Name: Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies (Paleo, Vegan)
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 37 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup tahini (salted); 1/4 cup maple syrup; 1 tsp vanilla; 43g cassava flour (1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp); 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/8 tsp salt; 1/4 - 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips

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These chocolate chip tahini cookies are paleo, vegan and free of the top 8 allergens. Not to mention, the tastiest cookies you'll ever eat! They are soft, chewy and have a slightly nutty flavor thanks to the tahini, but are completely nut free. Trust me when I say this is a cookie recipe you NEED to try!

You just can't beat a chocolate chip cookie!

This classic never gets old, especially since there are so many ways to tweak a chocolate chip cookie recipe. For instance, making them egg free and using tahini as I did in these healthy chocolate chip tahini cookies.

What is Tahini?

For anyone who doesn’t know, tahini is made from ground sesame seeds. Typically, the sesame seeds are hulled (the shell is separated from the kernels) and then roasted and ground to a silky smooth texture. But, there are many different types of sesame seeds and ways to make tahini. So ultimately, the process depends on the company making the tahini.

Sesame seeds have a great nutritional profile. They provide an excellent source of copper. In addition, they are high in manganese, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc.

Tahini has really taken off within the last few years and is used in many grain free recipes. I love using tahini as a nut butter alternative. This way, I can create more allergy friendly recipes (for those that are allergic to nuts).

Tahini has a slightly bitter, nutty flavor and creamy texture. When I’m not baking with it, I love slathering it on banana bread or using it as a mug cake topping.

Why You'll Love These Tahini Cookies

This is one of my favorite paleo chocolate chip cookie recipes - and not only because I'm a huge fan of tahini. These cookies are chewy, but have a slightly crunchy outer texture. They have a lovely balance of flavor and aren't overly sweet. In addition, they're:

paleo friendly - made with real, whole food ingredients that are minimally processed
vegan - these are vegan tahini cookies, meaning free from animal products
free from common allergens - no eggs, nuts, gluten, soy or dairy
gluten free - these tahini cookies are made with cassava flour which is naturally gluten and grain free
easy to make - you only need 7 ingredients in these chocolate chip cassava flour cookies and the dough comes together in one bowl

holding a cookie with a bite out of it to show the inside texture

Ingredients

These paleo chocolate chip tahini cookies are made with cassava flour and tahini - a match made in heaven! Here's a list of what you need:

tahini
maple syrup
vanilla extract
cassava flour
baking soda
salt
dark chocolate chips

Tahini

It should be obvious that tahini is one of the main ingredients in these cookies, considering the name and all 😉 I don't recommend substituting this ingredient because it is best for optimal taste and texture. That being said, any drippy nut or seed butter should work as a replacement.

Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is an excellent natural sweetener and balances out the slight bitterness of the tahini. Any liquid sweetener/sugar will work in its place.

Cassava Flour

Cassava flour is what really gives these cookies the perfect texture. However, if you are looking for a substitute any gluten free flour blend should work. Just be sure to measure by weight when making this substitution. (Cassava flour is quite dense.)

Chocolate Chips

To keep these tahini cookies vegan and dairy free, use dark chocolate chips or chop up a dark chocolate bar. My favorite paleo vegan chocolate chips are from Pascha Chocolate, but pick whatever variety you prefer.

ingredients in chocolate chip tahini cookies

How to Make Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies

The process for making these paleo cassava cookies is super simple! The hardest part is waiting for the dough to chill. Because yes, to achieve optimal texture, these cookies need to be refrigerated prior to baking. But not to worry - that's a perfect time to do dishes and clean up any mess!

First, mix together the tahini, maple syrup and vanilla in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

Add in remaining ingredients, except chocolate chips and mix.

After the dough is thoroughly combined, fold the chocolate chips into the batter.

Next, refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

After chilling the dough, remove it from the fridge and scoop the cookies onto a baking sheet. Each cookie is about one rounded tablespoon in size, making 10 cookies. If you want a full dozen, then use slightly less dough per cookie.

cookie dough on baking pan, ready for the oven

Lastly, place the cookies in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

After baking, cool the cookies for a couple minutes on the baking pan, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack.

Storage

These vegan chocolate chip tahini cookies can be kept at room temperature for a couple days or stored in the fridge or freezer.

Keep them in a sealed, air-tight container or baggie. They will last a couple days at room temperature, up to a week in the fridge and up to two months in the freezer.

More Nut Free Paleo Cookie Recipes

For more nut free, paleo cookies check out these from my site:

Enjoy!