Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies

4.34

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These delicious and healthy peanut butter cookies are made in one bowl and with only 4 ingredients. Sweetened with maple syrup and made without eggs or butter! Vegan + gluten-free.

Stack of peanut butter cookies.

While I love my healthy peanut butter blossoms, I’ve been wanting to create a classic peanut butter cookie recipe and here they are!

And guess what? You only need FOUR ingredients to make these… no butter, no eggs and no traditional flour! I know it doesn’t seem right… but it is correct and these cookies are simply delicious!

Peanut butter cookies sprinkled with sea salt on a cooling rack.

In years past, I have always loved getting together with my family and friends for cookie baking and cookie exchanges! This year looks different, but I’m still determined to get creative and connect. I see Zoom or FaceTime baking days in my future… with ugly holiday sweaters, holiday music, the whole shebang.

This recipe would be perfect to make while Zoom-ing with a loved one – just gather the ingredients, mix and bake!

Classic peanut butter cookie with a bite taken out of it and sea salt sprinkles on top.

Like I mentioned above, you only need four simple ingredients (five if you decide to add the salt). If you’re like me you probably have all of the ingredients to make these cookies sitting in your kitchen right now!

  • creamy natural peanut butter – look for a brand with just one or two ingredients (peanuts and salt).
  • maple syrup – make sure to get pure maple syrup, not the artificial pancake syrup.
  • vanilla extract
  • almond flour  – look for blanched super-fine almond flour. I like Bob’s Red Mill.
  • flaked sea salt – optional but I like sprinkling on top for added flavor.
Glass mixing bowl with peanut butter cookie batter.

Substitutions & Notes

  • Almond flour – I highly recommend using almond flour for this recipe for the best result, but I have tested it with oat flour and the cookies will still turn out, but they are a bit more dry tasting because oat flour has less fat than almond flour.
  • Peanut butter – I’m assuming you can swap with any nut or seed butter, but I’ve only tested the recipe with natural peanut butter and almond butter, which is also delicious!
  • Maple syrup – You can totally use another liquid sweetener like coconut nectar or honey. I’ve tested these with honey and they were yummy, but I personally like the flavor of maple syrup better.
  • Want a real deal peanut butter cookie recipe? Try these 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies instead!
Peanut butter cookies topped with flakey sea salt on a cooling rack. One cookie has a bite out of it. A small bowl of sea salt is beside the rack.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies

Because we’re not using eggs, butter or traditional flour, these cookies can be made in one bowl. Woo-hoo for less dishes! Here’s how to make them:

  1. Mix wet ingredients – Add peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla into a mixing bowl. Stir until combined.
  2. Add dry ingredients – Add the almond flour to the wet ingredients and stir until incorporated.
  3. Shape cookies – Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten each dough ball with a fork, making a criss cross pattern and sprinkle with sea salt if using.
  4. Bake – Bake at 350ºF for 12 minutes or until the cookies begin to brown. Let cookies cool on a wire rack and enjoy!
Peanut butter cookies in a stack. Sea salt is sprinkled on top of the cookie.
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4.34 from 249 votes

Peanut Butter Cookies

These delicious and healthy peanut butter cookies are made in one bowl and with only 4 ingredients. Sweetened with maple syrup and made without eggs or butter!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 15

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup, or honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • flaked sea salt for topping, if desired

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Add peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla into a mixing bowl. Once combined, add in almond flour and stir until incorporated.
  • Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop dough onto prepared baking sheet. Alternatively, you can scoop dough with a spoon and roll it into a ball.
  • Flatten each dough ball with a fork, making a crisscross pattern and sprinkle a little flaked sea salt on top of each cookie, if using.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for about 12 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. Remove from oven, allow cookies to cool on a wire rack and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 41mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Keyword: peanut butter cookies
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
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Recipe Rating




114 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hi Jennifer,
    These look wonderful. I have been cooking with Teddie Peanut Butter, which is one of those high quality, 2 ingredient peanut butters that you mention. I think it would be delicious with their creamy, or the creamy peanut butter with flaxseed, or the Super Chunky peanut butter. Teddie is made in my home state of Massachusetts, and if you can’t find it in your store, it is sold on Amazon (in MY store, Option3 ! as a matter of fact!) Bon appetit!
    Lauren

    1. Ahh yay, so glad you loved these cookies! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it. 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    Peanut butter cookies just don’t get any better than this! So easy to make, so hard to resist. This is truly comfort food, in cookie form! Thank you so much, Brittany!

    1. I’m so glad you loved these cookies, Jennifer!! Thanks for making them and for leaving a review. I so appreciate it. 🙂

    1. No, coconut flour can’t be subbed 1:1 with other flours. I have tested this recipe with oat flour and it worked just fine, the cookies were just a tad drier then when I used almond flour.

        1. I haven’t tried it, but someone else subbed AP flour for almond flour 1:1 and said it worked just fine! Let me know if you decide to try it and how the cookies turn out.

    1. So glad these cookies were a hit, Marzia! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it. 🙂

  3. 5 stars
    These are incredible. So hard to let them cool but once they do they are perfection with a cold glass of milk. I used honey and they turned out just as the recipe states. Thanks!

    1. Oh yay!! I’m so glad you loved these cookies, Melissa. Thanks for trying them and for coming back to leave a review. I appreciate it!

  4. 5 stars
    I’ve never commented on a food blog before but this recipe totally warrants all the praise/kudos! Incredibly easy to make and beyond yummy. They melt in your mouth! I used honey which I normally don’t like very much and couldn’t taste it at all in the cookies. My one tip would be to let the cookies firm up/cool for 5 minutes after removing them from the oven/before placing on cooling racks – mine fell apart when I tried transferring them straight out of the oven. Great recipe and plan on making again and again!

    1. Ahh yay, that makes me so happy to hear! I’m so glad you loved these cookies, Molly. Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  5. 5 stars
    Consumed within the hour – and my family didn’t even feel guilty about it! Such simple ingredients. I may try these with another nut butter next time, as one family member has a peanut allergy.

    1. I’m so glad these cookies were a hit! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I really appreciate it. 🙂

  6. 5 stars
    These were sooooooo good! The only bad thing is that I’m constantly snacking on them! I even had some for breakfast! Ha!

    1. Aren’t they dangerously good?! I’m glad you enjoyed these cookies! Thanks for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it. 🙂

  7. I followed this exact recipe but the dough was super sticky. It was really hard to roll into a ball and flatten. Am I missing something?

  8. 5 stars
    So easy and delicious! My mother is a skeptic of healthy desserts and even she couldn’t stop eating them! They were very fast and simple to make. I used whole wheat flour instead of almond flour in a 1:1 conversion and it worked out just fine.

    1. Woo!! That makes me so happy to hear. I’m so glad these cookies were a hit. Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3

  9. 5 stars
    Made these this morning with maple syrup. They were super easy and delicious! I ended up refrigerating the dough for about an hour so it was easier to shape into balls. I might try a batch tomorrow with honey to see if I can tell the difference.

  10. 4 stars
    I never bake, but the recipe didn’t leave me shaking in intimidation and I had all the ingredients on hand! Pretty tasty, indeed. Consistency was less cookie-like for me, more of a grain bar mouth feel to it but it’s def a keeper. Thank you!

  11. 5 stars
    These cookies were easy, delicious, and a hit with my whole family! Even my dad, a self-proclaimed “peanut butter cookie connoisseur”, approved! We will definitely be making them again soon

    1. So glad these cookies were a hit, Brooke! Thanks for making them and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  12. I made these and added dark chocolate chips and ME OH MY SO YUMMY :D. This recipe became a template for banana oat bars with peanut butter too :D. I always have tons of fun looking at your website, well done!!

    1. Ohh I bet the addition of the dark chocolate was SO good!! I’m glad you’ve loving the recipes, Matilde. 🙂

  13. 5 stars
    I was going to make my usual cookies with peanut butter, egg, and brown sugar but I broke the glass canister that house the sugar. I knew that I had seen a peanut butter cookie recipe using maple syrup on Instagram but my phone was charging. I am so glad because this recipe is just what I need as I am trying to eliminate dairy. It is so delicious that I have to keep telling myself that I can’t eat the all at one time.

    1. Ahh yay!! So glad you loved these cookies. Thanks for coming back to leave a review, Kay. I so appreciate it!

  14. 5 stars
    OMG! DELICIOUS!
    I blended peanut butter with maple syrup in the blender to make sure the mix is smooth.
    The flavor is so great! I’m not even a big fan of sweet food, so probably next time will add less maple syrup. But they are soooo DELICIOUS. Thank you for the recipe. And so easy to make!

    1. So glad you enjoyed these cookies, Elinor! Thanks for the review. I appreciate it!

    1. Hey David – 1 cup of peanut butter is equivalent to about 240 grams and 1 cup of almond flour is about 112 grams. Hopefully that helps!

  15. These were delicious but I had trouble with the fork because they were too sticky. Maybe I should have added more almond flour?

    1. You were having trouble making the fork indentations because the dough was too sticky?

    2. Try a plastic fork if you have one. I don’t understand it, but it worked perfectly. I was having the same issue initially with my metal fork.

    1. Ah yay! So pumped to hear these cookies were a hit, Ashley! Thanks so much for the review. I really appreciate it!

    1. Yay! Happy to hear you loved these cookies, Nicole. Thanks so much for the review. I really appreciate the feedback!

  16. 5 stars
    These are amazing! Best peanut butter cookies EVER!! Had to add extra almond flour because our organic natural peanut butter was really runny. Turned out really well, I don’t think you could mess up this recipe. Thank you! A new go to!!

    1. Oh yay! So happy to hear you love these cookies, Connie. Good tip about the extra almond flour too. Thanks so much for the review!

  17. 5 stars
    Easy to make and very versatile. I used a mix of PB and Almond butter. I also halved the amount of Maple as we don’t love things to sweet…. this may have made them more crumbly but still very much enjoyed. Thank you

    1. Yay! I’m so glad these cookies were a hit, Lisa. Thanks for making them and leaving a review, I really appreciate it.

  18. 5 stars
    I have been very conscious lately about what ingredients I feed to my family, especially my toddler. She kept asking for cookies so I looked up a clean recipe. I found these and it’s safe to say it’s a family favorite now! So easy, very clean ingredients, and quick! Thank you for this recipe!

    1. Yay! I am so happy to hear this, Kelsie! I’m glad your family is loving these cookies and that you feel good about them, it’s the best kind of review! 🙂

    2. 3 stars
      Cookies were a hit! Used agave syrup, did not have any honey nor maple syrup. Could not leave a higher rating, cursor was not allowing anything higher than 3 stars. I only left in oven 10 mins max because bottoms were starting to burn. (did use parchment paper).

  19. 4 stars
    So I put the cookies on a silicone baking mat on a pan, and the bottoms burned after 8 minutes 😞 Is it the mat that caused it?

    1. Oh no! I’m not sure, Kelly. I haven’t had that issue before but I did use parchment paper as opposed to a silicone mat. Did you change anything else about the recipe?

  20. 2 stars
    I made these exactly as instructed, and set the timer for 10 minutes. They were thoroughly burnt-and I know my oven is accurate. Sorry, but these are going in the trash!

    1. Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that, Marian. I haven’t had an issue with them burning before but I’ll test them again to make sure. Thanks for sharing your experience and sorry they didn’t work out.

  21. 4 stars
    These were really great! I added a BUNCH of salt to the top and it made them 10 times more tasty! 12 minute baking time worked perfectly in my oven.

    1. Yum! I love adding salt to cookies! So glad you enjoyed these, Becky. Thanks for sharing your review.

    1. Yay! So glad you’re loving these cookies, Tara. Thanks so much for leaving a review, I appreciate it so very much!

  22. 5 stars
    I followed your instructions exactly and my beautiful and delicious cookies are perfect! They do have a bit of shortbread crunch as one of your other reviewers stated – we love them!

    1. YAY! I am so happy that this recipe turned out for you and that you are loving them, Karina. Thank you for coming back and leaving your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!

  23. 5 stars
    Made these tonight and although my dough was rather sticky, they turned out perfectly after 16 mins in middle of top oven! Taste fantastic! Found this on pinterest, thanks for sharing!

    1. So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Clare! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

  24. 5 stars
    Made these quick on a Sunday afternoon for a treat after a bike ride and run. Perfection! Thanks for the quick and simple recipe!
    Used regular flour and chunky peanut butter.

    1. Of course, I am so happy these cookies were a hit! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving your review + star rating, I really appreciate it.

  25. 5 stars
    if you’re thinking of making these, do it!!! as the recipe says, watch them as they bake because your oven might cook them at a different rate and possibly burn them. mine cooked perfectly in 12 mins. i used oat flour instead and yes they’re a bit dry but still delish:))))

    1. Yay! I am so glad that these cookies turned out perfectly for you and that you are loving them. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I appreciate it.

  26. 5 stars
    Thank you for this simple recipe. I used 3/4 cup of almond flour and 1/4 cup oat bran. Also, 1/2 honey, 1/2 stevia powder. As it was a bit dry, added 1/4 cup almond milk. Very tasty. As another mentioned, they can burn easily especially on the top rack of the oven. Looking forward to trying your sugar cookie recipe and lots of others on your website.

    1. Yay! I am so glad this recipe worked out for you, AJ. Thank you so much for sharing your review + star rating, I appreciate it and hope you enjoy the sugar cookies too!

    1. Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that these did not turn out for you, Sarah. Did you change anything about the recipe?

  27. 5 stars
    Just made these yesterday and I already had to make another batch! I think they harden PERFECTLY if they are underdone. So tasty!!!

    1. WOO! I am excited to hear that you are enjoying these tasty cookies, Alex. Thanks so much for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me!

  28. 1 star
    I really was hoping to love these as I was happy with the list of ingredients. But none of us could eat these. Threw them away. They were crumbly and beyond dry. I used the same almond flour as you and used honey rather than maple syrup. Is there an ingredient missing from the list maybe? Only one other comment is like mine. Where did we go wrong??

    1. Hi Dena – I am sorry to hear these did not turn out as you had hoped. The recipe should have worked fine with honey, it just sounds like they may have been a tad over baked, because there aren’t any ingredients missing from the list. Make sure you bake them for the time listed above and remove them, they will continue baking on the hot pan until you remove them to the wire rack for cooling. Hope you will give these another try.

  29. 5 stars
    Very good have been searching for a healthy and tasty peanut butter cookie recipe and this is the one!

    1. Ah I am so glad you found this recipe and are loving it, Mozzaz! Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I so appreciate it!

  30. 5 stars
    Amazing! I’m on the cusp of gluten and dairy intolerance. My sad gut just can’t handle it all anymore. But I have a sweet tooth! And I love peanut butter! So this helps me bring good tastes to my home without the impurities of refined sugars and unnecessary carbs and calories.

    1. So glad you loved this recipe, Beth! Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!

      1. 5 stars
        Nagyon finomak lettek! Kicsit nehezen formázhatók, nem úgy mint a videóban, de megoldottam ! Köszönöm a receptet!

        1. Of course! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it.

  31. 2 stars
    Sorry, but these were incredibly dry…I even added 2 eggs because the dough was so crumbly and dry. I did 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup splenda instead of the full 1/2 cup of maple syrup or honey. I even put a 1/2 tsp of butter and a “squirt” of maple syrup just to make the dough more moist. I used regular flour as well. I also only baked them 10 mins as one of the comments said to undercook them a bit. I had used no sugar added peanut butter so they weren’t particularly sweet, my fault. I ended up putting a little splenda on top. I also used Kosher salt and that was genius. I loved that you added salt to the top. It was a little surprise. I appreciate the recipe, they were tasty, just really, really dry. It may just be due to the changes I made. I think the eggs were an absolute must, however.

    1. Hi Janet – The reason for these turned out dry was most likely because you didn’t fully follow the full recipe. By removing the liquid sweetener (maple syrup/honey), you removed a key liquid ingredient that helps keep the cookies moist. I hope you’ll give then another try following the recipe as is because these cookies are truly delicious!

    1. Perfect! I am so glad you’re loving this recipe and it turns out great for you, Sue. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, it means the world to me!

  32. 5 stars
    these cookies are so delicious – I made them today for the the 5th time and they’re such a hit in my house.
    I did drizzle dark chocolate over them and it took them to another level of deviousness.

    quick question – can I freeze them? and for how long?

    1. This is great to hear! I am so glad you are enjoying these cookies, Suesally! Yes, the baked cookies can be frozen! Just make sure they cooled completely then store in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 1 month. Thank you for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!

    1. WOO! This is the best, Bel! I am so glad you’re loving these cookies and they turned out amazing for you. Thank you for your review + star rating, it means so much to me!

  33. 5 stars
    We used your exact recipe (with the maple syrup & course sea salt). We baked them for 10 minutes exactly & then left them on the pan to cool. We loved them – even my teenagers & my in-laws, both who love their sugar addiction but are trying to stop. I warned them that these are a healthier version of pb cookie but they genuinely loved them. On the first pan I swished the cookies down too much & the dough stuck to my fork so I didn’t squish the second pan down as much & I didn’t make the design. I preferred the second pan because the cookies were just a little thicker. Thank you for sharing!

    1. Amazing! I am so happy these were a hit for the whole family, Anita. Thanks so much for coming back and sharing your review & star rating, it truly means so much to me!

  34. 4 stars
    These were great! I ended up making a few minor changes to get the right texture (mostly because my peanut butter was extremely thick and dry) which I won’t detail here since it’s not the recipe but I will say this is extremely forgiving. Since there’s no egg, you can taste the dough before baking to make sure it’s to your taste which I really like and as long as your dough is the right texture, you should be good

    1. Excellent! Glad these cookies turned out great for you, Cici. Thanks for your review + star rating, I truly appreciate it!

  35. great recipe, thank you! made for dad that wanted healthy cookies. i used honey, a little less than half a cup. added a dash of vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. turned out beautiful!

    1. YAY! These sound great, Jane. I am so glad you both enjoyed these cookies. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, it means so much to me!

  36. 5 stars
    This was so, SO delicious. And easy. Was able to easily stir up by hand in one bowl. Was out of vanilla so didn’t get to add that and didn’t really miss it. Just a great, simple, yummy recipe! Whole family loved them.

    1. YUM! I am so glad you all loved these cookies and they turned out amazing for you, Claire. Thank you so much for sharing your review & star rating, it means so much to me!

    1. Hi Lori – I highly recommend using almond flour for this recipe for the best result, but I have tested it with oat flour and the cookies will still turn out, but they are a bit more dry tasting because oat flour has less fat than almond flour. But, i don’t recommend using GF flour for this recipe.