Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Name: Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup cold unsalted butter; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 cup light brown sugar (tightly packed); 2 eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ½ cup all natural creamy peanut butter; 2 ¾ cups flour (regular or gluten free); 1 tbsp cornstarch (or tapioca flour); 1 tsp baking soda; 1 ½ cups peanut butter chips

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by Addison LaBonte October 20, 2022

These chewy peanut butter cookies are loaded with peanut butter flavor! They are thick bakery style cookies with chewy edges and gooey centers. This one bowl recipe requires no dough chilling. They are great for any occasion!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These chewy peanut butter cookies are quick and easy.
Only one mixing bowl.
No dough chilling required.
Add in chocolate chips like these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.
This recipe uses mostly pantry staple ingredients.
The peanut butter flavor is just right.
Feel free to use peanut butter chips or chocolate chips.
Use gluten free flour to keep this recipe gluten free.
Check out these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies for another fun dessert!

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for chewy peanut butter cookies. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

Use cold butter right from the fridge. Cold butter prevents these cookies from spreading too thin.

Both granulated sugar and light brown sugar provide sweetness. Tightly pack the brown sugar. Use dark brown sugar if needed, but cookies may darken slightly.

The eggs are vital in achieving the perfect cookie texture. In other recipes, I have had success replacing 1 egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce. For this recipe, replace the 2 eggs with ½ cup total applesauce. Or, check out these Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies.

A little vanilla adds warmth.

All natural creamy peanut butter adds the most flavor! Use the type that is made from only peanuts and salt. Brands with added sugars or oils will yield denser, more dry cookies.

Use either all purpose flour or gluten free 1 to 1 flour. Do not use another flour.

Cornstarch adds some chewy texture. If needed, replace with tapioca flour or arrowroot powder.

Baking soda helps these cookies rise.

Peanut butter chips add a ton of flavor to these chewy peanut butter cookies! Feel free to replace with chocolate chips.

What Makes Them Chewy

There are several ways to make these cookies chewy.

First, use more brown sugar than white sugar. Brown sugar yields a more chewy cookie naturally. This recipe calls for twice as much brown sugar than white sugar.

In addition, a little cornstarch helps add chewiness.

These cookies bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is higher than typical cookie recipes. This allows the edges to become golden and chewy, while the centers stay gooey.

Taste & Texture

These chewy peanut butter cookies taste like mostly like peanut butter! They are sweet, buttery and so flavorful. In addition, the peanut butter chips add flavor.

The edges are chewy and golden. Moreover, the centers are gooey and soft!

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a stand mixer, add cold butter, sugar and brown sugar. Mix until no clumps of butter remain, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 3

Add in eggs and vanilla. Stir to combine.

Step 4

Add in peanut butter. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Then, add in flour, cornstarch and baking soda. Mix until a thick dough forms.

Step 6

Fold in peanut butter chips.

Step 7

Use an ice cream scoop to scoop balls of dough onto lined pan.

Step 8

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden brown.

Step 9

Finally, remove chewy peanut butter cookies from oven. Allow cookies to cool on pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Carefully measure all ingredients.

Use a stand mixer to mix these chewy peanut butter cookies. Due to the cold butter, this would be almost impossible to mix by hand. Electric mixers work well too.

With that said, use cold butter right from the fridge.

Use all natural creamy peanut butter made from only nuts and salt.

The cookie dough is slightly thick.

Use an ice cream scooper to help scoop the dough. This is much easier than working with your hands.

Do not over bake these cookies. Bake until edges are slightly golden brown.

How to Serve & Store

Serve chewy peanut butter cookies once cool enough to handle. They are not overly fragile.

Serve with milk, coffee or hot chocolate.

They are great served warm with ice cream! Top with hot fudge, caramel sauce or whipped cream.

Store cookies covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

These cookies can be frozen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are they gluten free?

Use gluten free flour to ensure these cookies are gluten free.

Can I use chocolate chips?

Yes! Feel free to add chocolate chips to this recipe. Or, replace peanut butter chips with chocolate chips.

Which peanut butter should I use?

Use all natural creamy peanut butter made from only nuts and salt.

Do I need to chill the dough?

No. There is no need to chill the dough.

Where are peanut butter chips sold?

Peanut butter chips are sold at most grocery stores in the baking aisle.