Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies
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These whole wheat peanut butter cookies are everything we love about the classic peanut butter cookie, with a healthier twist! They're tender with a slight chew and are incredibly delicious. It's an easy recipe that kids love (and we feel better about serving), and they're ready in just 22 minutes!
For more healthier, whole-grain cookies, try our whole wheat chocolate chip cookies.
These whole wheat peanut butter are the perfect treat to have on hand throughout the week. They're healthier than the average cookie and taste great with a cup of tea or milk (our choice). It's an unfussy recipe that comes together quickly, and any extras freeze wonderfully.
Ingredients needed
These irresistible peanut butter cookies are made with straightforward ingredients you're likely to find in your pantry. Here's everything you need to make them:
- Whole wheat flour: whole wheat flour contains the hull of the wheat germ making it high in fiber and a healthier option to use in baking. It also gives these cookies a denser texture and nuttier taste.
- Cornstarch: adding cornstarch makes these extra-chewy and helps them keep their shape in the oven.
- Baking soda and baking powder: we use a little bit of both these leavening agents.
- Salt: fine grain sea salt is a flavor enhancer but it can also affect the tenderness of the cookie ā so don't skip it!
- Peanut butter: we use a smooth natural peanut butter for this recipe but you can use crunchy peanut butter if you like. Other nut butters like almond butter work too but won't give the same familiar peanut butter flavor we're after.
- Butter: butter gives these cookies structure and keeps them tender. Unsalted butter is best for baking, but you can use salted butter if that's what you have on hand (just omit the added salt in the recipe).
- Brown sugar and granulated sugar: we've experimented quite a bit with different sugars and the combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar yields a cookie with the best texture.
- Egg: eggs bind everything together and helps these cookies rise.
- Vanilla extract: a little bit of pure vanilla extract works as a flavor enhancer.
- Chocolate chips: adding chocolate chips is optional, but who doesn't love the classic taste of peanut butter and chocolate?
These peanut butter cookies with whole wheat flour are surprisingly easy to make with just a bowl and a hand mixer! Here's how we make them in a couple of simple steps:
- While your oven preheats, whisk together the dry ingredients.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars. Then, add in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and beat until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips with a spoon or spatula (if using).
- Scoop onto a prepared cookie sheet and press them down slightly.
- Bake them in the oven for 12 minutes, then allow them to cool a bit before taking a bite. Yum!
We're always looking for ways we can sneak more nutrition into our recipes. We want our calories to count, after all. Like our whole wheat pancakes and whole wheat soda bread; two recipes that prove that healthy really can taste great!
With a decent amount of butter and sugar we can't exactly call these cookies healthy, but in our opinion they are a healthier option. Firstly, they're homemade so there are no preservatives or unwanted ingredients. The whole wheat flour also gives them a boost of fiber which is good for digestion and helps keeps blood sugar in check.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour?
No, all-purpose and whole wheat flour can't be substituted. If you want to use all-purpose flour, we recommend using this chewy peanut butter cookie recipe. It's very similar to this whole wheat version but with the correct flour amount you'll need to use.
Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months.
How long do they keep at room temperature?
These cookies will keep on the counter for up to 5 days. If you don't think you'll eat them all in time, freeze them for a quick and easy treat.
Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to a year! Just be sure they are completely cool before transferring them to an airtight storage container.
I don't have a hand mixer. Can I make them with a spoon?
Yes, you can. You'll need some serious elbow grease to cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars. But it's doable!
Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Ā½ teaspoon EACH: baking soda and baking powder
- Ā¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- Ā½ cup butter (at room temperature)
- Ā½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- Ā¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, Ā½ teaspoon EACH: baking soda and baking powder, Ā¼ teaspoon salt
- In a large bowl, cream the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with electric beaters. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to combine.1 cup natural peanut butter, Ā½ cup butter, Ā½ cup brown sugar, Ā¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and beat just until combined. If using, stir in the chocolate chips1 cup chocolate chips
- Scoop the dough using a medium-sized cookie scoop and place them on a baking sheet. Press them down slightly. If you'd like, press a couple of chocolate chips into the top.
- Bake the cookies for 12 minutes then remove the tray from the oven. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the tray then carefully move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our cookie recipes!
These classic treats have a great texture (and I love addeding choc chips)! What a fun treat!
My kids finished a whole batch by one sitting! It is so good! Thanks!
Outstanding recipe thanks so much! tasted so much good!
Love these! My cookie jar is empty, so it is time to get to cooking! š Yum!
What’s surprising about these whole wheat peanut butter cookies, is that they are immensely satisfying! The brown sugar and butter create a warm & sweet essence and the peanut butter itself just adds that nutty and hearty flavor that you’d expect from a good peanut butter cookie. Love this recipe!