Easy 3-Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies: Healthy, Vegan & Gluten-Free Snack
Craving something sweet, yet wholesome and incredibly simple to make? Look no further! These delightful No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies are an absolute game-changer. Requiring only three basic ingredients – coconut flour, pure maple syrup, and all-natural peanut butter – they effortlessly bridge the gap between a satisfying energy bite, a soft, chewy cookie, and a melt-in-your-mouth fudgy candy. They are the perfect little treat for those moments when a sweet craving strikes, offering a guilt-free indulgence that’s ready in minutes.
This delicious recipe is brought to you as a sponsored post on behalf of Bob’s Red Mill. As always, all opinions are 100% mine, reflecting my genuine love for their quality products. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Confessions of a Fit Foodie possible.
You know those days when life throws a curveball? Well, for me, this past weekend, that curveball was my oven deciding to stage a dramatic exit. Right in the middle of testing a new brownie recipe, no less! Talk about frustrating. All those “ughs” quickly turned into “aha!” moments, though.
While I’m fortunate to have multiple Instant Pots and Air Fryers (perhaps even *too* many, haha!), with the kids at home, our oven has been working overtime for all sorts of baked goods. So, when it finally gave up, we pivoted directly onto the no-bake train. It became an exciting challenge to whip up our favorite no-bake treats and experiment with new recipes, leading to the glorious discovery of these incredible No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies.
And let me tell you, friends, these cookies are so unbelievably simple, yet I literally cannot make them fast enough to satisfy my husband and kids. When I was photographing a fresh batch yesterday, my son was glued to my side, relentlessly begging for “just one.” His tiny hand made an appearance in what felt like 95% of the photos, and he kept insisting I smell them, which, of course, was adorable. Their enthusiasm truly speaks volumes!
If you’re as obsessed with the dynamic duo of peanut butter and chocolate as I am, you absolutely must try my NEW Homemade Tagalongs! They’re not only incredibly delicious but also gluten-free and vegan, just like this fantastic recipe!
Table of Contents
Toggle
Why No Bake Recipes Like These Peanut Butter Cookies Rule
No-bake recipes are truly a lifesaver, especially when you’re short on time, dealing with a broken oven (like me!), or simply want to keep your kitchen cool during warmer months. These No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies perfectly embody all the reasons why this category of desserts is so fantastic:
- **Keep Your Kitchen Cool:** You don’t have to turn on your oven, which means no extra heat in your house. This is a blessing during scorching summer days or if you simply prefer not to deal with oven temperatures.
- **Instant Gratification:** Forget waiting around for a recipe to bake, then cool. You can whip these delightful cookies up in mere minutes and enjoy them almost instantly. They’re perfect for satisfying those sudden sweet cravings without delay.
- **Kid-Friendly Fun:** These cookies are so simple to make that kids can often prepare them all by themselves, or with minimal supervision, making it a fantastic activity for little chefs. It’s a great way to get them involved in the kitchen safely and easily.
- **Energy Efficient:** Skipping the oven entirely means you’re saving energy, which is good for both your utility bill and the environment.
- **Perfect for Busy Schedules:** With no baking time, these are ideal for last-minute treats, quick dessert emergencies, or preparing snacks for the week ahead without a huge time commitment.
What Do No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies Taste Like?
These gluten-free no-bake cookies offer a truly unique and irresistible experience. While they are indeed cookies, their texture is wonderfully complex, falling somewhere between a soft, chewy energy bite, rich, malleable cookie dough, and a decadent piece of fudgy candy. They don’t have the crisp snap of a baked cookie, but rather a dense, moist, and incredibly satisfying mouthfeel that my family absolutely adored.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a Perfect Bar, you’ll find the texture quite similar – thick, slightly dense, and incredibly rich. Each bite delivers a burst of robust peanut butter flavor, beautifully balanced by the natural sweetness of maple syrup. The coconut flour contributes to their structure without an overpowering coconut taste, simply adding a subtle, wholesome depth. They are a delightful contradiction: a cookie that feels more like a wholesome energy bar, yet satisfies every dessert craving.
Are These No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies Healthy?
Absolutely, yes! These No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies are a fantastic option if you’re looking for a healthier alternative to traditional baked sweets. They are crafted with just a few wholesome ingredients, making them an ideal smart snack when you’re craving something sweet but want to stick to your health goals. Each ingredient is carefully chosen for its nutritional benefits:
- **Coconut Flour:** A low-carb, high-fiber flour that adds substance and beneficial fiber without excess carbohydrates. It’s naturally gluten-free and gentle on digestion.
- **All-Natural Peanut Butter:** Provides a great source of protein and healthy monounsaturated fats, keeping you fuller for longer and supporting overall well-being. Look for brands with just peanuts and salt for the purest option.
- **Pure Maple Syrup:** A natural sweetener that offers a more complex flavor profile than refined sugars and contains antioxidants and minerals. It provides just enough sweetness without being overly sugary.
Beyond being naturally nutritious, these cookies are incredibly versatile for various dietary needs. They are proudly **gluten-free**, **dairy-free**, and completely **vegan**, making them suitable for a wide range of eating styles. For those following structured plans like the 21 Day Fix, these cookies are a dream, counting as just 1/4 orange and approximately 1.5 teaspoons per serving – a truly balanced and satisfying treat!
Ingredients for No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
The magic of these cookies lies in their simplicity. You truly only need three core ingredients to create this delightful treat:
- Bob’s Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour: This is the star of our no-bake show! Coconut flour is an exceptional choice for raw desserts because it’s simply desiccated coconut that’s been ground into a fine flour, making it perfectly safe and delicious to consume uncooked. What makes Bob’s Red Mill my go-to brand is their unwavering commitment to quality; they use only the highest standard of organic coconut, which translates into superior texture and flavor in your cookies. Its high absorbency is also key to these cookies’ unique, dense texture, helping to bind the ingredients beautifully.
- Peanut Butter: For the best possible results, you’ll want to reach for a drippy, all-natural peanut butter. This means checking the label for ingredients that list only peanuts, and perhaps a touch of salt – absolutely no added oils or sugars. The natural oils in this type of peanut butter contribute to the ideal moist and pliable texture of the cookie dough. If you only have “no-stir” peanut butter on hand, it can work, but be aware that your cookies might turn out a little drier and less pliable. For those with a peanut allergy or who simply prefer a different nut, almond butter or sun butter are excellent substitutes; just ensure they are also the natural, drippy kind to achieve a similar consistency.
- Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup serves a dual purpose in this recipe: it acts as a natural sweetener, adding a lovely depth of flavor, and also contributes essential moisture to help bind the coconut flour. I have not personally tested this recipe with honey, but based on its similar consistency, I believe it would work as a substitute, though the flavor profile would be slightly different. If you are aiming for a strictly vegan cookie, maple syrup is undeniably the best and most appropriate choice.
While these three ingredients form a perfect base, you can always elevate the flavor even further. Consider adding a touch of vanilla extract for extra warmth, or transform them into decadent No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies with a luxurious chocolate drizzle – more on that delightful option later!
You can use just these simple ingredients for a classic treat or add even more flavor by making them No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies with a luscious Chocolate drizzle…we’ll dive into that delicious variation soon!
Can I Substitute Coconut Flour for a Different Flour?
This is by far one of the most common questions I receive when sharing my coconut flour dessert recipes, and for good reason! Coconut flour is quite unique. For those unfamiliar with it, coconut flour is a remarkable ingredient: it’s naturally low in carbohydrates, packed with fiber, and completely allergy-friendly, making it an excellent foundation for healthy treats. It boasts a mild, subtly sweet taste that isn’t overwhelmingly “coconutty” (yes, I’m making that a word!) and blends beautifully with a variety of other flavors. It’s a staple in my pantry, and I’m constantly discovering new and delicious ways to incorporate it into my cooking.
However, the key characteristic of coconut flour that sets it apart from all-purpose flour or almond flour is its incredibly high absorbency. It acts like a sponge, soaking up a significant amount of liquid. Because of this unique property, coconut flour cannot be substituted 1:1 with other flours. Doing so would drastically alter the texture of your no-bake cookies, making them excessively dry and crumbly. If you happen to only have almond flour on hand, I recommend exploring other recipes specifically designed for it, such as these yummy no-bake Protein Balls, which share similar ingredients but are formulated for almond flour. Alternatively, for an oat-based option, these Peanut Butter Banana Cookies are a fantastic choice!
For the best and most consistent results with these No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies, it’s truly best to stick with coconut flour as specified in the recipe. Trust me, investing in a bag of high-quality Bob’s Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour will lead to a much happier outcome and perfectly textured cookies!
More Delicious Coconut Flour Recipes to Try:
If you’ve enjoyed working with coconut flour in this recipe, or are looking for more ways to incorporate this versatile and healthy ingredient into your baking, here are some of my other favorite coconut flour recipes that I’m sure you’ll love:
- Healthy Samoas Cookie Bars
- Healthy Strawberry Shortcake
- Healthy Copycat Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Easy Chocolate Macaroons
How to Make Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
This recipe is genuinely one of the easiest you’ll ever encounter, making it the absolute perfect activity to share with your kids this summer, or any time of year! There’s no complicated mixing, no delicate baking, just simple steps to deliciousness:
- **Combine the Wet Ingredients First:** In a medium-sized mixing bowl, start by combining your all-natural peanut butter and pure maple syrup. Stir these together thoroughly until they are well integrated and smooth. If you’re feeling a little extra fancy or want to boost the flavor, now is the perfect time to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract – it’s not strictly necessary, but it certainly enhances the cookie’s aroma and taste!
- **Gradually Add Coconut Flour:** Begin to slowly incorporate the Bob’s Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour into your wet mixture. Stir continuously, either with a spoon or a sturdy spatula. The mixture will start to thicken and come together, forming a cohesive dough. You’ll notice how quickly coconut flour absorbs the liquids, transforming from a sticky mixture into a workable cookie dough. Continue mixing until no dry streaks of flour remain and the dough is firm enough to roll.
- **Roll into Uniform Balls:** Once your dough is ready, scoop out small, equal-sized portions. I find that a rounded 1/2 tablespoon of dough per cookie works perfectly. Roll each portion between your palms to form smooth, uniform balls. Place these neatly onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a plate. This recipe typically yields about 14-16 small cookies, depending on their size.
- **Create the Classic Criss-Cross Pattern (or not!):** For that traditional peanut butter cookie look, gently press each cookie ball down with the tines of a fork, first in one direction, then rotating and pressing again to create a classic criss-cross pattern. This not only makes them look like traditional peanut butter cookies but also flattens them slightly for a perfect bite. If you prefer, you can skip this step entirely and simply enjoy them as delicious energy bite balls!
- **Optional Toppings:** For an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal, consider sprinkling your cookies with a pinch of flaky sea salt. The salt enhances the sweetness and richness of the peanut butter beautifully. For the ultimate indulgence, drizzle them with melted chocolate (dairy-free dark chocolate chips work wonderfully!).
- **Allow to Set and Enjoy:** Once formed (and topped, if desired), give your cookies a few minutes to “set.” I personally love them chilled in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes, as this firm them up slightly and enhances their fudgy texture. Then, they’re ready to be devoured!
How to Make These No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Topping
It’s no secret that peanut butter and chocolate are an iconic flavor combination, a true match made in dessert heaven! To elevate these simple No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies to an even more irresistible level, I decided to add a quick, luscious chocolate drizzle. It’s surprisingly easy and adds that perfect touch of decadence without significantly increasing the calorie count.
Here’s how to do it: Simply melt a tablespoon of your favorite dairy-free dark chocolate chips (I’m partial to Enjoy Life brand for their allergy-friendly options) with just one teaspoon of coconut oil. The coconut oil helps to thin out the chocolate, making it smooth and easy to drizzle, and it also aids in hardening once cooled, giving it a nice snap. You can do this in a small microwave-safe dish, heating in 10-15 second intervals and stirring until completely melted and smooth.
Once melted, use a spoon or a fork to artfully drizzle the chocolate over each cookie. The goal isn’t to cover them entirely, but rather to create delicate lines of chocolatey goodness – just enough to add that incredible chocolate flavor without overwhelming the peanut butter. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the wet chocolate at this stage will further enhance the flavors, creating a gourmet touch. Alternatively, if you prefer, you could press a couple of mini chocolate chips into the top of each cookie before chilling for a similar effect.
Looking for More Yummy No Bake Desserts for Summer?
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of no-bake treats, especially as the weather warms up, then you’re in for a treat! Here are some more of my favorite no-bake dessert recipes that are perfect for summer or anytime you want a quick, easy, and satisfying sweet:
- Healthy Edible Cookie Dough
- Whipped Ricotta Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
- Chocolate Chia Pudding
- Healthy Copycat Mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate Coconut Mounds Cups
- Banana Ice Cream Bon Bons
- Banana Ice Cream Pie
Once again, a huge thank you to Bob’s Red Mill for sponsoring this post. It truly means so much to me to work with brands that I wholeheartedly love and regularly use in my own kitchen!
No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
Nancylynn
14 -16 cookies
Pin Recipe
10 minutes
10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Bob’s Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour
- 1/2 cup all natural drippy peanut butter (just peanuts and maybe salt)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla if you have it…not necessary if you don’t!
optional chocolate drizzle:
- 1 tablespoon vegan dark chocolate chips I used Enjoy life
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Flakey sea salt
Instructions
-
In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter and maple syrup. Stir well until smooth and fully incorporated. If using, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract here for extra flavor. Gradually mix in the coconut flour, stirring until a firm, cohesive dough forms that can be easily rolled.
-
Scoop out portions of dough, about a rounded 1/2 tablespoon each, and roll them into uniform balls. Place these balls onto a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper. This recipe typically yields around 14-16 small cookies.
-
For a classic look, use a fork to gently flatten each cookie ball, pressing down once, then rotating the fork 90 degrees and pressing again to create the traditional criss-cross pattern. Alternatively, you can simply leave them as round energy bite balls if you prefer!
-
**Optional Chocolate Drizzle:** If adding a chocolate topping, combine 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of vegan dark chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe dish. Heat for 10-15 seconds, then stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Repeat heating and stirring as needed. Drizzle the melted chocolate over each cookie using a spoon or fork. You can also sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt at this stage.
-
Allow the cookies a few minutes to “set” at room temperature, or for a firmer, fudgier texture, chill them in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes. Once set, enjoy your delicious no-bake treats!
Notes
If you choose to add the chocolate drizzle, it adds a minimal amount, roughly 1/12 of a yellow treat swap or about 7 calories per cookie. In my opinion, this small addition is not worth separately counting.
WW: Each cookie (without chocolate) is approximately 3 points. With chocolate, it’s about 4 points per cookie.
**Storage:** Store these No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks (though, honestly, they rarely last longer than a couple of days in my house!). For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 104kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
Sodium: 49mg
Potassium: 65mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 6g
Calcium: 14mg
Iron: 0.4mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag @confessionsofafitfoodie on Instagram and hashtag it #confessionsofafitfoodie!