These are the best gluten-free peanut butter cookies! They are soft, chewy and a little crisp around the edges. The recipe also has a dairy-free and Vegan option.
Original recipe posted January 2019, post updated with new photos, information and recipe video December 2019
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
This is a super easy gluten-free peanut butter cookie recipe! It only requires a few simple ingredients and can be made in less than an hour.
These peanut butter cookies are the gluten-free version of the classic peanut butter cookie. These are not the flour-less 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies, the ones that are made with just peanut butter, egg and sugar. I am more of a classic cookie girl myself.
You can see how easy this gluten-free cookie recipe is by watching the recipe video.
How To Make Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
- Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and peanut butter to a large bowl and mix with your mixer until fully combined and creamy. (photo 1)
- Mix in the egg (or egg replacer) and the molasses. Mix until fully combined.
- In a medium bowl add the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (leave out if your flour already has it) baking soda and baking powder and stir to blend ingredients. Slowly pour flour mixture into the batter and mix until fully combined. The cookie dough will be like soft playdough.
- Cover cookie dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of the cookie dough and place 3 inches apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. (I used a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop.) (photo 2)
- Add the tablespoon of gluten-free flour to a small bowl and dip the bottom of your forking to the flour. Push down on the tops of the cookies making a crisscross “X” shape with the fork. (photo 3)
- Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with granulated sugar. (optional) (photo 4)
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until light brown on the edges. (Please watch your cookies because every oven is different.) (photo 5)
- Allow the cookies to cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Pro-Tip For Making Gluten-Free Peanutbutter Cookies
- Always use a cookie scoop. I use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop. It was a game-changer for me!
- I also like to use Reynolds Kitchens Cookie Baking Sheets. It has a smart grid that makes it super easy to line up your cookies on your baking sheet. I buy it at Walmart.
Can I Make The Cookie Dough Ahead Of Time?
You sure can! Just cover and refrigerate your cookie dough for up to 3 days.
Can I Freeze The Cookie Dough?
You can freeze cookie dough for up to 3 months. Scoop out the dough into balls just like before you are about to bake it, but place the cookie sheet in the freezer.
Once the cookies are frozen place the frozen cookie balls plastic freezer bag. Cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Because the baking dough is frozen, you will need to add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
Gluten-Free Flour
These gluten-free peanut butter cookies were made with a rice flour cup for cup blend. A cup for cup all-purpose gluten-free flour blend is one that already has xanthan gum it.
Most gluten-free all-purpose flour blends have xanthan gum already in them. The xanthan gum helps replace the elasticity and texture of gluten.
Make sure to check to see if the brand of gluten-free flour you are using has xanthan gum in it. If it does, do not add extra xanthan gum to the recipe or you will get gummy cookies!
I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.
Tip For Measuring Gluten-Free Flour
Gluten-free flour is different than traditional wheat flour. The best way to measure gluten-free flour is the “spoon & level” method.
I use a spoon to scoop the flour out of the bag and into the measuring cup. Then I use the back of a knife to level off the top of the measuring cup.
Please do not scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup. If you do, you could end up with more flour than is called for in the recipe.
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
I have also included a dairy-free option for the recipe. My husband, myself and youngest son are all dairy-free as well.
So now, you too can enjoy a gluten-free and dairy-free peanut butter cookie. For the dairy-free version of this recipe, I used Smart Balance butter.
Some of my favorite dairy-free alternatives that I like to bake with are almond, cashew or coconut milk. I also like baking with coconut oil or Smart Balance butter.
Egg-Free Baking
We recently found out that my husband has an egg sensitivity. So, I am learning to bake egg-free now as well.
I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Egg Replacer. They turned out great!
I made them both dairy-free and egg-free, so they would also be Vegan gluten-free peanut butter cookies. So, if you also need to be egg-free or are Vegan, you too can enjoy my gluten-free peanut butter cookies!
These gluten-free peanut butter cookies are a classic. They are so easy to make and simply delicious!
Love Peanut Butter And Chocolate? Make Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms!
More Gluten-Free Desserts For You To Try!
- Gluten-Free Mini Cheesecakes
- Gluten-Free Oatmeal Cookies {Dairy-Free Option}
- Cinnamon Roll Cake {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Option}
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Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies {Dairy-Free & Vegan Option}
Ingredients
- ½ cup gluten-free peanut butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (dairy-free and Vegan use Smart Balance or Earth Balance butter)
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 1 egg (,egg-free/Vegan use Bob's Red Mill gluten-free egg replacer)
- 1 ¼ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (I like Pillsbury gluten-free flour. Not all gluten-free flours are created equal. You may experience different baking results depending on the gluten-free flour blend you choose.)
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum (leave out if your flour already has it)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar ((optional))
Instructions
- Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and peanut butter to a large bowl and mix with your mixer until fully combined and creamy.
- Mix in the egg (or egg replacer) and the molasses. Mix until fully combined.
- In a medium bowl add the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum (leave out if your flour already has it) baking soda and baking powder and stir to blend ingredients.
- Add the flour mixture into the batter and mix until fully combined. The cookie dough will be like soft playdough.
- Cover cookie dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough on a parchment-lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart. (I used a greased 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop.)
- Add the tablespoon of gluten-free flour into a small bowl. Dip the bottom of your fork into the gluten-free flour and then press down on the tops of the cookies to make a crisscross "x" shape.
- Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with granulated sugar. (optional)
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until light brown on the edges. (Please watch your cookies because every oven is different.)
- Allow the cookies to cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- To bring your egg to room temperature add very warm, but not hot, tap water into a bowl. Place your cold egg into the water gently. Wait five to seven minutes.
- Always use a cookie scoop. I use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop. It was a game changer for me!
- I also like to use Reynolds Kitchens Cookie Baking Sheets. It has a smart grid that makes it super easy to line up your cookies on your baking sheet. I but it at Walmart.
- For dairy-free I used Smart Balance butter.
- For egg-free/Vegan I used Bob's Red Mill egg replacer.
- Store in an air-tight container.
- See the post on how to freeze the cookie dough.
Michelle Duncan says
Seriously so good! I add chocolate chips and then put in the fridge for a few hours or over night. The best ever!
Barbara Barnhill says
Audrey was correct when she said ‘the best gf peanut butter cookies”. These were so delicious. Gluten free and non-gluten free family members LOVED them. We have decided to make another batch for an upcoming church event. I’m sure they will be a hit. Thank you Audrey!!!
Frances S. says
wonderful recipe. excellent and clear directions. my family loves them!
Selene Shuster Schulz says
Wonderful in so many ways. Sorry to say I’m not a peanut butter fan, but these had the perfect amount in them. I’ll try some other recipes soon. So happy I found this site. Thank you!
Charlotte Fouse says
These cookies are delicious! You can’t eat just one…😊
Jenni says
Absolutely love this recipe. Made them and froze them so I wouldn’t eat them all in one sitting! I love your recipes!
Elizabeth DiMeo says
Excellent cookie recipe!
Karen says
I have yet to be “skunked.” So far I’ve made pancakes, banana bread, pb n oatmeal cookies, n biscuits. My non-celiac husband can’t get enough!
Avram Mandell says
Great recipe – easy and delicious. We added vegan chocolate chunks and that was a great addition. When using Smart Balance the cookies spread out more than with butter. Two options to fix this problem is to refrigerate the dough for 30-minutes or add a tablespoon of vegetable shortening in place of a tablespoon of margarine.
Lourae Fitzgerald says
I love, love these cookies. Even my husband who eats glutenful cookies likes them.
And they’re pretty easy to make.
Audrey says
Thank you so much Lourae for the wonderful recipe review, it really made my night! I am so happy that you love the peanut butter cookies and your husband enjoys them as well. Thank you again!
Denise says
awesome recipe!
Taylor Smarsty says
Shes done it again!!!! Sheesh! These are amazing. I used earth balance butter and Bob’s red mill GF flour. A++ SO YUMMY.
Audrey says
Thank you so much Taylor for the awesome 5-star recipe review, it really made my day! I am so happy that you enjoyed the peanut butter cookies and that they were amazing. Thank you for sharing which brand of dairy-free butter and gluten-free flour you used, as I know it will help others. Thank you again!
Kim says
In me and my Family’s opinion, these are the BEST peanut butter cookies ever!!! I have tried the 3 or 4 ingredient PBC recipes and they taste good but are lacking something … FLOUR! Again it’s just our opinion but the cookies came out fantastic and weren’t any trouble to make at all. They are exactly how I like them which is a bit on the crispy side instead of chewy. Thanks so much for the recipe and btw I bought your cookbook recently for myself and one for my daughter as we’re both gluten free and should be Dairy free (my Grandson is both) ?. We both love the cookbook and have made a few of your recipes. I look forward to trying more! Have a blessed day ?
Audrey says
Thank you so much Kim for the awesome 5-star recipe review, it really made my day! I am so happy that you and your family think that these are the BEST peanut butter cookies. Thank you so much for buying my cookbook, I hope you enjoy all of the recipes. You are so welcome, I love sharing the recipes that I make for my family. Thank you again for your kind words and encouragement, they really blessed me.
Betty says
These are the best PB cookies and hard to believe they are GF !!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Betty for the awesome 5-star recipe review, it really made my night! I am so happy that these are the best peanut butter cookies and it’s hard to believe that they are gluten-free. Thank you again!
Bev says
So delicious! Would never know it was not made with regular flour. The family can’t stop eating them.
Thank you.
Audrey says
Thank you so much Bev for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you and your family enjoyed the peanut butter cookies. You are so welcome I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!
Betty says
The most delicious PB cookies ever !. Thanks so much for making GF baking so easy & successful Audrey !
Audrey says
Thank you so much Betty for the awesome 5-star recipe review, this really made my day! I am so happy that you enjoyed the peanut butter cookies and they are the most delicious peanut butter cookies ever. You are so welcome Betty, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!
Linda says
The perfect cookie!!
Audrey says
Thank you Linda for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the peanut butter cookies. They are one of my family’s favorites. Thank you again!