Easy Keto Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Peanut butter cookies are a classic dessert that everyone loves. Not only are they delicious, but they are also packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making them a perfect treat. 

However, finding a low-carb recipe that doesn’t require sugar and flour can be challenging.

With this simple four-ingredient keto peanut butter cookie recipe, you can enjoy a satisfying dessert without worrying about getting kicked out of ketosis.

Benefits of peanut butter

Peanut butter is keto-friendly and a nutritional powerhouse packed with protein and healthy fats that help with muscle growth, weight management, and heart health.

It's also loaded with antioxidants such as vitamin E, which can help protect your cells from oxidative damage, and minerals such as magnesium, crucial for energy production.

Additionally, its high fiber content supports digestive health and can help prevent constipation.

Peanut butter has a low glycemic index, making it a great choice for maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

Unfortunately, many store-bought brands have added sugar, and choosing a natural or sugar-free peanut butter is important when making this recipe.

"Many peanut butters are derived from GMO peanuts, linked to various health issues, and it’s best to opt for non-GMO organic peanut butter to minimize the risk of adverse health effects," explains Dr. Berg. 

Watch the video below to learn how to make low-carb peanut butter cookies at home.

Why you’ll love this keto peanut butter cookie recipe

Sugar-laden desserts are off-limits on a keto diet, but these peanut butter cookies are low in carbs and sugar-free, making them a fantastic keto-friendly dessert.

Here are a few reasons why you'll love these peanut butter cookies:

• Made with only four ingredients

• Low in carbs and high in healthy fats

• Gluten-free and grain-free

• 100 percent keto-friendly

• Perfect for satisfying cravings

• Easily customizable

These cookies are the perfect dessert that can be enjoyed with a cup of bulletproof coffee, herbal tea, or black coffee. 

You can pack them in your bag as a quick pick-me-up during the day without worrying about giving in to sugar cravings.

They’re also ideal for meal prepping as you can bake a large batch and freeze them for later use. Simply take out one or two whenever you want a delightful treat.

What’s in keto peanut butter cookies?

There are many different ways to make flourless peanut butter cookies, but this recipe keeps it simple with only four ingredients: egg, peanut butter, a keto-friendly sugar substitute, and dark chocolate chips.  

Unlike traditional dough recipes, these keto cookies are held together with egg and natural peanut butter.

You can choose a keto-friendly sugar alternative such as stevia or monk fruit extract to add sweetness without the extra calories or carbs. 

This recipe can be easily customized to fit your preferences. One way to do this is by dipping it in melted dark chocolate for a more indulgent treat.

Depending on your taste and dietary restrictions, you can replace peanut butter with cashew or almond butter, and incorporating almond flour or coconut flour into the dough can help balance the richness of natural peanut butter.

Experiment with different textures by making this recipe with crunchy or smooth peanut butter and adding vanilla extract to provide a warm flavor similar to traditional peanut butter cookies.

Mix in baking powder for a light, airy texture or baking soda for a traditional consistency to help the cookie rise and spread. 

You can also include sea salt to enhance the flavor profile and maximize the amazing peanut butter flavor. 

For an extra special touch, try rolling the cookie dough in a mixture of cinnamon and erythritol before baking.

Keto-friendly alternative sweeteners

Sugar alternatives are perfect for people seeking to reduce their sugar intake and those following a low-carb lifestyle. However, not all sugar replacements are created equal or suitable for keto.

Among the most popular keto-friendly options are erythritol, stevia, xylitol, and monk fruit extract, which are low in carbs. 

Erythritol has zero glycemic index and won’t affect blood sugar or insulin levels.

Stevia, a plant-based sweetener, is virtually calorie-free and over 200 times sweeter than sugar. Unfortunately, some brands compromise the health benefits of stevia by adding unhealthy preservatives such as maltodextrin. 

Maltodextrin can irritate your digestion and elevate your blood sugar levels, and it’s crucial to opt for pure stevia extracts without hidden additives. 

While offering a sweetness identical to sugar, xylitol also brings dental health benefits such as cavity prevention. However, some individuals are sensitive to xylitol and may experience digestive issues such as bloating and gas.  

Monk fruit extract, praised for its intense sweetness sans the calories, also packs antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

On the other hand, artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes such as dextrose should be avoided.

Not only does dextrose have a high glycemic index, which can raise blood sugar levels, but it also contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that can cause harm to your health.

Storing and freezing keto peanut butter cookies

These cookies are perfect for meal prep since they can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic for several days at room temperature.

If you want to make them ahead of time, freeze the raw dough and take it out when you’re ready to bake.

You can freeze fully baked cookies and thaw them when needed, but label and date the storage container or bag to avoid eating cookies past their prime.

When freezing cookies, it's best to use a prepared baking sheet between each cookie to prevent them from sticking together.

To defrost, remove cookies from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature.

You can also reheat these cookies in a 350°F (180°C) oven for a few minutes. Be careful not to overheat them, as they can become dry and crumbly.