Lots of goodies in today's post!
First off, these addictive (healthy-delicious) Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies. These cookies are grain free and naturally sweetened -- using sticky sweet Natural Delights Medjool dates. And there are only three main ingredients.
Get the recipe, plus a few bonuses like a FREE Vegan Decadent Desserts e-book. And enter today's $200 vegan baking giveaway...
Medjool dates act as both the sweetener and binder in this vegan, egg-free recipe. By soaking the dates they take on a wonderful sticky, fiber-ful texture and add so much to these cookies! I love the natural date sweetness combined with rich nutty peanut butter.
Before baking.. (The dough is really tasty, you can totally eat it raw or chill it in the fridge for no-bake cookies.)
I love these cookies served slightly warm, alongside a glass of chilled almond milk..
Add vegan chocolate chips if you'd like..
Naturally Sweet. I love experimenting with no-sugar-added dessert recipes using Natural Delights Medjool dates. This one was a winner!.. (Seriously, I have made three batches of these in the past few weeks.
Just three. All you need (with a few optional ingredients like vanilla extract, cinnamon...)
* Peanut butter (or almond or sun butter)
* Coconut flour (I DIY-ed mine using coconut shreds)
* Natural Delights Medjool dates
Peanut Butter Treat. These cookies are perfect as an after dinner nibble, on-the-go sweet snack or used as a fun topping to crumble over top a big bowl of banana ice cream. (..Yum, that is actually a great idea, how have I not tried that yet. Next time!)
Now for some fun bonus stuff..
Who wants a free decadent desserts e-book? Let me help you decide this one.. If you love chocolate truffles, creamy berry ice cream, glazed lemon cake, strawberry crisp, tarts, chocolate fudgsicles and more, this e-book will be a treat for you and your family.
This free Vegan Decadent Desserts E-book is brought to you by my collaboration with three of my favorite produce brands: California Giant, Natural Delights Medjool Dates and Duda Farm Fresh, aka Dandy.
If you download our free e-book, you are eligible to enter my $200 vegan baking giveaway!..
The Giveaway Prize ($200 value): Williams-Sonoma Goldtouch® Nonstick 6-Piece Essentials Bakeware Set, my Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen cookbook, Chloe's Vegan Desserts cookbook (one of my personal fave vegan baking cookbooks) and also a bunch of fresh produce goodies from California Giant, Natural Delights Medjool Dates and Duda Farm Fresh. Giveaway ends 5/17.
Enter giveaway at the bottom of this post.
Check out a preview of some of the recipes in Vegan Decadent Desserts..
..get these recipes in the ebook: Get it here!
I hope you enjoy these cookies!
If you love Medjool dates just as much as I do, check out.. My 12 Favorite Medjool Date Recipes!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Natural Delights Medjool Dates, but all opinions are my own.
Easy Grain-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 10-12 Natural Delights Medjool Dates, pitted and soaked for at least 20 minutes in hot water (blends into about ⅔ cup date paste)
- ⅓ cup salted peanut butter (crunchy or creamy) -- almond butter or sun butter works too!
- 1 cup coconut flour (I DIY-ed my flour, see below for details)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder + ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar (optional)
- 2 teaspoon warm water, as needed
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- Optional add-in: ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
- Optional date-paste add-in: 1-3 tablespoon water (if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- IY coconut flour: I made my own coconut flour by blending low-fat coconut shreds in my Vitamix from low to high until a fine powder formed.
- To make date paste: add all the pitted/soaked/drained Medjool dates to a high speed blender. start blending from low to high, scraping down the sides ever minute or so. Add in 1-2 tablespoon water if needed to blend -- this is usually needed if your dates were extra dry or did not soak long enough. Note: Your paste does not need to be perfectly smooth and creamy - it can be slightly lumpy if you don't mind those textures in your cookies. Another tip: If you don't mind adding oil, you can add 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil to the date paste to help smooth things out and make it a bit richer.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the date paste and the peanut butter. Then fold in any optional ingredients like the vanilla extract and vinegar and baking powder combo. (The vinegar and baking powder make your cookies a bit fluffier.) Now fold in the coconut flour. If your dough feels a bit too thick or dry, you can fold in the optional 2 teaspoon warm water. The dough should be similar to a traditional cookie dough, with a bit more texture. Finally, fold in the optional chocolate chips.
- Roll your dough into balls and place on the baking sheet. Press down on the cookies with a fork, in a criss cross design.
- Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 9-12 minutes.
- Serve warm and store leftovers in the fridge or freezer. These are super as grab-n-go snacks or healthy dessert nibbles. I love them with cold almond milk.
meg says
very tasty but I found the texture wasn't very good. They weren't hard and crunchy like normal cookies but too soft and fell apart. Any tips to improve the texture? I'm trying not to use oats.
Many thanks
Weeaboo Lord says
I made mine with oat flour and they turned out great, and I added some whole oats for texture. I also used normal dried dates, as they are cheaper than medjool. I couldn't believe these are healthy and I ate a whole batch in a day 😋😋 As for anyone who said theyre dry, try cooking them for less long or adding oat instead of coconut flour
Veggie Eddie says
These came out sooo dry. Can't even taste the PB. My friend thought they were the worst tasting cookies ever. Fortunately her Dog loves them so I didn't have to throw them away...just gave them to the Dog!
RockMyVeganSocks says
Sweet! Free e-book =D
I LOVE medjool dates - I use them in date balls the most. Or just eat 'em straight =)
Your cookies sound so good! I love easy recipes.
Christen says
I love peanut butter cookies, and want to try this recipe, but a few folks who made them said they are dry. Would like to hear a solution from the author before trying them out. thx
Corrinne Ellis says
I made them tonight and was optimistic, but mine also turned out really dry. Hubby wouldn't finish his, kid wouldn't even try it. I ate mine dunking in almond milk which was 100% better. I wonder if you could bake them without the coconut flour....the batter with the peanut butter and dates was so yummy.
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks for the feedback! If they turn out too dry that can be remedied by increasing the moisture in your date paste. Dates come a wide variety of moisture levels once soaked and so you do have to play around a bit to get the perfect consistency for your desired cookie texture. It took me a few batches to figure out my fave moisture level, but I did enjoy each and every varying batch! Even the drier texture tastes amazing dunked. Or crumbled on top of banana ice cream or your fave yogurt.
Corrinne says
Oh, I will eat them for sure, possibly as you've suggested. I have made peanut butter cookies without flour...I may try that with your recipe to see how it turns out. The combo of peanut butter and dates was so very yummy that I just have to try again! Thanks, Kathy!
Melissa Clemons says
Smoothies!
Roki says
Banana - Date Shakes!
D Charte says
We love to use them in smoothies -
calmond says
I love Natural Delights Medjool Dates--we eat lots of those! I love them plain, made into date balls with coconut or added to smoothies for sweetness!
Corinne says
Hi Kathy!
I just want to say that I'm a HUGE fan -- I love your book and it sits on my coffee table, getting opened most mornings when I need a little inspiration.
When you posted this recipe I was so beyond excited because I'd been looking for an excuse to buy a big box of dates for myself and for something to do with that bag of coconut flour in the depths of my baking cabinet as I'm moving soon and would like to empty the pantry a bit. Unfortunately the battery was so dry and crumbly it was inedible and when I baked them they were still dry. I'm wondering if maybe the store-bought coconut flour (mine is TJs) just requires a lot more moisture to work in a recipe? I know that typically coconut flour recipes call for a large amount of egg or other source of liquid/protein.
Thanks!!
Jules says
I just wanted to let you know that I had the exact same problem you had with this recipe! No matter what I tried to add there was just too much flour. I'm not sure what the answer is besides adding little bits of flour at a time until you get he perfect consistency.
AnAmbitLife says
I use Natural Delights Medjool Dates daily in my green smoothie, along with organic strawberries ( when available- CalGiant is my strawberry of choice). I LOVE LOVE LOVE Meyer Lemons also! I first discovered them once in Europe, when I had salted preserved Meyer Lemons. It is such a blessing whenever they are in season and you can actually find them! They make the best lemon pudding, lemon loaf, and are amazing for slicing and putting in a refreshing mint lemon ginger iced tea!
rajee says
Love to use them on cookies and smoothies
millaSB says
Can't wait to try them!
Jennifer Hutzel says
Can't wait to try the recipes from the cookbook!
DebbieDisco says
My favorite use for Medjool dates is for vegan/gluten-free pie crusts. I soak them and then add them to nuts (like almonds or pecans) that have been coarsely ground in a food processor. Add a pinch of salt & cinnamon and that's it!
AnAmbitLife says
this crust sounds absolutely delish! Do you have the recipe?
Breanna Excell says
I love to eat medjool dates alone or with peanut butter! Definitely need to try this recipe!!!
Kris says
Medjool date carmel for vegan rolos!
Amy Katz says
I always have Medjool dates on hand for smoothies and chia pudding, or just for snacking! I can't wait to try this 3-ingredient PB cookie recipe. I used to make one years ago before I was vegan and gluten-free and have been looking for a new version ever since!
Elin Roberts says
In granola bars : )
Annamarie Voss says
I like to just eat them as a snack but I also use them in marinades and dressing as a sweetener.
Jillian O'Donohoe says
I love to make chocolate covered peanut butter stuffed dates! It's like candy but better!
Audra1227 says
Hi! These look awesome. Quick question - does store bought coconut flour work? It's definitely not the same as pulverized dried coconut. Thanks!
Melissa says
I like to eat them with peanut butter!
Anushka Wickramaratne says
Stuffed with PB or, better yet, right out of the container!
Steph says
I like to use them In smoothies
Jessica Piekenbrock says
My favorite way to eat them is stuffed with peanut butter...so crazy addictive!
Katie Barthel says
I love your recipe videos - they're so quick and fun to watch!
Billy says
Followed the directions, came out perfectly!! Thanks for the great recipe
Meredith Depuydt says
hmmmm, i just made these, followed the recipe to a tee, and they turned out quite dry
Heather S says
I love to use them in my grandmother's date nut pinwheel recipe cookies 🙂
Laurie A. says
I've used them in smoothies & in granola bars, but I'd really like to try making a caramel with them.
Melissa Atlas says
I looove to eat Medjool dates with peanut butter and chocolate chips.
JW says
This is boring, but my favorite way to use dates is just to eat them 🙂
Molly Penaflor says
I love enjoying them on their own! Sometimes filled with a little peanut butter or almond butter, yumm!
Marina D says
My favorite way to use dates is for a pie crust or just to eat on their own with peanut butter! 🙂
Rhonna Jerauld says
i havent used dates a ton admittedly, but when i have its been in cookies or to sweeten smoothies. i may try these though!
Rie-chan says
Don't have a favourite way to use dates-I hate them.
Vera K says
I use Medjool dates to sweeten up smoothies.
Stefanie says
I use them in cookies and layer bars
Deb E says
I make oat energy bars with Medjool dates. Just two ingredients are perfect.
Naila says
Dark Chocolate Brownie Protein Bars! So delicious!
Tamra Phelps says
Oh, I love making these 7 Layer Bars that I use dates in. They are so good!
Gillian Moynihan says
I love dates in a Persian-inspired grain salad! Dried fruit and nuts and usually bulgur (sometimes couscous), super good!
Kay says
I actually just used dates to make banana bread!
Gwen Lawson says
I like to pit them and fill them with almond butter! Also a big fan of using them to sweeten sweet potato brownies.
Lisa Severini says
Yum! These look delicious! I love to use medjool dates to make date caramel...yummm
Michelle P says
I love to use them when I make my steel cut oats in the Instant pot.
Kelsey says
I love medjool dates dipped in cashew butter as a snack or in homemade granola bars!
Roseanne says
So far, I've only used Medjool dates to make dateorade smoothies! I still have to try using them in baked goodies.
Joann says
I love to use Medjools in smoothies and in banana bread!
The Whole Food Rainbow says
Hey Kathy, these look so good! and everything I can eat which is just GREAT!! 🙂
Taylor says
Stuff them with peanut butter and eat them!
adaprincess2 says
I love putting medjool dates in smoothies or just stuffing with peanut butter, so good!
ambigu1ty says
I make vegan baked almond "feta" cheese and stuff that into medjool dates - my omnivore coworkers can't get enough of them! 🙂
Susan Laverty says
I use medjool dates in all my deserts!
Claire Elizabeth says
I love stuffing them with coconut butter for a decadent (😉) dessert treat!
Jessica Eagle says
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway. And of course, my favorite way to use dates is in a dates square. Not very original but so delicious.
Janel M. says
I like to pit the dates and fill them with PB & J. It's crazy-sweet, but so good!
Van says
I love that you sweetened these with dates. I'm always looking for recipes that are fruit-sweetened. I always keep a stock of medjool dates. I use them for everything. Ok, maybe not everything. But they are my go-to sweetener for smoothies. I also tend to keep some variety of date balls in the fridge, to munch on, and avoid junk food or sugary snacks (currently in my fridge: walnut fudge brownie balls, black forest balls, and PB/chocolate balls). I don't know if I can live without medjool dates, at this point.
Kelsey G says
My favorite way to prepare dates is just to eat them plain 🙂
Jacky says
I like to use dates to make energy bites and just by themselves, pitted and filled with almond butter!
Val Graves says
I like to use dates to make energy balls. 🙂
Jennifer DiBiaso says
Maybe sounds simple, but I love them plain! I also love them stuffed with peanut butter! Can't wait to try these cookies 🙂
Deborah Davis says
I like to use dates to sweeten my smoothies.
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
These cookies look crazy good Kathy, I haven't made PB cookies in forever! I love medjool dates in any and everything, but if I had to choose probably rawnola <3
Catie says
I like medjool dates plan or with nut butter
Sarah Wood says
Medjool dates are sooo good. I love just snacking on them or putting them into a smoothie
Autumn says
I love them in pancakes and waffles! 🙂
Heather McClees says
Yay, a coconut flour recipe! It is the only alternative flour I keep stocked high in my pantry. I love it and use it in everything! This recipe looks delightful, Kathy. Plus peanut butter cookies are always a win!:)
John Hartil says
Yummie!
Shira says
Smoothies!!
Lisa Hochstetler says
I like them in crusts for pies
Danielle says
I love soaking them and using them to bake with, in place of sugar.
Anonymous says
Straight from the box!
Anonymous says
Okay, I just tried these and they were a massive fail. The dough was pasty and the cookies were the exact same texture after nearly 15 minutes in the oven as they were when I put them in. And honestly they weren't even that tasty either. Sorry....not a fan.
Shelby says
I love to just cut them open and fill them with peanut butter
lorissa says
Right now, right out of the box! Usually I throw a couple almonds inside for an added crunch 🙂
shani says
i love making date and nut balls
Lucia says
Date caramel is pretty unbeatable. I imagine these cookies would be doubly divine stuffed with caramel!
mizannie Ⓥ says
I love to make my own protein bars with medjool dates 🙂
Liz S. says
My favorite way to use medjool dates is as a snack with nut butter (walnut butter, macadamia nut butter, peanut butter, almond butter, or pumpkin seed butter).
purpul says
I like them straight out of the frig for a quick treat.
Faith says
I enjoy adding dates to my daily smoothie!
Adriane says
I am medjool date obsessed.. stuffed with pb and chocolate chips for a quickie dessert!
Bianca says
i love making larabars!
Anne says
I like the dates as a sweetener in smoothies.