Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies
Updated Aug 07, 2026
These Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies are super soft with great taste and texture but less fat than traditional chocolate chip cookies.
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If you’re looking for a way to make your traditional chocolate chip cookies a little lighter with less fat and calories, try swapping out some butter for applesauce with this easy recipe for applesauce chocolate chip cookies. They’re dairy-free since I use a combination of applesauce and coconut oil and easily made vegan. The result is soft, chewy delicious chocolate chip cookies with applesauce.
Recipe Testing Notes
For the past 10 years, I’ve tested every recipe before sharing it with you! These notes give you a peek into the process of developing this Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
I tested the amount of coconut oil. After hearing that the dough seemed too runny, I retested the cookies as written. My batter wasn’t runny, although the cookies did spread and stayed pretty soft. I reduced the coconut oil from ¼ cup to 2 tablespoons and found the flavor and texture were nearly the same, so 2 tablespoons was enough.
I also tested them without any oil. I wanted to see if I could make these completely oil-free and get a slightly thicker dough. While the cookies still baked up, they stuck noticeably to the parchment paper. That’s why I recommend keeping the 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. It helps prevent sticking without making the dough noticeably thinner.
Happy Baking!
– Yumna
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Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients
- Dry Ingredients: You’ll need all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt. This applesauce cookie recipe uses all-purpose flour. I haven’t tried it, but I think it should work out well using a 1:1 gluten-free flour.
- Wet Ingredients: Applesauce is used here instead of butter or oil, but you’ll still need some coconut oil (2 tablespoons) to ensure the cookies don’t stick to the parchment paper. You’ll also need light brown sugar, egg (or flax egg to make it vegan) and vanilla.
- Chocolate chips: I use semi-sweet chocolate chips. You can swap them out for white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even butterscotch chips. You can also try other add-ins in addition or instead of the chocolate chips like nuts or dried fruit. Just make sure that the total add-ins is no more than 1 cup.
How to Make Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies
These step-by-step photos walk you through how to make Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies. For the full ingredient list and detailed instructions, head to the recipe card below, or skip straight to the → Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe below
1. Combine Wet Ingredients
Beat together the sugar, applesauce and coconut oil.
2. Add Egg & Vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla.
3. Add Dry Ingredients
Stir in the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and salt).
4. Fold Chocolate Chips
Fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Scoop Onto Baking Sheet
Scoop into balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
6. Bake
Bake until the edges have set.
Full Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce no-sugar added
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the sugar, applesauce and coconut oil on medium speed until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined, 1 more minute.
- With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, without over mixing. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Divide the dough into 1 ½ tablespoon-sized balls using a spring-loaded scoop. Bake for 10 minutes or until cookie edges have set but the center still looks soft. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Tips
- Remove some of the moisture from the applesauce if it’s homemade or contains a lot of liquid. You can do so by spooning applesauce into a fine sieve over a bowl; let stand 15 minutes and then discard liquid.
- Don’t over mix the cookie batter. When you add in the flour, mix it on a low speed and stop mixing when there are no dry flour streaks left. If you over mix it, the gluten will overdevelop and your cookies will be very dense.
- Use a stand or hand mixer to make these cookies. That way the ingredients are really well combined so that you have an even texture throughout. You can mix the dough by hand but it will take longer to make sure that everything is well mixed.
Comments
These actually made great muffins! We felt the dough was too runny, so opted to drop it into a muffin pan instead and they turned out delicious!
So glad that worked out! The applesauce does make this dough a little softer than a traditional cookie dough, so turning it into muffins was such a smart save. If the dough ever feels too loose, you can chill it for 30 to 60 minutes to help it firm up, or mix in a little more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, just until it holds its shape. Love that they came out delicious as muffins!
WOULD LOVE TO PRINT APPLESAUCE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE RECIPE HOW DO I DO IT
Hi Connie, in the recipe card at the bottom of the page, there is an icon of a printer on top of the image in the right-hand corner. Tap on it, and it should bring up a window that you can print from. You’ll have to let me know how the cookies turn out!
I followed the recipe exactly in these did not turn out very well. The batter was very runny and cake like. I had to add more flour for integrity. The cookies taste good but they are very cakey, not really like a cookie
I am sorry to hear that! The texture of these cookies is a bit soft and cakey, similar to the cookies on the outside of a whoopie pie. The moisture in the applesauce prevents it from being like a traditional cookie.
We still enjoyed them! Maybe I’ll try one of your suggested substitutions next time. thanks for the recipe.
I am so happy I came across this recipe! I was looking for a healthy cookie recipe and to be honest the applesauce ingredient caught my eye. I made these with my three year old and she LOVES applesauce and she LOVED these cookies, and surprisingly so did my husband!
Aww, I am so happy to hear that! That’s such a great bonding activity, and I’m glad you both enjoyed!
Just made these with my kids! So soft and fluffy, my son and daughter both appreciated such a light, but fun afternoon treat on a summer day!
That’s perfect! Love that you got the kids involved!
Gr8 recipes. Keep em coming and thanx!
Thank you so much! You got it!
Super tasty! But my cookies came out a bit cakey…what should I do differently next time?
Oh yes, that’s the texture for these cookies. You’ll want to use butter instead of applesauce and more sugar.
Such a light, airy cookie and not to sweet! A huge hit! 🙂
They were a great treat for my littles! I love that they are a healthy dessert option and we all loved the taste. Simple enough for my 11 year old to bake!
So glad you liked it. Thank you!!