Brown Butter Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Cookies

The kids and I have been on a cookie testing spree lately. These brown butter chocolate chunk cookies with pistachios have made the cut. They’re sweet and savory in every bite and have layers of flavor. A fresh batch doesn’t last long around here!

Brown butter chocolate chunk cookies are thick and chewy with crispy edges and a soft center. I’ve made a few ingredient swaps to make this dessert a little healthier, but they’re still a treat we enjoy in moderation. 

Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy… you get all of the flavors and textures in one bite. Instead of brown sugar I used coconut sugar here. It has a similar flavor, but coconut sugar is a less processed option and has unique caramel undertones that really add to the cookie. I also added some collagen powder for a subtle protein boost. 

Dark chocolate chunks offer a bittersweet bite in every mouthful and add some healthy polyphenol antioxidants, magnesium, and micronutrients. They’re made with sea salt which offers electrolytes and a nice contrast to the sweet cookie. And the pistachio pieces are just the icing on top. They’re also salty but give it such a unique flavor. 

One of the biggest differences you’ll notice is that these use browned butter instead of regular. It offers such a richer depth of flavor, almost like caramel. Brown butter is easy enough to make, but you do want to keep a close eye on it as it cooks. You want to cook it (stirring constantly!) until you notice browned bits and it smells fragrant. Pull it off the stove at this point or you’ll have burnt butter, which does not taste as nice!

Tips For Making Salted Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I recommend using chopped chocolate bars since it’s easier to find ones with 70% or more cocoa content. Bagged chocolate chunks also work. The taste of a good chocolate chunk cookie relies heavily on having good quality chocolate!

When you’re mixing the dough be sure not to overmix the flour, as this can overwork the gluten proteins and make for tough, hard cookies. If the dough feels too soft after mixing, chill it for 15–20 minutes before baking to prevent excess spreading. For even thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before scooping.

Brown Butter Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These delicious chocolate chunk cookies have an extra depth of flavor thanks to the crunchy pistachios and flavorful browned butter.

• Melt the butter over medium heat, stirring constantly until it foams and turns golden brown (about 4–5 minutes), then remove from heat and let cool for 20–30 minutes.

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Whisk together the cooled browned butter, coconut sugar, and maple syrup, then add the egg and vanilla and whisk until smooth.

• Stir in the flour (all-purpose or 1:1 gluten-free), collagen if using, baking soda, and salt until just combined, then fold in the chopped pistachios and dark chocolate.

• Scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheet (about 2 Tablespoons each), chilling for 15–20 minutes first if the dough feels soft.

• Bake for 10–13 minutes until the edges are golden and the centers look slightly underdone. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and cool on a rack before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Brown Butter Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)

Calories 217
Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Trans Fat 0.3g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 31mg10%

Sodium 394mg17%

Potassium 139mg4%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 244IU5%

Vitamin C 0.2mg0%

Calcium 20mg2%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before scooping.

Shelf Life and Storage

I made a double batch of these to save some for later.  The dough freezes well. Scoop into balls and freeze, then bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time. 

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

More Cookie Recipes

Looking for some more healthier cookie recipes? Here are some of our favorites!

What are your favorite cookies to make or eat? Leave a comment and let us know!