If you’re a fan of chocolate chip cookies, you’re in good company. A survey shows that the average American enjoys 200 cookies a year, with chocolate chip being the top choice.

Chocolate chip cookies are deeply ingrained in American culture. They were first created in the 1930s by Ruth Wakefield, the innkeeper of the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. After Nestle purchased the recipe from Wakefield, the cookies quickly became a national favorite. Today, they hold the title of official state cookie in both Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

While traditional chocolate chip cookies are often loaded with sugar and refined carbs, there are now many "healthier" options available at grocery stores, health food shops, and online retailers. But are these alternatives truly better for you? To help you make an informed choice, a registered dietitian shares insights on which chocolate chip cookies are healthier options—and which ones you might want to skip.

How We Selected the Healthiest Chocolate Chip Cookies

When shopping for a better-for-you cookie, it’s crucial to examine the ingredient list and nutritional content. While we'll outline some key nutritional guidelines here, remember that even healthier cookies are still treats, not a substitute for nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables.

Here’s how we identified the healthier options:

Calorie Controlled: We selected cookies that contain no more than 200 calories per serving. Serving sizes can vary, so be sure to check whether the serving is for one larger cookie or a few smaller ones.

Lower in Added Sugars: The cookies on our best-bet list have less than 12 grams (3 teaspoons) of added sugar per serving. Many indulgent store-bought cookies often exceed this amount.

Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: We looked for cookies made with wholesome ingredients like almond butter, dairy protein, and sources of fiber.

It’s important to keep in mind that even healthier cookies are still treats. Cookies, which are typically rich in refined flour, sugar, and butter, should be enjoyed occasionally rather than as a regular part of your diet. If your meals are generally well-balanced with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, indulging in a cookie now and then is perfectly fine. However, if your diet is already lacking in nutrients, it’s wiser to focus on improving your overall eating habits before seeking out a better cookie to satisfy your sweet tooth.

8 Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Best: Back to Nature Chocolate Chunk Cookies

  • Calories: 120
  • Fat: 6 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
  • Sodium: 70 mg
  • Carbs: 16 g (Fiber: 10 g, Sugar: 7 g)
  • Protein: 2 g

We appreciate these cookies for being plant-based and offering a smaller serving size, which helps keep calories, fat, and sugar within our recommended limits. While they’re not exactly a health food, they can be enjoyed occasionally as a sweet treat.

Best: Made Good Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Calories: 150
  • Fat: 7 g (Saturated Fat: 2.5 g)
  • Sodium: 85 mg
  • Carbs: 20 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 9 g)
  • Protein: 1 g

These gluten-free cookies stand out for their lower saturated fat content and the inclusion of fiber, which is rare among cookies. Additionally, the sugar content is kept under 10 grams. As an added bonus, these cookies are organic and gluten-free. A serving of four cookies also provides 30% of your daily vitamin E, 20% of your vitamin D, and 25% of your vitamin B1 needs.

Best: Lenny & Larry's Complete Crunchy Cookies

  • Calories: 160
  • Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat: 3.5 g)
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Carbs: 14 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 8 g)
  • Protein: 6 g

These cookies offer the same amount of protein as an egg and are relatively low in added sugars, containing just two teaspoons per serving. The primary ingredient is a plant-based protein blend, and they’re also made with inulin, a natural, plant-based fiber. Plus, they’re vegan, making them a solid choice for those seeking a plant-based treat.

Best: Emmy's Organics Classic Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

  • Calories: 160
  • Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat: 3.5 g)
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Carbs: 14 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 8 g)
  • Protein: 6 g

These cookies offer the same amount of protein as an egg and are relatively low in added sugars, containing just two teaspoons per serving. The primary ingredient is a plant-based protein blend, and they’re also made with inulin, a natural, plant-based fiber. Plus, they’re vegan, making them a solid choice for those seeking a plant-based treat.

Best: Heavenly Hunks Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bites

Nutrition (Per 1-Hunk Serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Fat: 6 g (Saturated Fat: 3.5 g)
  • Sodium: 40 mg
  • Carbs: 17 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 5 g)
  • Protein: 1 g

These popular vegan chocolate chip bites are made primarily with oats, making them gluten-free. They are a lower-carbohydrate option with just over one teaspoon of sugar per serving. Fans praise these cookie alternatives for their delicious taste.

  • Calories: 170
  • Fat: 12 g (Saturated Fat: 6 g)
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Carbs: 14 g (Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 1 g)
  • Protein: 10 g

This cookie is a low-carb, protein-rich alternative to traditional chocolate chip cookies, making it an excellent choice for those following a keto or low-carb lifestyle. Made with almond butter and milk protein, it delivers 10 grams of protein per serving. The cookies are nearly sugar-free, sweetened with allulose and monk fruit extract, and they provide 5 grams of filling fiber thanks to mushroom fiber. They’re also gluten-free, catering to a variety of dietary needs.

Best: Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond Cookies

  • Calories: 140
  • Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat: 3.5 g)
  • Sodium: 65 mg
  • Carbs: 17 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 7 g)
  • Protein: 2 g

These small cookies make for a tasty snack or dessert. While they aren't made with particularly healthy ingredients, the modest serving size helps keep the calories, saturated fat, and sugar in check. The real challenge is sticking to just three!

Best: Murray Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Calories: 150
  • Fat: 8 g (Saturated Fat: 3 g)
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Carbs: 20 g (Fiber: <1 g, Sugar: 0 g)
  • Protein: 2 g

Chocolate chip cookies typically rely on fat (butter or vegetable oil), sugar, and refined flour as their main ingredients. If you're following a low-carb or low-sugar diet, this cookie eliminates sugars by using artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium. While we generally prefer naturally sweetened packaged foods, in a pinch, we accept products with artificial sweeteners as an alternative to nutrient-poor added sugars.

3 Chocolate Chip Cookies To Avoid

Worst: Mrs. Fields Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Calories: 210
  • Fat: 10 g (Saturated Fat: 6 g)
  • Sodium: 190 mg
  • Carbs: 30 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 19 g)
  • Protein: 2 g

Mrs. Field's store-bought chocolate chip cookies, the quintessential mall treat, are loaded with calories, saturated fat, and sugar. Just one cookie contains nearly 5 teaspoons of sugar—far too much for a small snack.

Worst: Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Calories: 200
  • Fat: 10 g (Saturated Fat: 3.5 g)
  • Sodium: 125 mg
  • Carbs: 25 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 13 g)
  • Protein: 2 g

Grandma's cookies are on the larger side, which puts the calorie count at the higher end of our recommended range. The bigger concern, however, is the 13 grams of sugar per cookie.

Worst: Tate's Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Calories: 140
  • Fat: 7 g (Saturated Fat: 4.5 g)
  • Sodium: 160 mg
  • Carbs: 18 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 12 g)
  • Protein: 2 g

Tate's is a popular brand of gourmet supermarket cookies, known for using traditional ingredients like cane sugar and brown cane sugar, along with the sugar in chocolate chips. The result is a cookie with 12 grams (3 teaspoons) of sugar per serving. When compared to the healthier options on this list, Tate's falls short.

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