Get ready to meet your new favorite homemade treat: Peanut Butter Apple Cookies! These cookies are an absolute lifesaver for busy days. They take just minutes to mix together—no mixer or fancy techniques required—and you’ll be amazed at how wholesome and satisfying they are. Imagine the perfect marriage of creamy peanut butter and juicy apples, baked together with hearty oats and a hint of cinnamon. Not only are these cookies ridiculously simple, but they’re also packed with real, nourishing ingredients you likely have in your pantry right now. If you need a snack that both kids and adults will love, or just want to satisfy a sweet tooth without loads of fuss or cleanup, this recipe is absolutely made for you.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Completely Fuss-Free: The hardest part is stirring a few ingredients. Truly! No fancy equipment or complicated steps—anyone can make these in less than 20 minutes.
- Wholesome Goodness: Packed with natural peanut butter, unsweetened applesauce, heart-healthy oats, and sweetened lightly with honey or maple syrup. You can actually feel good about eating these!
- Deliciously Chewy Texture: Think thick, soft cookies with just enough structure to hold in one hand, and a tender bite that’s never dry.
- Customizable: Play with mix-ins, swap ingredients, or adjust sweetness—this recipe is as flexible as your cravings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need, along with notes on why each star ingredient earns its place:
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: Provides the chewy, satisfying texture and heartiness (avoid quick oats for the best structure).
- Ground Cinnamon: Essential for cozy, aromatic flavor that pairs perfectly with apples.
- Sea Salt: Just a pinch brightens up all the other flavors—don’t skip!
- Unsweetened Applesauce: Replaces some of the fat and sugar in traditional cookies, keeps things tender, and adds a fresh apple note.
- Natural Peanut Butter: Go for the drippy, unsweetened kind if you can. Gives rich, nutty flavor and healthy fats.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, bakery-style depth—always use real vanilla if possible.
- Raw Honey or Pure Maple Syrup: A touch of natural sweetness rounds everything out—choose whichever you prefer, or try a mix!
Tip: For best results, use creamy peanut butter without added sugar or palm oil. If your peanut butter is especially thick, you can microwave it for a few seconds to make mixing easier.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Cookies are meant for experimenting! Here are some favorite ways to change things up:
- Add Stir-Ins: Fold in raisins, mini chocolate chips, chopped dried apples, or even sunflower seeds for extra texture and flavor.
- Go Nut-Free: Substitute sunflower butter or almond butter if you’re working with allergies.
- Extra Spice: Craving more warmth? Try a pinch of nutmeg or ginger in the dough.
- Vegan Version: Opt for pure maple syrup instead of honey and make sure your nut butter is vegan-friendly.
- Boost Protein: Sneak in a tablespoon of your favorite protein powder to up the nutrition.
How to Make Peanut Butter Apple Cookies
Step 1: Prep for Success
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your cookies from sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, add rolled oats, ground cinnamon, sea salt, applesauce, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and your choice of honey or maple syrup. Stir everything together until you have a well-blended, thick batter.
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
Spoon the mixture into twelve even mounds onto your prepared baking sheet. They won’t spread as they bake, so press them lightly and form into classic cookie shapes.
Step 4: Bake
Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the tops begin to turn slightly golden. They’ll set more as they cool, so don’t overbake—it keeps them chewy and soft!
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and makes for easy grabbing later.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- For easier mixing, warm your peanut butter before stirring in. It makes everything blend smoother!
- Don’t overbake. The cookies might look soft when you take them out, but they’ll firm up while cooling.
- Always line your baking sheet with parchment. It keeps clean-up simple and prevents sticking.
- Shape your cookies carefully—they won’t spread, so if you want them pretty and round, mold them that way before baking.
How to Serve
These cookies are wonderfully versatile! Enjoy them as:
- On-the-Go Breakfast: Grab and go, or pair with a cup of coffee or milk for a quick, nourishing start.
- Lunchbox Hero: They pack easily and hold up well—kids and grown-ups both love them as a midday treat.
- Tasty Snack: Perfect for post-workout, hiking, or that late-night craving.
- Dessert: Pair with a scoop of vanilla yogurt or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate for a simple, healthy dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, keep cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. They stay soft and chewy—maybe even better the next day!
Freezing
These cookies freeze exceptionally well. Place in a single layer in a freezer-safe container separated by parchment and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or pop one in a lunchbox frozen—they’ll be ready to eat by snack time.
Reheating
If you’d like to enjoy them warm, just microwave for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-baked coziness.
FAQs
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Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?
Quick oats work in a pinch, but old-fashioned rolled oats give the best chewy texture and structure. Quick oats may make the cookies a bit softer and denser, but the recipe will still taste great!
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Is it possible to make these cookies completely sugar-free?
For a no-sugar-added version, you can try using a sugar-free syrup substitute or simply omit the honey/maple syrup for a more subtly sweet cookie. The applesauce offers natural sweetness, but your cookies will be less sweet overall.
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Can I double the batch?
Absolutely! This recipe scales up beautifully—just use a larger bowl and bake on multiple trays. Perfect if you want to meal-prep snacks for the week or share with friends.
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How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Just use certified gluten-free oats. Every other ingredient is naturally gluten-free, making this a fantastic treat for those avoiding gluten.
Final Thoughts
Peanut Butter Apple Cookies are a must-try for anyone seeking a treat that hits the sweet spot between flavor, nutrition, and ease. They’re so quick to whip up, endlessly adaptable, and kid-approved—all while using ingredients you can feel good about. So, roll up your sleeves, fire up that oven, and give yourself a cookie break. You deserve it!
Print
Peanut Butter Apple Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These easy Peanut Butter Apple Cookies are a wholesome, naturally sweetened treat made from old-fashioned oats, applesauce, and natural peanut butter. Perfect for a quick snack or healthy dessert, they come together in just minutes, require no flour or refined sugar, and are soft, chewy, and delicious.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3/4 cup natural peanut butter
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup raw honey or pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy clean-up.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, sea salt, unsweetened applesauce, natural peanut butter, vanilla extract, and honey or maple syrup. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is well combined and evenly moistened.
- Shape Cookies: Spoon the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, dividing it evenly into twelve portions. Slightly flatten each mound and shape them as desired, since the cookies will not spread while baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the tops of the cookies are just slightly golden.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet, which helps them firm up and makes them easier to handle.
- Store: Once cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Notes
- These cookies will not spread while baking, so shape them as desired before baking.
- For a vegan version, use pure maple syrup instead of honey.
- You can substitute the peanut butter with any nut or seed butter of your choice.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
