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    Home » Recipe Index » Dessert

    Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies with Oats

    Published: Oct 12, 2021 · Modified: Sep 22, 2023 by Jessica

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    These soft and gooey vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are simply the BEST healthy cookie to enjoy in the fall! Filled with pumpkin purée, warming spices and covered with chocolate chips, they make for thick and filling snacking cookies that are super nutritious too.

    Overhead view on a circular cooling rack containing a few vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. There are bananas, rolled oats and chocolate chips on the side.

    If you love all things pumpkin, then I'm glad you are here! And even if you are not a huge fan of cooking with pumpkin purée, I assure you will still love these amazing fall cookies!

    Pumpkin purée has a subtle flavor that pairs well with spices and chocolate, plus it turns baked goods to a nice orange autumn color. I love how the purée also keeps these cookies soft, fluffy and tender by adding extra moisture to the batter.

    These vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are also packed with healthy rolled oats, sweetened with bananas and maple syrup and studded with chocolate chips. They are great enjoyed with a cold glass of cashew chocolate milk and perfect for on-the-go healthy snacks. Plus, they are completely nut-free, which makes them school-safe and a fun sweet treat to add to your kid's lunch boxes.

    A must-try this fall! 🧡

    Front angle view on a few vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies that are placed on a circular cooling rack. There is a white hand towel in the background as well as rolled oats in a small bowl.

    Vegan pumpkin oatmeal cookies

    I feel like when I load my cookie recipes with rolled oats, then it gives the green light to enjoy them for breakfast. It's like oatmeal-in-the-shape-of-a-cookie. And I'm always up for cookies at breakfast. Who's not?

    So here you go, one more breakfast friendly healthy cookie to add on your breakfast meal-prep list! Oats add so much texture and make cookies heartier and more filling, which is a great way to start the day. I'll often make big batches of cinnamon oatmeal cookies or chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, then freeze and simply grab-and-go.

    Ingredients you'll need

    I love how these cookies are made using mostly pantry ingredients.

    • Rolled oats: use old-fashioned rolled oats instead of quick cooking for best texture. I used the rolled oats from Bob's Red Mill.
    • Pumpkin purée: adds a nice flavor plus a lot of moisture to create an amazing texture.
    • Flour: I used the white whole wheat flour from King Arthur, but all-purpose flour should work too.
    • Ground flax: acts as a binder.
    • Maple syrup: for sweetness, but the maple flavor also pairs well with the spices.
    • Baking powder: leveling agent.
    • Banana: they help sweeten the cookies naturally, plus creates a gooey texture.
    • Coconut oil: use a refined coconut oil to avoid any coconut flavor if possible.
    • Pumpkin spice mix: or use a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and ground ginger.
    • Chocolate chips: dark chocolate chips are best to make these cookies, look for a dairy-free brand too. I used these vegan dark chocolate chips from the brand 365. Mini chocolate chips would work well too.
    Showing are the ingredients needed to make this recipe: canned pumpkin puree, wheat flour, spices, baking powder, maple syrup, ground flax, coconut oil, rolled oats and bananas.

    What kind of pumpkin purée to use

    Using canned pumpkin purée definitively makes this recipe super easy and convenient. I used the organic pumpkin purée from the brand 365, but any brand will work. Just make sure NOT to use a can of pumpkin pie filling as it is loaded with sugar! So look at the ingredients and check for pumpkin being the only ingredient. You want REAL plain pumpkin purée!

    You can also make your own pumpkin purée! Learn how to make your own pumpkin purée in this article from Jessica in the kitchen.

    What to do with the leftover pumpkin purée from the can?

    You won't need to use the whole can of pumpkin purée, so what should you do with the leftovers?

    First of all, this recipe makes for only 8 large fluffy cookies. You can easily double the recipe to use up more of your can and freeze the extra cookies for later.

    But what I also do is I use the extra to make overnight oats! Follow these pumpkin spices overnight oats instructions and enjoy a jar of fall flavors in the morning!

    You can also use the remaining purée in all sorts of baking, such as pumpkin brownies and pumpkin pie or even use it when making creamy pasta dishes!

    Front angle view on a vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookie that's placed on a cooling rack and has a bite taken off to show the middle texture. There are rolled oats in the background and chocolate chips in a small bowl as well.

    How to make vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

    Before preparing the batter, get ready by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper and pre-heat the oven to 350º.

    Step 1- Make the flax egg

    Simply whisk to combine the flax with the water in a small bowl and set aside for a few minutes until ready to use. The mixture will thicken slightly and act as a binder, similar to an egg.

    Step 2 - Combine the dry

    In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats with the flour, baking powder and spices.

    Step 3 - Combine the wet

    In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, maple syrup, mashed banana, melted coconut oil and flax egg. Stir well until combined.

    Step 4 - Make the batter

    Simply pour the wet over the dry and stir until well combined. Use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure there are no dry pockets anymore.

    Step 4- Finish up and bake

    Transfer the batter into 8 cookies on the prepared baking sheet. You can use a medium size ice cream scoop. Then, gently press on the cookies so they get uniformly flat, while still remaining thick. Use your fingers to shape them in nice discs too if you want. Alternatively, you could also not press them and leave them in dome shape, it makes for gooey-ier and softer cookies!

    Then, cover the cookies with chocolate chips. You can incorporate the chocolate into the batter if you want before shaping the cookies, but for these cookies I prefer to leave the chocolate on top. It looks nice and appetizing that way! Gently press on the chips just so they stick to the batter.

    Bake for 12-14 minutes (Bake for 12-13 minutes for flat cookies or 14 minutes for dome cookies).

    The cookies might appear slightly undone and super soft when just out of the oven, but let them cool down for a few minutes before enjoying, they will finish up cooking during that time.

    In process picture: showing a bowl with ground flax seeds + water.
    In process picture: showing a bowl with dry ingredients.
    In process picture: there is a small whisk that's stirring inside a small bowl containing wet ingredients.
    In process picture: Wet ingredients being poured over dry ingredients in a large bowl.
    In process picture of a cookie batter that's being stir using a spatula.
    In process picture: there is an ice cream scoop transferring the batter in cookie over a baking sheet.
    In process picture: close up on a cookie that's being flattened with a spatula.
    In process picture showing a hand that's adding chocolate chips over some cookies.

    Watch how to make them

    YouTube video

    Front view on 4 thick vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies pile on top of each other. The top cookie has a bite taken off and you can see a hand that's taking the top cookie.

    Baking tips

    • Make sure you don't over bake them or they will get dry. Allow them to look soft right after baking, so they stay gooey even after cooled down.
    • Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and helps create cookies that are soft and tender. Don't swap for any other kind of oil.
    • I love maple syrup in this recipe as the maple flavor pairs well with the spices. But, feel free to swap for other kind of sweetener as long as they are liquid, like agave nectar or brown rice syrup. Don't use granulated sugar, they might end up being too dry.
    • The batter is super sticky! If you have one, use an ice cream scoop to transfer the batter on the baking sheet.
    • Make pumpkin spiced milk with the extra purée from the can!

    Variations and serving suggestions

    I'm sure you came over here for the chocolate chips, right?

    But, if you are not that much into chocolate, then feel free to top the raw cookies with chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans or a mixture of coconut sugar with cinnamon.

    You could integrate the chocolate chips or nuts into the batter directly, but I think that topping the cookies with them add a good crunch and a fun dimension.

    Also, you could bake the cookies without any toppings and simply drizzle melted chocolate over when done.

    To serve, sprinkle with some sea salt if desired to enhance their sweetness. I also love to warm them up only a few seconds in the microwave: they become softer and the chocolate melts just a little bit, yum!

    Overhead close up on a vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies placed on a cooling rack. There are other cookies on the side as well and you can see the texture of the cookie very well.

    Storage tips

    You can keep these cookies at room temperature for about 24 hours. After this, transfer to the fridge so they stay fresh longer (up to 4 days). Once they have cooled down, be sure to always keep them in an air-tight container so they don't dry out.

    If you enjoy them straight from the fridge, them feel free to warm them up just for a few seconds in the microwave to soften them and melt the chocolate just a little.

    FAQ's

    Can I make them gluten-free?

    I haven't tried it, but the gluten-free flour 1:1 from Bob's Red Mill usually works well in baking. Also, be sure to use certified gluten-free oats.

    Can I freeze them?

    These cookies freeze very well! Be sure to first let them completely cool down, then transfer to a freezer container or bag and keep in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. Try to separate them with parchment paper so they don't stick together, which makes it easier to grab one at the time.
    To defrost, let them warm up at room temperature, they thaw pretty quickly. You can also use the microwave to speed up the process (only a few seconds or they will become hard).

    Front angle view on a vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookie that's placed on a cooling rack and has a bite taken off to show the middle texture. There are rolled oats in the background and chocolate chips in a small bowl as well.

    Other vegan cookies you might like

    • Vegan lemon shortbread cookies
    • Oatmeal cinnamon cookies
    • Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies
    • Sweet potato breakfast cookies
    • Coffee bean cookies
    • Vegan thumbprint cookies
    • Vegan red velvet cookies
    • Almond flour peanut butter cookies
    • Vegan chocolate chip cookie cake

    I hope you enjoy these vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies as much as we do! If you try them, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how they were. Your feedback is so helpful!

    Let's stay in touch with Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Also, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to be sure not to miss anything.

    📖 Recipe

    Front angle view on a vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookie that's placed on a cooling rack and has a bite taken off to show the middle texture. There are rolled oats in the background and chocolate chips in a small bowl as well.

    Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chips Cookies with Banana

    5 from 2 votes
    These soft and gooey vegan pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are simply the BEST healthy cookie to enjoy in the fall! Filled with pumpkin purée, warming spices and covered with chocolate chips, they make for thick and filling snacking cookies that are super nutritious too.
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time12 minutes mins
    Total Time22 minutes mins
    Servings 8 large cookies
    Author Jessica laroche

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tbsp ground flax seeds + 2 tbsp water
    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • 1 cup flour - white whole wheat or all-purpose
    • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp pumpkin spice mix - or ½ tsp cinnamon + ¼ tsp ground ginger + ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
    • ½ cup plain pumpkin purée - canned or homemade, not pumpkin pie filling!
    • ½ cup banana - mashed
    • ⅓ cup maple syrup
    • ¼ cup coconut oil - refined, melted
    • ⅓ cup chocolate chips

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat the oven to 350º. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Start by combining the flax seed with water in a small bowl. Whisk, then set aside.
    • Combine the oats, flour, baking powder and pumpkin spice mix in a large bowl.
    • In a medium bowl, combine the flax seed mixture, pumpkin purée, mashed banana, maple syrup and melted coconut oil. Whisk well to incorporate the oil within the mixture.
    • Pour the wet mixture over the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until combined. I like to use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure there are no dry pockets anymore.
    • Divide the dough in between 8 cookies and transfer to the prepared baking sheet, then gently flatten them while keeping them thick. Top with the chocolate chips and bake for 12-14 minutes. The cookies might seem a little undercooked and very soft when just taken out of the oven, but let them cool down for a few minutes and they'll finish up cooking. Avoid over baking!

    Video

    YouTube video

    Notes

    • Store the cookies in an air-tight container in the fridge (warm up for a few seconds before enjoying!), can also be frozen.
    • Make sure you don't over bake them or they will get dry. Allow them to look soft right after baking, so they stay gooey even after cooled down.
    • I love maple syrup in this recipe as the maple flavor pairs well with the spices. But, feel free to swap for other kind of sweetener as long as they are liquid, like agave nectar or brown rice syrup. Don't use granulated sugar, they might end up being too dry.
    • The batter is super sticky! If you have one, use an ice cream scoop to transfer the batter on the baking sheet.
    • Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 2390IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2mg
    CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pooja says

      October 17, 2023 at 12:59 pm

      5 stars
      I wish I could give this recipe 10 stars!!! These cookies are the perfect fall time cookies. I added double the amount of cinnamon because I like its flavour.

      I will definitely be making them every week for the fall season or as long as pumpkins are in stock.

      Thank you for another great recipe, Jess!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        October 17, 2023 at 1:03 pm

        Oh that's great! Thanks so much for sharing! 😊

        Reply
    2. Nancy says

      October 17, 2021 at 4:57 pm

      5 stars
      I made these cookies yesterday and they are delicious. They have stayed moist and are just so tasty. And I don't feel guilty eating them with all the healthy ingredients !

      Reply

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    ABOUT JESS


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    Hi there! I’m Jessica, a pasta obsessed French Canadian now living in beautiful Maine. I’m a mom of two, experienced foodie and ninja meal planner. I believe everyone can make stress-free plant-based meals with wholesome ingredients that your family and friends will love. 

    Join me in my kitchen to discover fun and creative recipes or click to find out more. Welcome!

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