Healthy 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These healthy peanut butter cookies are a simple yet delicious treat made with just four ingredients. Perfect for a quick snack or dessert, these cookies are naturally gluten-free and refined sugar-free. With the addition of crunchy organic roasted salted peanuts, they have an extra layer of texture and flavor that makes them irresistible.

Ingredients

  • Peanut butter: 1 cup (crunchy preferred, recipe calls for creamy)
  • Maple syrup: 1/2 cup
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Almond flour: 1 cup (finely ground from blanched almonds)
  • Organic roasted salted peanuts: 1/3 cup (optional)
  • Salt flakes: for sprinkling on top (optional)

Instructions

Preparing the Dough

  1. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
  2. Add Peanuts: If using, fold in 1/3 cup of organic roasted salted peanuts for added crunch.
  3. Incorporate Almond Flour: Gradually mix in 1 cup of finely ground almond flour until a dough forms.

Shaping and Baking the Cookies

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Shape Cookies: Using a scoop or spoon, drop dough onto the prepared cookie sheet. Flatten each cookie slightly with a fork, creating a crisscross pattern on top.
  4. Sprinkle Salt: Lightly sprinkle a few salt flakes on top of each cookie, if desired.

Baking

  1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  2. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Perfect Cookies

  • Peanut Butter Choice: While the recipe calls for creamy peanut butter, using crunchy peanut butter adds an extra texture that many enjoy.
  • Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze them for longer storage.
  • Custom Add-ins: Feel free to add other mix-ins like dark chocolate chips or dried fruit for a different twist.

Nutritional Information (per cookie)

  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugar: 6 g

Additional Tips

  • Serving Suggestions: Enjoy these cookies with a glass of almond milk or a cup of tea for a delightful snack.
  • Health Benefits: These cookies are not only delicious but also provide a good source of healthy fats and protein from the peanut butter and almond flour.

These healthy peanut butter cookies are a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to create a nutritious and satisfying treat. Make a batch and enjoy them guilt-free!