Easy Paleo Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter cookies are hard to resist with their familiar appeal. Rich, nutty and comforting, they have a tender or chewy texture that makes a simple homemade cookie especially satisfying.

These Easy Paleo Peanut Butter Cookies are based on that classic flavour, but there is one important distinction to know before you make them. Strict Paleo eating plans usually exclude peanuts, which are legumes. That said, a cookie made with real peanut butter wouldn’t fall strictly under the category of Paleo, even if the other ingredients are grain-free.

If you’re being less strict about grain-free eating, you might still want to indulge in some peanut butter cookies. But if you’re strictly following Paleo guidelines, a recipe with a compatible nut or seed butter is the way to go. Knowing the difference lets you pick a cookie that suits your taste and steers clear of false dietary labels.

What Are Paleo Peanut Butter Cookies

You see the phrase Paleo peanut butter cookies around online for cookies that look like traditional peanut butter cookies but are made with alternative flours and sweeteners. However, the name can be a bit of a misnomer, since peanuts are not generally considered Paleo foods.

Some recipes call for real peanut butter and are more about avoiding grains or refined sugar. Others use almond butter or another substitute to make a more Paleo-friendly cookie.

The texture varies with the ingredients. Because they don’t rely on regular wheat flour, grain-free cookies can be tender, chewy or a little crumbly.

If you are strictly Paleo, examine the ingredients in the recipe and not just the title.

Paleo’s not keto. Keto’s not paleo. In general, Paleo focuses on certain food groups and eliminates grains, legumes and a lot of the processed ingredients.

Keto is all about restricting carbohydrates. Depending on the product and serving size, peanut butter may fit into some keto eating plans if it fits the person’s carbohydrate goals.

Sweeteners are different too. Paleo recipes can use honey or maple syrup, but keto recipes use low-carb sweeteners.

A cookie can be grain-free but not keto, and it can be keto-friendly but not strictly Paleo. What’s the actual ingredient list and nutrition info that makes the description appropriate?

Are Peanuts Technically Paleo?

No, peanuts are legumes, not tree nuts, and strict Paleo diets do not usually include legumes. That’s including traditional peanut butter and peanuts.

This is an important distinction, as peanuts are often lumped together with nuts in everyday cooking. But nutritionally and botanically, they are in a different category.

Almond butter and some other nut butters are common in paleo-style baking. They can create a similar rich, nutty flavour, but they won’t taste exactly like peanut butter.

And if you’re not strictly adhering to a Paleo diet, maybe you just want a grain-free peanut butter cookie. That’s a good point, but it’s more accurate to describe the cookie based on what it actually contains.

What Are The Best Paleo Substitutes For This Cookie?

In Paleo-style baking, almond butter is often used in place of peanut butter. It has a mild, nutty flavour and can make a tender cookie if the recipe is based on it.

Cashew butter is creamier and more delicate in flavour. Sunflower seed butter can also be used in some recipes, although it has a different flavour and baking properties.

Flour substitutions are difficult. Almond flour and coconut flour absorb moisture differently, so they’re not interchangeable in equal amounts.

The choice of sweetener matters, too. Honey and maple syrup add liquid and sugar to the dough, which can alter the texture.

Instead of trying to substitute several ingredients on your own, pick a recipe that was created with the substitutions you need in mind to get dependable results.

How To Make The Chewiest Paleo Peanut Butter Cookies Every Time!

Chewy cookies require the perfect balance of moisture, fat and structure. Flourless doughs can act differently than flour doughs. This makes proportions of ingredients especially important.

One is nut butter like in consistency. Natural nut butters also can separate when stored, and brands vary in how much added sugar or oil they contain.

Small cookies can dry out very quickly if overbaked. Sometimes a cookie will keep firming up after coming out of the oven, so you can’t always tell the final texture immediately.

Chewiness can also be influenced by the type of sweetener. Granulated substitutes and liquid sweeteners aren’t necessarily going to give the same result.

The goal is to get a cookie that is sturdy enough to hold together nicely, but is still soft and nice to bite into.

Can I Make Paleo Peanut Butter Cookies Without Almond Flour?

Some grain-free cookie recipes don’t even use almond flour, instead using nut butter and other ingredients for structure. But they probably won’t have the texture of a flour cookie.

You can also use coconut flour but it absorbs a lot more liquid than almond flour. A straight substitution can result in dry, crumbly cookies.

If you are avoiding almond flour due to an allergy, be aware that almond butter and other tree nut ingredients may also be off-limits. The ingredient’s safety depends on the allergy.

When you want a predictable texture, your best bet is a recipe that’s designed without almond flour.

Can These Cookies Be Made Whole30?

Traditional Whole30 guidelines ban added sugars and generally discourage the recreation of cookies, desserts, and similar treats with otherwise compliant ingredients.

That means a sweet cookie recipe isn’t automatically considered Whole30 compliant just because it uses almond flour or another grain-free ingredient.

Traditional Whole30 rules don’t allow peanut butter either since peanuts are legumes.

If you’re strictly doing Whole30, it’s best to opt for foods that fit within the program’s guidelines instead of trying to label a dessert as compliant.

Storage depends on the moisture content and ingredients of the cookie. Grain-free cookies may be softer or more fragile in storage than traditional butter cookies.

Cool completely and store in a suitable covered container to maintain texture. Follow the recipe’s requirements for ingredients that need to be kept cold.

Many grain-free cookies are freezable, although they may have a different texture once you thaw them out.

For best results, follow the storage instructions for that particular recipe rather than assuming that all Paleo-style cookies will behave the same way.

Common Questions and Answers About Paleo Peanut Butter Cookies

Are peanut butter cookies actually Paleo?

Not strictly paleo as it contains real peanut butter. Peanuts are a legume and generally not included. Cookies prepared with suitable nut butter substitutes can be Paleo-friendly if the remaining ingredients are also Paleo.

Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?

Some recipes will accept almond butter, but the taste and feel may be different. Because almond butter can be thick or thin, and have more or less oil, a recipe made for it will yield better, more consistent results.

Are Paleo peanut butter cookies gluten free?

A cookie made without wheat or other gluten-containing ingredients might be gluten free but that’s dependent on the whole recipe and possible cross contact. But a Paleo label does not guaranty safety from gluten.

These cookies are sugar free?

Not necessarily. Some recipes that are grain-free or Paleo style will use honey, maple syrup or other sweeteners that still have sugar in them. – Look at the actual ingredients and nutritional information.

More Paleo Desserts made Easy

If you want to try baking in the Paleo style, good recipes starting off are almond flour cookies and coconut flour muffins. Fruit desserts and the right ingredients can provide you with another naturally sweet option.

If you want something chocolatey, try the grain-free brownies or the almond butter cookies. If you’re on a strict diet, always check the full list of ingredients.