These vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are thick, soft, and chewy, with loads of chocolate in every bite!

Top down shot of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies on a plate. - 1

After about a dozen trials and tweaks, (I wanted to get these cookies just right for you!), these vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are finally here and ready for you to take a bite. They are everything I dreamed they would be: thick, chewy, slightly crisp on the edges, perfectly spread in the oven and loaded with chocolate chips. Plus, we get it all done without eggs or butter!

Why You’ll Love These Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • A treat with some substance . I do love classic vegan chocolate chip cookies , but adding oats to the mix makes them that much more satisfying. (They’d make a great breakfast just like my pumpkin chocolate chip oatmeal breakfast cookies !)
  • The perfect texture . These cookies are thick and soft, but the edges get crisp in the oven and the middles are irresistibly chewy. Absolute perfection!
  • Easy to make . Like vegan oatmeal cookies , these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are a cinch to whip up. This is a great recipe to make when you are craving something sweet!
Plate of soft oatmeal chocolate chip cookies - 2

Notes on Ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

  • Solid coconut oil – If you don’t have coconut oil, you can substitute another oil that doesn’t solidify, but just know the cookies will spread more.
  • Brown sugar – This adds moisture, colour and a depth of flavour. You can use dark or light.
  • Flax eggs – Here’s how to make flax eggs .
  • Old-fashioned oats – Also known as rolled oats. Use gluten-free certified oats if you need these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies to be gluten-free.
  • Gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour – I like to use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-1 Baking Flour , but you can use regular all-purpose flour if you’re not on a gluten-free diet.
  • Baking soda
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Sea salt – You can sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top of the cookies too if you’d like.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pure cane molasses – This is optional but highly recommended if you have it on hand. It gives the cookies added moisture and great flavor.
  • Vegan chocolate chips – I love mixing chocolate chips with chocolate chunks for a beautiful combination of textures, but you can use whatever you have!
Soft oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on wire rack - 3

How to Make Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Mix the dry ingredients . Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt into a bowl and whisk to combine.
  • Mix the wet ingredients . Cream the coconut oil and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes. Beat in the flax egg and vanilla extract.
  • Combine wet and dry . Beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two portions. Fold in the molasses, then the oats and chocolate chips.
  • Chill . Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Form the cookies . Roll 2 tablespoon portions of dough into balls, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet 2 inches apart.
  • Bake . Bake in a 350ºF oven for 14 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Dough for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on silpat-lined baking sheet - 4

Tips for Success

  • Weigh your ingredients if you can . It makes such a difference for your baked goods and makes human error a lot less likely!
  • Let the flax egg set before using . You want it to be thick and egg-y before adding it to the recipe. This helps with the binding of the cookies!
  • Don’t use quick or steel-cut oats . Old-fashioned oats are the perfect texture for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies because they thicken up the batter during the chill time and bake up perfectly to make these cookies delightfully chewy.
  • Don’t over- or under-mix . Following the mixing times I provide makes a big difference. Since you’re not using butter here, the creaming process of the flax eggs, sugar and oil is crucial.
  • Chill the dough . Don’t skip this step! This makes the difference between very spread out and thin cookies, cookies that spread perfectly, and cookies that don’t spread at all.
  • Let the cookies cool before you eat them . The baking process will continue from the residual heat on the pan, helping them set without over-baking.
Overhead view of vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on plate - 5

Variations

  • Add some dried fruit . Swap half the chocolate chips for raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries.
  • Make them nutty . Or, try swapping half the chocolate chips in these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for your favorite chopped nuts.
  • Use a chopped chocolate bar . Using a chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips gives you more variation in texture, with little bits of chopped chocolate melting into the dough and bigger chunks providing big bursts of chocolate flavor.

How to Store

Once these vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

You can freeze these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for up to 3 months. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag and let the cookies thaw at room temperature before serving.

Hands breaking chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie in half - 6
  • Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies
  • Chai Sugar Cookies
  • Kitchen Sink Cookies
  • Gingersnap Molasses Cookies
  • S’mores Cookies

Ingredients

  • ½ cup solid coconut oil , ( 100 g)*
  • 1 cup brown sugar , ( 200 g)
  • 2 flax eggs , properly set up before
  • 1 ½ cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats , aka rolled oats
  • 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour , ( 148 g)
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoons pure cane molasses , optional BUT highly recommended**
  • ¾ cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a large baking sheet or two smaller baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
  • In a bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt to combine. Set aside.
  • In a larger bowl, mix together the coconut oil and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes to cream together. Add in the flax egg and the vanilla extract, and mix for another 2 minutes on medium speed until the mixture is light and creamy and emulsified.
  • Add in the dry ingredients in two batches, mixing for 30 seconds each until the dry mixture is just combined, scraping down the sides to combine. If you’re using the molasses, fold it in completely here. Fold in your oats, then your chocolate chips, until completely folded in. I use a spatula for this step.
  • Cover your dough and place in the fridge for 1 hour to chill. Preheat your oven near the last 15 minutes of chill time.
  • Using 2 tablespoons per cookie, scoop the dough and roll into a ball. The dough should be thick and easy to roll. Feel free to add extra chocolate chips on top. Place on the baking sheet, allowing at least 2 inches of space between each cookie.
  • Bake for 14 minutes until the cookies are finished.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Allow to cool on the baking sheet for at least 5-10 minutes (trust me) outside of the oven, then transfer to a wire rack. You don’t want to disturb them before that – the cookies are still cooking from the residual heat. Serve and enjoy! Store the cookies in an airtight container once cooled, or leave them on the wire rack.

Notes

  • Get your cookie dough balls nice and round. This yields a beautiful end cookie.
  • Give each cookie enough space to bake. You want to leave at least 2 inches between each because they spread. I used two cookie sheets and put them on the middle rack.
  • Allow the cookies to cool. Trust me! When they’re done, I let them cool on the cookie sheet OFF (I move them to an oven mitt or trivet while still on the cookie sheet) the stove for 5 minutes. This helps them to set, without over baking them.
  • Don’t substitute the ingredients, or if you do, don’t expect they’ll need the same time. That also counts for smaller or larger cookies. Smaller cookies will bake quicker, larger cookies will take longer.
  • The chill time of 1 hour means you can pop your cookies out, roll them into balls and then make them for the perfect result. Remember to preheat your oven within about the last 15 minutes so it lines up beautifully. If you chill them for too short, they’ll spread too much. If you overchill them, they won’t spread as beautifully. If you have to leave them in for longer than the 1 hourup to 2 hours, take them out and place them on your counter for about 15 minutes to slightly soften up. If you have to leave them in longer to overnight, take them out and place them on your counter for about 20 minutes to slightly soften up. Then roll them up!
  • Once these vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  • You can freeze these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for up to 3 months. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag and let the cookies thaw at room temperature before serving.

These vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are thick, soft, and chewy, with loads of chocolate in every bite!

Top down shot of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies on a plate. - 7

After about a dozen trials and tweaks, (I wanted to get these cookies just right for you!), these vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are finally here and ready for you to take a bite. They are everything I dreamed they would be: thick, chewy, slightly crisp on the edges, perfectly spread in the oven and loaded with chocolate chips. Plus, we get it all done without eggs or butter!

Why You’ll Love These Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • A treat with some substance . I do love classic vegan chocolate chip cookies , but adding oats to the mix makes them that much more satisfying. (They’d make a great breakfast just like my pumpkin chocolate chip oatmeal breakfast cookies !)
  • The perfect texture . These cookies are thick and soft, but the edges get crisp in the oven and the middles are irresistibly chewy. Absolute perfection!
  • Easy to make . Like vegan oatmeal cookies , these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are a cinch to whip up. This is a great recipe to make when you are craving something sweet!
Plate of soft oatmeal chocolate chip cookies - 8

Notes on Ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

  • Solid coconut oil – If you don’t have coconut oil, you can substitute another oil that doesn’t solidify, but just know the cookies will spread more.
  • Brown sugar – This adds moisture, colour and a depth of flavour. You can use dark or light.
  • Flax eggs – Here’s how to make flax eggs .
  • Old-fashioned oats – Also known as rolled oats. Use gluten-free certified oats if you need these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies to be gluten-free.
  • Gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour – I like to use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-1 Baking Flour , but you can use regular all-purpose flour if you’re not on a gluten-free diet.
  • Baking soda
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Sea salt – You can sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top of the cookies too if you’d like.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pure cane molasses – This is optional but highly recommended if you have it on hand. It gives the cookies added moisture and great flavor.
  • Vegan chocolate chips – I love mixing chocolate chips with chocolate chunks for a beautiful combination of textures, but you can use whatever you have!
Soft oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on wire rack - 9

How to Make Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Mix the dry ingredients . Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt into a bowl and whisk to combine.
  • Mix the wet ingredients . Cream the coconut oil and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes. Beat in the flax egg and vanilla extract.
  • Combine wet and dry . Beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two portions. Fold in the molasses, then the oats and chocolate chips.
  • Chill . Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Form the cookies . Roll 2 tablespoon portions of dough into balls, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet 2 inches apart.
  • Bake . Bake in a 350ºF oven for 14 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Dough for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on silpat-lined baking sheet - 10

Tips for Success

  • Weigh your ingredients if you can . It makes such a difference for your baked goods and makes human error a lot less likely!
  • Let the flax egg set before using . You want it to be thick and egg-y before adding it to the recipe. This helps with the binding of the cookies!
  • Don’t use quick or steel-cut oats . Old-fashioned oats are the perfect texture for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies because they thicken up the batter during the chill time and bake up perfectly to make these cookies delightfully chewy.
  • Don’t over- or under-mix . Following the mixing times I provide makes a big difference. Since you’re not using butter here, the creaming process of the flax eggs, sugar and oil is crucial.
  • Chill the dough . Don’t skip this step! This makes the difference between very spread out and thin cookies, cookies that spread perfectly, and cookies that don’t spread at all.
  • Let the cookies cool before you eat them . The baking process will continue from the residual heat on the pan, helping them set without over-baking.
Overhead view of vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on plate - 11

Variations

  • Add some dried fruit . Swap half the chocolate chips for raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries.
  • Make them nutty . Or, try swapping half the chocolate chips in these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for your favorite chopped nuts.
  • Use a chopped chocolate bar . Using a chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips gives you more variation in texture, with little bits of chopped chocolate melting into the dough and bigger chunks providing big bursts of chocolate flavor.

How to Store

Once these vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

You can freeze these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for up to 3 months. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag and let the cookies thaw at room temperature before serving.

Hands breaking chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookie in half - 12
  • Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies
  • Chai Sugar Cookies
  • Kitchen Sink Cookies
  • Gingersnap Molasses Cookies
  • S’mores Cookies

Ingredients

  • ½ cup solid coconut oil , ( 100 g)*
  • 1 cup brown sugar , ( 200 g)
  • 2 flax eggs , properly set up before
  • 1 ½ cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats , aka rolled oats
  • 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour , ( 148 g)
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoons pure cane molasses , optional BUT highly recommended**
  • ¾ cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a large baking sheet or two smaller baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
  • In a bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt to combine. Set aside.
  • In a larger bowl, mix together the coconut oil and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes to cream together. Add in the flax egg and the vanilla extract, and mix for another 2 minutes on medium speed until the mixture is light and creamy and emulsified.
  • Add in the dry ingredients in two batches, mixing for 30 seconds each until the dry mixture is just combined, scraping down the sides to combine. If you’re using the molasses, fold it in completely here. Fold in your oats, then your chocolate chips, until completely folded in. I use a spatula for this step.
  • Cover your dough and place in the fridge for 1 hour to chill. Preheat your oven near the last 15 minutes of chill time.
  • Using 2 tablespoons per cookie, scoop the dough and roll into a ball. The dough should be thick and easy to roll. Feel free to add extra chocolate chips on top. Place on the baking sheet, allowing at least 2 inches of space between each cookie.
  • Bake for 14 minutes until the cookies are finished.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Allow to cool on the baking sheet for at least 5-10 minutes (trust me) outside of the oven, then transfer to a wire rack. You don’t want to disturb them before that – the cookies are still cooking from the residual heat. Serve and enjoy! Store the cookies in an airtight container once cooled, or leave them on the wire rack.

Notes

  • Get your cookie dough balls nice and round. This yields a beautiful end cookie.
  • Give each cookie enough space to bake. You want to leave at least 2 inches between each because they spread. I used two cookie sheets and put them on the middle rack.
  • Allow the cookies to cool. Trust me! When they’re done, I let them cool on the cookie sheet OFF (I move them to an oven mitt or trivet while still on the cookie sheet) the stove for 5 minutes. This helps them to set, without over baking them.
  • Don’t substitute the ingredients, or if you do, don’t expect they’ll need the same time. That also counts for smaller or larger cookies. Smaller cookies will bake quicker, larger cookies will take longer.
  • The chill time of 1 hour means you can pop your cookies out, roll them into balls and then make them for the perfect result. Remember to preheat your oven within about the last 15 minutes so it lines up beautifully. If you chill them for too short, they’ll spread too much. If you overchill them, they won’t spread as beautifully. If you have to leave them in for longer than the 1 hourup to 2 hours, take them out and place them on your counter for about 15 minutes to slightly soften up. If you have to leave them in longer to overnight, take them out and place them on your counter for about 20 minutes to slightly soften up. Then roll them up!
  • Once these vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  • You can freeze these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for up to 3 months. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag and let the cookies thaw at room temperature before serving.
Overhead view of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies piled onto plate - 13

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

  • ½ cup solid coconut oil ( 100 g)*
  • 1 cup brown sugar ( 200 g)
  • 2 flax eggs properly set up before
  • 1 ½ cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats aka rolled oats
  • 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour ( 148 g)
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoons pure cane molasses optional BUT highly recommended**
  • ¾ cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a large baking sheet or two smaller baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
  • In a bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt to combine. Set aside.
  • In a larger bowl, mix together the coconut oil and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes to cream together. Add in the flax egg and the vanilla extract, and mix for another 2 minutes on medium speed until the mixture is light and creamy and emulsified.
  • Add in the dry ingredients in two batches, mixing for 30 seconds each until the dry mixture is just combined, scraping down the sides to combine. If you’re using the molasses, fold it in completely here. Fold in your oats, then your chocolate chips, until completely folded in. I use a spatula for this step.
  • Cover your dough and place in the fridge for 1 hour to chill. Preheat your oven near the last 15 minutes of chill time.
  • Using 2 tablespoons per cookie, scoop the dough and roll into a ball. The dough should be thick and easy to roll. Feel free to add extra chocolate chips on top. Place on the baking sheet, allowing at least 2 inches of space between each cookie.
  • Bake for 14 minutes until the cookies are finished.
  • Remove from oven.
  • Allow to cool on the baking sheet for at least 5-10 minutes (trust me) outside of the oven, then transfer to a wire rack. You don’t want to disturb them before that - the cookies are still cooking from the residual heat. Serve and enjoy! Store the cookies in an airtight container once cooled, or leave them on the wire rack.

Notes

  • Get your cookie dough balls nice and round. This yields a beautiful end cookie.
  • Give each cookie enough space to bake. You want to leave at least 2 inches between each because they spread. I used two cookie sheets and put them on the middle rack.
  • Allow the cookies to cool. Trust me! When they’re done, I let them cool on the cookie sheet OFF (I move them to an oven mitt or trivet while still on the cookie sheet) the stove for 5 minutes. This helps them to set, without over baking them.
  • Don’t substitute the ingredients, or if you do, don’t expect they’ll need the same time. That also counts for smaller or larger cookies. Smaller cookies will bake quicker, larger cookies will take longer.
  • The chill time of 1 hour means you can pop your cookies out, roll them into balls and then make them for the perfect result. Remember to preheat your oven within about the last 15 minutes so it lines up beautifully. If you chill them for too short, they’ll spread too much. If you overchill them, they won’t spread as beautifully. If you have to leave them in for longer than the 1 hourup to 2 hours, take them out and place them on your counter for about 15 minutes to slightly soften up. If you have to leave them in longer to overnight, take them out and place them on your counter for about 20 minutes to slightly soften up. Then roll them up!
  • Once these vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 4 days.
  • You can freeze these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for up to 3 months. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag and let the cookies thaw at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies https://jessicainthekitchen.com/oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies-vegan/ October 2, 2024

A meaty vegan jackfruit filling is tucked into soft, puffy gorditas for a totally new take on Taco Tuesday. Add your favourite toppings and dig in!

3 gorditas piled onto plate - 14

You may know gorditas from Taco Bell (can we talk about how they have such great vegan options?!), but have you ever tried making them yourself? Friends, get ready for a treat!

Gorditas are hand-formed tortillas made from masa dough, which are then puffed up on a griddle until soft and browned in spots. Because they puff up, an air bubble forms in the middle, so when you slice into the gordita, it forms a pocket prime for stuffing with all kinds of delicious things. In this case, that’s a vegan jackfruit filling!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Something a little different . I’m not going to turn down jackfruit tacos for Taco Tuesday, but sometimes I want a change of pace. Gorditas might not technically be tacos, but I’d say they’re taco-adjacent, so they count!
  • Authentic flavour . Between the masa harina and the blend of spices in the jackfruit, this vegan gorditas recipe brings authentic flavour to the table—even if jackfruit isn’t quite a traditional filling!
  • Customisable toppings . Topping options are endless! From salsa , vegan sour cream , and guacamole to more adventurous choices like strawberry salsa or pickled red onions , you can customise your gorditas to suit your preferences.

Notes on Ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

Overhead view of ingredients for gorditas - 15

For the Gorditas:

  • Masa harina – This is a special type of Mexican corn flour that has been treated with lime water, giving it a unique flavor and texture.
  • Kosher salt
  • Baking powder
  • Olive oil – Or another oil you like to use for cooking and baking.
  • Warm water
Overhead view of ingredients for jackfruit gorditas filling - 16

For the Jackfruit:

  • Young jackfruit in water – You’ll usually find this canned, although occasionally it’s sold in pouches. Drain off the water before using it.
  • Olive oil
  • Onion – You can use yellow or red onion for this recipe.
  • Jalapeño – Feel free to adjust the amount to your liking. For an extra spicy filling, leave the seeds and ribs on the pepper; to reduce the heat level, scrape them out.
  • Garlic
  • Seasonings – Cumin, oregano, paprika, chili powder, and kosher salt.
  • Vegetable broth – I like to use my homemade vegetable broth . You could also use water, but broth adds some extra flavour.
  • Lime juice
  • Tomato paste – This adds a rich, concentrated tomato flavour to the filling.
  • Soy sauce – Swap in tamari or coconut aminos to make your gorditas filling gluten-free.
  • Maple syrup – To sweeten and balance the savoury flavors.

How to Make Gorditas

Overhead view of mixture for gordita dough - 17

Whisk together dough.

Make the Gorditas:

  • Make the dough . Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl, then add the oil and water to make a dough that’s soft and pliable.
  • Knead and rest . Knead the dough for 5 minutes, then cover with a towel and rest until it cools to room temperature.
  • Portion the dough . Divide the dough into 8 portions and roll them into balls.
  • Roll them out . Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into 5-inch circles (a scant 1/4 inch thick).
  • Cook . Set the rolled out gorditas in a pre-heated comal, skillet, or griddle. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on one side, then 2 to 3 minutes on the opposite side. Flip again and cook until they’re puffy.
  • Cool and cut . Cover the gorditas with a clean kitchen towel. After a minute, slice one side open and stuff them with the jackfruit filling.
Overhead view of drained jackfruit on plate - 18

Slice jackfruit.

Make the Filling:

  • Prep . Slice the jackfruit and warm the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Sauté . Add the onion and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, then stir in the garlic and jalapeño and cook 2 minutes more.
  • Simmer . Add the jackfruit to the pan with the spices, vegetable broth, lime juice, tomato paste, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes.
  • Finish . Shred the jackfruit and stir in the maple syrup and salt. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it’s dried out and starting to get crispy.
Homemade gorditas tucked into kitchen towel - 19

Tips for Success

  • Make sure the dough is soft . Gordita dough is a little tricky to get right; it should be soft enough that when it’s pressed into a circle it has no more than a few cracks around the edges.
  • Plan your cooking . Start cooking the jackfruit while the gordita dough rests. This way, everything should be done at about the same time. However, keep in mind that the total cooking time on the gorditas will depend on how many you can fit on your pan.
  • Know it takes some practice . Although this seems like a simple recipe, it can take some practice to get the gorditas to puff up and cook properly. It’s a real balance between moisture and pan temperature. After the first time, you’ll have a better feel for what the consistency is supposed to be to make it work.
  • Don’t stress over any mistakes . If the gorditas are gummy inside when you cut into them, they were either not cooked long enough or they were too thick. The good news is that you can still eat the “mistakes”, and they’ll be delicious!
  • Cut the gorditas while they are still warm. It’s best to cut the gorditas while they are still warm (whether you’re going to eat them all right away or not) because they become more difficult to cut as they cool.
Closeup of jackfruit gorditas filling - 20

More Filling Ideas

If you’re looking to switch things up from the jackfruit filling, beans are always a great option! You can also look to some of my vegan taco recipes for filling ideas like my Southwestern Tofu Scramble , Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos or BBQ Chickpea Tacos with Kale Cabbage Slaw .

What to Serve With Gorditas

A side of Elotes (Mexican Street Corn) is always great with gorditas, or make Congri , which is a Cuban-inspired rice and beans dish. If you want to keep things light, see this tutorial on How to Make Cauliflower Rice , and flavour the rice with a squeeze of lime and minced cilantro.

Vegan gorditas with jackfruit on plate - 21

How to Store Leftovers

It’s best to store the gorditas and filling separately, so only assemble what you will eat in one sitting. The jackfruit filling can be refrigerated in an airtight container and the cut gorditas should be wrapped in plastic wrap; both can be refrigerated for 4 to 5 days. Reheat the filling in the microwave or a skillet over medium heat, and warm up the gorditas in a dry pan.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

If you want to keep your gorditas longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Separate each gordita with parchment paper and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Let them thaw in the refrigerator, then warm them up according to the instructions above. The filling can also be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight bag or container. Thaw the filling in the refrigerator and then reheat as instructed above.

Stacked gorditas on plate with jackfruit filling - 22

More Vegan Tex-Mex Recipes

  • The Best Vegan Enchiladas
  • Taco Bake
  • 15 Minute Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
  • Vegan Birria Tacos
  • Vegan Enchilada Casserole

Ingredients

For the gorditas:

  • 2 cups masa harina , 320 g
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil , 23 g
  • 1 ½ – 2 cups warm water , 374 – 500 ml

For the jackfruit:

  • 2 young jackfruit in water , drained, 800 g
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil , 23 g
  • ¾ cup yellow or red onion , diced, 114 g
  • 1 jalapeño , diced, 25 g
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced, 16 g
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 cup vegetable broth , or water, 250 ml or 227 g
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste , 16 g
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

For the gorditas:

  • Combine the masa harina, kosher salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl. Add the oil and 1 1⁄2 cups of warm water and begin to mix together. Continue to add the water a little at a time until the dough is soft and pliable like playdough.
  • Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and soft.
  • Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rest until cooled to room temperature (15-30 minutes).
  • Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll them into smooth balls with your hands. Each ball will weigh 95-100 g. If you want to make 12 smaller gorditas, divide them into 65 g balls.
  • Cut the sides of a gallon ziploc bag and place the dough ball inside. Use a rolling pin or square baking pan to press the ball into a circle about 5 inches in diameter and a scant 1⁄4” thick. Repeat with the remaining dough. The dough tends to dry out, so keep it covered while you’re working.
  • Heat a comal or skillet over medium high heat. The pan needs to be very hot to prevent the gorditas from sticking.
  • Place the gorditas in the skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they begin to have brown spots, then flip and cook on the second side for another 2-3 minutes. Give them a second flip and cook for another 30-45 seconds. They should puff up during the final cooking. If they don’t puff on their own, press down on the gordita with your spatula to make them puff.
  • Set the cooked gorditas aside and cover them with a clean kitchen towel. Let them sit for just about 60 seconds to cool.
  • Once they’ve cooled just enough to touch, slice one side open with a paring knife and fill with your favorite toppings. It’s important to slice them open while they are still hot as it becomes more difficult as they cool.

For the jackfruit:

  • Remove the jackfruit from the can. Cut it into small slices. Set aside.
  • Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until translucent.
  • Add the garlic and jalapeno to the onion and continue to cook, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes.
  • Add the jackfruit into the pan, along with the spices, vegetable broth, lime juice, tomato paste, and soy sauce. Stir together to combine. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Allow to cook for about 20 minutes until most of the liquid has cooked away.
  • Remove the lid and shred the jackfruit with forks or a potato masher .
  • Add the maple syrup and salt and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until it’s dried out and a little bit crispy.
  • Fill the warm gorditas and top with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • Gordita dough is a little tricky to get right, it should be soft enough that when it’s pressed into a circle it has no more than a few cracks around the edges.
  • I started the jackfruit cooking while the gordita dough was resting, so everything would be done around the same time.
  • The total cooking time on the gorditas will depend on how many you can fit on your pan since each batch will have to cook 6-8 minutes.
  • If the gorditas are gummy inside when you cut into them, they were not cooked long enough or were too thick. Since the masa is precooked, it is still safe to eat the undercooked gordita and not really noticeable when the filling is added. It just makes it harder to cut them open.
  • It’s best to cut the gorditas when they are still warm because they become harder to cut as they cool down.
  • To store : It’s best to store the gorditas and the filling separately, so only assemble what you will eat in one sitting. The jackfruit filling can be refrigerated in an airtight container, while you can wrap the gorditas in plastic wrap; both can be refrigerated for 4 to 5 days. Reheat the filling in the microwave or a skillet over medium heat, and warm up the gorditas in a dry pan.
  • To freeze : If you want to keep your gorditas longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Separate each gordita with parchment paper and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Let them thaw in the refrigerator, then warm them up according to the instructions above. The filling can also be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight bag or container.