Almond Chocolate Cookies

Featured in Sweet Creations and Baking Adventures.

If you’re craving a sweet treat, these chewy almond cookies are simple and quick! With almond flour, chocolate chips, and a pinch of citrus zest, you’ll bake crunchy yet moist cookies in no time. Prep takes 15 minutes, and they’re gluten-free. Add sliced almonds for texture or dust with powdered sugar for a pretty finish. Swap lemon zest for orange if you’d like, and feel free to skip the chocolate chips if needed. Warm cookies await in under 30 minutes—perfect for any snack moment!

Rana
Updated on Fri, 16 May 2025 21:59:39 GMT
Chocolate Almond Cookies Pin it
Chocolate Almond Cookies | flavorsenthusiasts.com

These almond chocolate chip cookies blend nutty almond flavors with gooey chocolate bits for a gluten-free snack with the best of both worlds—crunchy edges and soft middles. I stumbled on this recipe while looking for tasty gluten-free options, and now they're my favorite for both casual snacking and fancy gatherings.

The first batch I whipped up was for my buddy who can't handle gluten, and I couldn't believe how much tastier they were than regular flour cookies. There's something about almond flour that adds flavor depth that wheat just doesn't have.

What You'll Need

  • 3 cups almond flour: Forms the main structure and brings that nutty taste. Go for blanched type for smoother cookies.
  • ¾ cup sugar: Brings the sweetness and helps create those crispy edges.
  • Pinch of salt: Boosts all the flavors, especially the nutty and chocolatey notes.
  • 1 tsp baking powder: Adds just enough puff without making them too cake-like.
  • 1 Tbsp orange zest (optional): Brings a hint of citrus that works really well with the almonds.
  • 3 egg whites: Gives these cookies their awesome chewy texture.
  • 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract: Makes everything taste richer. Pick almond if you want stronger flavor.
  • ½ cup chocolate chips: Creates little melty pockets throughout. Splurge on good ones if you can.
  • 1 cup sliced almonds: Makes them look fancy and adds extra crunch.
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting): Gives a pretty finish and extra touch of sweetness.

Easy Baking Method

Get Your Oven Ready:
Heat your oven to 350°F. Put parchment on your baking sheet so nothing sticks and cleanup's a breeze. The paper also helps cook everything evenly.
Combine Your Dry Stuff:
Grab a big bowl and mix up the almond flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and orange zest if you're using it. Make sure to mix well so everything spreads out evenly.
Whip Those Egg Whites:
In another bowl, use your mixer to beat the egg whites with your extract until they form stiff peaks. Should take around 2-3 minutes. You'll know they're done when they stand up straight when you pull the beaters out.
Mix Everything Together:
Slowly fold the whipped egg whites into your dry mix with a spatula. Be gentle to keep as much air in there as possible. You'll end up with sticky dough. How you fold matters for the final texture.
Toss In Chocolate:
Add those chocolate chips and fold them in until they're spread throughout. Don't overdo the mixing here or you'll lose the fluffiness.
Roll In Almonds:
Pour your sliced almonds onto a plate. Scoop about two tablespoons of dough for each cookie, drop it in the almonds, and roll it around to coat all sides.
Cook Them Just Right:
Put your almond-covered dough balls on the baking sheet, keeping them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the middle of your oven for 15-20 minutes until the edges turn golden but the centers stay lighter.
Let Them Rest:
Leave the cookies on the hot sheet for 10 minutes first. This helps them firm up without breaking. Then move them to a cooling rack for another 10 minutes to finish cooling.
Add The Finishing Touch:
Once they're cool, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top to make them look fancy and add a bit more sweetness.
A plate of Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies. Pin it
A plate of Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

That orange zest is my hidden trick in this recipe. You can skip it, but it brings this subtle brightness that turns these cookies from good to amazing. My family couldn't tell they were gluten-free at all—they just kept grabbing more!

Amazing Texture Trick

Getting those egg whites super stiff is what makes these cookies so special. When you beat them right, they create an inside structure that gives you that awesome chewy middle while letting the outside get nice and crisp. Don't rush this step. Your egg whites need to stand up in peaks when you pull the beater out.

Keeping Them Fresh

These cookies stay good for quite a while. Store them in something airtight at room temp for up to a week. Want to keep them longer? Wrap each cookie in plastic, put them in a freezer container, and they'll last three months frozen. When you want one, let it sit out for about 30 minutes to thaw, or warm it briefly in a 300°F oven to make it taste freshly baked again.

Easy Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies. Pin it
Easy Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Mix It Up

The standard recipe works great, but you can switch things around too. Try using lemon zest instead of orange for a different citrus kick. Want something fancier? Use chunks of dark chocolate instead of chips and add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the dry ingredients. During winter, throw in ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon and a bit of nutmeg for a holiday feel. You can make these cookies different every time you bake them.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can regular flour replace almond flour?

Almond flour gives the cookies their unique texture and taste. Swapping it for regular flour isn’t a good idea.

→ What if I don’t have citrus zest?

Lemon zest works as a swap for orange zest, or you can leave it out completely. They’ll still be great!

→ Can they be frozen?

Definitely! Wrap the baked cookies and store in a freezer bag. They’ll stay good for up to three months.

→ How do I stop cookies from sticking?

Line the baking sheet with parchment paper to make sure they come off easily.

→ Can I leave out almonds or chocolate?

Absolutely, feel free to skip the almonds or chocolate chips to better match your taste.

Chocolate Almond Cookies

Crispy almond cookies with chocolate, gluten-free and soft inside.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Rana

Category: Desserts & Pastry

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 18 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 cup thinly sliced almonds
02 3 large egg whites
03 1 tablespoon grated orange rind (if you'd like)
04 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond flavoring
05 3 cups finely ground almond flour (make sure it's not almond meal)
06 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
07 A pinch of salt
08 1 teaspoon baking powder
09 ¾ cup regular sugar
10 Powdered sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and let it warm up.

Step 02

Cover your baking tray with parchment paper and leave it nearby.

Step 03

Combine almond flour, baking powder, sugar, a little salt, and orange zest in a mixing bowl. Leave it aside for now.

Step 04

Grab a separate bowl and use a mixer to beat the egg whites with the vanilla until they get thick and fluffy.

Step 05

Little by little, fold the dry mix into the whipped egg whites using a spatula. You'll end up with a sticky dough.

Step 06

Carefully fold the chocolate chips into the dough so they're spread out evenly.

Step 07

Spread the sliced almonds on a plate. Use a cookie scoop to grab dough, drop it on the almond bits, and gently roll it around until covered.

Step 08

Bake them in the middle of the oven for about 15–20 minutes. Check for slightly golden edges while the centers stay light.

Step 09

Leave the cookies on the tray for 10 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to sit another 10 minutes.

Step 10

Sprinkle with powdered sugar, then dig in!

Notes

  1. Keep these cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to a week, or stash them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  2. You can switch orange zest for lemon zest, or skip the zest and chocolate chips to change things up.

Tools You'll Need

  • Electric hand mixer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Cookie dough scoop
  • Tray for baking
  • Parchment baking sheet
  • Cooling rack

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes nuts from almonds.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 212
  • Total Fat: 13 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 21 g
  • Protein: 6 g