Do you love peanut butter? Then you will definitely want to try making these (flourless) gluten-free peanut butter cookies . This easy recipe has no flour and just five simple ingredients and one bowl. Gluten-free peanut butter cookies are soft and chewy with crisp edges, making them the perfect treat for peanut butter lovers. (If that's you, you'll also love Homemade Peanut Butter Cups).
Gluten-free cookies are some of the easiest recipes if you are on a gluten-free diet. (We love these Gluten Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, and these Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies) However, if you make traditional peanut butter cookies with gluten-free flour, or almond flour, you can end up with a crumbly cookie. This recipe eliminates the flour altogether, with delicious results!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy: All you need are a few ingredients and one bowl and you're on your way to satisfying your peanut butter craving.
- Delicious: These chewy peanut butter cookies are soft on the inside but crisp on the outside, with a perfect balance of sweetness and peanut butter flavor.
- Gluten free and dairy free:These irresistible chewy cookies are allergy friendly so everyone can enjoy them.
Ingredient Notes:
Full instructions and ingredient quantities are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Peanut Butter: You can use creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter. A no stir peanut butter is most reliable, but if you use natural peanut butter, be sure to stir it well.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar adds moisture and a chewy texture to the cookies. Coconut sugar works just as well.
- Egg: Use a large egg at room temperature.
- Vanilla Extract
- Baking Soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent which helps the cookies rise.
How to make them:
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients, mixing well. Chill in the mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350° Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Use a cookie scoop or scoop level tablespoons of the batter, rolling to form balls
- Place balls 2" apart on prepared baking sheet.
- Use the back of a fork in to slightly flatten the dough balls. Do this twice to make a crosshatch pattern, if you like.
- Bake 8-10 minutes until the cookies are light golden brown
- Allow cookies to cool on the pan 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack
Helpful Tips:
- For baking, always use room temperature eggs. If you forget to take an egg out of the fridge, you can quickly bring it up to temperature by submersing it in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for five minutes.
- Chill the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes after mixing the ingredients. If the dough is cold it will be easier to work with. It will also prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Natural peanut butter tends to separate. If you use it, be sure to stir it well so that the oil is completely incorporated.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, store them in an airtight container.
Variations:
- Almond Butter: Substitute almond butter for peanut butter for a different flavor.
- Other Nut Butters: Try using other nut butters such as cashew or hazelnut butter.
- Smaller Cookies: Use a small cookie scoop to make bite-size cookies.
- Add crunch: For crunchy peanut butter cookies, use crunchy peanut butter.
- Add Ins: For a twist, add peanut butter chips, dark chocolate chunks, or chocolate chips to the dough.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can make a vegan version of this flourless peanut butter cookie recipe by replacing the egg with a chia egg or a flax egg.
Peanut butter is naturally gluten-free. However there is a chance of cross contamination during the manufacturing process with other products that contain gluten. As aways, check product labels to be sure.
Yes, you can freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight container. To thaw, let them sit at room temperature for a few hours.
Yes, you can use a food processor to make the cookie dough, but it isn't necessary.
Yes, you can freeze the peanut butter cookie dough. Follow the recipe up to rolling the dough into balls. Place the balls of dough on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put the tray in the freezer until the dough balls are frozen and solid. Pack them into an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the dough in the fridge before baking.
In a Baking Mood?
Here are a few more cookies to try: Gluten Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies or Chewy Molasses Crinkle Cookies. And just to show you that gluten-free baking can be incredibly delicious, check out Gluten-Free Apple Ricotta Cake ), Buckwheat Banana Bread or Coconut Banana Bread
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Did you make any changes? We would love for you to share and your feedback is important! Thank you for visiting The Food Blog!
Recipe
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies (Flourless)
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg, beaten large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, mixing well
- Put the dough into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill
- Preheat oven to 350° Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Use a cookie scoop or scoop level tablespoons of the batter, rolling to form balls
- Place balls 2" apart on prepared baking sheet
- Flatten balls with the tines of a fork, making a crisscross pattern if desired
- Bake 8-10 minutes until the cookies are light golden brown
- Allow cookies to cool on the pan 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.
Stephanie
I have so many GF friends and was running out of good recipes for them. These flourless peanut butter cookies are a big hit!
Colleen
Hi Stephanie! I'm so gald to hear that these cookies are a hit! Thanks for commenting!
Tammy
These are a go-to for when you want something sweet in a pinch and it's perfect too when you have limited ingredients. I think I'm going to whip up a batch this afternoon for the weekend 😀
Colleen
Hi Tammy, these are for sure a go-to for those reasons. Plus they're delicious. Happy Baking!
Terri
Thank you for this recipe! As a HUGE baker, my fear of running out of flour is very real. It's so cool that I can still make these cookies!
Colleen
Hi Terri, You are very welcome. It's nice to conserve our pantry resources when we can, right? Happy Baking!
Jennifer
Have you tried freezing this recipe? Before baking and after? Thank you!
Colleen
Hi Jennifer, these cookies freeze well after baking, but I haven't tried to freeze them before baking.
Kelly Neil
Oh man, I've been riding the chocolate chip cookie train but I think it's time to get off and start riding the PB train! Yummmmmmmm.
Colleen
Hi Kelly, Either train is a delicious ride! 😋
Cynthia
I love easy cookie recipes. Will be making these with my almost 4 year old.
Colleen
Hi Cynthia. Baking with kids makes life-long memories. Enjoy, the cookies, and most especially, baking together.
Riz
These cookies look wonderful ! A good friend of mine has been devouring her way through gluten-free cookie recipes, I'm going to forward these to her. (She thanks you in advance!) 🙂
Colleen
Hi Riz, Your friend is welcome 😄
Shareba
I haven't had a good peanut butter cookie in forever! I had no idea you could make these without flour, that's good to know! I'll have to give these a try soon.
Colleen
Hi Shareba, do give these cookies a try. They are so yummy!
Biana
Just a few simple ingredients, and no flour?? Sign me up, I will definitely be making these peanut butter cookies soon.
Nart | Cooking with Nart
I can't believe these cookies are flourless! They look so perfect. I'm a big fan of peanut butter so I'm definitely gonna try this recipe 🙂
Colleen
Hi Nart, if you love peanut butter, then you will for sure love these cookies. Enjoy!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness
Flour is like gold these days!! I am so glad I got a "restaurant sized" bag back in November, but once I run out I will be making these cookies on repeat!!!
Also, thank you for the tip on defrosting. Knowing me, I definitely would end up with a soggy bag of cookies!!
Colleen
Hi Cathleen, what a crazy world right now, right? But at least there are cookies! 😄
Patty at Spoonabilities
I am so excited to make these! I didn't realize that flour was not needed to make peanut butter cookies, which by the way, are my FAV! Super excited to try these!
Colleen
Hi Patty, I think I like this flourless version even better than the usual one. I'm excited for you to give them a try!
Bhawana
peanut butter cookies looking absolutely great with milk aside. Being flourless they are looking chewy and buttry
Joss
These cookies melt in your mouth and are perfect for these times, when flour seems to be hard to come by!
Colleen
Thanks so much, Joss! I love that you enjoyed this recipe and yes, how did flour ever become hard to come by?? Stay safe.
Kristen
Wow so impressed with this simple lineup of ingredients! I can’t wait to make these, the hubby is a sucker for peanut butter cookies.
Colleen
Hi Kristen. These cookies are indeed simple, but so good. I hope you and your hubby love them!
Vanessa
Yes! So excited to make these with my kids. Have to look at the bright side with this home schooling - at least we can eat more peanut butter😉.
Colleen
Vanessa, I really feel for everyone who has to work at home while also homeschooling their kids. I hope these cookies help a little!