If you're looking for delicious Mediterranean Diet desserts, these Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies are for you. Perfect for dessert after dinner, or an afternoon pick-me-up snack with coffee, they have a perfect crunch, just the right amount of chocolate and a hint of vanilla.
Disclaimer: Other than a gluten-free diet, which I know quite well because my son has Celiac Diesase, I do not claim to be an expert on nutrition or other special diets. I'm calling these Mediterranean Diet cookies because I use Extra Virgin olive oil instead of butter, because it is much lower in saturated fat, and is a big part of the Mediterranean diet.
Healthy, or shall I say healthier eating shouldn't have to preclude delicious desserts.
I'm not going all healthy on you. 🙂
I am however, a fan of the Mediterranean diet and generally love the recipes that fall within that category. It's more or less how I naturally eat, which makes it easy.
Desserts with Olive Oil
I've been discovering that I can create rich and wonderful Mediterranean diet desserts without the usual high amounts of saturated fat that I would have normally used.
And the oil creates super delicious, moist baked goods.
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
-The Mediterranean diet is a low-fat way of eating that is characterized by a high consumption of vegetables and moderate consumption of protein.
-Fat is actually encouraged in this diet -- though only healthy varieties, like monounsaturated fat from olive oil and polyunsaturated fat, like omega-3 fatty acids, from certain fish and shellfish.
-It's generally a healthy way of eating, and olive oil is the main source of fat.
There are many more elements to this diet, and you can get more information about it here.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
Be aware that this dough will not behave like a typical cookie dough.
The oil changes things. Therefore, when you're shaping the dough into balls, you have to use your hands and squeeze them together gently. Otherwise the chocolate chips easily slip out.
I use semisweet chocolate chips in this recipe, but feel free to use any type you like.
Can you freeze Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Yes you can.
Just as you would any other cookie -- wrapped very well so no air can get in. Defrost them at room temperature a few hours before you want to eat them.
What's in Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies?
- extra virgin olive oil
- vanilla
- granulated sugar
- golden brown sugar
- kosher salt
- eggs
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- semisweet chocolate chips
There's just something magical about a good chocolate chip cookie, and I don't think that the magic is lost here without the butter.
Enjoy every last crumb of these delectable Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies!
More recipes that can squeeze their way into the Mediterranean Diet:
- Olive Oil Chocolate Bundt Cake
- Spiced Olive Oil Banana Bread
- Olive Oil Meyer Lemon Cake
- Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
All of these desserts made with olive oil are fantastic!
And more of my favorite chocolate chip cookies:
These are all unique and fun recipes!
- Ruby Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Pecan Praline Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies {Gluten-Free Recipe}
- Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies {Gluten-Free Recipe}
- Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies {Gluten-Free Recipe}
Enjoy every last crumb of the Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup golden brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon, plus extra for garnish, Kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Make the batter. Add the olive oil, vanilla, both sugars and the 1 teaspoon of salt, to a large mixing bowl. Mix until you have a smooth consistency. Now mix in the egg. Blend until it's completely smooth again. Add the flour and baking soda to the bowl and mix just until it's fully incorporated and you don't see any dry spots of flour. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Shape. Use your hands to shape the batter into balls, about 2 tablespoons each. (Your hands will be greasy from the oil, but I find for this recipe, hands are best.) Add the shaped balls of dough to the parchment-lined baking sheets as you go. They should have at least 2-inches between them, about a dozen per sheet.Use the palm of your hand to gently flatten the balls of batter, only about halfway. Then lightly sprinkle each one with Kosher salt.
- Bake and cool. Place the baking sheets in the preheated 350°F oven until the cookies are golden brown along the edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then place them on a cooling rack to come to room temperature.
NOTES
NUTRITION
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Lisa
Great recipe! I halfed the recipe and used Bob's Red Mill gluten free flour and added a little extra to thicken the dough. They turned out great. Will use this recipe from now on.
valentina
Hi Lisa, Thanks for writing in. I'm so happy you like this recipe, and so great the GF flour worked so well. Happy New Year! 🙂 ~Valentina
Khadija
I used crushed smarties, they look soooo good and taste DEEEEELICIOUS!!! So nice and soft love them, this is my new go-to recipe!!!
valentina
Hi there! This makes me so happy! Thanks for sharing and enjoy. 🙂 ~Valentina
Ted
Awesome,. But instead of full cup of olive oil. I did 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce. Delicious little thicker and easier to work with . Scrumptious.
valentina
Fantastic, Ted. Great idea to try it with half applesauce. So happy it was a success! Thanks for sharing, and visiting my site and recipes. 🙂 ~Valentina
Laurel
Thank you, these are my family's new favorite! They were skeptical about the lack of butter, but tried and love them.
I've started experimenting by adding a little orange, etc. Every version is a hit.
valentina
Hi Laurel, Thanks so much for writing in. I'm so happy these cookies are a hit with you and your family! And adding the orange flavor sounds delicious -- great idea! Enjoy. Warmly, Valentina
Sarah
These are so delicious and so simple to make vs using butter (no whipping butter in separate bowl - yay!). Love them. I used a bit less sugar and added walnuts too. Perfect!
valentina
Hi Sarah, Thanks so much for writing in. I'm so happy you like this recipe. The walnuts are a delicious addition! 🙂 ~Valentina
Jaclyn
Amazing recipe! The cookies turned out delicious and I love that they follow the mediterranean diet. It can be difficult to find easy and healthy desserts, but this will be my new go-to.
valentina
Hi Jaclyn, Yay! A new go-to. Made my morning. Thanks for writing in! 🙂 ~Valentina
Lynn
Can you make this recipe with almond flour?
valentina
Hi Lynn. Thanks so much for writing in. 🙂 You can add some almond flour for flavor, but if it's the only flour you use, the cookies will not hold together. They'll be super thin and fall apart. If you'd like to add some, I'd add about 1/4 and remove about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the regular flour (just so they're not too dry). If you'd like to make the recipe gluten-free, they work pretty will with Cup4Cup Gluten-Free Multi Purpose Flour. Hope this helps and enjoy! ~Valentina
farah
made it last night and was just perfect with a cup of tea on a cold night. added some pecans for extra crunch.
valentina
Wonderful! Lovely with tea, and the pecans are the perfect flavorful crunch. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 ~Valentina
Nonna
Olive oil chocolate chip cookies are simply divine. My first recipe from this website - I will be looking for more great recipes. Thanks! 👍🍪
valentina
Hi there and thank you so much! I'm so happy you liked these cookies. Enjoy cooking and thanks for checking out my recipes! 🙂 ~Valentina
jassica
oil chocolate chip is amazing recipe .
When i try it your way i will give you feedback .
I've tried many but never got good results .
Thank you so much for this amazing recipe
valentina
I hope you love them! Thank you. 🙂 ~Valentina
Raymond Riccomini
I use gluten free almond flour for this recipe, and they are AMAZING!! My family begs for them!
Valentina
Fanstatic! Thank you. So happy you and your family like them so much, and great they worked out with the GF almond flour you used. Happy Holidays! 🙂 ~Valentina
valentina
Thank you! Hope you love them! 🙂 ~Valentina