No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

These addictive refined sugar free No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies are made from 5 pantry staple ingredients and are entirely gluten-free and vegan! Chopped dark chocolate and a good pinch of flaky sea salt take these simple cookies to the next level, but they’re just as delicious without the add-ins.

I probably don’t need to tell you that the last few weeks have been ROUGH.

We’re all adapting to this new way of life and figuring out new routines and normals. For me, this sort of thing has always been challenging. I know, it seems ridiculous coming from the girl who up and moved around the world three times in two years, but I’m a creature of habit.

I like routines; I thrive on organisation and having a set schedule. I’m at my most productive and happiest when I can make a plan in advance and follow through with it. (Hello, Type 1!)

So I did what any Millennial would do in this situation: I hit the reset button.

Over the Easter weekend, I deleted all my social media apps, put my phone on airplane mode, and just lived. I went on walks (not too far and not for too long), basked in the sunshine, called my family, read, ate lots of food, didn’t bother to shower, and watched crap TV with Chris. It was so freeing – not having to worry about anything except taking care of myself. If you haven’t done a social media detox yet since this whole pandemic started, you must!

Obviously, one of the ways I practice self-care is by baking. Baking brings me such joy and I’m so honoured that I get to share this gift with you and bring you joy as well.

These No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies are one of the recipes I have been baking on REPEAT for the past month. (Sometimes twice or even three times a week!) I was waiting until later in the year to share them with you, but I think we all need a little 5-ingredient PB cookie love right now.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• They’re DELICIOUS. Seriously, that deserves the capital letters, because these babies are so addictively sweet, savoury, and salty. They’re the perfect after-dinner treat, lunch dessert, or cheeky post-work out snack. I dare you to eat just one!
• These No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies are naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup. No refined sugar in sight!
• This no-fuss recipe uses only 5 ingredients. These are the easiest healthy cookies to make – all you need is a bowl and a wooden spoon to mix everything together.
• No baking required! Just a few minutes of chilling to firm up the dough once moulded into cookies.
• These 5 ingredient peanut butter cookies are gluten-free and vegan!

Ingredients in these healthy no bake cookies

• Natural peanut butter: The star! Drippy natural peanut butter works best for this recipe. I recommend using smooth, but if all you have is crunchy, that works too!
• Pure maple syrup: I love the pairing of maple syrup and peanut butter, but you could also use agave nectar or honey.
• Almond flour: To bind together the dough for these No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies, we’re using almond flour. Not only does it help us avoid E. coli and other health risks associated with raw wheat flour, it also keeps these cookies to be gluten free.
• Dark chocolate: Personally, I think this is a must, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can leave it out.
• Flaky sea salt: Again, not required, but will definitely turn these cookies from YUM to OMGICAN’TSTOPEATINGTHEM status.

Can almond butter be substituted for peanut butter in these no bake cookies?

In a word, yes! However, they won’t be peanut butter cookies anymore, will they?

I have tried these with almond butter and they’re delicious. I’m also planning on giving hazelnut butter a go too!

How to make no bake peanut butter cookies

I honestly feel a little silly even calling this no bake cookies recipe a “recipe” – it’s so simple! Here’s how to do it:

1. Mix together the peanut butter and maple syrup.
2. Add the almond flour and mix until a dough forms.
3. Fold in the chopped chocolate.
4. Roll the dough into 9 equal-sized balls. Place the dough balls on a baking tray and press them down using a fork.
5. Top with flaky sea salt and chill.

Need a little visual help? Follow along with the video tutorial for this No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies recipe:

How long do no bake cookies take to set?

These No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies take only 20 minutes to set in the fridge. Which, to be honest, is one of the best things about this recipe.

No waiting around for dough to chill and then waiting for them to bake and then waiting for them to cool past molten lava point.

Simply mix, roll, chill, and eat!

Looking for more naturally sweetened cookies?

Cinnamon Espresso Oatmeal Cookies
Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Cups
Apple Crumble Cookies
The Best Natural Peanut Butter Cookies
Apricot and Hazelnut Cookies
Cranberry Almond Vegan Breakfast Cookies
Sugar Cookies

If you make this recipe, let me know by snapping a picture and tagging me on Instagram @naturallysweet_kitchen. I love seeing your creations and sharing them in my Stories. Or let me know you love these No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies by leaving a comment and rating below!

5 from 4 votes

Print

No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

These addictive naturally sweetened No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies are made from 5 pantry staple ingredients and are entirely gluten-free and vegan!

Category Cookies, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword 5 ingredient peanut butter cookies, healthy no bake cookies, no bake peanut butter cookies, no bake peanut butter cookies vegan

Prep Time 10 minutes

Chilling 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Serves 9 cookies

Author Amanda | Naturally Sweet Kitchen

Ingredients

• 125 g smooth natural peanut butter
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 70 g almond flour (blanched ground almonds)
• 30 g dark chocolate chopped finely
• Flaky sea salt for topping

Method

1. In a bowl, beat together the peanut butter and maple syrup until emulsified.
2. Add the almond flour and stir until a rough ball of dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chunks.
3. Divide the dough evenly into 9 portions. Roll each portion into a ball and place it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Using a fork, press the dough gently down to form a cookie shape. Top each cookie with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
4. Refrigerate the cookies for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Recipe Video

Notes

• These cookies will keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 6 days. If you prefer a softer cookie, remove the cookies from the fridge 15 minutes before serving.
• To make these completely vegan, use dairy-free chocolate or leave it out.
• If you don’t have flaky sea salt, add ¼ tsp fine sea salt into the batter with the almond flour.