Once you’ve tasted these refined sugar free peanut butter cookies, you’ll never go back. It all starts with an oat flour that is blended with slightly sweet honey and comforting peanut butter. After baking, you’ll have a healthier version of a classic peanut butter cookie that is to die for.
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Refined sugar free desserts are all the rage these days. Although they are still a treat, many prefer these over using refined granulated sugar.
Me, well, I just like to experiment, and I won’t turn down any dessert as long as it tastes good!
Since there is such a demand for foods with more natural ingredients, I felt up to the challenge of turning peanut butter cookies into something slightly more nutritious.
I make my own oat flour from oats, add in a handful of other ingredients I always keep around and voila, we have the tastiest little peanut butter cookies around.
They also just so happen to be gluten free and could easily be made vegan by using flax eggs instead of real eggs and maple syrup instead of honey.
Making these cookies really took me back in time, too.
Who hasn’t sat in their parents or grandparents home at some time or another itching for another one of those home baked peanut butter cookies? The chewy, crispy exterior and gooey center, still warm from the oven. Dipping them into the coldest glass of milk. My mouth is watering just reminiscing!
Today, I want to show you how simple it is to take a cozy comfort food like this and put a healthier spin on it. It’s easier than you think!
Refined Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cookies
What are refined sugars?
Refined sugars have been broken down and stripped of all nutrients except for sugar. They are very processed.
On the other hand, there are less refined sweet options that tend to spike blood sugar less and have slightly more nutrients. They are minimally altered before being bottled and sold.
We often hear the phrase “sugar is sugar, no matter what it is or where it came from,” which is only a half truth.
Unrefined sugars don’t impact the body quite as much as processed sugars do. And some people prefer real ingredients instead of artificially made ones.
It should also be noted that unrefined sugars do not mean sugar free despite being less processed.
Unrefined sugar options for cookies
- Agave nectar
- Pure maple syrup
- Honey
- Stevia (this actually happens to be sugar free)
Tools You Need | refined sugar free peanut butter cookies
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Electric mixer (I use this one HERE and love it)
Measuring cups and spoons
Cookie sheet
Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
Spatula
Cooling rack
Ingredients | refined sugar free peanut butter cookies
2 cups oat flour – Blend up old-fashioned oats until a powder forms and you have a cost-effective oat flour. It has more protein and fiber than white flour.
1/2 cup honey – I like to use local raw honey but any honey is fine.
2/3 cup peanut butter – Natural peanut butter contains only nuts (and sometimes salt) and is the star of the show in this cookie recipe.
1 egg – Use eggs to help leaven the cookies.
1 tsp baking soda – Baking soda helps the cookies rise to the perfect height for chewy, crisp cookies.
2 tsp vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract enhances the flavors of this cookie dough and rounds out the recipe.
Steps | refined sugar free peanut butter cookies
1. Start by preheating the oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (flour and baking soda) together with a whisk.
3. Add eggs, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extra to dry mixture and mix on medium speed until combined.
4. Scoop dough onto parchment lined cookie sheet, spacing each cookie an inch apart (in between).
5. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for five minutes on cookie sheet.
6. Move cookies onto a cooling rack to fully cool and serve once they have firmed up enough to pick up without breaking.
7. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
Tips for Success | refined sugar free peanut butter cookies
If you want perfect sized round cookies be sure to use a cookie scooper like this one HERE which ensures all cookies are uniform.
For extra fun, sprinkle sea salt on the cookies right before baking to enjoy sweet and salty peanut butter cookies.
For an old-fashioned style, use a fork to press cookie dough down just before baking.
More Baking Recipes
Easy Bagel Recipe with Greek Yogurt
Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies without Peanut Butter
Refined Sugar Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Once you’ve tasted these refined sugar free peanut butter cookies, you’ll never go back.
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- electric mixer
- measuring cups and spoons
- cookie sheet
- parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- spatula
- cooling rack
- 2 cups oat flour
- 2/3 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (flour and baking soda) together with a whisk.
Add eggs, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extra to dry mixture and mix on medium speed until combined.
Scoop dough into 1-inch mounds onto parchment lined cookie sheet, spacing each cookie an inch apart (in between). Lightly press down.
Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for five minutes on cookie sheet.
Move cookies onto a cooling rack to fully cool and serve warm.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
If you want perfect sized round cookies be sure to use a cookie scooper like this one HERE which ensures all cookies are uniform.
For extra fun, sprinkle sea salt on the cookies right before baking to enjoy sweet and salty peanut butter cookies.
For an old-fashioned style, use a fork to press cookie dough down just before baking.
The Art of Cottagemaking 