The Ultimate Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe: Soft & Chewy Every Time
Why These Are The Most Perfect Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies You'll Ever Make
Creating perfectly chewy gluten-free peanut butter cookies has always been a challenge – until now.
After testing various batches in my home bakery, I’ve perfected this recipe that delivers cookies so incredible, no one will ever guess they’re gluten-free.
These peanut butter cookies have a rich, buttery texture with slightly crispy edges and the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth centers.
Whether you’re gluten-sensitive or just craving the best peanut butter cookies of your life, this foolproof recipe will become your new go-to.
The secret lies in the precise balance of ingredients and a few special techniques I’ve discovered through years of gluten-free baking.
PS. There’s also a sugar-free option that won’t detract from these awesome cookies if you’re on a low-carb keto, banting or paleo diet.
Easy Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe (Ready in 30 Minutes)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup natural creamy peanut butter (room temperature)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (I recommend one with xanthan gum)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons milk (any type)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and well combined (about 2 minutes).
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes lighter in color and fluffier.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Add the milk and mix until you have a soft, uniform dough.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Using a fork, create the classic crisscross pattern on top of each cookie.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look slightly soft.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Baking Tips:
- Don’t overbake! The cookies will continue to set as they cool.
- Make sure your peanut butter is well-stirred and at room temperature for the best texture.
- If your dough seems too sticky, chill it for 30 minutes before rolling.
- For extra peanutty flavor, you can roll the dough balls in chopped peanuts before making the fork marks.
This recipe yields about 24 cookies that stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days – though they rarely last that long in my kitchen!
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies: Complete Nutrition Facts & Serving Size
Nutrition Information & Yield (Only 145 Calories Per Cookie!)
Ah yes, let me break down the yield and nutritional information for these cookies!
Yield: 24 cookies
Nutritional Information (per cookie):
- Calories: 145
- Total Fat: 7.5g
– Saturated Fat: 1.5g - Carbohydrates: 16g
– Dietary Fiber: 0.8g
– Sugars: 10g - Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Please note that these calculations are based on using a standard gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and natural peanut butter without added sugars.
The exact numbers might vary slightly depending on the specific brands you use.
For example, if you use a peanut butter with added sugar, the calorie and sugar content will be a bit higher.
Here’s a helpful portion control tip from my baking experience:
if you want smaller cookies (and thus fewer calories per cookie), you can make them into 1-tablespoon portions instead of the 1-inch balls.
This will yield about 36 cookies at roughly 95-100 calories each, though you’ll need to reduce the baking time by 1-2 minutes.
Healthy Swaps: How to Make Low-Sugar Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies (That Still Taste Amazing)
I’ve also discovered several effective ways to make these cookies more nutritious while keeping them delicious which you may find useful
- Sugar Reduction Strategies:
- Replace half the granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or erythritol
- Cut the total sugar to 3/4 cup (instead of 1 cup total) – I’ve found this still maintains good texture
- Use mashed very ripe banana (about 1/4 cup) to replace some sugar – this adds natural sweetness and moisture
- Peanut Butter Modifications:
- Mix half PB2 (powdered peanut butter) with half regular peanut butter – this cuts fat while maintaining flavor
- Use natural peanut butter with no added oils or sugar
- Consider almond butter as it’s typically lower in calories
- Texture Enhancers (to make up for reduced fat/sugar):
- Add 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed – provides structure and healthy fats
- Include 2 tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce – adds moisture
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your flour blend doesn’t include it – helps with binding
- Size and Portion Control:
- Make smaller cookies (1 tablespoon size)
- Create a slight dimple in the center instead of flattening completely – this makes them appear larger
- Use a small cookie scoop for consistent sizing
With these modifications, you can reduce the calories to about 95-100 per cookie while maintaining that chewy texture we love.
The most successful combination I’ve found is:
- Using 1/2 cup regular peanut butter + 1/2 cup PB2 reconstituted
- Reducing total sugar to 3/4 cup with 1/4 cup being monk fruit sweetener
- Adding 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- Including 2 tablespoons applesauce
This brings the calories down to about 95 per cookie while keeping that classic peanut butter cookie taste and texture.
The applesauce and flaxseed are our secret weapons here – they keep the cookies moist and chewy despite the reduced fat content.
Ready to Bake Your Perfect Batch of Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies?
You’re now equipped with all the secrets to create these irresistible gluten-free peanut butter cookies.
Whether you’re making the classic version or trying our lower-calorie swaps, remember that the key is in letting them cool completely – those few extra minutes of patience will reward you with the perfect chewy texture.
Your kitchen is about to smell amazing, and your friends won’t believe these cookies are gluten free.
Even better?
You can feel good about every bite, knowing exactly what goes into them.
Time to preheat that oven!
Want to Indulge in Sweet Treats Without the Sugar Spike?
Don’t let the temptation of sweet treats and desserts derail your healthy lifestyle!
This collection of decadent sugar-free treat recipes allows you to indulge without any guilt and harmful side effects!
Just for starters, take a look at these;
- Gooey Brownies topped with golden Caramel
- Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Buttery Cinnamon Rolls with Frosting
- Moist Chocolate Cake topped with Buttercream
- Tangy Raspberry Glaze and more…
So, if you’re tired of dessert recipes that taste “healthy”, these sugar-free treats are so rich and decadent, that even sugar lovers can’t tell the difference.
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