Keto Peanut Butter Cookies

If you’re looking for the easiest, quickest cookies to bake from scratch – these Keto Peanut Butter Cookies are it!

Five simple ingredients combined in a mixing bowl, and just 12-15 minutes to bake.

The key to making cookies and other baked goods low-carb and keto-friendly is to replace traditional wheat flour and sugar with low-carb versions.

To replace the sugar, I use my favorite sugar substitute – Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener. It replaces sugar 1:1, which makes adjusting recipes for cakes and cookies much easier!

Is Peanut Butter Keto Friendly?

f you’re following the ketogenic diet, you’re probably wondering whether or not you can enjoy peanut butter on the keto diet.

Peanut butter is a popular spread that’s enjoyed by many people, but it’s also high in fat and calories, which can make it a tricky food choice when you’re following a low-carb, high-fat diet like keto.

First, let’s talk about the macronutrient profile of peanut butter.

A typical serving of peanut butter contains around 16 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, and 3 grams of net carbs per two tablespoons.

The high-fat content of peanut butter makes it a good option for the keto diet, as it can help you meet your daily fat intake goals.

However, the carb content of peanut butter can vary depending on the brand and type you choose. Some peanut butter is sweetened with sugar, which can significantly increase their carb count.

When choosing a peanut butter for your keto diet, look for natural, unsweetened peanut butter that contains only peanuts and salt as ingredients.

This type of peanut butter typically contains around 2 grams of net carbs per two tablespoons, which makes it a great low-carb option for keto.

Avoid peanut butter that contains added sugars, hydrogenated oils, or other additives that can add unnecessary carbs to your diet.

Another thing to consider when incorporating peanut butter into your keto diet is portion size.

While peanut butter is high in fat, it’s also calorie-dense, so it’s important to measure your portions carefully. Stick to a serving size of two tablespoons or less to ensure that you don’t go over your daily calorie goals.

So, is peanut butter keto?

The answer is yes, but it depends on the type and brand of peanut butter you choose, as well as your portion size.

Stick to natural, unsweetened peanut butter, and measure your portions carefully to enjoy this tasty spread as part of your keto diet.

I’m allergic to peanuts, what else can I use?

If you have a nut allergy, you may feel left out when it comes to enjoying certain foods like a peanut butter cookie. However, fear not!

There are several alternatives that you can try to satisfy your sweet tooth without putting your health at risk.

1. Sunflower Seed Butter Cookies

Sunflower seed butter is a delicious and nutritious alternative to peanut butter.

It has a similar texture and taste and can be used in a wide range of recipes, including cookies.

To make sunflower seed butter cookies, all you need is sunflower seed butter, almond flour, erythritol, vanilla extract, and baking powder.

Simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl, form the dough into balls, and bake them in the oven until they are golden brown.

2. Coconut Flour Cookies

Coconut flour is a great alternative to nut-based flour like almond flour.

It is low in carbs and high in fiber, making it an ideal ingredient for keto-friendly cookies.

To make coconut flour cookies, you will need coconut flour, erythritol, baking powder, coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, shape the dough into cookies, and bake them in the oven until they are golden brown.

3. Seed Butter and Jelly Cookies

If you are a fan of the classic peanut butter and jelly combination, you can still enjoy it even if you have a nut allergy.

Substitute peanut butter with seed butter and use sugar-free jelly to make delicious seed butter and jelly cookies.

All you need is seed butter, coconut flour, erythritol, eggs, vanilla extract, and sugar-free jelly.

Mix all the ingredients, spoon the dough onto a baking sheet, and bake them until they are golden brown.

4. Tahini Cookies

Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds and is a great alternative to peanut butter.

It has a nutty flavor and a creamy texture that works well in cookies.

To make tahini cookies, you will need tahini, coconut flour, erythritol, eggs, vanilla extract, and baking powder.

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, shape the dough into cookies, and bake them in the oven until they are golden brown.

5. Pumpkin Seed Butter Cookies

Pumpkin seed butter is another delicious alternative to peanut butter.

It has a rich, nutty flavor that pairs well with keto-friendly ingredients.

To make pumpkin seed butter cookies, you will need pumpkin seed butter, almond flour, erythritol, vanilla extract, and baking powder.

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, shape the dough into cookies, and bake them in the oven until they are golden brown.

What sweeteners can I use for keto peanut butter cookies?

If you’re following a keto diet, you may be wondering what sweeteners are suitable for making peanut butter cookies.

While traditional recipes call for sugar or brown sugar, these high-carb options are not keto-friendly.

Fortunately, several low-carb sweeteners can be used instead.

1. Stevia

Stevia is a popular low-carb sweetener that is derived from the leaves of the stevia plant.

It’s a natural sweetener that has zero calories and a glycemic index of zero, making it an excellent option for those on a keto diet.

Stevia can be used in baking, but it’s important to note that it can be up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, so it’s best to use it sparingly.

2. Erythritol

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that has a similar taste and texture to sugar, but with fewer calories and a lower glycemic index.

It’s commonly used in keto baking and can be found in most health food stores.

Erythritol can be used in a 1:1 ratio with sugar, making it easy to substitute in your favorite cookie recipe.

3. Monk Fruit Sweetener

Monk fruit sweetener is a natural sweetener that is derived from monk fruit.

It’s low in calories and has a glycemic index of zero, making it a great option for those on a keto diet.

Monk fruit sweetener is also 150-200 times sweeter than sugar, so you’ll need to use less of it when baking. It can be found in most health food stores and online.

4. Allulose

Allulose is a rare sugar that is found naturally in small quantities in some foods.

It has a similar taste and texture to sugar but with fewer calories and a lower glycemic index.

Allulose can be used in a 1:1 ratio with sugar, making it easy to substitute in your favorite cookie recipe. It can be found in some health food stores and online.

5. Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used in sugar-free chewing gum and other products.

It has a similar taste and texture to sugar but with fewer calories and a lower glycemic index.

Xylitol can be used in a 1:1 ratio with sugar, making it easy to substitute in your favorite cookie recipe. It can be found in most health food stores and online.

What kind of flour can I use to make peanut butter cookies?

Almond Flour

Almond flour is a popular choice for low-carb baking and can be used to make a variety of baked goods, including cookies.

It’s made from ground almonds and is high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

While almond flour can be a good option for many keto baked goods, it may not be the best choice for peanut butter cookies.

The flavor of almonds can be overpowering and may compete with the peanut butter flavor.

Additionally, almond flour can be crumbly than other flour, which can result in a cookie that falls apart.

Coconut Flour

Coconut flour is a great option for keto peanut butter cookies. It’s made from ground coconut meat and is high in fiber, low in carbs, and has a neutral flavor that won’t compete with peanut butter.

Coconut flour is also highly absorbent, which means it can absorb more liquid than other flours.

This makes it a great choice for peanut butter cookies, which can be dense and dry without enough moisture.

Hazelnut Flour

Hazelnut flour is another low-carb flour alternative that can be used to make peanut butter cookies.

It’s made from ground hazelnuts and has a nutty flavor that pairs well with peanut butter.

Hazelnut flour is also high in healthy fats and protein, making it a good choice for a keto diet.

However, hazelnut flour can be more expensive than other flour, and it may be harder to find in some grocery stores.

Keto Peanut Butter Cookies with Coconut Flour

The low-carb flour I use in this recipe is coconut flour, but almost flour also makes a great low-carb and keto-friendly flour.

While using a sugar substitute like Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener makes it easy to swap out the sugar from regular high-carb recipes, swapping out traditional wheat flour for low-carb versions is a little trickier.

This is because low-carb flour doesn’t behave the same way as regular wheat flour.

Almond Flour and Almond Meal

Almonds are blanched to remove the skins, then finely ground down to almond flour. This is probably one of the most popular low-carb flour options.

Almond meal is slightly coarser than almond flour. This is because the almonds are ground down with their skins on.

Coconut Flour

Coconut flour is low in carbs and high in protein and fiber. It has become increasingly popular recently for low-carb baking.

A note though – coconut flour absorbs a lot of liquid. Because of this, you’ll end up using less of this flour in your recipe, and more eggs.

Other, less-common, low-carb flour options include ground flax meal, pumpkin seed, and sunflower seed meal.

If you are new to low-carb baking, I recommend following recipes that have been specifically designed for low-carb flour. This way you can get used to how they work before you start experimenting with adapting regular high-carb recipes.

how to store & freeze peanut butter cookies

Storing Peanut Butter Cookies:

The good news is that storing keto peanut butter cookies is relatively easy. Since they are low in moisture, they won’t spoil quickly, and you don’t need to worry about refrigerating them. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them. This will prevent them from becoming soggy.

Step 2: Place the cookies in an airtight container. You can use a plastic container or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 3: Label the container with the date so that you can keep track of when you made the cookies.

Step 4: Store the container in a cool, dry place. You can keep them at room temperature for up to a week.

Freezing Keto Peanut Butter Cookies:

If you want to keep your keto peanut butter cookies for a longer time, you can freeze them. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Allow the cookies to cool completely before freezing them. Again, this will prevent them from becoming soggy.

Step 2: Place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet or a plate. Make sure that they are not touching each other.

Step 3: Place the baking sheet or plate in the freezer and freeze the cookies for at least 2 hours or until they are completely frozen.

Step 4: Once the cookies are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer bag. Label the container with the date.

Step 5: Store the container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Thawing Frozen Peanut Butter Cookies:

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen keto peanut butter cookies, you’ll need to thaw them. Here’s how:

Step 1: Remove the container from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Open the container and remove the cookies that you want to eat.

Step 3: Place the cookies on a plate and let them come to room temperature.

Step 4: Enjoy your delicious keto peanut butter cookies!

More Keto Recipes to try:

1. Keto Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. The Best Keto Pumpkin Recipes