Chocolate Tahini Cookies

Rich, dense and chewy chocolate cookies made using healthier ingredients – these Chocolate Tahini Cookies are completely plant-based and gluten-free. If you love chocolate and tahini, then these cookies are for you. In fact if you love cookies, full stop, you need to try these!

I made these cookies years ago and posted them on my blog (click here for the original recipe), but I’ve had a lot of requests for an egg-free version and I’ve finally managed to get the chance to re-test the recipe and found the perfect ratio of ingredients for them to work without the eggs. They’re super dense and so chocolatey and lush 😀 and best of all they only call for 7 ingredients!

A flavour combination that works surprisingly well:

Tahini, a smooth paste made from ground sesame seeds, is often associated with savoury dishes like hummus or dressings. But its flavour profile actually makes it an incredible partner for chocolate.

Tahini has a naturally nutty, slightly bitter, and deeply roasted flavour. When paired with chocolate, it amplifies the depth and complexity of the dessert. Instead of tasting overly sweet, these chocolate tahini cookies have layers of flavour: earthy, nutty, and bittersweet.

This is similar to the way peanut butter works with chocolate, but tahini brings a more subtle, sophisticated taste. It’s creamy, slightly savoury, and adds a luxurious texture that keeps cookies moist and tender.

Chocolate itself contains natural bitterness from cocoa solids. Tahini echoes that bitterness just enough to balance sweetness from maple syrup and chocolate chips. The result is a cookie that tastes rich without being cloying.

It’s the kind of flavour that makes you pause after the first bite and think, “Why don’t more desserts use tahini?”

Why does tahini work so well in these chocolate tahini cookies?

Traditional cookies rely heavily on butter or refined oils for fat and texture. Tahini offers a plant-based alternative that brings both richness and nutritional value.

Because tahini is made from sesame seeds, it contains healthy fats – primarily unsaturated fats that support heart health. It also provides important minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Beyond nutrition, tahini also improves the texture of baked goods. Its creamy consistency helps create soft, tender cookies while contributing a subtle roasted flavour. Unlike butter, which mainly adds richness, tahini contributes both flavour and nourishment.

This makes chocolate tahini cookies feel indulgent while still incorporating ingredients with real nutritional benefits.

Although made with healthier ingredients that doesn’t mean that by default they’ll also be low in calories, carbs and fat. Just like any other dessert, they’re meant to be enjoyed in moderation. You should be looking to get the main bulk of your daily nutrient requirements from your main meals and snacks, not necessarily from desserts. I like to make healthier treats because I think why not try to get something good from a dessert if you can. As long as you don’t compromise on taste.

If you’ve never used tahini in desserts before, you need to!

Tahini has been one of the ingredients that I’ve enjoyed working with the most since I started my blog. It has such a special place in my heart as it’s used quite heavily in Middle Eastern cuisine, but I feel it’s so underrated and underused in the west. And when it’s used, it’s usually used in savoury recipes like hummus and sauces. I want to show how versatile this amazing ingredient is and how amazingly well it works in sweet treats. I always say that tahini is the Middle Eastern version of peanut butter, but as far as I’m concerned tahini will always be the winner in my eyes 😛 and if I had to choose one over the other, it will always be tahini.

Tahini goes especially well with chocolate (that and dates!). Combine the two together and you have the most amazing texture and deep flavour. You can probably tell how obsessed I am with both those ingredients, can’t you? 

If you’re looking for amazingly rich and chocolaty cookies that happen to be vegan and gluten-free, you NEED to try this recipe. You’ll be losing out big time if you don’t!

Why these cookies feel  better than traditional ones:

These chocolate tahini cookies still belong firmly in the dessert category – but they can offer a few advantages over conventional cookies.

Traditional cookies often rely on refined flour, large amounts of butter, and processed sugar. By contrast, chocolate tahini cookies incorporate ingredients that provide more fiber, healthy fats, and natural flavors.

Tahini replaces butter with nutrient-rich sesame seed paste.
Oat flour adds fiber and whole-grain goodness.
Maple syrup contributes natural sweetness and complex flavor.
Flax eggs can boost plant-based nutrition.
Cocoa delivers antioxidant-rich chocolate flavor.

All of these elements work together to create a cookie that feels more balanced and satisfying.

Instead of a sugar-heavy dessert that leaves you craving more, these cookies have depth, richness, and texture that make each bite feel meaningful.

What you need to make these chocolate tahini cookies:

Tahini – This is the main ingredient and what gives these cookies a gooey texture. Runny tahini works best as it makes everything easier to mix. I always use Middle Eastern tahini (preferable Lebanese like this brand) as the quality is so much better than those found in your local supermarkets. 

Maple syrup – to sweeten and cut through the bitterness of the chocolate. Other liquid sweeteners will also work like honey, agave or rice syrup. 

Flaxseed – Mixed with water, this will act as a binder to help hold everything together. If you’re not vegan you can use a whole egg instead. 

Cocoa – plain baking cocoa or cacao powder will add a rich, intense chocolatey taste. 

Oat flour – I love using oats as a replacement for plain flour. All you need to do to make oat flour is blend oats in a high-speed blender. Use gluten-free oats for a gluten-free recipe. 

Chocolate chips – This is optional, but recommended for extra yumminess. I usually use dark chocolate chips, but when taking the pictures I decided to use vegan white chocolate chips to create a contrast in colour. You can even use nuts/dried fruit if you want to change it around a little. 

These Chocolate Tahini Cookies are:

• vegan
• dairy-free
• gluten-free
• Nut-free
• Flourless
• Made with some amazing ingredients
• Fudgy
• Rich
• Delicious
• And SO chocolaty 😀

If you like the sound of these chocolate tahini cookies, you may also like:

• Tahini Cardamom Cookies
• Chocolate Tahini Bunt Cake
• Tahini Chocolate Balls