Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Updated Apr 03, 2026, Published Jul 31, 2009
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On a hot and sticky September afternoon in the year 2000, I walked into a sterile, frigid building. Then I looked into his eyes and fell head over heels in love with a stranger.
meet julian
His name is Julian. A thoughtful, artistic, sensitive soul with a laugh that comes from the very depths of his being. He loves music, art, and Pokemon. He is one of my g-kids.
Julian is one of the biggest supporters of my gluten-free lifestyle and always very concerned that what I eat not be harmful to me. He is my self declared number one taste tester for new recipes. In particular, he loves to test the sweets and treats.
Last week he asked me to give him cooking classes. We started with something simple, Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies.
the perect gluten-free beginner cookie
These cookies are the perfect recipe for children. They require no fancy gadgets, just a bowl and a wooden spoon. No sharp implements, no dangerous mixer beaters. Plus they get to use their hands which is a big plus! I took oven duty, putting them in and taking them out and he did the rest.
We had a fun afternoon. He learned about measuring and stirring, got to lick the bowl and spoon, and we chatted and laughed. Best of all, we were rewarded with some really delicious cookies.
These cookies may be easy to make and a great project for kids. However, believe me, they are not to be relegated to the “kid’s food” category. They are sugary, chewy and utterly fantastic!
not just gluten-free, flourless
The fact that they are flourless is a plus but honestly you will never miss the flour. In fact, they are hands down the best peanut butter cookies I have ever had. Julian say’s it is because of the extra love he put in, could be. Try them yourself and let me know if it is Julian’s extra love that makes them so special or if they are just plain fantastic. Don’t worry, I’ll never tell.
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar , plus more for rolling the cookies in
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten with a fork
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking liners.
- In a large bowl mix the peanut butter with 1 cup sugar. Stir until well blended. Add the egg, baking powder and vanilla. Stir well. Pour some additional sugar in a small bowl. Take 1 tablespoon of the dough and roll in to a ball. Roll the dough ball in the sugar and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
- Take a dinner fork, stick it in the sugar and gently press down each dough ball to flatten, then turn the fork 90 degrees and gently press again, making the traditional hatch markings of a peanut butter cookie.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Take out of over and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Gently transfer the cookies to a rack to finish cooling.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
He sounds like such a caring, sweet young boy!!! He is just glowing helping you with those cookies!! Thanks for this great recipe :)
Brilliant post.
I LOVE little boys. (That came out wrong, you know what I mean.)
I'm amazed that those cookies stay together. They must be the moistest, more peanut buttery things on the planet.
I love the simplicity of this Carol…had no idea you could make cookies without any flour. And Julian looks like a natural in the kitchen too!
I have been making these cookies for quite awhile now…. so quick and easy….. and this is my MOST REQUESTED COOKIES FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!
Your son is so cute. Nice helper in the kitchen. Love your cookies. Anything with peanut butter and I like it.
Another G-kid cutie you have there, Carol! I'm quite the fan of flourless peanut butter cookies myself. I use the recipe that calls for brown sugar vs white, but I know many who like both. Yum in either case.
Thanks for sharing!
Shirley
I use the brown sugar version, too, and love it! It’s almost too delicious. Technically I’m not supposed to eat peanuts OR sugar, but I love making these for my family on special occasions (and they certainly love for me to make them, too!)
I understand about too delicious! You can make these nut free with Sunbutter – just add a few drops of lemon juice or the cookies will be an odd color but they taste great! And woould be (practically) guilt free!
What a gorgeous child! Seriously. He is destined to be a heartbreaker some day.
Those are the first cookies I ever made with my daughter for all of the same reasons. Luckily, they are pure awesomeness! Yours turned out perfectly!
He sounds so sweet =) Anything with PB for me!
Julian is gorgeous!! Reminds me of my son, same exact age! who loves pokemon and cooking and has long hair. See my blog for pics of him. They would be great friends don't you think?! I can not believe you are a granny! I had to look at your picture again and again! you look great!! XO
I made these yesterday and they came out really great. Thanks for the recipe!