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Gluten Free Pumpkin Seed Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe – Deliciously Healthy

A stack of freshly baked Halloween-themed cookies with chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds on parchment paper. Some cookies are whole, while others are halved to show the gooey chocolate inside. Mini pumpkins are placed in the background for decoration.

I really love Pumpkin Seed Chocolate Chip Cookies. There’s something about the first cool breeze of autumn that makes you want to turn on the oven. The air feels fresh, the trees show off their colors, and the smell of something baking just seems right. As summer’s bright, light flavors fade, we start craving recipes that are richer, warmer, and a little more comforting. These Gluten-Free Pumpkin Seed Chocolate Chip Cookies are exactly that — cozy, flavorful, and perfect for sharing.

Key Takeaways

  • A Cozy Fall Favorite: These Gluten-Free Pumpkin Seed Chocolate Chip Cookies capture everything we love about autumn—warm, nutty, and just sweet enough.
  • Gluten-Free Made Simple: The recipe uses an easy gluten-free flour blend, proving that you don’t need wheat to make soft, chewy cookies with great texture.
  • Nutritious and Delicious: Pumpkin adds vitamins A and C plus fiber, while pumpkin seeds bring plant-based protein, magnesium, and healthy fats.
  • Perfectly Balanced Flavors: Earthy pumpkin, toasty seeds, and rich chocolate chips come together for a cookie that’s indulgent but not too sweet.
  • Customizable for Any Diet: Easily adapt this recipe for vegan or dairy-free diets using plant-based butter, egg substitutes, or alternative mix-ins like dried cranberries.
  • A Community Recipe: The post invites readers to share their results using #PumpkinSeedPerfection—a fun way to connect and show off your fall baking.

The Gluten-Free Baking Trend Explained

More people are leaving gluten behind. Some, because of allergies or sensitivities, others simply because they feel better without it. What used to seem like a temporary food trend has become a permanent part of many kitchens. These days, gluten-free baking isn’t just about replacing wheat flour. It’s about exploring ingredients that add their own flavor and texture, like almond flour, oat flour, or blends made specifically for baking. It’s a shift that’s brought more creativity into the kitchen and more options for everyone.

Autumn Flavors in Every Bite

These cookies combine some of the best tastes of fall. The pumpkin brings a gentle earthiness and natural sweetness. Roasted pumpkin seeds add crunch and a nutty depth. Chocolate chips bring that familiar comfort we all love. The result is a cookie that’s not overly sweet but still feels indulgent, with a balance of soft, chewy texture and little bites of crunch.

A Recipe Like No Other

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Gluten-Free Flour Blend (we recommend a mix designed for baking)
  • Baking Soda
  • Salt
  • Unsalted Butter, softened
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Light Brown Sugar
  • Large Egg
  • Pure Vanilla Extract
  • Canned Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • Pumpkin Seeds (pepitas)
  • Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate, your preference)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, beating until smooth.
  4. Mix in the pumpkin until fully combined. The mixture might look a little grainy – that’s okay.
  5. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
  6. Fold in the pumpkin seeds and chocolate chips. The dough should be soft, a bit like a thick cake batter.
  7. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
  8. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden and set.
  9. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Benefits of This Sweet Treat

These cookies aren’t just delicious — they also bring a bit of nutrition to the table. Pumpkin is naturally rich in vitamins A and C, plus it adds fiber. Pumpkin seeds bring protein, magnesium, and healthy fats. While they’re still a treat, it’s nice knowing they offer more than just sugar.

Personalization and Adaptation

The beauty of this recipe is how flexible it is. If you’re dairy-free, swap in plant-based butter. If you’re vegan, use an egg substitute and dairy-free chocolate chips. You can adjust the sugar to your liking, add cinnamon or nutmeg for extra spice, or even replace half the chocolate chips with dried cranberries for a slightly tangier bite.

Join Our Baking Community

We’d love to see how your cookies turn out. Post a photo on social media and tag it with #PumpkinSeedPerfection so we can admire your work. Whether you follow the recipe exactly or make it your own, these cookies are meant to be enjoyed — and shared.

In Conclusion: A Warm Thank You

There’s something really satisfying about pulling a tray of these cookies out of the oven — that mix of toasty pumpkin seeds, melty chocolate, and the cozy smell of fall filling the kitchen. I remember the first time I tried a gluten-free cookie recipe; I half-expected it to taste “different.” But once I got the hang of using the right flours and mix-ins, I stopped missing the old versions entirely.

Now, I see gluten-free baking as its own kind of adventure — one where a few smart swaps can turn simple ingredients into something special. These pumpkin seed chocolate chip cookies are proof that healthy doesn’t have to mean boring.

So next time you’re in the mood to bake, skip the store-bought mix and make a batch from scratch. They’re the kind of cookies that disappear fast… and no one will even guess they’re gluten-free.

FAQS

1. Can I make these cookies vegan?

Yes! Use a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water) instead of a regular egg, and swap in dairy-free butter and chocolate chips.

2. What gluten-free flour blend works best?

A 1:1 gluten-free baking blend designed for cookies works best—look for one that contains a mix of rice flour, potato starch, and xanthan gum.

3. Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?

Absolutely. Just make sure it’s puréed and drained well so it’s not too watery—excess moisture can make the cookies too soft.

4. How should I store these cookies?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze them for up to 2 months. They reheat beautifully in a toaster oven.

5. Can I add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg?

Yes! A teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg complements the pumpkin flavor perfectly and makes the cookies even cozier.

6. Do these cookies spread while baking?

They spread slightly but keep a nice rounded shape. For thinner cookies, flatten the dough slightly before baking.

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Meet William

Welcome to my website. I’m Will and I created KitchenForBeginners.com, to help people who are new at cooking. I love BBQing, home-style meals, healthy cooking, meal prep, and building connections.