These are the best, soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies—lightly sweetened and made with only 3 tablespoons of coconut oil for the entire batch. They deliver classic cookie flavor and a tender, chewy center with fewer calories than traditional recipes.
Homemade Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Low-Fat)
If you’re searching for a lighter chocolate chip cookie that still tastes indulgent, this recipe is a favorite. After several rounds of testing, this version produces soft, chewy cookies that are not cakey. The recipe uses just 3 tablespoons of coconut oil (or melted butter) and a small amount of applesauce to reduce fat while keeping texture. It’s lightly sweetened and pairs perfectly with a glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee.
Why These Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies Work
- No butter required: This low-fat version uses just 3 tablespoons of coconut oil (or melted butter) plus applesauce to keep cookies moist without becoming cakey.
- Lower sugar: The recipe uses less sugar than many traditional cookies; you can also use sugar-free or reduced-sugar chocolate chips to further cut added sugars.
- Soft and chewy: The texture is intentionally tender in the center with slightly crisp edges—exactly what you want in a chewy cookie.
- Hard to tell they’re low-fat: These cookies taste like classic chocolate chip cookies, so most people don’t realize they’re a lighter version.
- Low-calorie option: When portioned as directed, each serving is lower in calories than many traditional cookie recipes.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar (not packed)
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted (or melted butter)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons applesauce (replaces some fat and keeps cookies tender)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (sugar-free chips can be used)
- Optional: flaked sea salt for sprinkling on top
How To Make Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Preheat: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats and lightly spray or grease if desired.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt until well combined.
- Whisk wet ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar and brown sugar with the melted coconut oil, egg, applesauce, and vanilla until the mixture is light and slightly fluffy.
- Combine: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two additions, stirring until fully incorporated. If the dough seems crumbly, add a teaspoon of water at a time until the dough comes together (only if needed).
- Fold in chips: Stir in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Scoop and bake: Drop level tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and, if desired, sprinkle the tops with a pinch of sea salt. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Variations
- Use regular milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark chocolate, or chocolate chunks instead of sugar-free chips.
- Make the cookies dairy-free by choosing dairy-free chocolate chips and using coconut oil.
- Substitute dried cranberries and white chocolate chips for a fruity variation.
- To lower sugar further, substitute part or all of the sugar with monk fruit sweetener or another granulated sugar alternative, adjusting to taste.
Storage
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate to help them stay soft or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How healthy is a chocolate chip cookie?
The healthiness of a cookie depends on ingredients and portion size. This recipe reduces fat and sugar compared with many classic recipes by using a small amount of coconut oil, applesauce, and optional sugar-free chocolate chips. It’s a lighter alternative, but cookies remain an occasional treat best enjoyed in moderation.
Are there sugar-free chocolate chips?
Yes. Sugar-free chocolate chips are made with alternative sweeteners and work well in baking. Use them if you want to reduce added sugars, or choose your preferred chocolate chip type depending on taste and dietary needs.
How many calories are in these cookies?
When baked as directed and portioned into the stated servings, each serving (two cookies) is approximately 133 calories. Nutritional values will vary depending on ingredient brands and portion sizes.
Recipe Summary
- Yield: 12 servings (about 2 cookies per serving)
- Serving size: 2 cookies
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 8–10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
Equipment
- Two large sheet pans
- Silicone baking mat or parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or spatula
Other Chocolate Chip Cookie Ideas
- Healthy chocolate chip oat cookies
- Low-fat chewy chocolate chip oatmeal cookies
- Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
- Light and airy chocolate chip clouds
- Black-and-white chocolate chip clouds
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 133 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 6 g (Saturated fat: 4 g)
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15.5 mg
- Sodium: 45 mg