If you love the cozy flavors of autumn and crave something sweet yet guilt-free, these Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are exactly what you need. Brimming with pumpkin, warming spices, and melty dark chocolate chips, each cookie is soft, chewy, and packed with nutrition — all without sacrificing taste. Trust me, this is the kind of treat you’ll want to make on repeat all season long!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies is their simplicity — each ingredient brings something special, whether it’s texture, moisture, or a burst of flavor. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why it matters.
- Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture and that irresistible autumn flavor, while boosting the nutrition.
- Coconut Oil (melted): Gives the cookies a tender crumb and pleasant richness, plus it’s a plant-based fat.
- Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar: Offers natural sweetness and caramel notes, making the cookies irresistibly good.
- Large Egg: Binds everything together and helps the cookies stay soft.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors with a subtle warmth and depth.
- Whole Wheat Flour: Provides fiber and a hearty texture, making each bite extra satisfying.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise, creating a perfectly soft and pillowy center.
- Ground Cinnamon: The classic spice that gives these cookies their cozy autumn personality.
- Ground Nutmeg: Adds a gentle warmth for that unmistakable pumpkin spice vibe.
- Ground Ginger: Brings a little zing and complexity to every bite.
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors, balancing out the tastes perfectly.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: Melty pockets of chocolate make these cookies truly crave-worthy!
How to Make Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet and Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper — this keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Prepping everything before you start mixing ensures perfectly baked cookies every time.
Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything looks smooth and unified; this base ensures your Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies turn out soft and tender.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. This step evenly distributes the leavening and spices, so every bite is full of flavor!
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined — over-mixing can create dense cookies! Finally, gently add in the dark chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly spread throughout the dough.
Step 5: Scoop and Space the Dough
Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each one. This spacing gives each cookie room to spread and bake evenly.
Step 6: Bake to Pumpkin Perfection
Slide your baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers will still look a little soft — that’s how you get that dreamy, chewy texture Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are known for. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
How to Serve Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
For an extra-special finish, sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top of each cookie right after baking. If you’re feeling fancy, a light dusting of cinnamon or a pinch of flaky sea salt can elevate both the flavor and appearance.
Side Dishes
Pair your Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies with a steaming mug of chai tea, a pumpkin spice latte, or even a glass of cold almond milk. These simple sides let the cookies shine and turn snack time into a cozy occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies on a rustic wooden board, tie a few together with twine for adorable gifts, or serve them in a vintage cookie jar. For festive gatherings, consider building a cookie “tower” or nestling them amongst mini pumpkins and autumn leaves for a centerpiece everyone will swoon over.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. They stay remarkably moist thanks to the pumpkin and coconut oil, so you won’t have to worry about dry cookies on day two or three.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once solid. They’ll keep well for up to three months — just thaw on the counter whenever a pumpkin craving strikes.
Reheating
For perfectly warm and gooey cookies, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or reheat in a low oven. This brings back the soft texture and helps revive that freshly-baked flavor.
FAQs
Can I make these cookies vegan?
Absolutely! Just swap the regular egg for a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and you’ll have delicious Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies everyone can enjoy, no matter their dietary preference.
Can I substitute the whole wheat flour?
You can use all-purpose flour if that’s what you have on hand, although the cookies will lose a bit of their hearty texture and fiber. For a gluten-free version, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but check for any extra moisture adjustments needed.
What’s the best way to melt coconut oil?
The easiest way is to measure out the solid coconut oil, pop it into a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave it in 15-second bursts until just melted. Let it cool slightly before adding to your batter, so it doesn’t “cook” the egg.
Why are my cookies so soft in the middle?
Pumpkin adds extra moisture, which naturally makes these Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies soft and chewy. If you prefer firmer cookies, you can extend the bake time by 1-2 minutes — just keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking.
How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?
If your dough feels especially wet or sticky, chill it for 15–20 minutes before baking. This little trick helps the cookies hold their shape and creates a thicker, chewier bite.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about making a batch of Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and sharing them with friends or family. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up or a sweet way to celebrate the flavors of fall, these cookies promise to deliver every time. Give them a try — you’ll fall in love, one bite at a time!
PrintHealthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Indulge in these delicious Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies that are perfect for fall. Made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour and pumpkin puree, these cookies are a guilt-free treat for any time of day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Add chocolate chips: Stir in dark chocolate chips.
- Bake: Drop tablespoon-sized dough portions onto the baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water).
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg