These Best Cowboy Cookies are made with oats, chocolate chips, pecans, and shredded coconut. They're almost like an energy bar in a cookie! And they're dairy-free, made without milk or butter.
No one seems to know exactly where cowboy cookies originated, but the name naturally brings to mind cowboys and the idea of a high-energy, easy-to-carry snack, not completely unlike our energy bars today.
Loaded with hearty oats, sweet chocolate chips, crunchy pecans, and shredded coconut, these dairy-free cowboy cookies are wonderfully rustic, unique, and filling.
Serve them at your next casual gathering, pack them for a family hike, have one as an energizing afternoon pick-me-up, or grab one on the go.
Have one with your coffee, tea, or a cold beverage, or enjoy one as a comforting treat at the end of a long, busy day.
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What is needed to make these cowboy cookies?
all-purpose flour,
rolled oats (whole oats)
semisweet dairy-free chocolate chips
sweetened coconut flakes (or you can substitute shredded coconut)
chopped pecans
brown sugar
white granulated sugar
ground cinnamon
salt
baking soda
egg
unsalted diary-free margarine or other dairy-free butter alternative
vanilla extract or a good imitation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are cowboy cookies dairy-free?
Yes. These cowboy cookies are made without butter or milk, so they're dairy-free.
Do I have to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough is preferable for the best texture, but if you don't have time, you can bake the cookies without chilling it.
Can I use a different type of nut other than pecans?
Yes. While pecans add a classic crunch, you can substitute chopped walnuts or almonds if you prefer or use what you have on hand.
Can I add dried fruit to these cookies?
Yes. You can add dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates along with the chocolate chips and coconut for extra texture and flavor.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. You can keep the covered cookie dough in the refrigerator for about 2 days, or scoop the dough into balls and freeze them so you can bake fresh cookies later.
How should I store cowboy cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months.
Love cookies? Try these!
Best Cowboy Cookies Recipe
These easy and dairy-free cowboy cookies are almost like an energy bar in a cookie! Made without milk or butter.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, not packed
- 1 cup rolled oats (whole oats)
- 1 cup semisweet dairy-free chocolate chips
- ¾-1 cup sweetened coconut flakes, as desired (or you can substitute shredded coconut)
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup soft unsalted diary-free margarine or other dairy-free butter alternative
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, real or imitation
Instructions
- Combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a mixing bowl.
- Add the butter alternative or margarine, vanilla, and egg, and mix thoroughly.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut flakes until they have spread throughout the dough. *
- Refrigerate dough for at least an hour. **
- Make 1" balls of dough (you can use an ice cream scoop) and place them on baking sheets that have been lined with baking paper (leave 2" in between them for spreading).
- Place the baking sheets in an oven that has been preheated to 375°F and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are showing a golden brown around the edges and are no longer wet to the touch.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely (best on a cooling rack).
Notes
* The coconut flakes may get buried in the dough, so I like to roll some on the outside of the ball of dough before baking so that they are visible.
** It's best to let chill, but if you don't have the time, they still come out great (they just may be a little flatter).
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 521Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 216mgCarbohydrates: 67gFiber: 6gSugar: 33gProtein: 8g
