This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
I’m so excited to finally share my Famous HEALTHY Vegan Cashew Chocolate Chip Cookies—a recipe I’ve been making on repeat and one that totally deserves a permanent spot in your healthy treat lineup. These cookies are soft, chewy, naturally sweet, and come together in just minutes. They’re flourless, egg-free, dairy-free, no-added sugar, and oil-free—but you’d never know it by the taste. They’re that good.
And yes… only 5 simple ingredients (plus a couple fun optional ones)! Whether you need a wholesome snack, a guilt-free dessert, or something sweet with your afternoon coffee, these cookies check every box.
Table of Contents

Why I Created this Vegan Cashew Cookie Recipe?
You can go ahead and cry with me. I can’t have dairy. Wah!! It’s okay, I honestly haven’t missed it since I tested positive for an allergy 15 years ago. My digestion has never been better since quitting, and thank God dairy alternatives are all over the place now! When I found out I couldn’t have dairy, they weren’t so prevelent. In fact, it wasn’t even common in a lot of coffee shops! Soy was the only thing that was offered… and yuck. I did not like it or want it. Since being on a health and wellness journey for the last, hmm… I’d say 20 years, I have found and even developed some amazing recipes that I can’t live without that are 100% dairy free!
I don’t like recipes that don’t taste good (who would?!). So, you can be sure I won’t just post a nasty knockoff that isn’t equally as delicious as the real thing. I know, I know, taste is subjective… You may not love all of my recipes, but hey, it’s my blog! :) You might just find one that you love and it just might become a family favorite of yours! And trust me, this recipe should not be overlooked. It’s “famous” for a reason! Famous as in, family and friends love it and ask for the recipe! It reminds me of the Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie recipe that I grew up with, but HEALTHY.
It’s best fresh out of the oven, so be sure to follow each and every step that I give below to make sure that you get that perfect warm, chewy, sweet, and cookie dough-esque chocolate chip cookie! It’s a MUST TRY!
The Secret Behind my Famous Vegan Cashew Chocolate Chip Cookies
So, what is the secret that makes this recipe absolutely perfect? Besides the fact that they’re delicious and have almost zero guilt! **of course this depends on your particular diet.
The base is simply 5-Ingredients! No flour. No added sugar. No oils. It’s even gluten-free goodness! But somehow, the ingredients mixed together make a delicious tasting harmony. The baking soda makes it puff as a cookie should! Cashews are my dairy alternative go-to. They’re creamy and taste like it too! You won’t miss the dairy!

🍪 Why You’ll Love These Cookies:
-
Just 5 clean, easy-to-find ingredients for the base!
-
Naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup
-
No flour, no eggs, no dairy, and no added sugar
-
Gluten-free, vegan, and oil-free
-
Packed with rich cookie dough flavor and melty chocolate goodness
-
Ready in as little as 30 minutes start to finish

Here is all you’ll need.
Kitchen Tools:
- Food Processor
- Silicone Spatula
- Measuring tools
- Scooper
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Spatula
- Jar for storage
Ingredients:
-
2 Cups Raw unsalted Cashews
-
1/3 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
-
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
-
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
-
1/4 tsp Sea Salt
-
Optional: 1/2 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips (I love using mini ones!) Use no-added sugar chips to make it even less-guilty!
Optional Add-ins or swaps:
– 1/2 Cup Chopped Walnuts (for crunch lovers)
– Add in some cranberries or coconut!
– Honey instead of maple syrup (I’ve subbed half of the maple syrup for honey and it turned out just fine! I haven’t done full honey yet though, so I can’t vouch for that).

How to Make these Vegan Cashew Chocolate Chip Cookies
Now that your ingredients are ready, and you’ve decided which optional ingredients you’d like to add to them… it’s time to get baking!
- Prep the cashews: Add cashews to a food processor and process until they turn into either a fine powder or even unitl it becomes more creamy like a cashew butter.
- Blend the base: Add baking soda and sea salt to the cashew powder in the processor and pulse a couple of times to mix. Then, add maple syrup and vanilla extract. Process again for about a minute, until the mixture becomes smooth and dough-like.
- Add the goodies: Scoop the dough into a bowl and stir in chocolate chips and/or walnuts if desired.
- Refrigerate dough: I recommend refrigerating for at least 20 minutes. If you are in a hurry, you can skip, but the dough may spread in the oven while baking. I keep the unused dough in the fridge at all times, but cooling the dough as much as possible before baking is recommended so that the cookies hold their shape.
- Form the cookies: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, scoop out dough, roll into balls, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Do not flatten.
- Bake: Bake at 350°F for 12–14 minutes. Start checking around the 10-minute mark to avoid over-baking, especially if your oven runs hot.
- Cool & Enjoy: Let cool for a few minutes (they’ll firm up as they cool), then devour with joy. Store extras in a sealed jar or container in the fridge—if they last that long! I personally, keep the raw dough in the fridge and only make fresh ones a few at a time, when I have a sweet craving.
- OPTIONAL: Eat the dough raw like cookie dough! :)
Pro Tips:
-
Don’t skip the cashew processing—you want it finely ground like flour for the best texture. It might even turn a little cashew butter-y, and that is fine.
- You’ll want to use a food processor, trust me on this! I’ve tried a blender and it didn’t work out. Here is an inexpensive food processor if you don’t own one.
-
Feel free to add in pecans or dried cranberries, coconut, or anything you can think of if you want to get creative.
-
This is so good straight from the fridge to eat as cookie dough. Trust me.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it—a healthy, sweet, and delicious chocolate cookie recipe that tastes amazing. With a few simple ingredients and a food processor, you’ll be ready to dive right into some delicious cookie dough, or freshly-baked warm and chewy cookies. So, grab your apron and your food processor and enjoy the joy of making cookies healthy and delicious. Happy cookie dough making!
📸 If You Make Them…
Comment below, or tag me @falonbrianne so I can see your cookie magic and share your creations! I love seeing these make their way into your kitchens. Let’s make them famous together!
My Healthy Famous Chocolate Chip Cashew Cookies
Prep Time:
20 min
Cook Time:
14 min
Total Time:
34 min
Servings:
8-10
Oven Temp:
350°
Share This Recipe!
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°
- 2
Add cashews to a food processor and process until emulsified and either fine powder-like or cashew butter-y.
- 3
Add baking soda and sea salt to the cashew butter in the processor and pulse a couple of times to mix. Then, add maple syrup and vanilla extract. Process again for about a minute, until the mixture becomes smooth and dough-like.
- 4
Scoop the dough into a bowl (or leave in processor) and stir in chocolate chips and/or walnuts if desired.
- 5
Place dough in refrigerator for at least 15-20 minutes. Enjoy cold as cookie dough, or pull out to bake.
- 6
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, scoop out dough, roll into balls, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Separate each cookie by an inch or two.
- 7
Bake at 350°F for 12–14 minutes. Start checking around the 10-minute mark to avoid over-baking, especially if your oven runs hot.