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Healthy Chocolate Chip Scones are a low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free treat made with chocolate chunks. They’re easy to make and perfect for both breakfast and dessert!
Delicious and healthy chocolate chip scones
The classic debate lives on: Are scones a dessert or a breakfast food? Personally, I think a scone is a dessert that doubles as a breakfast by disguising itself as an acceptable pastry option. They’re perfect when eaten alongside coffee in the morning, and who doesn’t love enjoying chocolate with their coffee?!
Whether you agree with me or you’re a firm believer that scones should be kept as an after dinner treat, you’re going to love this healthy rendition.
These gluten-free chocolate chip scones are absolutely delicious and perfectly sweet! They’re made with chocolate chunks and are both a low-carb and a dairy-free option!
After baking these, you can also make my Healthy Blueberry Scones for a fruity paleo and gluten free variation.
Ingredients needed to make gluten-free scones
This dark chocolate scone recipe requires very simple ingredients. All are available at your local grocery store, and no special ingredients are needed. You most likely have most of these items on hand!
- Almond flour
- Coconut flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Coconut oil
- Maple syrup
- Egg
- Vanilla
- Dark chocolate
Kitchen tools used to make low-carb scones
To make low-carb gluten-free scones, you won’t need a ton of kitchen tools. In fact, you’ll only need five! Here’s a quick list:
- Large mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Knife
How to make healthy chocolate chip scones
For this recipe, don’t worry about carving out a huge chuck of your day. You’ll only need 30 minutes from start to finish! That includes prep and baking time.
To start making chocolate scones, preheat the oven to 350F.
Then, in a large bowl, mix almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, and salt.
Pour the coconut oil into the dry ingredients, followed by the maple syrup, whisked egg, and vanilla. Stir until it reaches a dough-like consistency.
Next, fold in the chocolate.
Place the dough on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and form into a round shape. Flatten slightly into a disk.
Next, cut into 6 equal pieces and separate on the baking sheet.
Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until slightly golden brown.
Finally, let cool before eating, and enjoy!
Scone baking tips and tricks
Here are some tips that should make your scone baking experience even easier!
- How to mix the dough: The level that the dough is mixed should depend on the type of scones you’re looking for. Lightly mix the dough for flakier scones, and over mix the dough for a tougher result.
- Chilling the dough: Many scone recipes will instruct the cook to chill the ingredients and the dough before baking. Because we are using different ingredients in this recipe (aka no butter or cream), this won’t be necessary.
- How to tell when the scones are finished baking: The scones will be slightly golden brown when finished, and a toothpick should come out clean.
- How to store scones: Scones should be stored in an airtight container and kept between two paper towels. Keep at room temperature and reheat before eating.
Available substitution options
If you prefer slightly different ingredients than those included in this healthy dessert recipe, feel free to use them. Here are some commonly substituted ingredients.
- Almond flour: If you have all-purpose flour on hand, you can use that in place of the almond flour. To do so, use 1 cup of all-purpose flour in place of the 2 cups of almond flour. You will still need the coconut flour.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil can be substituted with any similar fat. You could use vegetable oil, canola oil, olive oil, or the oil/fat of your choice. Use a 1:1 ratio.
- Dark chocolate: If you prefer milk or white chocolate to dark, feel free to use that instead at a 1:1 ratio.
For a vegan scone recipe, the only ingredient to omit is the egg! In place of 1 egg, you can use a vegetable oil mixture. Mix the following ingredients to substitute the egg in this recipe:
1 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil + 1 1/2 tbsp water + 1 tsp baking powder
Then, prepare and bake as directed, and enjoy your vegan scones!
A healthier chocolate scone recipe
When I set out to make these scones, I knew that I wanted to make them a bit healthier than what you’d find with a typical recipe. I swapped a few ingredients and achieved exactly what I wanted!
Here are the ingredients that I used that make this recipe a better option nutritionally:
- Almond flour: Almond flour is a great alternative to use in place of all-purpose flour. It’s low in carbs and doesn’t include as much fat as all-purpose. Plus, it adds extra protein!
- Coconut flour: Coconut flour is another great ingredient that’s used int his recipe. It’s a low-carb, gluten-free flour that adds a perfect touch of sweetness.
- Coconut oil: Instead of olive, canola, or vegetable oil, I used coconut oil. Coconut oil has a bunch of benefits, as it’s great for cholesterol, blood sugar, and more.
- Maple syrup: I used maple syrup to sweeten this recipe, as opposed to using sugar. This is a low-glycemic option that tastes wonderful!
- Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate has more nutritional benefits than milk or white chocolate. It has less sugar and less calories, and it contains more fiber!
Enjoy these recipes from Erin Lives Whole
I love dessert foods that can be disguised as acceptable breakfast options. These chocolate scones definitely fall into that category. Looking for more options like that? Here are a bunch of ideas!
- Paleo Pumpkin Muffins
- Vegan Banana Bread (Gluten-Free)
- Healthy Peanut Butter Granola
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Bites (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Healthy Chocolate Chip Scones (Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 2 cupsย almond flour
- 1/4 cupย coconut flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/4 cupย maple syrup
- 1 egg, whisked.
- 1 tspย vanilla
- 1 cup dark chocolate, I chopped up a bar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- In a large bowl, mixย almond flour,ย coconut flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour coconut oil into dry ingredients, followed by maple syrup, whisked egg, and vanilla.ย
- Stir until dough like consistency.
- Fold in chocolate.
- Place dough on parchment linedย baking sheetย and form into round shape. Flatten slightly into a disk.
- Cut into 6 equal pieces and separate on baking sheet.
- Bake for 18-25 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Keep an eye on them after 15 minutes.
- Let cool before eating.
Notes
* Keep an eye on these in the oven as the almond flour burns quickly.
There may be affiliate links in this post!ย By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat ๐
Aly Y says
I made these and they were AMAZING!! I didnโt make any substitutions and they turned out perfect. My family loved as well – I will be making these again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Aly, so glad everyone loved them!!
Amanda says
Hi, can you use normal flour? I’m not gluten free. If so, would it be self raising and the same amount?
Thanks
Erin says
Hi Amanda, I haven’t tried them with normal flour but that should be fine! Let me know how they come out for you!
Kimberly S says
Simple, yet VERY delicious! I made these for my family and they were devoured within one day. Moist, chocolatey, couldnโt recommend enough. Thanks Erin!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kimberly, I am so happy everyone liked the scones! ๐
Christina says
These are amazing!!! Best scones I’ve ever had. They’re not horribly dry like other scone recipes. I make these at least once a month – they’re sooo easy to make.
*I have a tree nut allergy so I do the all-purpose flour substitute Erin mentions above!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Christina, I am so glad you love them and make them often!
Meaghan says
Made these as a last minute Saturday morning breakfast to munch on while putting up the Christmas tree and LOVED them! Couldnโt resist having 2 right out of the oven! Canโt wait to make them again ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Meaghan, that sounds like such a nice morning!! Thanks for sharing!
OA says
This recipe was perfect! Absolutely delicious! I didn’t have coconut flour so I substituted brown rice flour (used 3 times as much per substitution recommendations) and I also replaced half the coconut oil with Earth Balance since I don’t like things too coconut flavored. Amazing!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi! I am so glad you enjoyed them and made them your own! ๐
GiGi says
This is my favorite easy recipe! My sister requests that I make them at least once a week!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi GiGi, I am so glad you both love the scones!
Reanna Kicinski says
Erin, I have made these scones now about 5 times and my family and I are obsessed with them! They are so easy, donโt take a ton of time, and always come out delicious! โค๏ธ Recommendation for more savory breakfast! Thanks ๐
Erin says
Hi Reanna, I love hearing that and thanks for the feedback!!
Gia says
I make these at least once a week!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Gia, thank you so much for sharing! I am so happy you enjoy them!
Sandy says
i have made so many of your recipes and love them. Tasty, healthy, easy! Many son and hubby don’t even notice all the healthy added ingredients!
Recently purchased you e book and living everyhing I made from there. Made the brioche french toast for a birthday breakfast! YUM
So thank you for you amazing creative efforts! So appreciated! On to making the scones!
Erin says
Hi Sandy, thank you so much for sharing! I am so happy you both enjoy my recipes and thanks so much for purchasing it!! ๐
Sophie88 says
Hi,
Is it possible to use coconut sugar instead of maple syrup?
★★★★★
Erin says
I believe you will need the liquid. Maybe you could mix it with a little water to get it into a liquid state!
Sophia Papandreou says
These scones are so delicious! I used avocado oil instead of coconut because I donโt like the flavor that much. Turned out beautiful. Thanks Erin.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sophia! Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy you enjoyed them and made them your own! ๐
Dina says
My whole family loved these. This is the best gluten-free scone recipe I’ve tried. Has the consistency of a real scone, with a really subtle coconut flavor.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Dina, I am so glad your family enjoyed the scones!! ๐
Christina says
Can I use gluten free flour instead of almond flour?
Erin says
Hi Christina, yes, you can use a different flour. Before you bake just be sure to check the ratio because some flours are not a 1:1 ratio. Let me know what flour you use and how it comes out!ย
Penny says
What am I missing? We found these very bland, no taste really. My daughter is GF and weโve had other baking recipes turn out โabsolutely amazingโ. Not this one; not for us at least.
Erin says
Hi Penny, I am sorry to hear that. You may have missed an ingredient or they just aren’t for you.
Lorene says
Very disappointed. But I did substitute the flour to be fair. I used oat flour and spelt bc that is what I had on hand (and have made amazing GF ginger snaps with those flours). Iโd be surprised if that is the reason they turned out dry, hard, bland and tasteless (except for the chocolate!). Iโd try with Almond flour but Iโm afraid I may end up throwing out another batch ๐
★
Erin says
Hi Lorene, unfortunately, you cannot just substitute whatever flour you want to make these work. Spelt and oat are incredibly dry. This recipe, along with several of my other recipes, take hours to test and make perfect. The negative rating for YOU choosing to make it however you want personally affects my blog. Please, if you choose to use your own flour, do not do that.
Mary says
These are absolutely amazing. I used milk chocolate chips & added a few crushed walnuts to half of them to get a lil vitamins in there. Making them again tomorrow!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Mary, thank you so much for the kind words! I am so happy you enjoyed them two days in a row!!
Linda Shemely says
THESE ARE SO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!
Erin says
Hi Linda! I am so happy you enjoyed the scones!! ๐
Linda Shemely says
I wonder how this recipe would taste using lemon peel and lemon juice instead of chocolate chips? I may have to experiment…
Inga says
I added orange zest to mine and they were extraordinary!
Erin says
Hi Linda, I haven’t tried that substitution, but feel free to give it a try and let me know how they come out!!
Caroline says
Just made these and they are absolutely amazing! I would never know that they’re gf because they have the exact consistency of regular scones, and they are SUPER easy to make. 10/10 ๐
Erin says
Hi Caroline, thanks for your kind words! I am so happy you like them!!
Madyson says
So good! Halved the chocolate amount and did half chocolate and half raspberries!
★★★★★
Linda Shemely says
@Madyson… YUM!!! I am baking these for first time… wished I had seen your version… will try yours next time.
Erin says
Hi Madyson, so happy you enjoyed them and made them your own!
Sasha says
Would it be possible to sub half of the almond flour with oat flour? If so, how much? Thanks!
Erin says
Hi Sasha, I haven’t tried that substitution, but feel free to give it a try and let me know how the scones come out!
Lori M says
Delicious!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lori, I am so happy you enjoyed them!