Chick-fil-A Cookie Recipe: Easy, Chewy, and Loaded with Chocolate Chunks

Introduction to This Chick-fil-A Cookie Recipe

This Chick-fil-A cookie recipe brings that same warm, chewy goodness right into your kitchen. If you’ve ever grabbed one of their famous cookies, you know how soft they are in the center, loaded with chocolate chunks, and just the right amount of sweet. Now, imagine being able to whip up that same crave-worthy cookie right in your own kitchen. That’s what this recipe is all about. Whether you’re a Chick-fil-A regular or just a cookie fan in general, this copycat version hits the sweet spot.

These cookies have a cozy, homemade feel but still bring that signature Chick-fil-A richness. They’re packed with semi-sweet chocolate chunks and a hint of oatmeal that gives them a hearty texture. Plus, there’s a secret little trick in here to keep them soft for days (spoiler: it’s a common pantry item most folks overlook). We’re not trying to reinvent cookies—we’re trying to make the ones you already love from Chick-fil-A, but fresher and maybe even better.

You don’t need to be a pro baker to pull these off, either. The steps are easy to follow, and most of the ingredients are probably already hanging out in your pantry or fridge. It’s a perfect treat for family night, holiday trays, or just a quiet snack when that sweet tooth hits.

Stick with me, and by the end of this, you’ll have warm, gooey, golden cookies that taste just like the real deal—maybe even better. Let’s get baking!

Ingredients for the Best Chick-fil-A Cookie Recipe

Here’s what you’ll need to make a batch of these delicious copycat cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks
• ½ cup milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Tools You’ll Need to Make These Cookies

Before you jump into mixing and baking, it’s good to round up the tools you’ll need. Nothing fancy here—just the basics to make your cookie game smooth and stress-free. Here’s what you should have ready:

• Mixing bowls: One large and one medium should be enough.
• Electric hand mixer or stand mixer: Creaming butter and sugar is way easier with a little motor power.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accuracy matters when it comes to baking.
• Rubber spatula: Great for scraping down the bowl and folding in ingredients.
• Baking sheets: Go for at least two so you can keep things moving without waiting.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Keeps cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon: Helps get evenly-sized cookies (and keeps your hands clean).
• Cooling rack: Essential so your cookies don’t keep cooking on the hot tray.

That’s it—simple stuff you probably already own. Now let’s get to the fun part: making the cookies.

Step-by-Step Chick-fil-A Cookie Recipe Instructions

Let’s walk through this easy Chick-fil-A cookie recipe one step at a time—you’ll have warm cookies in no time.

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugars

Start by beating the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together in a large bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until the mix turns light and fluffy—this takes about 2–3 minutes. It should look creamy and smooth, not gritty.

Step 2: Add eggs and secret soft-cookie ingredients

Crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. Then add in the molasses and vanilla extract. That molasses? It’s the not-so-secret ingredient that helps keep these cookies soft for days while adding a deep, caramel-y flavor.

Step 3: Mix dry ingredients separately

In your medium mixing bowl, stir together the flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Don’t skip mixing them separately—this helps the leavening agents spread out evenly so you don’t get weird puffy or flat cookies.

Step 4: Combine everything into one dough

Slowly add the dry mix into the wet ingredients, a little at a time, while mixing on low speed. Don’t overdo it—just mix until there are no more dry flour spots. Overmixing makes cookies tough, and nobody wants that.

Step 5: Add chocolate chunks and optional nuts

Now the fun part: stir in those chocolate chunks, chocolate chips, and, if you’re using them, chopped walnuts or pecans. Use a spatula or spoon to fold them in gently. You want those chunks to be evenly spread but still chunky.

Step 6: Chill the dough before baking

This part is totally worth the wait. Cover the dough and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours. Chilling helps the cookies keep their shape while baking and gives you that soft-chewy center with slightly crisp edges.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake Your Chick-fil-A Cookie Recipe to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Scoop the dough using a cookie scoop or spoon—aim for balls about 2 tablespoons big—and place them a couple inches apart on the sheet.

Bake for 11–13 minutes. You want the edges to look set, but the centers can still look a little underdone—they’ll keep baking as they cool. Let them rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

And that’s it—you’ve just baked your own Chick-fil-A-style cookies at home. They’re soft, chewy, chocolatey, and every bit as good as the original.

Tips, Tricks, and Fun Variations

Baking cookies is half science, half fun—and this recipe leaves plenty of room to make it your own. Here are a few tried-and-true tips, plus some fun ways to change things up if you’re feeling creative.

Use room temperature ingredients
Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temp before you start. This helps them blend better, which gives you a smoother dough and more evenly baked cookies.

Don’t skip chilling the dough
Seriously, chilling is key. It helps the flavors develop and keeps your cookies from spreading too much in the oven. If you’re short on time, even 30 minutes makes a difference.

Try different chocolates
Want a deeper chocolate flavor? Swap in some dark chocolate chunks. Like things a little sweeter? Use milk chocolate chips. You can even toss in white chocolate if that’s your thing.

Add a sprinkle of sea salt
Right after baking, add a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie. It makes the chocolate pop and adds a little fancy touch without any extra effort.

Make cookie sandwiches
Feeling indulgent? Spread a little vanilla or chocolate frosting between two cookies and boom—cookie sandwich! Great for parties or just because.

Use cottage cheese for a protein twist
Yes, you can add cottage cheese! Just sub out a small portion of the butter (around 2 tablespoons) for cottage cheese. It adds moisture and a touch of extra protein, though the texture will be slightly softer.

Love easy baked treats like this Chick-fil-A cookie recipe? You might also enjoy these other quick bakes from our kitchen: pineapple quick bread and Ocean Spray cranberry bread.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Baking These Cookies

Even a good recipe can go sideways if you’re not careful. Keep these common pitfalls in mind to make sure your cookies come out just right.

Overmixing the dough
Once you add the dry ingredients, mix only until combined. Overmixing can make your cookies dense or cakey instead of soft and chewy.

Skipping the chill time
It might be tempting to bake right away, but don’t do it. Warm dough spreads too much and leads to flat, greasy cookies.

Overbaking
These cookies should still look a little soft in the center when you pull them out. If they look totally done in the oven, they’ll be overdone once they cool.

Using too much flour
Scooping flour straight from the bag can pack it down, giving you way more than you need. Spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off instead. Too much flour means dry cookies.

Not rotating the pan
If your oven has hot spots (most do), rotate the baking sheet halfway through for even baking. Otherwise, some cookies may brown more than others.

For a cozy dessert spread, try serving these cookies alongside Libby’s pumpkin bread or a slice of banana bread without butter.

Are Chick-fil-A Cookies Actually Good for You?

Okay, let’s be honest—nobody grabs a cookie thinking it’s health food. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these Chick-fil-A-style cookies as part of a balanced lifestyle. Here’s the real talk on what’s in them and how they stack up nutrition-wise.

First off, these cookies are rich. They’ve got butter, sugar, chocolate, and a little molasses—so yeah, they’re indulgent. But they also use old-fashioned oats, which add some fiber and texture, and if you go for nuts, you’re getting some heart-healthy fats and protein. So while they’re not exactly “light,” they’re not junk either.

Each cookie (depending on the size you scoop) has around 200–250 calories. That’s about the same as a store-bought granola bar—but these taste way better. If you want to lighten them up a bit, you can:

• Cut back a little on the sugar
• Use whole wheat flour for part of the all-purpose
• Swap half the butter with mashed banana or Greek yogurt
• Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate

You could also try adding flaxseed or chia seeds for a little boost of nutrition. It won’t turn them into health food, but it adds some texture and fiber without changing the flavor much.

Bottom line? These cookies aren’t a daily snack, but they’re perfect for a sweet treat now and then. Everything in moderation, right?

Curious about other creative cottage cheese ideas? Check out these crispy cottage cheese chips for a savory twist.

How to Serve and What to Pair With These Cookies

Freshly baked cookies are one of life’s little joys, and there are lots of fun ways to serve them. Here are a few tasty ideas to make the most out of your batch:

Classic style:
Serve them warm with a cold glass of milk. You seriously can’t go wrong with that combo. It’s comfort in its purest form.

Ice cream sandwich:
Take two cookies, put a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream in between, and gently press. Wrap in foil and freeze for 30 minutes for a firmer bite. It’s like a homemade dessert dream.

Coffee shop vibes:
These cookies go great with a hot cup of coffee, a latte, or even a cold brew. The rich chocolate and slightly salty dough balance perfectly with bold coffee flavors.

With fresh fruit:
Add a few berries or orange slices on the side for a refreshing touch. It’s especially nice if you’re serving the cookies after a meal and want to round it out.

Cookie board party platter:
Arrange your cookies with other treats—like brownies, pretzels, marshmallows, and small cups of melted chocolate or caramel for dipping. It’s a hit at parties or family get-togethers.

Whether you’re serving them as-is or getting creative, one thing’s for sure—these cookies won’t last long.

“Whether you’re sharing or storing, this Chick-fil-A cookie recipe is perfect for any occasion.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are Chick-fil-A cookies made of?
Chick-fil-A’s cookies are made with a blend of semi-sweet dark chocolate chunks, milk chocolate chips, oats, brown sugar, molasses, and flour. They’re known for being super soft and chewy, with a slightly nutty flavor even if no nuts are added. This copycat version uses the same basic ingredients to bring you as close to the real deal as possible at home.

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft?
Molasses is the not-so-secret star in this recipe. It adds moisture, which helps keep the cookies soft for days after baking. It also gives them a rich, slightly deeper flavor. Another trick? Don’t overbake! Pull them out when they still look a little underdone in the center—they’ll firm up as they cool without getting hard.

Can I add cottage cheese to cookies?
You sure can, though it’s a little unconventional! Cottage cheese adds protein and moisture. If you want to experiment, try replacing a couple tablespoons of butter with full-fat cottage cheese. It’ll give you a softer texture and a slightly different taste, but it works surprisingly well in cookie doughs. Just make sure it’s blended smooth so you don’t end up with curds in your cookies.

Do Chick-fil-A cookies have nuts?
Yes, the original Chick-fil-A cookies contain nuts—specifically, both walnuts and oats are listed in their ingredients. If you’re allergic or just not a fan, you can totally leave the nuts out of the recipe. If you love that extra crunch, chopped pecans or walnuts are great options to mix in.

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Final Thoughts on This Copycat Chick-fil-A Cookie Recipe

There’s something special about pulling a warm tray of cookies out of the oven—especially when they smell and taste just like your favorite treat from Chick-fil-A. Whether you’re making them for your kids, prepping a dessert for guests, or baking just because it’s Tuesday, these cookies are guaranteed to hit the spot.

They’re sweet, soft, and filled with melty chocolate in every bite. And thanks to the oats and that tiny bit of molasses, they’ve got more flavor than your average chocolate chip cookie. The best part? You can tweak the recipe to fit your taste. Want extra chocolate? Toss in more chips. Craving a nutty crunch? Add pecans. Feeling bold? Throw in a sprinkle of cinnamon or a swirl of peanut butter.

Even if you’re new to baking, this recipe is easy enough to follow without stress. Just remember to chill the dough, don’t overmix, and keep an eye on the bake time. Those small steps make a big difference in texture and taste.

The great thing about copycat recipes is that you get to bring something you love into your own kitchen—and make it whenever you want. No drive-thru needed. So next time you’re craving a sweet treat, skip the trip and grab a mixing bowl. One batch of these cookies, and your whole house will smell amazing.