- One-bowl, no-chill pumpkin chocolate chip cookies: soft-baked, quick, and perfectly spiced for cozy fall flavor.
- Key technique: blot excess moisture from pumpkin to keep cookies chewy, not cakey; don’t overmix.
- Flexible recipe: easy gluten-free, vegan, or add-ins (oats, nuts, white chocolate) and simple storage/reheating tips.
Last Updated on November 7, 2025 by Souhail
Let’s get one thing out of the way: I’m a firm believer that pumpkin and chocolate are meant to be together. There’s something wildly comforting about biting into a cookie that’s spiced just right, tender in the center, and studded with gooey chocolate chips. This pumpkin chocolate chip cookies recipe is what I bake when I want something quick, cozy, and guaranteed to make the house smell like heaven.
I first started baking these during a rainy October weekend in my tiny New York apartment. I was craving something sweet but didn’t want to commit to a full pie or cake. I had half a can of pumpkin purée left over from a latte recipe (sound familiar?), and before I knew it, these cookies were born—and they’ve been in my fall rotation ever since.
These cookies are soft-baked style with just the right amount of pumpkin spice. They’re perfect for lunchbox treats, cozy movie nights, fall bake sales, or just because you need a little pumpkin joy in your day. Plus, they come together in one bowl with zero chill time needed. Yup—instant gratification, folks.
Table of contents
- Why You’ll Be Obsessed with These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Easy Tweaks for Every Diet
- Pro Tips for Pumpkin Chocolat Chips Cookie Recipe Success
- Variations You’ll Want to Bake All Season
- Serving Suggestions to Maximize Cookie Bliss
- Storage & Reheating Tips
- Creative Uses for Leftover Cookies (If That’s Even a Thing)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts: Your New Fall Favorite Cookie
Why You’ll Be Obsessed with These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin cookies can be tricky. Some turn out cakey, some overly dense, and some just lack that oomph of spice or sweetness. But not these. This recipe is all about balance—soft, chewy centers, golden edges, and just the right amount of cozy flavor in every bite.
Here’s what makes them so good:
One Bowl Wonder: Fewer dishes, faster cleanup, and quicker cookie access. You’re welcome.
No-Chill Dough: That’s right—you can go from bowl to oven in minutes. No waiting, no fuss.
Moist but Not Cakey: We reduce the moisture of the pumpkin slightly, so you get a soft, chewy cookie rather than a muffin top.
The Spice is Just Right: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger give warmth without overpowering the chocolate.
All the Chocolate: You’ll get pockets of melty goodness in every bite—use semi-sweet, dark, or a mix for even more flavor.
Easy Tweaks for Every Diet
Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend—the cookies hold their shape and flavor beautifully.
Vegan: Use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water) and dairy-free chocolate chips.
Refined Sugar-Free: Swap brown and white sugar for coconut sugar or maple sugar if you’re watching your sweeteners.
Nutty Add-Ins: Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans for a little crunch and richness.
Pro Tips for Pumpkin Chocolat Chips Cookie Recipe Success
These cookies are super forgiving, but a few tricks can help you get perfect results every single time:
- Blot Your Pumpkin: Sounds weird, but pumpkin is very wet. Scoop it onto a few paper towels and press gently to remove excess moisture—this keeps the cookies chewy, not cakey.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix until the flour just disappears. Overmixing makes them tough.
- Use Room Temp Ingredients: Especially the egg—it helps everything combine evenly.
- Scoop Evenly: Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies that bake evenly.
- Bake Just Until Set: The cookies should look slightly underdone in the center. They’ll finish setting as they cool and stay soft for days.
Variations You’ll Want to Bake All Season
Once you fall in love with the base recipe (which you will), try one of these fun spins:
Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
The sweetness of white chocolate pairs beautifully with the warm spices in these cookies. Try mixing half white and half dark chips for balance.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
Add ½ cup rolled oats to the dough for a chewy, hearty texture. It’s like oatmeal cookies and pumpkin pie had a baby.
Pumpkin S’mores Cookies
Stir in crushed graham crackers, chocolate chunks, and mini marshmallows. Bake as usual for a gooey, fall-flavored s’mores treat.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip with Pecans
Add ½ cup chopped pecans to the dough for a nutty, crunchy twist that plays well with the chocolate.
Pumpkin Protein Cookies
Sub half the flour with vanilla protein powder, use coconut sugar, and fold in dark chocolate chunks. A healthier snack that still tastes like dessert.
Serving Suggestions to Maximize Cookie Bliss
These cookies are so good they barely need a sidekick—but if you want to make an occasion out of it:
- Serve Warm with Chai or Coffee: Heat them for 10 seconds in the microwave so the chocolate gets melty again.
- Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich softened vanilla or cinnamon ice cream between two cookies. Freeze until set.
- Dunk in Milk: Classic and perfect—try with regular, oat, or almond milk.
- Drizzle with Melted Chocolate or Caramel: Fancy them up for fall gatherings.
Storage & Reheating Tips
The great thing about these cookies? They stay soft and flavorful for days (if they last that long).
- Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Fridge: Store for up to a week—bring to room temp before eating for best texture.
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies or portioned dough balls. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
- Reheating: Microwave a cookie for 8–10 seconds to bring it back to fresh-from-the-oven softness.
Creative Uses for Leftover Cookies (If That’s Even a Thing)
On the off chance you don’t eat the whole batch:
- Cookie Truffles: Crumble cookies, mix with a bit of cream cheese, and roll into truffles. Dip in chocolate for bonus points.
- Pumpkin Cookie Crust: Press crushed cookies into a pie or tart pan for a fall-spiced crust.
- Crumbled Over Yogurt or Ice Cream: Adds crunch, spice, and chocolatey bits to your treat.
- Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches: Use mini cookies and your favorite ice cream for a cute fall dessert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Too much moisture in the pumpkin purée can cause a cakey texture. Try blotting the pumpkin with paper towels before using—it makes a big difference!
Yes! Just use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The cookies hold their shape and flavor very well.
Definitely. You can freeze the dough (scooped into balls) or the baked cookies. Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they’ll stay soft and chewy for about 4 days. In the fridge, they’ll last up to a week.
Nope—pumpkin pie filling has added sugars and spices. For this recipe, you want pure pumpkin purée for the best flavor and texture.
Not at all! These cookies are designed to bake right away—perfect when that cookie craving hits hard.
Final Thoughts: Your New Fall Favorite Cookie
These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are like the taste of a crisp fall day in every bite. Warm spices, rich chocolate, and that soft, chewy texture make them an instant classic. They’re easy enough to whip up on a weeknight, yet special enough to share at fall gatherings, bake sales, or festive holiday trays.
Whether you enjoy them with a chai latte, sneak one warm off the cooling rack, or gift a batch to a neighbor, these cookies always bring smiles. I hope you fall in love with them just like I did—and that they become part of your cozy baking traditions too.
Happy baking, friend! 🍪🍁

