Grain-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
These grain-free peanut butter cookies will make you smile.
In our house, dessert is a must. And this is because Steve thinks he has to have some kind of dessert after every dinner. I don’t really go this route. I mean, if I’m full from dinner, I don’t need dessert. But, I get that a lot of people are like Steve. These paleo peanut butter cookies are perfect — paleo, delicious, and they only have four ingredients!
Having a healthy dessert that can be grabbed in an instant is imperative. I say imperative because I’m not made of steel. If I don’t have a “safe” dessert available, he will bring in all sorts of crap, and depending on what it is, I might be tempted. It’s beyond me how a man who is so smart can think that because a box says “healthy” or “natural” that it must be so.
To avoid having desserts that make me cringe, I make it a point to have Stacey-approved treats available. It’s just so much easier than having to do the big eye-roll every time…
Now, I am no baker. For real. I kind of stink at baking. I don’t like to measure and I do like to taste as I’m creating, and these things don’t mix well with baking. That’s why I am so appreciative of all of the awesome bloggers out there who create easy and delicious desserts. These paleo peanut butter cookies are the amazing creation of Brandi from The Vegan 8.
If you are looking for another awesome peanut butter treat, try my Peanut Butter Pumpkin Fudge recipe.
These grain-free peanut butter cookies are made with only 4 ingredients, but they each pack a great nutritional punch:
Peanuts, contrary to what some believe, are actually good for many things in your body. I don’t often let myself eat them because they sometimes contain mold and it’s really hard to find reasonably priced organic healthy peanuts. But, these popular nuts are great for lessening edema; they act like a diuretic. They can also help you if you have insomnia or if you are breast feeding. An old-time remedy is to made peanut tea and drink it for bed to promote sleep. And, peanut shells used to be used to help with high blood pressure.
Coconut strengthens the body, reduces swelling, and stops bleeding. It kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. These cookies are rolled in coconut sugar and it really makes them taste awesome!
In Asian medicine, nuts are known to be good for your brain, heart, skin and reproductive system. Almonds are particularly nutritious. They are a good source of protein and they give you energy. And, they are gluten-free. Almonds will help relieve a cough and asthma and are also good for constipation. This recipe uses almond flour instead of traditional flour.
Pure maple syrup contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in the body (think inflammatory bowel syndrome or heart disease). It also contains zinc, calcium, and magnesium. It’s much lower on the glycemic scale than traditional sugar. Whenever possible, use a darker (grade B) syrup because the nutritional composition is better than that of lighter syrups.
| Paleo Peanut Butter Cookies | | Print |
- 1-1/4 cup almond flour
- ½ cup organic creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup pure grade B maple syrup
- 2 Tbs coconut sugar
- small pinch of salt
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Combine the peanut butter, almond flour, maple syrup, and a tiny pinch of salt in a large bowl. Use a big spoon to mush it all together. (My peanut butter was in the fridge, so I let it sit in a warm place for a bit to make this easier.)
- Roll the dough into balls the size of golf-ball. (I made 14 balls.)
- Put the coconut sugar in a small bowl and roll each ball in the sugar, until well coated.
- Place the sugar-coated balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Use a fork to press down on each cookie (in 2 directions).
- Bake just until the edges start to brown a bit, but not too long. I found that 10 minutes was perfect.
- Remove from oven and let the cookies cool completely.
- Enjoy!
I have been eating Paleo for about 3 years and everything I have read says that peanut butter is not Paleo
Hi! The only ingredient in the peanut butter that I use is peanuts! You are correct that a lot of nut butters are not paleo because they contain sugar. I use an organic peanut butter that is really just ground up peanuts. Sometimes I’ll even make it myself in my Vitamix!
Hey there! These look great. 🙂 But there seems to be some confusion. Peanuts are not paleo. The issue isn’t the sugar in some peanut butters – it’s that peanuts are a legume and legumes are definitely not paleo. Here are some sources: http://www.paleoplan.com/2011/12-29/peanuts-are-not-paleo/
https://ultimatepaleoguide.com/peanuts-paleo/
Lexi — you are absolutely right! I don’t eat strictly paleo, but I’m grain-free and dairy-free. I guess I fell into the trap of believing what I want to believe with peanuts. I didn’t eat any peanuts for the longest time because of issues like mold, etc… but when I found some organic raw peanuts, I was too excited to try them! I will re-name this recipe appropriately. Thank you so much for all of your research!
The “dough” is so dry, I cannot understand how you could get the cookies to come out as shown in your photo with the ingredients and measurements in your recipe. I made exactly as listed and when I used the fork to push it down it turned into a crumbly mess. I baked anyway hoping for a miracle but what I got was a burnt dry inedible mess. 🙁 what a waste of some costly ingredients.
Ssdie, I’m sorry you had a bad experience with this recipe. I’m not sure what the problem is. This is the recipe that readers send me the most photographs of because they love it so much! I have made them many times and have never had the issue you speak of. The peanut butter I use is organic, which tends to be oiler that others. Many of the natural peanut butters are oily as well. Perhaps you used a drier nut butter? Or not enough maple syrup? I can honestly tell you that these cookies get rave reviews — if you are up to it, I think it’s worth another try!
You had me at peanut butter and maple syrup! They are in the oven right now!! Can’t wait!
Awesome! How good do they smell…
Soooo good!
Diane, I’m so glad you like them as much as I do!
This recipe doesn’t say how/when to use the salt? Does it go IN the cookie or ON it with the sugar?
Hi Sharon! Oh my… I see that you are correct and I left out instructions about the salt. I like to put a tiny pinch of salt in with the mixture in the bowl before they are formed into cookies… thanks for catching this! I hope you enjoy the cookies!
Thanks, Stacey! These cookies have a wonderful taste and texture! I just use the first 3 ingredients shown, and bake for 370 degrees for 7 minutes because my oven runs extra hot. We have made these several times, and they’ve always turned out fabulously!
I’m so glad you like them as much as I do!
These just came out of the oven and are DELICIOUS!! I made them exactly as written and all I can say is YUM!!!!
I am so glad you love them as much as I do!