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Let’s Make a Healthy Version of Peanut Butter Cookies

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Peanut butter cookies half dipped in chocolate on small plates with cups of vanilla gelato.

Let’s make a healthy version of peanut butter cookies—or at least healthier! Peanut butter cookies are among my top five sweet indulgences. Using simple ingredients like almond flour, creamy peanut butter, and pure maple syrup, you have soft, chewy cookies without all the refined sugar you would find in regular peanut butter cookies. This fills my sweet cravings without all the sugar. It’s the perfect treat for Sunday favorites with Mary Ann and Cindy!

So, what ingredients are in this healthy peanut butter cookie recipe?

Small bowls, cups of ingredients for peanut butter cookies.
  • Almond flour
  • Creamy peanut butter (smooth peanut butter works best)
  • Pure maple syrup
  • Vanilla extract
  • Chocolate for dipping (optional)
  • Crushed peanuts or Maldon Sea Salt to top on the melted chocolate 

When making recipes with simple and few ingredients, I like to use the best quality products including Bob’s Red Mill almond flour.

Supplies you will need:

It’s so simple! You only need a large mixing bowl, a wooden spoon, measuring cups, a baking sheet, and parchment paper. No electric mixer or food processor is required for this smooth cookie dough! You’ll want to store any leftovers in an airtight container, but you probably won’t have any! 

Small bowls, cups of ingredients for peanut butter cookies. Bag of Bob's Red Mill almond flour.
Glass bowl of peanut butter cookie dough with wood spoon.
Peanut butter cookie balls on baking sheet.
Peanut butter cookies criss cross pattern with fork.
Peanut butter cookies criss cross pattern with fork.
Pyrex bowl with chocolate wafers on top of copper pot on stove.
Peanut butter cookies half dipped in chocolate on cookie sheet.
Peanut butter cookies half dipped in chocolate.
Peanut butter cookies half dipped in chocolate on small plates with cups of vanilla gelato.

Can you substitute any of the above ingredients for this healthier version of a peanut butter cookie?

Yes, probably, but I haven’t tried it, so I can’t say the results will deliver chewy peanut butter cookies. You could probably use other kinds of nut butters, but I think the creamy peanut butter, melted, is part of what makes them soft and not dry. When I use almond butter in protein bites, they seem slightly drier than when I use creamy peanut butter. 

I used natural peanut butter, but any creamy peanut butter should work. 

While you could experiment using other types of flour, like oat flour, what I like about almond flour is its slightly nutty flavor. It absorbs moisture without making the cookies at all dry. I used Bob’s Red Mill Super Fine Almond Flour, the only dry ingredient in the recipe. 

How to make these easy, healthy peanut butter cookies

  1. Melt the peanut butter
  2. Add the almond flour to a bowl, then add the wet ingredients:  the melted peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Stir to combine, and no more dry ingredients should be in the bottom of the bowl. 
  3. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
  4. Using clean hands and/or a cookie scoop, form cookie dough balls and place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
  5. Make a criss-cross pattern using the tines of a fork.
  6. Bake cookies in a 350º oven for 10-12 minutes.
  7. Remove; if slightly underbaked, wait a minute or two to remove to a cooling rack.
  8. Allow to cool. 
  9. Melt the dark chocolate wafers in a heat-proof bowl over a pan of simmering water.
  10. Dip half of the cookie into the melted chocolate and place on a prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with Maldon sea salt. Refrigerate to set for best results.
  11. Serve warm right out of the oven or at room temperature if dipping them in chocolate. 

Serve these easy peanut butter cookies any time of the day

Peanut butter cookies half dipped in chocolate on brown plate.
Peanut butter cookies half dipped in chocolate on small plates.

When a craving strikes, these delicious cookies are perfect in the morning, with coffee and a glass of milk as an afternoon treat. Or serve them with ice cream or gelato for an easy dessert. 

Let me know if you try this healthy peanut butter cookie recipe! 

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Let’s Make a Healthy Version of Peanut Butter Cookies

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A healtheir version of the classic peanut butter cookie with a few ingredient swaps! 

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 20–22 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • One cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1 1/4 cups almond flour (I used super-fine from Bob’s Red Mill)
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Chocolate for dipping (optional)
  • Maldon Sea Salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350º.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Melt the peanut butter in the microwave for about 30 to 45 seconds until it is a consistency you can pour, then add it to a large bowl with the almond flour.
  4. Add the syrup and vanilla extract.
  5. Stir to combine completely, then refrigerate the dough for about 15 minutes.
  6. Using a cookie scoop and clean hands, roll balls and place them on a baking sheet.
  7. Make a criss-cross pattern with a fork. 
  8. Bake for 10-13 minutes.
  9. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two and then transfer to a cooling rack.
  10. Melt the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl above a pot of simmering water. Dip half of the cookie in chocolate and place them on plates lined with parchment paper. Before the chocolate is set, sprinkle sea salt on the chocolate, then place them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set the chocolate. 

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28 Comments

  1. I wish I could have one of those cookies right now with coffee! It’s pretty funny how shapewear can really improve your look. I forgot to pack some for this trip. Oh well.
    Can’t wait to see your new guest room!

    Reply

  2. The PB cookies look delicious! I want to try the recipe, but I don’t see the amount of each ingredient on the list. Would you please list those amounts? Thank you! I enjoy your posts!

    Reply

  7. The cookies look great! Always trying to reduce the sugar. I couldn’t find the amounts of the ingredients used but maybe I over looked? Would love to try

    Reply

    1. Hi Jean1 I am so sorry! The recipe card seemed to have disappeared, but it’s there now! Thank you for your patience. You will love them! Even without the chocolate, they are so yummy, and plenty sweet!

      Reply

  10. Can’t wait to try the cookies! I try to go gluten and dairy free most of the time on the recommendation of my doctor. These look delicious and so easy. About how many cookies will this recipe make?
    Thank you for sharing a gluten free recipe!
    Look forward to seeing the bedroom refresh.

    Reply

  15. Can you tell me the measurements for the ingredients. I can see the instructions, b it a video/ad covers the amounts. They look delicious!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Kathleen! I’m so sorry! The recipe card disappered after I published, but it’s in the post now! Thnk you for your patience. They are so delicious…with or without chocolate!

      Reply

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