 1 week in a sealed container.
  • Freezer: Up to 3 months in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container

More Recipes to Try!

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Chocolate chip zucchini cookie with a bite taken out of it.
5 from 6 votes

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies

By: Deryn
Soft and chewy zucchini chocolate chips cookies with a hint of cinnamon for the perfect treat any time of day.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 cookies
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup oat flour, 120 g
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats, 50 g
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, coconut sugar or cane sugar (50 g)
  • 1/4 cup plant-based milk, 50 mL
  • 1 cup grated zucchini, 150 g
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter, 60 g
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips, 80 g
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 10 mL

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F (170 C) and line a large baking tray with parchment paper. 
  • In a large bowl, stir together the oat flour, rolled oats, baking soda, cinnamon and brown sugar.
  • Finely grate zucchini with a box grater then add the shredded zucchini, peanut butter, milk, vanilla and chocolate chips. Fold together until a dough forms. It might appear dry at first but keep stirring until all the dry ingredients are wetted.
  • Place the dough in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. This will make it easier to form the cookies. 
  • Roll the dough into tablespoon sized balls and place on the baking sheet. 
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes, until light golden brown around the edges. Cool at room temperature before handling to allow them to firm up. 

Video

Notes

  • For a lower-sugar, healthier alternative to chocolate chips, try different add-ins like walnuts, raisins or pecans.
  • Let cool completely then store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 101kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 6g, Sodium: 82mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 11g
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Deryn Macey

Deryn Macey is a nutrition coach, certified personal trainer, and the creator of Running on Real Food, where she's been sharing nutritious recipes since 2013. She holds a science degree and offers strength training and nutrition coaching through Onward Strong, focusing on strength, sustainable eating habits, and breaking free from diet culture.

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15 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These are so good, love how healthy they are. The kids loved them and they disappeared quickly! Def will make again. Thanks for a great recipe.

    1. I think that should be fine but I haven’t tested it so I can’t guarantee! Let me know if you try it.

  2. 5 stars
    One of the few zucchini things that passed the toddler test! I credit the oats & nut butter for disguising the texture. Thank you!

  3. 5 stars
    These are so yummy, quick, and satisfy a sweet tooth without guilt! I’ve made these twice, opted not to refrigerate the dough the second time, and simply spooned out on the cookie sheet. Even faster to the tummy! Delicious!