I absolutely love this Pumpkin Almond Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe! It’s the perfect cozy treat for fall afternoons or anytime you want a sweet snack that feels both indulgent and wholesome. The pumpkin adds this amazing moistness and natural sweetness, while almond flour keeps the texture tender but hearty. Plus, those melty chocolate chips? They’re the cherry on top!
When I first tried baking these, I was amazed at how quickly they came together and how much my family went crazy for them. They’re great for lunchbox treats, sharing at holiday parties, or just snacking with a cup of tea on a lazy weekend. You’ll find that the combo of pumpkin, almonds, and chocolate hits just the right balance between cozy fall flavors and simple, satisfying sweetness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Moist: Pumpkin puree adds moisture without needing extra butter or oil, making these cookies tender and soft.
- Almond Flour Goodness: Almond flour gives a rich, nutty flavor plus a gluten-free boost that’s hearty and satisfying.
- Quick & Easy: This Pumpkin Almond Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe comes together in less than 40 minutes, perfect for busy days.
- Perfect Balance: The warm pumpkin spice blends perfectly with cinnamon and sweet chocolate chips for an autumnal taste sensation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Pumpkin Almond Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe plays a unique role — from the pumpkin puree that keeps them moist and tender to the blend of almond and coconut flours that give a lovely texture. Here’s a quick rundown with some shopping tips to make your baking easier.
- Pumpkin puree: Use plain canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control the sweetness and spices.
- Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness; make sure it’s at room temperature.
- Maple syrup: Provides natural sweetness and a subtle depth of flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the warm flavors and rounds out the profile.
- Coconut oil: Melts smoothly into the batter and adds a delicate richness without overpowering the pumpkin.
- Almond flour: Offers a nutty base and gluten-free goodness; look for finely ground almond flour for a tender crumb.
- Coconut flour: Helps absorb moisture and gives structure without heaviness.
- Pumpkin spice: The quintessential blend that brings those cozy fall vibes.
- Cinnamon: Fresh or ground, it boosts the warmth and aroma.
- Baking soda: Provides gentle lift and lightness.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Milk chocolate chips: Melty sweetness that complements the spices perfectly.
Variations
I love mixing things up with this Pumpkin Almond Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe to suit different moods or dietary needs. Feel free to customize — it’s super forgiving and welcoming to your tweaks.
- Swap the chocolate chips: Once, I tried dark chocolate chips instead of milk, and the richer taste was incredible if you prefer less sweetness.
- Make it vegan: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water, chilled) and use dairy-free chocolate chips to keep it vegan-friendly.
- Add nuts or seeds: Toss in chopped pecans or sunflower seeds for extra crunch and texture — my family loves the added surprise.
- Spice it up: Experiment with ginger or nutmeg for a different spin on the pumpkin spice blend.
How to Make Pumpkin Almond Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Step 1: Melt & Mix the Wet Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—that way, no sticking and easy cleanup! Pop the coconut oil in a small bowl and melt it gently in the microwave for just a few seconds. Let it cool a bit so it doesn’t cook the eggs later. Then, grab a large bowl and whisk together the pumpkin puree, egg, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Once the coconut oil’s cooled, mix it in gently. This gives you a smooth, well-blended wet base to work with.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, stir together the almond flour, coconut flour, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients first helps everything get distributed evenly without clumps. This is a crucial step—skip it, and you’ll notice uneven spice or flour pockets in your cookies.
Step 3: Bring It All Together
Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet bowl, bit by bit. Use a rubber spatula to fold and gently mix, so you don’t overwork the batter. The dough will be soft but scoopable. Once you have a lovely cookie dough, fold in the chocolate chips carefully—you want them evenly distributed but not mashed down.
Step 4: Shape & Bake
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough into your hand and roll it into balls—that’s usually around 16 cookies’ worth. Place the dough balls on your baking sheet. Don’t just drop them, though: press them lightly with your fingers or palm to form your cookie shape because these won’t spread much during baking. Pop the tray into the oven and bake for 10 minutes—or until edges start to set but centers are still soft. Let cookies rest on the sheet for 4-5 minutes after baking to firm up before transferring to a rack to cool a bit more.
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Almond Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything blend smoothly and keeps the dough from curdling.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Fold gently just until combined to keep the cookies tender, not tough.
- Parchment Paper Is Your Friend: Prevents sticking and burns without needing extra oils or sprays.
- Watch the Baking Time Closely: Pull the cookies out when they’re just set but soft in the middle—they’ll firm up perfectly while cooling.
How to Serve Pumpkin Almond Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are fantastic on their own, I love dusting a little powdered sugar on top for a sweet, snowy effect when serving friends. For a festive touch, sometimes I drizzle melted chocolate or a light almond glaze—both add extra flair and richness without overpowering the pumpkin flavor.
Side Dishes
They pair beautifully with a warm cup of chai tea, coffee, or even a creamy hot chocolate if you want to take your snack time up a notch. I also like serving these alongside a smoothie bowl or fresh fruit for a well-rounded afternoon break that’s cozy and nourishing.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or special occasions, I arrange these cookies on a festive platter with little sprigs of rosemary or cinnamon sticks for a rustic vibe. Another fun idea I’ve tried is stacking them with thin layers of almond butter between, creating mini cookie sandwiches that everyone adores.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover pumpkin almond cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and tasty for about 3 days. If you want them a bit crisper after storage, just pop one or two briefly into a warm oven or toaster oven before serving.
Freezing
This recipe freezes really well! After shaping the cookie dough balls, I flash freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When I want fresh cookies, I bake them straight from frozen—just add a couple extra minutes to the bake time, and you’ve got fresh-cookie goodness anytime.
Reheating
To revive cookies after storing or freezing, heat them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This softens the chocolate and brings back that fresh-baked warmth that makes these pumpkin almond delights irresistible.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of flour for these pumpkin almond cookies?
You can substitute almond flour with finely ground hazelnut flour for a slightly different nutty flavor, but keep in mind that changing flours will affect the texture. Coconut flour is essential here for absorbing moisture and helping the dough hold together, so it’s best not to leave that out.
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Are these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! This Pumpkin Almond Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe uses almond and coconut flours, both naturally gluten-free. Just be sure your chocolate chips are certified gluten-free if that’s a concern.
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Can I make these pumpkin almond cookies vegan?
Absolutely! Swap the egg for a flax or chia egg, use maple syrup or another plant-based sweetener, and pick dairy-free chocolate chips. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious and moist.
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How do I prevent cookies from being too dry?
Be sure not to overbake and watch your oven temperature. Pumpkin puree helps keep these cookies moist, so don’t substitute with canned pumpkin pie filling which contains extra ingredients that can affect moisture. Also, using fresh almond flour makes a big difference in tender texture.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Almond Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to bake when I want something quick, flavorful, and delightfully comforting. It’s a simple, approachable recipe that feels special enough to impress guests but easy enough for a cozy night in. I can’t wait for you to try it—you’ll love how these cookies bring warm autumn flavors and tender textures together in every bite. Trust me, once you make them, they’ll become your go-to seasonal treat too!
PrintPumpkin Almond Cookies with Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Delight in these soft and flavorful Pumpkin Almond Cookies, perfect for autumn or anytime you crave a cozy treat. Made with wholesome almond and coconut flours, pumpkin puree, warm pumpkin spice, and studded with milk chocolate chips, these cookies offer a lovely balance of sweet, spice, and nutty goodness. They’re simple to prepare, baking up in just 10 minutes, making them ideal for an easy homemade snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 medium egg
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 3 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 tbsp pumpkin spice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Additional
- 1/3 cup milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Melt Coconut Oil: Place the coconut oil in a small bowl and microwave it for just a couple of seconds until melted. Allow it to cool slightly before using.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, egg, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until combined. Then stir in the cooled melted coconut oil thoroughly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, mix almond flour, coconut flour, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in parts, gently folding with a rubber spatula until just combined to keep the batter light and tender.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the milk chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough for pockets of melty sweetness.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough into your hand and roll it into a ball. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet. You should make approximately 16 cookies.
- Form the Cookies: Gently press each dough ball with your fingers or palm to flatten and shape into cookies. The dough will hold its shape well, so shape them as desired.
- Bake: Bake in the middle rack of the oven for 10 minutes until set and lightly golden on the edges.
- Rest and Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies rest on it for 4-5 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before serving for best texture.
Notes
- Using almond and coconut flour gives the cookies a rich, nutty flavor and makes them gluten-free.
- Allow melted coconut oil to cool before mixing to prevent cooking the egg or affecting dough texture.
- Press cookies gently but firmly into shape; they won’t spread much while baking.
- These cookies keep well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for a week.
- You can substitute dairy-free chocolate chips to keep this recipe dairy-free as well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg