These Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies offer a modern twist on the beloved classic. Thanks to the nutty richness of tahini, they bring a deeper, more complex flavor that pairs beautifully with the bittersweet chocolate. Soft in the middle with crispy edges, each bite offers a perfect contrast of textures.
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top elevates these cookies into a more sophisticated treat—ideal for adult palates but still a hit with kids. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in, a sweet snack on hand, or your next cookie exchange, these are sure to impress with their unique flavor and irresistible gooeyness.
Full Recipe:
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1 stick (113g) salted butter, at room temperature
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1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
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1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
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2/3 cup (150g) tahini, stirred well
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1 egg
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1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1 1/4 cups (150g) all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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9 oz (250g) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips or chunks
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Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Directions:
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In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and tahini with a hand mixer for about 5 minutes, until very light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides halfway through.
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Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat again for 1 minute until well combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Add to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until incorporated.
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Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks using a rubber spatula.
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Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best texture.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Scoop golf ball-sized dough portions (about 2–3 tablespoons each) and place them 2 inches apart on the sheet. Gently flatten the tops with your palm to about 1 inch thick.
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Bake for 10–11 minutes until golden around the edges but soft in the center.
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Immediately sprinkle flaky sea salt on top if desired. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 11 minutes | Total Time: 26 minutes
Kcal: 239 kcal | Servings: 18 cookies
A New Classic: The Rise of Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are among the most iconic desserts in the world. They’re nostalgic, easy to make, and universally loved. But when tahini enters the mix, something truly special happens. The addition of this creamy, sesame-based paste elevates the classic cookie into something more complex, more adult, and more irresistible.
Tahini chocolate chip cookies are not just a trendy variation—they are a testament to how traditional ingredients from different cultures can fuse into something modern and remarkable. If you’re someone who loves a balance of sweet and savory, nutty and rich, then this cookie will feel like it was made for you.
Why Tahini Works So Well in Cookies
At first glance, tahini might seem like an odd addition to a dessert. It’s traditionally used in savory Middle Eastern dishes like hummus or baba ghanoush. However, its nutty and slightly bitter profile makes it an excellent counterbalance to the sweetness of chocolate and sugar in cookies. When baked, tahini adds a deep richness to the dough, enhancing the overall flavor profile without overpowering it.
Another benefit of using tahini is the texture it helps achieve. The cookies made with tahini have a crispy edge and a gooey center—thanks to the high fat content and the unique consistency of the sesame paste. Unlike peanut butter, which is denser and heavier, tahini adds silkiness to the dough and creates a balanced, moist crumb that holds together beautifully.
A Sophisticated Take on the Traditional Cookie
One of the standout features of these cookies is their refined flavor. The tahini brings a toasty, almost savory element that makes them feel a bit more grown-up than their traditional counterparts. To further elevate them, flaky sea salt is sprinkled on top right after baking. That touch of salt enhances every other flavor—chocolate, sugar, sesame—and creates a layered taste experience in every bite.
This is not the sugar-laden cookie of your childhood lunchbox. Instead, this is the kind of cookie you’d proudly serve with a cappuccino or bring to a dinner party.
The Appeal to a Modern Palate
Food trends are increasingly leaning toward complexity—savory-sweet combos, fusion dishes, and ingredients that tell a story. Tahini checks all of those boxes. It offers depth, a hint of bitterness, and an unexpected character that surprises and delights.
As more people explore Middle Eastern cuisine and pantry staples from around the world, tahini is finding its way into desserts, smoothies, sauces, and even cocktails. Its presence in a cookie recipe feels like a natural evolution. It satisfies curiosity and creates a sense of novelty without requiring unfamiliar techniques or specialty tools.
Texture Matters: Gooey Meets Crisp
One of the most exciting things about this recipe is how the texture develops. Thanks to the proper creaming of butter, sugar, and tahini, the dough becomes fluffy and aerated before the dry ingredients are even added. This sets the foundation for cookies that are crisp on the edges but remain soft and gooey in the middle.
Additionally, chilling the dough plays a key role. Letting the dough rest in the fridge not only enhances flavor by allowing ingredients to meld but also prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. This results in thicker, bakery-style cookies that have that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth center.
If you’re after thinner, more caramelized cookies, you can skip the chilling step and bake the dough right away—but for many, the chill time is what creates that perfect chewy finish.
Flaky Salt: The Game-Changer
Flaky sea salt has become a staple in modern baking for good reason. It doesn’t just sit on the surface of the cookie; it cuts through the sweetness and awakens the deeper, roasted notes of the tahini. It brings attention to the chocolate, allowing the bittersweet or semisweet chips to shine. The result is a sophisticated flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
Think of it as seasoning your dessert, the same way you would a main course—it creates balance and contrast in a way that enhances the whole experience.
Make-Ahead Friendly and Freezer Approved
One of the most practical perks of this recipe is its flexibility. The cookie dough can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, allowing for convenient baking whenever the mood strikes. Even better, you can portion out the dough and freeze it for up to three months. This means freshly baked cookies are always just minutes away.
Baking straight from frozen? No problem. Just add an extra minute or two to the oven time. The flavor remains just as rich, and the texture holds up beautifully.
Tahini’s Nutritional Value Adds Bonus Points
While these cookies are still a treat, the inclusion of tahini brings some surprising nutritional benefits. Tahini is rich in healthy fats, calcium, magnesium, and iron. It’s also a good source of plant-based protein and contains antioxidants.
Though you wouldn’t exactly classify cookies as health food, this twist offers a touch more nutrition than your typical chocolate chip version. For people with peanut allergies, it’s also a fantastic nut-free alternative that still offers a similar richness.
Perfect for Entertaining and Gifting
Tahini chocolate chip cookies make for a wonderful gift or potluck contribution. Their unique flavor stands out in a sea of predictable desserts, and their texture makes them especially crave-worthy. Whether packed in a rustic bakery box tied with twine or arranged neatly on a holiday platter, they’re guaranteed to impress.
They also make an elegant pairing for after-dinner coffee or dessert wine—offering just enough sweetness to end the meal on a high note without overwhelming the palate.
Cultural Crossover: Where Middle Eastern Tradition Meets Western Comfort
These cookies are more than just a delicious dessert; they represent a cultural conversation. Tahini, deeply rooted in Middle Eastern culinary history, meets the all-American chocolate chip cookie in a delicious act of fusion. This blend not only brings together two distinct flavor worlds but also illustrates how food can be a bridge—connecting people, traditions, and tastes.
Cooking and baking are acts of creativity and expression. Recipes like this one challenge assumptions and expand horizons, all while being accessible and comforting.
Tips for Best Results
To ensure your cookies turn out just right, here are a few pro tips:
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Weigh your ingredients: Precision matters in baking, and a kitchen scale ensures consistent results.
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Don’t skimp on creaming: Beat the butter, sugar, and tahini until very light and fluffy. This traps air and creates a lighter, more tender cookie.
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Use high-quality chocolate: Opt for bittersweet or dark chocolate chunks over standard chips for a richer, more luxurious result.
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Let the dough chill: This step is key to flavor development and optimal texture.
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Don’t overbake: The cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven. They’ll finish cooking from residual heat.
Conclusion: A Modern Cookie You’ll Bake Again and Again
Tahini chocolate chip cookies are a game-changing twist on a beloved classic. They embody everything today’s bakers are looking for: bold flavor, varied texture, global inspiration, and visual appeal. Whether you’re an adventurous baker or someone looking to upgrade your go-to cookie recipe, this one is sure to become a favorite in your rotation.
Their unique flavor, versatility, and elegant touch of salt make them suitable for everything from casual snacking to sophisticated entertaining. And perhaps best of all, they feel like a small but satisfying adventure—right from your own kitchen.