These easy Chocolate Tahini Cookies are slightly nutty with a great chocolate flavor. Made with almond flour and sweetened with maple syrup they are gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free.
For a soft, chewy cookie, tahini is a game-changer. Combined with almond flour the result is the perfect combination for texture and chew.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Rich chocolate and nutty flavor
- Simple ingredients
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free
What is tahini?
Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, often with salt and oil, and ground into a creamy texture.
Tahini, also known as sesame seed paste, is often used in savory recipes such as dressings, sauces, and dips (like hummus). It is versatile enough to be used in sweet offerings like tahini millionaire bars, tahini banana bread, and even chocolate tanini ice cream.
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the main ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Tahini - This sesame seed paste adds a nutty flavor and helps bind the cookies. Seed and nut butters make excellent binders in egg-free and gluten-free baking. Substitute almond butter or cashew butter if needed.
Almond flour - This gluten-free flour creates a tender crumb. It's a handy ingredient to have on hand in a gluten-free pantry.
Maple syrup - The caramel notes of maple syrup pair well with the nutty tahini. This is also a great vegan and refined sugar-free liquid sweetener. Agave nectar can be used as a vegan maple syrup substitute.
Ground flaxseed - You can buy store-bought ground flaxseed or grind your own whole flaxseed. The ground flax will make up our flax egg. The flax egg acts as an egg replacer and also helps to bind.
Unsweetened cocoa powder - Cocoa powder gives us a rich chocolate flavor. Tahini and chocolate are a delicious combination like in these tahini brownies! And check out these vegan tahini chocolate chip cookies!
Vanilla extract - When using unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla rounds out the chocolate flavor and adds a subtle sweetness. A good quality vanilla extract will give the best flavor.
Chocolate chips - Choose dairy-free chocolate if needed. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars work well.
How to make chocolate tahini cookies
Before you start: Prepare flax egg, set aside for two minutes. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk the wet ingredients (tahini, maple syrup, and flax egg) together.
Step 2: Add the dry ingredients (almond flour, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) and vanilla extract. Stir until fully combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Let the cookie dough chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Step 3: Place the sesame seeds and sea salt in a small bowl and stir to combine. Then using a small spoon or cookie scoop, scoop cookie dough and gently roll into a loose ball with your hands. Dip or roll each ball into the sesame mixture and place it on the baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes.
Helpful tips
- Stir the tahini well before using. This prevents separated, runny tahini.
- For best results, chill the dough for at least one hour.
- Gluten-free vegan cookies can sometimes be delicate. Wait a couple of minutes once they are out of the oven before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. There they should cool completely to room temperature before serving or storage.
- I added sea salt to the sesame seeds before rolling the cookie dough in it, but you can simply use sesame seeds.
- I love these cookies covered in seeds and without seeds, but dipping the cookie dough balls so that the seeds only cover the top half of the cookie may be my very favorite variation.
Storage
Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Ensure that the melty chocolate chip tahini cookies have cooled completely before storing them to avoid sogginess. Baked goods made solely with almond flour tend to soften over time.
FAQs
This paste made from ground sesame seeds has a slightly nutty and earthy flavor.
Tahini is great in helping moisten baked goods and enhance flavor. It is also a great nut butter substitute for those that are allergic to nuts.
You can find the sesame seed paste in most grocery stores where you would find peanut butter and other nut butter. It can sometimes be found in the aisle with international food.
More tahini recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Tahini Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 flax egg 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons warm water
- ½ cup (123g) tahini*
- ½ cup (115ml) maple syrup
- ¾ cup (75g) almond flour
- ½ cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup (45g) coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup (95g) dairy-free chocolate chips I used Enjoy Life brand mini chips
- ¼-1/2 cup sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare flax egg, set aside for two minutes. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk tahini, maple syrup, and flax egg together. Add almond flour, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir until fully combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Assembly
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the sesame seeds and sea salt in a small bowl and sir to combine. Fill another small bowl with water.
- The cookie dough will be sticky, so spray your hands with cooking spray, then using a small spoon or tablespoon, scoop cookie dough and gently roll into a loose ball with your hands. Dip the tops or roll each ball into sesame mixture and place on cookie sheet.
- Dip a fork into the water and press down slightly vertically and then horizontally on top of ball. Rewet your fork each time. This is not to get a tines marking on your cookies, rather, it is to ensure they spread into a more even circle during baking.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and wait a minute or two before transferring cookies to a wire rack.
Tara Nolan
These cookies are delicious. I used half the sugar and didn't put as much salt in with the sesame seeds, based on another commenter's recommendation. The dough ended up in the fridge for over an hour, which I think made it easier to work with.
Tessa
Thank you, Tara!
Paula
These are amazing. Some of the best I have made! Added a bit cardamom , not too sweet. Cant wait to try brownies ❤️
Tessa
I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Paula!