The Ultimate Gluten-Free Vegan Skillet Cookie: A Perfect Pizookie for All!

This gluten-free vegan skillet cookie, affectionately known as a pizookie, boasts a wonderfully crisp top and edges that give way to an irresistibly gooey, soft center. Large enough to delight a crowd, it’s absolutely perfect when served warm, crowned with a scoop of melty dairy-free ice cream. Honestly, an extra-large chocolate chip cookie baked in a skillet is always a good idea – especially when it’s free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, making it completely vegan!

This post contains affiliate links.

Embracing Comfort: The Magic of a Warm Skillet Cookie

There’s something incredibly comforting about the cooler months, and nothing quite hits the spot like a warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie straight from the oven. This decadent dessert is the epitome of comfort food, especially when it’s a giant skillet cookie designed for sharing. As the leaves change and temperatures drop, this gluten-free vegan pizookie becomes a beloved tradition in our home, promising warmth and happiness with every bite.

For years, enjoying a skillet cookie, or “pizookie” as it’s often called, was a distant memory from before my children developed their food allergies. It felt like an eternity since I’d indulged in this unique treat, and I knew my kids deserved to experience its magic. Their excitement was palpable; they couldn’t stop asking when it would be ready!

Truly, there’s no substitute for this dessert. The combination of its warm, crispy edges and a deeply gooey, soft center creates a symphony of textures that I still crave years later. Generously loaded with rich chocolate chips and crowned with a cascading river of melted dairy-free ice cream, this pizookie stands out as one of my all-time favorite decadent desserts. It’s a celebration of flavor and texture, all wrapped up in an allergy-friendly package.

Sharing or Savoring Solo? The Great Pizookie Dilemma

The only real “problem” with this magnificent dessert is deciding on the best way to enjoy it. Do you embrace the rustic charm and dig in straight from the cast-iron pan with multiple spoons, turning it into a communal feast? Or do you opt for a more refined approach, politely portioning it into individual servings? I confess, I’ve done a little bit of both! There’s undeniable joy in a shared experience, but also a secret satisfaction in a personal bowl of warm pizookie with ice cream after a long day.

Given that this dessert is a bit larger than life, I often prefer to use chocolate chunks instead of standard chips. This ensures you get magnificent, melt-in-your-mouth pockets of chocolate in every single bite. Speaking of chocolate, always be diligent and double-check your chocolate brand to confirm it’s dairy-free, especially if you have strict dietary needs.

Even with its crowd-pleasing size, we sometimes find ourselves with a little bit of this delicious cookie leftover – a true miracle in itself! I’ll admit, I often save the remaining portions as leverage for my kids to finish their lunch and dinner. And once they’re tucked into bed, you can bet I’m digging into my own victory bowl. It’s my little ritual, a well-deserved treat after a day of parenting. Do you do that too? I believe every parent earns a treat, and this gluten-free vegan pizookie is a truly fabulous reward!

Essential Ingredients for Your Gluten-Free Vegan Skillet Cookie

Crafting the perfect allergy-friendly pizookie means selecting the right components. Here’s a closer look at the key ingredients that make this recipe shine, ensuring it’s safe and delicious for everyone.

What egg replacer do you use for this vegan gluten-free pizookie?

One of the beauties of this recipe is that it doesn’t require any special powdered egg replacer or substitutes like applesauce. The secret to its incredible texture and ability to hold together, much like eggs would, lies in the vegan cream cheese. It contributes to the cookie’s creamy consistency and binding properties, so you can save your egg replacer for other delicious vegan cookie recipes (many of which you can find linked at the bottom of this post!). This simplicity makes the recipe even more approachable.

What vegan cream cheese do I recommend for this skillet cookie?

Choosing the right vegan cream cheese is crucial for the texture and flavor of your pizookie. Thankfully, there are several excellent options available, catering to various dietary needs:

Daiya: This brand is widely available and typically made from a coconut oil base, making it a popular choice for those avoiding common allergens. It’s often considered top-8-allergen-free.
Tofutti: A long-standing favorite in the vegan community, Tofutti cream cheese is soy-based. It offers a classic cream cheese flavor and texture that many find appealing.
Violife: Made with coconut oil and potato starch, Violife is another excellent top-8-allergen-free option known for its creamy texture and mild flavor.

While I personally often reach for Tofutti, I encourage you to choose the brand that best suits your dietary restrictions and personal preference. All three will work beautifully in this skillet cookie recipe.

What dairy-free ice cream do you serve over this skillet cookie?

To truly complete the vegan experience, you’ll need a delicious dairy-free ice cream to melt over your warm pizookie. While classic vanilla is a popular choice, don’t be afraid to experiment with other flavors – many would pair wonderfully! The great news is that the market for vegan ice cream has exploded, offering a fantastic variety of bases (coconut, almond, oat, cashew, soy, avocado, etc.) and flavors. Always remember to read labels carefully to ensure the brand and flavor you choose align with your specific dietary requirements.

Here are just a few highly-rated dairy-free ice cream brands to consider:

So Delicious: Offers a wide range of coconut, almond, and cashew-based options.
Ben & Jerry’s: Known for their indulgent flavors, many of which are now available in almond or sunflower butter-based vegan versions.
Oatly: Famous for their oat-based dairy alternatives, providing a smooth and creamy texture.
Haagen Daz: Also offers several delicious vegan flavors, typically coconut or oat-based.
JD’s: Another brand that offers dairy-free options.
O’My: Known for being coconut-based and free from top 8 allergens.
Cado: Unique for its avocado-based ice cream, offering a rich and creamy texture.

For us, So Delicious is a frequent choice because of its availability at Walmart, our closest grocery store. Convenience often plays a big role in what makes it into our cart!

What gluten-free vegan chocolate chips are needed?

For those prioritizing certified gluten-free and vegan ingredients, Enjoy Life is a highly trusted brand. They offer various chocolate chip and chunk options that are certified allergy-friendly. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option and are comfortable without explicit certifications, many people (including us!) use Costco’s Kirkland Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (the white bag). Just a friendly heads-up: these tend to be a seasonal item, primarily available during the holidays.

Customize Your Pizookie: Tips & Variations

What if I only need the skillet cookie to be vegan, not gluten-free?

If your primary dietary restriction is dairy and eggs, but you don’t need to avoid gluten, adapting this recipe is incredibly simple! Just swap out the gluten-free flour blend for an equal amount of regular all-purpose flour and omit the xanthan gum. The rest of the vegan ingredients will keep your skillet cookie perfectly delicious and egg/dairy-free.

Tips for the Perfect Skillet Cookie

Skillet Size Matters: A 10 or 12-inch cast-iron skillet works best. Ensure it’s well-greased to prevent sticking and to get those beautiful crispy edges.
Don’t Overmix: After adding the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cookie.
The Gooeyness Factor: The baking time (15-25 minutes) is flexible. For a truly gooey center, aim for the shorter end, but if you prefer a slightly crispier texture, bake closer to 20-25 minutes. The edges will be set, but the middle will still be wonderfully soft.
Resting is Key: While it’s tempting to dive in immediately, let the pizookie cool for a few minutes after coming out of the oven. This allows it to set slightly, making it easier to scoop and preventing it from being scalding hot.
Serving Suggestions: While scooping directly from the skillet is part of the fun, you can also cut wedges and serve them in bowls, especially if you plan on adding multiple scoops of ice cream and toppings.
Storage: Leftover pizookie (if there is any!) can be covered tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven for a fresh-baked feel.

Looking for more gluten-free vegan cookies?

Look no further! As someone who navigates severe food allergies (my son has wheat, dairy, and egg allergies), I’ve made it my mission to create a wide array of delicious gluten-free and vegan desserts. Vegan gluten-free cookies are certainly my weakness, and I love sharing my favorite recipes. You’ll find a fantastic variety that proves allergy-friendly doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or texture:

Gluten Free Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars
Classic Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Gluten Free S’more Cookies
Gluten Free Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies Made Gluten Free Vegan
Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Orange Cookies
Gluten Free Vegan White Chocolate & Craisin Oatmeal Cookies
Gluten Free Roll Out Sugar Cookies
Gluten Free Vegan Black and White Cookies
Gluten Free Vegan Maple Cookies
Gluten Free Vegan Cherry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Gluten-free Vegan Skillet Cookie (Nut Free Too!)

Yield:
1 skillet cookie

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
35 minutes

Gluten free vegan skillet cookie (also known as pizookie) has crisp top & edges & a gooey center. An extra large cookie meant for sharing! Free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nuts; and is vegan!

Ingredients

4 ounces dairy-free cream cheese, softened to room temperature (see post for options
8 tablespoons dairy-free butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 and 3/4 cups gluten-free flour
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 to 1 and 1/2 cups dairy-free semisweet chunks
Dairy-free ice cream for serving

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325.
In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix together the dairy-free cream cheese, and dairy-free butter.
Next, add the sugars and mix. I would say cream, but unlike regular dairy-products, this will not whip up and cream, but it will become smooth and blended.
Next, turn the mixer on slow and add the ingredients in this order: vanilla, cornstarch, xanthan, baking soda, and salt.
Then, add your flour, and only blend it until it’s barely combined. Manually fold in your chocolate chips.
Place into a greased iron skillet. Bake for 15-25 minutes, depending on how gooey you like your cookie. I like it to be crispier, so I go closer to 20-25 minutes.
Allow it to cool for a few minutes so it’s not hot. Once it’s nice and warm, scoop some dairy-free vanilla ice cream on top, hand out spoons and get to work!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 654Total Fat: 36gSaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 584mgCarbohydrates: 80gFiber: 1gSugar: 60gProtein: 5g

This amazing recipe was adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe, ensuring the best possible texture and flavor for an allergy-friendly version.

Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can easily find it later! Also, be sure to check out my other ALLERGY-FRIENDLY Pinterest boards for more delicious and safe recipes.