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    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Easy No Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Jan 26, 2022 · Modified: Jan 29, 2023 by Sandra Flegg

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    Stack of chocolate chip cookies on a white plate with text overlay.

    If you're out of butter and crave chocolate chip cookies, then you have to try this easy recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies without Butter! This is an adaptation from one of our favourite cookie recipes. Delicious with a glass of milk, these are the best chocolate chip cookies!

    Chocolate chip cookies made without butter stacked on a white plate. this recipe!

    Is there anything better than a warm chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven? I adapted the best chocolate chip cookie recipe and substituted butter for vegetable oil. Butterless chocolate chip cookies taste similar to chocolate chip cookies with butter, without the buttery taste.

    The first time I made them, I had my reservations, but they are so delicious! So, next time you run out, remember this easy recipe and you can enjoy delicious chocolate chip cookies!

    Also, try our popular 3 Ingredient Banana Cookies. They are made with bananas, rolled oats and chocolate chips. No butter or oil in the recipe!

    No butter chocolate chip cookies stacked on a white plate with more cookies in the background.

    Along with peanut butter cookies, classic chocolate chip cookies are a family favourite. These cookies are soft and chewy and if you prefer a more crispy cookie, bake them for a few minutes longer. I hope you'll enjoy these cookies are much as we did.

    What I Love About this Recipe

    • I love that I can enjoy chocolate chip cookies whether I have butter on hand or not!! I almost always have vegetable oil in the pantry.
    • it's simple and it works and is the perfect recipe for adding in variations such as dried fruits and nuts.
    • Simple ingredients and no fancy equipment needed.

    ingredients

    Ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies without butter on a marble board with text overlay.

    For a full list of ingredients and quantities needed, see the recipe card at the bottom of the page. Below, I've added a few notes specific to some of the ingredients.

    • brown sugar - I use light brown sugar in this cookie recipe. You can also use dark brown sugar.
    • rolled oats - quick oats are perfect in this recipe or you can use old-fashioned oats. Process the oats in the food processor until they are a fine powder. They add flavour and texture to these cookies.
    • vegetable oil - use a good quality vegetable oil.
    • eggs - large eggs at room temperature.
    • white sugar
    • chocolate chips - I used dark chocolate chips, or substitute with milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or chocolate chunks.
    • vanilla extract - pure vanilla extract will give you best results. You can also substitute half of the vanilla extract with almond extract for a flavor variation.
    • all-purpose flour
    • baking powder
    • baking soda
    • salt

    Step By Step Instructions - No Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

    Making cookies without butter is just as easy as making cookies with butter. I've included step by step photo below to help you visualize along the way.

    I recommend using a stand mixer or electric mixer. You can mix the ingredients by hand although it will take a bit of work to get the ingredients to blend thoroughly.

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

    Place rolled oats in food processor and process until they are smooth and a fine powder.

    Dry ingredients in mixing bowl with spoon.

    In a medium bowl or large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, processed rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir well to combine.

    Cookie dough with chocolate chips in bowl from stand mixer with spatula.

    In bowl from stand mixer, add white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 30 seconds.

    With mixer running, gradually add in vegetable oil. Once the oil is well combined with the other ingredients, turn mixer to high speed and mix for one minute until creamy.

    Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until combined.

    Set aside ¼ cup of chocolate chips. These will be pressed into the tops of each cookie before baking.

    Add remaining chocolate chips to dough and stir just until combined.

    Unbaked cookie dough balls on parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

    Use a cookie scoop or small ice cream scoop to shape cookie dough balls. Drop onto prepared cookie sheet, leaving two inches between each cookie.

    Press a few extra chocolate chips into the top of the cookies.

    Bake in 375°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are a light golden brown. For crispy edges, bake an extra minute or two. If you adjust baking time for crispier cookies keep a close eye on them as they will brown quickly!

    For extra chewy cookies, make sure to take them out a little under-baked.

    Baked chocolate chip cookies cooling on a wire rack with grey napkin in the background.

    Remove from oven and allow cookies to remain on the baking sheet for two minutes. Sometimes, they will puff up a little. Gently, press them down with a spoon to create small cracks, begin careful not to squish the chocolate chips!

    Transfer to wire rack to cool. This is the part where you pour a tall glass of milk and enjoy a cookie, warm from the oven.

    Storage & Freezing Instructions

    Store cooled cookies in an airtight container.

    Cooled cookies can be frozen in an airtight container or up to three months. Layer between sheets of parchment paper.

    Close up image of chocolate chip cookies, fresh from the oven, cooking on wire rack.

    FAQ's

    What can I substitute for butter in chocolate chip cookies?

    You can substitute good quality vegetable oil in chocolate chip cookies. The texture remains the same and they are still very tasty cookies.

    Are chocolate chip cookies better with butter or oil?

    While most people likely prefer butter, that may be because they haven't tried oil! Good quality vegetable oil is a great substitute for butter in chocolate chip cookies and can also be less expensive.

    Can I substitute margarine for butter in chocolate chip cookies?

    Yes, margarine may be substituted using a 1:1 ratios. One cup of butter equals one cup of margarine.

    Close up image of no butter chocolate chip cookies.

    Variations

    You can change up the chocolate chips in these cookies by substituting peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, or even a few M&M's pressed into the tops of the cookies.

    Raisins and craisins (dried cranberries) taste great in these cookies. I also added in white chocolate chips with the cranberries. So tasty!

    If you love coffee flavor in cookies, add 1 to 2 Tablespoons of crushed coffee granules ot the dry ingredients. Love coffee cookies? Then you've gotta try my Double Chocolate Coffee Cookies!!

    Feel free to spinkle the tops of the cookies with a little sea salt to offset the sweetness of the cookies.

    other cookies recipes you might enjoy

    • Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • 3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies
    • Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

    My Top Tips for Making these Cookies

    Use the freshest ingredients. Replace your box of baking powder or baking soda when needed can make a big difference to your overall results in baking.

    Make them your own! This recipe lends itself to adding in different flavors and the sky's the limit.

    I would love it if you left a comment about this recipe below! Subscribe to join the community and receive regular updates straight to your inbox! Let's connect via Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest!

    Print
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    Several chocolate chip cookies stacked on a white plate.

    Easy No Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (Cookies with Oil)


    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    • Author: Sandra
    • Total Time: 22 minutes
    • Yield: 36 cookies
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    If you're out of butter and crave chocolate chip cookies, then you have to try this easy recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies without Butter! This is an adaptation from one of our favourite cookie recipes. Delicious with a glass of milk, these are the best chocolate chip cookies!


    Ingredients

    ¾ cup vegetable oil

    1 cup sugar

    1 cup brown sugar

    2 large eggs

    1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

    2 cups all purpose flour

    2 cups blended oatmeal (see instructions below)

    ¼ tsp. salt

    1 tsp. baking powder

    1 tsp. baking soda

    1 and ¾ cups chocolate chips


    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 375°F.  Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
    2. Place rolled oats in food processor and process until they are smooth and a fine powder.
    3. In a medium to large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, processed rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir well to combine.
    4. In bowl from stand mixer add granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract.  Beat on medium speed for 30 seconds.
    5. With mixer running gradually add in vegetable oil.  Once the oil is well combined with the other ingredients, turn mixer to high speed and mix for one minutes until creamy. 
    6. Gradually add in flour mixture, mixing on low speed until combined.

    7. Set aside ¼ cup of chocolate chips.  These will be pressed into the tops of each cookie before baking.
    8. Add remaining chocolate chips and stir just until combined. 
    9. Use a cookie scoop or small ice cream scoop to shape cookie dough balls, using about 1 to 1 and ½ tbsp. of dough. 
    10. Press a few chocolate chips into each dough ball. 
    11. Bake in 375°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are light golden brown.  For crispier edges, bake for an extra minute or two. 
    12. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for two minutes, then transfer to wire cooling rack. 

    Notes

    Storage instructions: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container. 

    Freezing instructions: Cooled cookies can be frozen in an airtight container or up to three months. Layer between sheets of parchment paper. 

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 12 minutes
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven Baked
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 383
    • Sugar: 1 g
    • Sodium: 510.1 mg
    • Fat: 22.3 g
    • Carbohydrates: 3.2 g
    • Fiber: 0.2 g
    • Protein: 32.6 g
    • Cholesterol: 128.4 mg

    Keywords: No Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Kristen

      February 09, 2022 at 2:56 pm

      My kids loved these which is always a winner in my book! Thank you for the fab recipe! 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Tavo

      February 09, 2022 at 2:58 pm

      My cookies came out delicious! I love that the recipe doesn't call for butter!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Tara

      February 09, 2022 at 3:03 pm

      Oooh such a wonderful adaptation for when I run out of butter. These cookies look so good!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Casey

      February 09, 2022 at 3:21 pm

      These were delish! I didn't even miss the butter! I baked them 10 minutes and they were still nice and soft on the inside. SO GOOD!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Rika

      February 09, 2022 at 4:05 pm

      These cookies will save me a ton of calories! I love how this recipe doesn't use any butter.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Tim

      January 20, 2023 at 2:07 pm

      These are surprising really good without the butter!! Good on my waistline as well!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sandra! Welcome to my kitchen. A self-taught cook, I love being in the kitchen. My inspiration is the people who I love the most - my family. Here you will find simple family recipes to enjoy year round.  More about me

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