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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Published: Dec 21, 2023 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Spicy 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

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    These simple and easy Spicy 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are soft and chewy like the classic but with an updated twist. They're perfect for the holidays!

    Spicy 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies on a cutting board.

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    These Spicy 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good.

    They are a sweet treat with a soft texture and strong peanut butter flavor, making them perfect for peanut butter lovers like me.

    Made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand, these flourless cookies are an easy simple recipe.

    You don't need a stand mixer or hand mixer, and they are made in one bowl. Make a second batch to freeze. You can freeze the baked cookies or the dough.

    Other simple cookies to try are my Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies, Vegan Gingersnap Cookies, and Trail Mix Cookies recipe.

    Serve them with some Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate, Vegan Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate, or Vegan Nog.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love Them
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 📖 Variations / Additions
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Tips
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
    • Other Vegan Desserts
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love Them

    • They have the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
    • They're made with only 4 ingredients you probably already have on hand, and they are made in one bowl.
    • They are a fun twist on a classic cookie, and probably the easiest peanut butter cookies you could make.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Ingredients on a cutting board with labels.
    • Creamy peanut butter: You're going to want all-natural peanut butter for this recipe. Another spicy peanut butter recipe is my Tofu Peanut Noodles recipe.
    • Maple syrup: Adds sweetness. You could also use agave syrup, but I like the deep rich flavor that maple syrup adds.
    • Cayenne pepper: Adds spicy flavor. Adjust it to your liking. You could leave it out altogether if you want.
    • Salt: Enhances sweetness. I like to use sea salt. Even if you use peanut butter with salt, you'll need a pinch of salt.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    📖 Variations / Additions

    • Chocolate chips
    • Vanilla extract
    • Roasted and salted peanuts
    • Turbinado sugar or coconut sugar to sprinkle on top of the cookie
    • Other nut butters: almond butter, which I used in my Vegan Almond Cookies or cashew butter

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    🔪 Instructions

    Ingredients in a large mixing bowl with spoon.

    Step 1: In a large bowl add peanut butter, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and salt.

    Ingredients in a mixing bowl after mixing.

    Step 2: Mix well. Chill mixture in the freezer for 30 minutes or refrigerate for 1-2 hours so the dough is easier to work with.

    Peanut butter cookie dough balls on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

    Step 3: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out the cookie dough and roll it into 1 ½-inch balls. Place them on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet.

    Cookie dough balls getting flattened and getting crisscross pattern with the tines of a fork.

    Step 4: Dip a fork in water and press down into each cookie, then in the opposite direction to make a criss-cross pattern. Sprinkle cayenne pepper on top if desired.

    Baked egg free peanut butter cookies on a parchment-lined sheet pan.

    Step 5: Bake for 10-14 minutes. Let cool for a couple of minutes on the sheet pan, then let completely cool on a wire rack before transferring them to an airtight container.

    💭 Tips

    • Taste the dough before baking the cookies. You may want more spice. If you can't handle the heat, start with less cayenne pepper, or leave it out altogether.
    • To make the dough easier to form into balls, freeze it for 30 minutes or refrigerate for 1 hour.
    • To make the criss-cross marks, wet a fork in water after each cookie.
    • Let cool completely on a cookie rack before transferring to an airtight container.
    Spicy Peanut Butter Cookies stacked on a cookie sheet.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

    How do you put the criss-cross marks on peanut butter cookies?

    Dip a fork in water and press the fork onto each cookie, then press in the other direction to make the criss-cross marks. A large fork with long tines works best.

    How long do homemade peanut butter cookies last?

    These flourless peanut butter cookies will last 4-5 days in an airtight container at room temperature in the pantry and up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

    Other Vegan Desserts

    • 2 Ingredient Vegan Peanut Butter Fudge
      The Ultimate 2 Ingredient Vegan Peanut Butter Fudge
    • Edible Brownie Batter with spoon.
      Edible Brownie Batter (Vegan, Gluten Free)
    • Vegan Mexican Chocolate Covered Almonds
      Vegan Mexican Chocolate Covered Almonds
    • Edible Cookie Dough close up.
      Edible Cookie Dough (Vegan, Gluten Free)

    These easy soft and chewy peanut butter cookies are the cookies you are going to want for the holidays every year!

    If you tried this Spicy 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    I originally posted this recipe on Nov. 17, 2018. I added new photos and text when I republished it.

    📋 Recipe

    Spicy 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies on a cutting board.
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    5 from 3 votes

    Spicy 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

    These simple and easy Spicy 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are soft and chewy like the classic, but with an updated twist. They're perfect for the holidays! 
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 14 minutes minutes
    freezing 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 54 minutes minutes
    Servings 10 cookies
    Calories 176kcal
    Author Willow Moon
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    Ingredients

    • 1 cup peanut butter
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper + more for sprinkling on top
    • Pinch salt

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Freeze for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate for 1 hour for easier scooping.
    • Scoop onto a parchment-paper lined baking sheet. Dip a fork in water and make criss-cross marks on each cookie, rewetting fork as necessary. Sprinkle cayenne pepper on top.
    • Bake at 350°F for 10-14 minutes. Let cool for a couple of minutes on the sheet pan, then let completely cool on a wire rack before transferring them to an airtight container.

    Notes

    These spicy peanut butter cookies will last 4-5 days in an airtight container in the pantry and up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 166mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 42IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cindy says

      March 22, 2019 at 4:58 am

      Is one cookie considered a serving?

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        March 22, 2019 at 10:59 am

        Yes, one cookie is a serving.

        Reply

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