These vegan oreo cookies are better than the real deal! Made with cacao powder, these cookies not only have great chocolate flavor, but they pack additional nutrients that store-bought oreos lack. This recipe is vegan, dairy-free, and made with wholesome ingredients which make them healthier than the traditional version and SO delicious.
These vegan oreos are a great dessert to make all-year-round. They are the perfect treat to make for parties or holidays, especially Halloween with their dark color!
This chocolate oreo recipe is inspired by these dairy free brownies, which is another amazing dessert recipe to try if you love chocolate and want something easy!
Jump to:
Oreo Ingredient List
One of the best things about these vegan oreos is that you only need 10 ingredients to make the cookies! You no longer have to guess if store-bought oreos are vegan by deciphering the complicated nutrition facts and ingredients list. These homemade oreos are vegan and made with healthy ingredients that you can pronounce, and probably already have in your kitchen!
Ingredients For The Oreo Cookies:
- flax egg: you can make a flax egg by combining one tablespoon of ground flax seed with three tablespoons water.
- vegan butter: pretty much any vegan butter will work in this recipe, but some popular choices are Earth Balance, Pure Blends, or Country Crock.
- coconut sugar: this is an unrefined sugar that tastes similar to brown sugar, but provides more nutrients and minerals.
- vanilla extract: vanilla helps add a rich flavor to the oreos.
- pure maple syrup: this acts as a liquid in the oreo recipe and provides some extra sweetness, too.
- white whole wheat flour: whole wheat flours have a higher protein content than all-purpose and nut flours, which helps stablize the oreos and provide extra nutrients.
- unsweetened cacao powder: cacao powder is the healthiest way to incorporate chocolate in baking. It has lots of flavonoids! You may also use dutch process cocoa powder for a darker colored cookie.
- ground cinnamon: don't worry, these cookies don't taste like cinnamon oreos! The cinnamon adds more depth to the flavors by enhancing the chocolate flavor, but you can't taste cinnamon in the finished product.
- baking soda: baking soda helps the oreos rise and thicken while baking.
- salt: salt is crucial to balancing the flavors and giving the cookies a well-rounded taste.
Ingredients For The Oreo FIlling:
- vegan butter: whip this on high speed to provide the structure for the cookie filling.
- vegan powdered sugar: when combined with vegan butter, you get a delicious frosting!
- non-dairy milk: any unsweetened non-dairy milk will do. This makes the frosting a little thinner and easier to spread between your oreo cookies.
- vanilla extract: this adds nice flavor to the filling. Try experimenting with using maple, lemon, orange, or mint extract to create different flavors of oreos!
- salt: salt is important to knock down the sweeteness in the filling. You can use more or less salt depending on how sweet you like your filling to be.
Equipment Needed To Make Oreos
Some baking equipment is mentioned throughout this recipe, but I'll clarify what you DO need and what you could go without.
- Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer - You don't need both, but it's recommend you have at least one of these pieces of equipment in order to make the filling for the oreos. Being able to whip the frosting together on high speed is what makes the powdered sugar combine with the butter and give you the fluffy filling that you need.
- Plastic Wrap - You need plastic wrap (Saran wrap) to wrap the dough for it to chill in the fridge. If you don't have plastic wrap, aluminum foil can also work, or as a last resort you can use parchment paper and tape to keep it wrapped in the fridge.
- Cookie Sheet - This is a non-negotiable item for making the vegan oreos. You need this to bake the cookies on in the oven! I like using a large aluminum pan, but whatever oven-safe baking sheet you have at home should be fine.
- Round Cookie Cutter - This is an optional item to use for shaping the cookies when they're freshly baked. You can "cut out" the oreos on the baking sheet to get rid of any oblong edges. But this is optional! Your oreo cookies will taste just as yummy even if they aren't perfect circles.
TIP: If you prefer not to have any food waste or extra cookie scraps, you can roll the chilled oreo dough on a lightly floured surface and use the cookie cutter to make circle shapes before baking instead of cutting the edges off after baking. Either way works! I end up eating the cut-off edges and that's another way to prevent food waste, haha!
How To Make Vegan Oreos
Even if you're a beginner baker, you can make these oreos. It doesn't take long to mix up the batter and the cookies only need 7 minutes in the oven!
STEP 1: Make flax egg. Flax eggs are super easy to make. Just mix one tablespoon ground flax seed with three tablespoons water. Stir it and then let it thicken for 5-10 minutes.
STEP 2: Cream butter and sugar. In a large bowl, mix together the vegan butter and coconut sugar. You can do this with an electric mixer, stand mixer, or vigorously by hand. Once smooth, mix in the flax egg, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.
STEP 3: Sift dry ingredients. Next, sift the flour into the bowl. Then sift the cacao powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to combine the mixtures. It will be thick and sticky.
STEP 4: Form dough. Use your hands to form the dough into a ball. To make things easier, you can spray a bit of cooking spray on your hands so the dough doesn't stick as much. Wrap the cookie dough in plastic saran wrap and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill. This makes it easier to work with.
Do I have to chill cookie dough? I know chilling the dough can seem like a pain, especially if you're in a hurry. Chilling the dough allows the flour to hydrate and ingredients to fully incorporate. It thickens the dough, making it easier to work with, and makes the flavors stronger. Don't skip this step, or your cookies may spread too much in the oven and become too flat.
STEP 5: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray or parchment paper. After your dough has chilled for 30 minutes, scoop dough about the size of a robin's egg (about 1.5 tablespoons) and roll into a ball with your hands. Place dough on the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart and gently press on the dough to flatten it into a circle shape.
STEP 6: Bake cookies for 7-8 minutes. Let them stand on the pan for 5 minutes to set up and harden. This is important or else they will break! For perfectly shaped cookies, use a small 1.5 or 2-inch circular cookie cutter to remove any imperfect edges while the cookies are still warm. After 5+ minutes, transfer the oreo cookies to a cooling rack.
TIP: Homemade oreos are softer and more delicate compared to the oreos you may be used to. Be gentle with the cookies, especially when they're just baked and haven't set up yet.
How to Make Oreo Filling
Oreos wouldn't be oreos without the filling inside! Luckily, this vegan filling is super easy to make and only takes a few minutes to whip up.
STEP 1: Whip vegan butter. In a medium bowl, beat vegan butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
STEP 2: Add vegan powdered sugar. In small increments, add the vegan powdered sugar to the butter and mix on low-medium speed to incorporate.
STEP 3: Add vanilla extract and salt. Mix on medium-high speed until your filling is smooth and fluffy.
TIP: Oreos come in so many flavors, and there is a super easy way to make different kinds of oreos with this recipe. Try using different flavor extracts like mint, orange, lemon, or maple extract instead of vanilla to flavor the filling and make different types of vegan oreos!
Adding Oreo Filling to Cookies
Getting to this step means you're almost done making the vegan oreos! Woohoo! This step is pretty self-explanatory, but I've provided some helpful tips to ensure the filling process goes easily for you.
To fill the cookies, gently spoon a dollop of frosting onto the bottom of a cooled cookie. REMEMBER: The cookies must be cool before you add the filling, or else the cookies may break and the filling could melt. Use the back of the spoon or your fingers to spread the frosting evenly around the cookie.
Then add a second cookie on top of the filling and squish it together to make an oreo sandwich. You should have enough frosting to fill about 15 oreos. The filling in this recipe is quite sweet, so you don't need to make the filling very thick between the oreo cookies.
Making Substitutions In The Oreos
If you don't have all the ingredients on hand for this recipe, there are a few substitutions you can easily make instead of running to the store.
- Cacao Powder - If you don't have cacao powder, I recommend using dutch process cocoa powder. Cocoa powder might not have as strong of a chocolate flavor, however, and has less nutritional benefits compared to cacao powder.
- Flax Egg - If you don't want to use a flax egg, you can use a chia egg the same way. Just add one tablespoon chia seeds with three tablespoons water. If you aren't vegan, you can use one chicken's egg in this recipe, but the results might be slightly different, so use caution.
- Coconut Sugar - If you don't have coconut sugar, you can use white granulated sugar instead.
- White Whole Wheat Flour - You can also use red whole wheat flour (labeled as "whole wheat flour,") or all-purpose flour in this recipe. You want to stay away from using almond or coconut flours because they do not have the stability to hold the oreo cookies together.
- Vegan Butter - "Real butter," made with dairy, is a fine substitution in this recipe if you aren't vegan. You will still get good results.
Please don't try to make more than one substitution in the recipe, because I can't guarantee successful results if you try to change too much. Each recipe on this site is carefully crafted and tested multiple times to ensure it turns out perfectly for you. If you attempt to change too many ingredients, you might end up with wonky cookies!
If you have questions about what you can and can't substitute in these vegan oreos, please ask in the comments below this post or send me a message on Instagram so I can offer some guidance before you bake!
Different Flavors of Oreos
Something fun about this vegan oreo recipe is the ability to make different flavors so easily! Making the recipe as written results in "original" oreos with vanilla creme filling. Try these variations to switch things up or make special flavored oreos for certain holidays!
- Mint Oreos - To make vegan mint oreos, use 1-2 teaspoons mint extract in place of vanilla extract in the filling. For a stronger mint flavor, add 1 teaspoon mint extract to the cookie dough!
- Lemon Oreos - To make lemon oreos, add 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 1-2 teaspoons of lemon zest to the filling. You may have to add an additional 2-3 tablespoons of powdered sugar to keep the filling thick. For lemon oreo cookies instead of chocolate oreos, omit the cacao powder and add an additional ⅓ cup flour.
- Maple Oreos - For the best maple and chocolate oreo combination, add 1 teaspoon maple extract to the oreo dough and 1-2 teaspoons maple extract the filling. This is such a cozy and delicious combination in the fall!
- Pumpkin Oreos - The perfect vegan oreos for Halloween and fall months, you can make pumpkin oreos by adding 2-3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice to the filling. This will give them such a great spice flavor!
Let me know what you think if you try different flavors. The options are endless with this vegan oreo recipe and that's what makes them so fun (and delicious)!
Storing Homemade Oreos
Store the vegan oreos in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. I bet you they won't last that long in your house, though! It's best not to freeze the oreos. The filling may not stand up to freezing very well, and it will be difficult to thaw them. These vegan cookies taste best fresh!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many popular questions about oreos and whether or not they fit within certain diets. I've attempted to answer some of these questions for you.
While oreos don't contain dairy or eggs, the type of sugar used in oreos isn't specifed. White sugar is processed using bone char from animals, which means oreos might not be vegan after all. Some variations of oreos contain honey, which is not vegan-friendly, either.
Refined sugars don't have any animal products in them, but many are processed using bone char in manufacturing. You can't know for sure whether oreos are 100% vegan due to the ambiguity in their manufacturing process.
No, oreos are not gluten free. Most varieties of oreos contain wheat (gluten), which makes them unsafe for those with gluten sensitivities. Try finding specified gluten-free oreos with the GFCO certification if you have this dietary restriction.
No, oreos do not have eggs in the ingredients list. This vegan oreo recipe uses a flax egg which helps bind the ingredients together and add some extra protein, fiber, and healthy Omega 3's to your oreo cookies.
Oreos do not have dairy listed as an ingredient, but they are manufactured in a facility containing dairy. If you have a dairy allergy, this is something to keep in mind.
Oreos are not a healthy food. Oreos contain lots of sugar, palm and canola oil, high fructose corn syrup, and "artificial flavors," which makes them extremely processed and high in calories, fat, and carbs. This vegan oreo recipe is a healthier alternative made with wholesome ingredients that you can pronounce-- and NO corn syrup!
In this recipe, the oreo filling is made with vegan butter, vegan powdered sugar, pure vanilla extract, and salt. This is much healthier than store-bought oreos which contain high fructose corn syrup, palm oil, and artificial flavors in the filling.
Cacao powder and cocoa powder are processed differently. Cacao powder is minimally processed and retains many of the nutritional benefit it contains, whereas cocoa powder is highly processed and typically mixed with added sugars and artificial flavors. Use cacao powder in these vegan oreos for the best chocolate flavor and nutritional benefits.
I don't work at the oreo factory, so I really can't say with 100% certainty whether oreos are vegan or not. But what I CAN say with certainty is that this vegan oreo recipe is DEFINITELY vegan! Not to mention delicious, too.
More Vegan Dessert Recipes
If you love these oreos or if you're looking for more vegan dessert recipes, I got you! Check out these delicious recipes for the best vegan baking:
If you've made any of my recipes, please consider leaving a review in the comments. I love hearing how you liked them. Even better, post a photo and tag me on Instagram or send me a message sharing your bake! With that, I'll leave you with the recipe. Enjoy!
Recipe
Vegan Oreos
Equipment
- Cookie Sheet
- Circle Cookie Cutter (Optional)
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax seed + 3 tablespoons water)
- ½ cup vegan butter room temperature, soft
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose)
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cacao powder (can also use dutch cocoa powder)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling
- ½ cup vegan butter
- 1 cup vegan powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Cookies
- In a small bowl, stir together 1 tablespoon ground flax seed with 3 tablespoons water. Let stand for 5-10 minutes to thicken. This is the flax egg.1 flax egg
- In a large bowl, mix together the vegan butter and coconut sugar with an electric or stand mixer or vigorously by hand. Once combined and smooth, add in the flax egg, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Stir until well combined.1 flax egg, ½ cup vegan butter, ⅔ cup coconut sugar, 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sift the flour, cacao powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt into the bowl of wet ingredients. Stir until the batter is combined. It will be thick and sticky.1 ¼ cup white whole wheat flour, ⅓ cup unsweetened cacao powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Use your hands to form the dough into a ball. Wrap in plastic saran wrap or aluminum foil and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill. This makes it easier to work with.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop dough the size of a robin's egg and roll into a ball with your hands. Place on the cookie sheet and gently press on the dough to flatten it into a circle shape.
- Bake for 7-8 minutes. Let stand on the pan for 5 minutes to set up and harden. For perfectly shaped cookies, use a 2-inch circular cookie cutter to remove any imperfect edges while the cookies are warm. Transfer to a cooling rack before filling.
Filling
- In a medium bowl, beat vegan butter with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add in vegan powdered sugar in small increments at a time and blend together. Then add the vanilla extract, plant milk, and salt. Mix again until the frosting is well-combined and fluffy.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ cup vegan butter, 1 cup vegan powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon non-dairy milk, ¼ teaspoon salt
- To fill the cookies, gently spoon a dollop of frosting on the bottom of a cookie. Use the spoon or your fingers to spread the frosting evenly on the cookie. Then add a second cookie on top and squish together to flatten into an oreo sandwich.
Daniela says
Made those cookies for a get-together and everyone loved it. I waited until the end to share that they are vegan. Thank you for this detailed recipe.
Shelby Stover says
I just want to curl up with these and watch movies all day haha a great craving buster recipe!
Kayla DiMaggio says
These vegan oreos are so delicious! I loved the recipe and they were super easy to make!
Chris says
Oh my gosh! This recipe was a huge success! Thank you for sharing!
Marinela says
These homemade vegan Oreos are a million times better than any store-bought! Love these wholesome, dairy-free cookies, they taste amazing. Thank you for the recipe.
Anaiah says
Such a healthier way to enjoy one of my favorite cookies! Thanks for the easy recipe. They turned out perfect!
Maiko says
Oreos in my country have dairy in them so I don't buy them but I never thought Oreos might not be vegan in any countries after all! That's true, you don't know what sugar they use in them! This recipe is a true saviour for all vegans 🙂
Christina's Bread Bakes says
I have recently been trying to incorporate more vegan items into our family's menu, thanks for this fun vegan recipe, the kids loved them!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
This homemade version of Oreos looks fantastic! Especially that filling!
nancy says
these vegan oreos are super delicious and it's hard to eat just one
Virág says
So yummy! I used the cookie recipe, but I chose to fill them with pistachio butter mixed with mascarpone, and they turned out so well!