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    Home » Quick Baking Recipes

    Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Published: Jan 10, 2021 by Allison Ferraro · Modified: Jul 23, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Just when you thought you didn't need another chocolate chip cookie recipe... say hello to whole wheat chocolate chip cookies! These delightfully chewy cookies are full of delicious flavor, packed with chocolate, and sprinkled with sea salt. Plus this quick and easy no-chill cookie recipe is ready in just 45 minutes!

    close up overhead view of a whole wheat chocolate chip cookie sprinkled with sea salt on a blue surface this Recipe

    First things first, make no mistake... these are not healthy cookies. These are deliciously chewy and flavorful chocolate chip cookies that happen to contain added nutrition thanks to the presence of whole wheat flour, oats, and wheat bran.

    This recipe puts a delicious, unique, and okay - perhaps slightly healthy - spin on classic chocolate chip cookies!

    These whole wheat chocolate chip cookies are perfectly chewy (thanks to oats and brown sugar), and they have a rich and almost nutty flavor (thanks to whole wheat flour). Packed with chocolate chips and sprinkled with sea salt, it's an indulgent cookie recipe that you'll want to add to your chocolate chip cookie recipe arsenal.

    angled view of whole wheat chocolate chip cookies on a blue surface

    How Does Whole Wheat Flour Affect Cookies?

    Whole wheat flour contains more flavor and nutrition than all-purpose flour, but it also affects the texture and density of baked goods. Baking with whole wheat flour will typically result in baked goods that are more heavy or dense, particularly if whole wheat flour is used in a recipe that is designed for all-purpose flour. This cookie recipe is designed to be made with 100% whole wheat flour, and the resulting cookies are perfectly chewy.

    Can I Substitute Whole Wheat Flour for All-Purpose Flour in Cookies?

    Generally speaking, no. As I mentioned above, whole wheat flour impacts the texture and density of baked goods and substituting whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour is likely to create cookies that are dry and heavy. Because this cookie recipe is designed to be made with whole wheat flour, the cookie dough contains enough moisture to hydrate the whole wheat flour, resulting in deliciously chewy cookies.

    overhead view of oats in a glass jar on a blue surface
    overhead view of wheat bran in a glass jar on a blue surface
    overhead view of chocolate chips in a white ramekin on a blue surface

    How to Make Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies from Scratch

    These whole wheat chocolate chip cookies are quick and easy to make from scratch, no dough chilling required!

    • Start by preheating the oven to 375°F and lining baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
    • Sift together whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In another small bowl, whisk together old-fashioned oats and wheat bran.
    • Using a stand mixer or a handheld electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla, beating to combine. Don't forget to scrape your bowl as you're mixing the cookie dough.
    • Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture slowly, mixing gently just until blended. Do the same with the oat mixture before stirring in the chocolate chips.
    • Scoop the cookie dough on to the prepared baking sheets. Press more chocolate chips onto the outside of each cookie dough ball (this makes for extra pretty cookies) and sprinkle the balls of dough with sea salt.
    • Bake cookies for 11-12 minutes or until the edges are dark golden brown.
    overhead view of whole wheat chocolate chip cookies on a blue surface

    What Can I Use Instead of Wheat Bran? (Wheat Bran Substitute)

    If you don't have wheat bran on hand and would prefer not to buy some, you can substitute equal measures of wheat germ or oat bran for wheat bran in this recipe. If you prefer, you can also substitute whole wheat flour for wheat bran, though it will have a slight impact on the density of the cookies.

    close up overhead view of a whole wheat chocolate chip cookie sprinkled with sea salt on a blue surface

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    Love this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review on the recipe below! And don't forget to subscribe to Always Eat Dessert for even more simple recipes, baking tips, and inspiration.

    Recipe

    close up overhead view of a whole wheat chocolate chip cookie sprinkled with sea salt on a blue surface

    Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

    These delightfully chewy whole wheat chocolate chip cookies are full of delicious flavor, packed with chocolate, and sprinkled with sea salt. Plus this quick and easy no-chill cookie recipe is ready in just 45 minutes!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 9
    Yield: 18 cookies
    Calories: 357kcal
    Author: Allison Ferraro
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    Special Equipment

    • Stand mixer or electric hand mixer

    Ingredients

    • 1 ⅛ cup whole wheat flour*
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ½ cup old-fashioned oats
    • 2 Tablespoons wheat bran
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
    • ½ cup dark brown sugar
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg, room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
    • fine or flaky sea salt for sprinkling on cookies (optional)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper and set aside.
    • In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and salt and whisk to combine. Set aside.
    • In a small bowl, add oats and wheat bran and whisk to combine. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl using a electric hand mixer) cream the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and beat on high speed until blended, stopping to scrape the bowl as necessary.
    • With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture. Continue to mix just until blended, stopping to scrape the bowl as necessary.
    • With the mixer running on low speed, add the oat mixture and mix just until blended. Add ¾ of the chocolate chips and stir just until the chips are well distributed throughout the dough.
    • Scoop 1.5 Tablespoon balls of dough and place on prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between cookies. Press remaining chocolate chips onto outside of cookie dough balls and with salt (if using).
    • Bake cookies for 11-12 minutes or until the edges are dark golden brown. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Notes

    Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
    *This recipe is designed for 100% whole wheat flour, as opposed to white whole wheat flour.
    Wheat Bran Substitute: If you don't have wheat bran on hand and would prefer not to buy some, you can substitute equal measures of wheat germ or oat bran for wheat bran in this recipe. If you prefer, you can also substitute whole wheat flour for wheat bran, though it will have a slight impact on the density of the cookies.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 204mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 353IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 3mg

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    Allison Ferraro headshot

    Hi there!

    I'm Allison, the cookie-obsessed baker, recipe creator, and food photographer behind Always Eat Dessert.

    Here you’ll find made-from-scratch recipes designed for busy people who love to bake. From cookies to quick breads, you'll discover detailed, easy-to-follow recipes for everyday life along with practical baking tips to help you whip up indulgent treats from scratch with confidence.

    Get to know Allison →

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