These Nut Butter Cookies are a perfect healthy treat; they’re grain-free with only 5 ingredients, and can be made in 15 minutes!
Sweet treats are part of my everyday routine, but I do make an effort to use ingredients that support my health. I used both almond and peanut butter in this recipe, but you could easily substitute cashew butter or tahini to make them paleo. The coconut flour helps them stick together, and the dates are the only sweetener.
You’ll need a food processor to get everything nicely combined. I also used vanilla bean powder because I just love vanilla. I used a regular fork to make the little pattern on top. I saw someone do that on Instagram (sorry, I can’t remember who!) but I thought it was so cute and reminiscent of “real” peanut butter cookies.
Guys, I know I promised I’d talk about my grain-free journey if you were interested. I got enough positivity responses that I thought I’d bring it up here. I’ve been seeing a functional medicine doctor who is a super big advocate of a primal/paleo approach for healing (here’s a good article about the problems with grains), which includes avoiding gluten as well as grains.
While I’m not one to cut out whole categories of foods after my previous experience of going too far with that, this doc has encouraged me to experiment with eating fewer grains, all the while monitoring some nagging issues like joint pain and autoimmune antibody markers. I’m actually not going 100% grain-free and still enjoy “safer” grains like white rice and buckwheat a few times a week, but it’s been kind of fun to experiment more with some new-to-me products in the kitchen like coconut flour that I used in this recipe today.
Incidentally, my doc also promotes a legume-free approach for autoimmune issues, but I had to sneak in a bit of peanut butter into these cookies. Peanuts are technically a legume and not a nut, but I’ll pretend to be ignorant on that point, ha ha.
Does that shed some light on the grain-free trend that I’ve hopped on?
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Nut Butter Cookies
Prep Time: 5 minutes- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Grain-Free, Vegan, paleo
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Pin RecipeDescription
These grain-free treats take all of 15 minutes to make. They are date-sweetened and a healthy cookie option.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- ½ cup almond butter
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla bean powder (or vanilla extract)
- pinch of sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the dates, almond butter, peanut butter, coconut flour, vanilla bean powder, and sea salt in the bowl of a food processor.
- Pulse on high until the ingredients are well combined.
- Pour the mixture into a mixing bowl and use your hands to form about 10 cookies.
- Press a fork into the top of each cookie to form a pattern.
- For the best texture, chill the cookies in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Feel free to substitute cashew butter or tahini for the almond or peanut butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 85
Items Recommended for this Nut Butter Cookie Recipe:
- Food processor, I use a Breville Sous Chef
- All-natural almond butter (smooth or crunchy)
- Organic coconut flour
- Vanilla bean powder
I may have eaten all but two of these cookies last week before my husband asked if he could try them. I gave him the last two and he promptly asked for another batch. A good sign, I think!
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Deb E says
March 27, 2017 at 9:45 amMy kind of cookie! I stocked up on natural crunchy PB last night since it was on sale so need to go shopping for more ingredients. These will keep you fueled for sure and all the ingredients seem to digest well for me, which is usually the factor on what I eat for the day. Such a touchy stomach lately. I think one day last week I just ate oats–they are my safe food. Coconut flour is so good though. Thanks for the recipe!
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
March 27, 2017 at 12:35 pmThanks, Deb! Hoping your tummy feels better this week! Xo.
Erin says
April 10, 2017 at 7:15 amThanks for submitting! I made these yummy cookies and call them my “power cookies” for an excuse to eat them after work out. Then I call them “healthy cookies” as an excuse to eat them when I don’t work out. Ha!
★★★★★
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 10, 2017 at 8:11 amHa ha, that’s great, Erin. I love how you re-name them based on your needs. XOXO!
Renee says
April 10, 2017 at 4:41 pmThese are super easy! I love that they are only date sweetened – I can feel good about giving one to my little guys at home!
Michele Spring says
April 11, 2017 at 4:07 pmSo fun and they look like the perfect after-school snack for my son. He needs something that will fill him up but something I feel good about, and something that doesn’t require baking is awesome. Will have to try these!
Cristina Curp says
April 12, 2017 at 4:37 pmOh I bet these are so chewy and delish! Love that they’re no bake, we’re almost in “to hot to use the oven” weather over here!
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 13, 2017 at 7:24 amOh wow, I wish I could say it was warming up here in California, Cristina! We’re still getting rain and cold-ish weather. Enjoy your lovely spring! XO.
Anya says
April 12, 2017 at 10:48 pmI agree – I think we can all enjoy sweet treats so long as they are made with healthy ingredients. Love this recipe, looks so delicious.
★★★★★
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 13, 2017 at 7:24 amThanks, Anya!!! XOXO.
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says
April 13, 2017 at 9:32 amI love all kinds of no bake desserts because they’re so fast to make, and it’s an extra bonus these are date sweetened!
ChihYu says
April 13, 2017 at 10:11 amWow ! This recipe looks so simple and delicious ! Going to make these cookies the coming weekend !
★★★★★
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 13, 2017 at 5:00 pmOh yay! That makes me so happy. Please let me know how they turn out for you! XO.
STACEY CRAWFORD says
April 13, 2017 at 1:28 pmI love that these are vegan & egg free for my vegan friends. I never have anything egg free for them, lol.
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 13, 2017 at 5:02 pmThat’s great, Stacey! I wish I could use eggs, but I am super intolerant to egg whites, so I’m always looking for a good way to sub out the eggs. I just tested the egg replacer from Bob’s Red Mill in the Lemon Poppyseed Muffin recipe I posted this week and they turned out great. Woo-hoo! 🙂
Allison Wojtowecz says
April 13, 2017 at 2:20 pmAgh Carrie this speaks to my soul! Love nut butter and no bake?? Too easy.
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 13, 2017 at 5:02 pmXOXO, Allison! Have a wonderful holiday weekend.
Jessica DeMay says
April 13, 2017 at 4:55 pmThese look so good, Carrie and I love that they’re sweetened with dates. The fact that they’re no bake makes them perfect for the summer 🙂
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 13, 2017 at 5:02 pmYes, definitely! I’m happy to hear you’re a date fan as well. Have a great weekend, Jessica! XO.
Katja says
April 13, 2017 at 8:25 pmThese look really good! And so easy. I love that you used just dates to sweeten them. And no bake!!
Erin Carter says
April 14, 2017 at 6:03 pmLove how simple these sound! And no bake is so nice when it gets hot out.
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 15, 2017 at 5:15 pmRight?! I love how you are already thinking ahead to warmer weather, Erin. I can’t wait for summer!!! XOXO.
Becky Winkler says
April 15, 2017 at 9:03 amOooh, I love vanilla bean powder, too! These cookies sound great.
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 15, 2017 at 5:14 pmHi Becky! I’m glad I’m not the only one! I feel like nobody knows about how awesome vanilla bean powder is. Have a great rest of your weekend!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
April 15, 2017 at 10:32 pmThese sound delicious! I LOVE all of the dates in them, dates are one of my favorite things. I love the texture they add to cookies and other goodies.
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 17, 2017 at 6:16 amThat’s a good point, Emily! Dates do give some nice texture to sweet treats. XO.
Real Food with Dana says
April 16, 2017 at 6:14 amLove these! I’m always looking for simple cookie recipes that can be thrown together super quick without a lot of ingredients, so this is perfect!
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 17, 2017 at 6:16 amMe too, Dana! I love having healthy sweet treats available. Have a great week! XO.
Vanessa Woozley says
April 16, 2017 at 12:26 pmWhat a lovely easy cookie recipe. I’m a PB fan too, yummy.
★★★★★
Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition says
April 17, 2017 at 6:15 amThanks, Vanessa!!! XO.
Hannah Healy says
April 19, 2017 at 7:29 pmThese look like amazing cookies and something I want to try very soon.
★★★★★
Kelly Bejelly says
April 21, 2017 at 9:11 amYum! These sound absolutely lovely. I absolutely adore no bake recipes so I can still make amazing food in the hot summer months.
★★★★★
20 Dishes says
April 21, 2017 at 3:02 pmThere is NO doubt in my mind that many families across our community would absolutely adore and devour these cookies. Great job!
★★★★★