There’s nothing quite as delightful as biting into one of these Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free) — they’re impossibly tender, rich, and packed with pure peanut buttery bliss! Not only do they come together in a matter of minutes, but with just a handful of pantry staples, you’ll have a sweet treat that’s perfect for anyone craving cookies without gluten or the fuss of specialty flours. Whether you follow a gluten-free lifestyle or just love an easy, nostalgic cookie, this recipe is guaranteed to become a household favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These cookies prove that you don’t need a lengthy ingredients list to achieve an irresistible dessert! Each ingredient has a starring role, bringing something special to the taste, texture, or even the warm, golden hue of these Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free).
- Peanut Butter: The heart and soul of these cookies, peanut butter delivers a creamy texture and bold flavor—creamy works best, but crunchy gives a fun twist.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps them get those beautifully crackled tops; you can sub with coconut or maple sugar for a refined-sugar-free version.
- Large Egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together, giving your cookies just the right amount of chewiness.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a comforting aroma and depth that rounds out the nutty flavors.
- Baking Soda: Gives the cookies a slight lift, creating that delicate, tender bite we love.
- Pinch of Salt: Enhances the sweetness and accentuates the peanut butter’s rich, roasted flavor.
How to Make Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free)
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s nicely heated by the time your cookie dough is ready. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookies don’t stick and cleanup is a breeze.
Step 2: Mix Up the Dough
In a medium mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, and just the tiniest pinch of salt. Stir everything together until your dough looks smooth and glossy, and you can’t see any streaks of egg or hunks of sugar—get ready for a dough that comes together in seconds!
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
Scoop out a tablespoon of dough for each cookie and roll into little balls with your hands. Place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about two inches between each one so they have space to spread just a bit.
Step 4: Create the Signature Crisscross
Use the back of a fork to press down on each dough ball, first in one direction and then the other, making that classic crisscross pattern. It’s not just for looks—it helps each cookie bake up evenly and gives a nostalgic, homemade flair.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop your cookies in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges turn a light golden color. Keep an eye on them; you want them soft and chewy in the center, not dry.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes—they’ll be fragile right out of the oven. Then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This short wait makes all the difference, letting them firm up to perfect, just-right softness.
How to Serve Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free)
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, sprinkle the tops of your cookies with flaky sea salt right after baking for a sweet-salty crave appeal, or drizzle them with a bit of melted dark chocolate once they’re cool if you want to impress chocolate lovers.
Side Dishes
These cookies are fabulous on their own, but they pair beautifully with a cold glass of your favorite milk, a piping-hot mug of coffee, or—even better—a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple but drool-worthy dessert duo!
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re gifting these Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free), layer them in a mason jar or arrange them in a box lined with parchment and a colorful ribbon. You can even sandwich a bit of peanut butter or jam between two cookies for an irresistible treat, or crumble them over ice cream sundaes for a gluten-free crunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They stay soft and chewy, retaining their fresh-from-the-oven flavor without drying out.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free)! Place them in a single layer on a tray to freeze, then stack them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep their texture and flavor for up to two months. Just let them thaw at room temperature when the craving strikes.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookies warm, pop one in the microwave for about 10 seconds. It’ll taste just like it did fresh from the oven, with gooey centers and that irresistible peanut butter aroma wafting through your kitchen.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds extra nuttiness and a delightful bite to these cookies. It’s a fantastic way to change up the texture without any extra effort.
Are these cookies suitable for people with dairy allergies?
Yes, these cookies are completely dairy-free as written! Just double-check that your peanut butter doesn’t contain added dairy ingredients, though most brands are naturally dairy-free.
Can I substitute sugar with a different sweetener?
Definitely. Coconut sugar or maple sugar works beautifully and keeps the cookies refined-sugar-free. Just note, the flavor and cookie color may change slightly, but you’ll still get that scrumptious, chewy texture.
How do I keep these cookies from getting too crumbly?
Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them—this gives them time to set up and hold together beautifully! If they’re still too soft, a little extra baking time (just a minute or two) can help.
Can I double the recipe?
No problem! This recipe doubles (or even triples) easily—just make sure to use a larger bowl for mixing and a couple of baking sheets so the cookies have plenty of room.
Final Thoughts
Once you try these Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free), you’ll keep coming back for more—the ease, the flavor, and that soft, chewy bite are truly irresistible. Don’t be surprised if these cookies disappear as fast as you can bake them! Give this recipe a try, and let me know how quickly they vanish in your house, too.
Print
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free) Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies are a delightful gluten-free treat that is quick and easy to make. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these delicious cookies in no time.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. Stir until smooth.
- Form Cookies: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie, roll into balls, and place on the baking sheet. Flatten with a fork.
- Bake: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- You can use crunchy peanut butter for added texture.
- For a refined sugar-free option, substitute coconut sugar or maple sugar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
