A rich and warm healthier gooey chocolate chip cookie skillet is a classic dessert that everyone loves. This chocolate chip skillet cookie is not only delicious, but it is also made from healthy ingredients like almond butter, whole wheat flour, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. With zero refined or artificial sweeteners, enjoy this dairy-free giant cookie guilt-free!
The best gooey skillet cookie ever
One of my all-time favorite desserts is a classic gooey chocolate chip cookie. Is there anything better?! And what better way to enjoy one than in a giant skillet!
A warm cookie skillet served with some ice cream is unbeatable. You will fall in love with this healthier chocolate chip cookie skillet. It is so gooey and has melty chocolate chips in every bite. It is the perfect dessert to share with a friend or make for your family. Everyone will love this cookie skillet!
On top of being one of the yummiest desserts out there, this recipe is also much healthier than a traditional chocolate chip skillet cookie. This recipe calls on whole grains and natural sweeteners to separate it from other cookie skillet recipes. With ZERO refined sugars, this healthier gooey cookie skillet is insanely delicious.
Despite being made with good-for-you ingredients, this skillet cookie is so rich and tasty that no one will be able to tell it is “healthy.” Just grab a mixing bowl and a skillet and let’s get baking!
How is this cookie skillet recipe healthy?
While the term “healthy” is relative to each individual, this cookie skillet recipe does a great job of using minimal ingredients and healthy substitutions to give you a more nutritious option for your favorite classic dessert. No one will be able to tell this indulgent dessert is healthy!
First, this recipe uses zero refined sugars and no artificial sweeteners. Maple syrup and coconut sugar are both used to sweeten this skillet. Second, this recipe calls for whole wheat flour which is a more nutritious option compared to traditional flour. It is rich in whole grains which are minimally processed and provide lots of fiber, some protein, and B vitamins. Third, this gooey cookie skillet recipe calls for almond butter which is a wonderful source of healthy fats and omega-3.
This cookie skillet recipe is sure to be a crowd favorite (even for my “not healthy” eaters)!
Ingredients in healthier gooey cookie skillet
The delicious chocolate chip skillet cookie recipe only requires a few healthy ingredients that will leave you feeling good after enjoying this incredible dessert. From almond butter to whole wheat flour, here is what you will need to make this family-sized gooey cookie skillet:
- Creamy Almond Butter: First, add 1/2 cup of all-natural almond butter. It is key to making this healthy cookie skillet rich and gooey without butter!
- Unrefined Coconut Oil: Next, add in 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil to give this cookie the perfect gooey texture.
- Egg: 1 egg is needed to help bind the ingredients together.
- Maple Syrup: 1/2 cup fo pure maple syrup naturally sweetens this dessert and makes it dense and rich!
- Coconut Sugar: Add in 1/4 cup of coconut sugar for a little extra sweetness. This is also refined sugar free!
- Vanilla Extract: A dash of vanilla goes a long way flavor wise! This recipe calls for 2 teaspoons.
- White Whole Wheat Flour: Next, 1 cup of whole wheat flour is needed to give this cookie skillet a slighly fluffy texture. You can use white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour.
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon of baking soda will help the skillet cookie to rise properly. Do not use baking powder.
- Chocolate Chips or Chunks: Finally, add in 1/2 cup of your favorite chocolate chips or chunks by cutting up a chocolate bar. My favorite chocolate chips are Lily’s Dark Chocolate Chips which are naturally sweetened.
Kitchen tools used
I love simple and easy recipes, especially those that don’t require tons of kitchen tools and allow for an easy clean-up. In fact, this healthy dessert recipe only calls for 4 tools! Here is a list of the few basic kitchen tools needed to make this rich and gooey cookie skillet
- 8 or 9 inch cast iron skillet or pyrex pie dish
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring tools: 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/3 cup, and 1/2 cup, 1 cup.
How to make healthy chocolate chip cookie skillet
This rich and gooey chocolate chip cookie skillet recipe is so easy to make it is hard not to want to make it every day! It will take 5 minutes to make the batter and 18 minutes to bake. Here is how to make the best cookie skillet step by step:
First, start by preheating your oven to 350°F.
Then, while the oven is heating up, grab a large mixing bowl and beat together the creamy almond butter and melted coconut oil with a whisk until completely combined.
Next, add in the egg, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix the ingredients together until combined.
Lastly, add in the white whole wheat flour and baking soda and mix until combined. Then hand fold in the chocolate chips.
Finally, press the cookie dough into a greased 8’’ or 9’’ cast iron skillet. Alternatively, you can use a pyrex pie dish or an 8×8″ baking dish. Press some extra chocolate chips on top if desired and bake for 18-22 minutes, until it is barely golden. Don’t over bake! It will continue to cook slightly as it cools.
I recommend serving this rich and gooey chocolate chip cookie skillet warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Ingredient substitutions suggestions
There are so many options for you to customize this cookie skillet if you are missing an ingredient or two. Here are my recommendations for ingredient substitutions (try not to change more than 2 for the best results):
- Almond Butter: Not a fan of almond butter? No problem. Simple substitute it 1 for 1 with peanut butter your preferred nut butter.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil gives this skillet cookie a great gooey texture. If you do not have any, use melted butter instead!
- White Whole Wheat Flour: Substitute with regular whole wheat flour, it will taste the same.
- Coconut Sugar: Light brown sugar can be used in place of coconut sugar.
- Add Nuts: For an extra crunch in your cookie skillet, add in 1/4 cup of your favorite nuts when you add in the chocolate ships. I love walnuts, peanut, pecans, and cashews.
Recipe tips
Making a restaurant quality cookie skillet is super easy. Here are my top 5 recipe tips to ensure that your gooey cookie skillet is insanely delicious and rich:
- Grease your skillet. Make sure to lighly grease your cast iron skillet to make sure your gooey cookie doesn’t stick to the pan
- Use a Pyrex pan. If you do not have a cast iron skillet, you can use a 9 inch pyrex pie dish or baking pan instead.
- Do not over bake the cookie. Trust me when I say, the cookie will look underdone when you take it out of the oven. It will continue to bake in the hot skillet while it rests. For the goeeiest and richest cookie skillt, stick to the 18 – 22 minute cook time.
- Serve with ice cream. Nothing is better than a warm cookie with some cold vanilla ice cream. Or any flavor you like!
- Make ahead. Are you looking to save time and prep for serving guests? Simply prepare the recipe as directed, bake, and then cover it with foil. Once ready to eat, place in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes and serve!
Cookie skillet variations
Peanut Butter Cookie Skillet. Make this recipe using peanut butter and peanut butter chips instead of almond butter and chocolate chips. It is heavenly!
M&M Cookie Skillet. I love M&M cookies. If you want to make this an M&M cookie skillet, substitute the chocolate chips for mini M&Ms and enjoy!
Salted Pretzel Cookie Skillet. We love sweet and salty combos. Mix in some crumbled salted pretzel pieces with your chocolate chunks to make this a salted pretzel skillet cookie.
Reece’s Cookie Skillet. For the perfect peanut butter chocolate combo, use Reese’s pieces or peanut butter cups instead of chocolate chips or chunks. Out of this world delicious!
How to store and reheat leftovers
This cookie recipe is so easy to store which makes it easy to enjoy leftovers all week long!
To Store: Simply cover the pan with aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 days. Or place any leftover cookie in a refrigerator safe container.
To Reheat: Warm leftover cookie skillet in the oven at 350°F or microwave in a microwave-safe bowl or container for 45 – 70 seconds. DO NOT microwave in the cast iron skillet.
If you loved this healthy Dessert recipe, check these out!
Need some more healthier, easy, and simple dessert recipes? Here are some of my favorite Healthful Blondie recipes to try out….
- Healthy Strawberry Crumble Bars
- Healthy Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Flourless Double Chocolate Brownies
- Healthy Salted Cowboy Cookies
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Banana Bread
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don’t forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
Healthier Gooey Cookie Skillet
Ingredients
- ½ cup all-natural creamy almond butter
- ¼ cup melted unrefined coconut oil, or butter
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup real maple syrup
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ⅔ cups chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the creamy almond butter and melted coconut oil with a whisk.
- Add in the egg, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
- Add in the flour and baking soda and mix until combined. Then hand fold in the chocolate chips.
- Press the cookie dough into an 8’’ or 9’’ cast iron skillet. Press extra chocolate chips on top if desired.
- Bake for 18 - 22 minutes, until it is barely golden. Don’t overbake it! It will continue to cook slightly as it cools.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!
Nutrition
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Patti Dweck says
This looks delicious. Can I substitute gluten free flour?
Tati Chermayeff says
Hi! I have not tested it, but I recommend using gluten-free all purpose flour 🙂 Let me know how it turns out!!
ashley says
This is one of the best desserts I have ever had!!! It was the perfect treat to make and share with some friends! cannot recommend enough
Saskia says
SO GOOEY AND ADDICTIVE!!!!! LOVED IT
Sadie Etzel says
So yummy!! Loved making this, never made a cookie on a skillet before!
Tati Chermayeff says
So happy to hear this! It is by far one of my favorites!
Monica Jenniges says
WOW! 5/5 hands down it was soooo
Good I was shocked! Will be making this again and again. Delish!
Monica jenniges says
I just posted forgot to hit stars but 5-5! So so good! And easy!
Mel says
Delicious!! Definitely stick to the time listed, if not a bit less. Read the notes to confirm what it’s supposed to look like when you’re taking it out!
Gianna says
Would almond flour or coconut flour work for this?
Tati Chermayeff says
No, they won’t, try these almond flour peanut butter cookies (https://healthfulblondie.com/peanut-butter-almond-flour-cookies/)!