Sunday, January 16, 2022

The Recipe Critic

The Recipe Critic


Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Posted: 15 Jan 2022 05:00 PM PST

A flourless twist on a classic cookie? Yes, please! These flourless cookies are packed with incredible peanut butter flavor and are perfect for any gluten-free diet!

If you put peanut butter into just about anything and everything, you MUST TRY these peanut butter cups, these peanut butter bars, or this fantastic pinwheel candy.

A stack of flourless peanut butter cookies.

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Ok, ok, I know that you wonder how these cookies turn out without flour! But have no fear, they are AMAZING, and you will love them. They still have that soft cookie texture, and the taste has a deep flavor, thanks to all the peanut butter and brown sugar. Just because they don’t have flour doesn’t mean that they are healthy! But it does mean that they are just as delicious as these good old-fashioned peanut butter cookies that we all know and love.

These cookies only have six ingredients, and you can share them with anyone who is gluten-free! You won’t sacrifice taste with these cookies. In fact, they are so delicious that I guarantee you will have a hard time stopping at just one. I made these alongside some flourless chocolate brownies and my family ate everything off the table in seconds! Give them a try; it’s a recipe to love!

Ingredients in Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Now that you know what isn’t in these cookies, it’s time to find out what is in them! You most likely have all of these ingredients at home so start whipping these up. You may even want to double the batch. They are that good!

  • Peanut butter: I like to use creamy peanut butter in these cookies but you can use chunky if that’s the kind you prefer!
  • Granulated sugar: Like I said, these cookies aren’t going to be healthy but they will be SOO GOOD.
  • Brown sugar: Pack that brown sugar when you are measuring!
  • Baking soda: This is the ingredient that will keep them soft and chewy, even without the flour.
  • Salt: The salt is used to enhance all of the flavors of the ingredients.
  • Egg: The egg, along with the peanut butter, will bind everything together.

Let’s Bake Some Cookies!

These flourless peanut butter cookies are going to knock your socks off! You may want to hide a couple to keep for yourself! Bake them up, and they will fly off of your counter so quickly.

  1. Preheat and line baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350° and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Combine and mix ingredients: In a medium bowl use the hand mixer to beat together the peanut butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Once combined add in the baking soda, salt and egg. Mix until just completely combined.
  3. Scoop and indent the cookies: Scoop generous tablespoons of dough onto the baking trays, leaving 2 inches between each cookie. Use a fork to press an indentation into the tops of the cookies.
  4. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookie should just barely be turning golden brown at the very edge. They will look under baked but they will continue to bake as they cool. Any longer and they will over-bake and become crumbly.
  5. Let them cool ON the baking sheet: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack or a plate.
4 pictures showing how to mix the ingredients and indent the dough with a fork.

Cookie Baking Tips

These cookies are so good, and you are going to want to make sure that they turn out just right. Here are a few tips that I have for you to make that happen!

  • Undercooked: The key to getting these cookies to turn out soft is to take them out while they are a bit undercooked. When you let them cool on the baking sheet (instead of transferring them to a cooling rack) then they finish cooking on the baking sheet and dont get overcooked in the oven. It’s the secret to a soft and delicious cookie!
  • Use the oven light: I know, I know, it’s tempting to open the oven door to see how these cookies are doing but don’t do it! When you open the oven door, you let a lot of heat out causeing the cookies to bake unevenly. Use the oven light instead!
  • Use regular peanut butter: If you use natural peanut butter in this recipe, then the cookies will spread and the texture will turn out differently. So you can use natural peanut butter but just know that they may turn out a bit differently than these!
Flourless peanut butter cookies on a cooling rack.

Variations

If you love these cookies and want to make them more often then here are a few ideas on how you can switch them up!

  • Chocolate: You can add in mini chocolate chips to the batter or melt some and drizzle them on top. You can’t go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate together!
  • Butterscotch: Another fantastic duo is peanut butter and butterscotch.. Add in some chips to these cookies and you will never go back!
  • Nuts: Add in some of your favortite nuts like walnuts, pecans or almond to the dough. They will give these cookies a delicious crunch.
A flourless peanut butter cookie being dipped in milk.

Can You Freeze Flourless Cookies?

Yes! Both the cookies and the dough freeze very well. Here is how you can freeze each of them to save for later!

  • Freezing cookies: Place them in an airtight container and label it with the date. The cookies will last 3-4 weeks in your freezer.
  • Freezing dough: Scoop out the dough into individual balls. Line them up on a baking sheet and freeze them for about 30 minutes. Then, take out the dough and put the balls into a ziplock bag that is labeled with the date. The frozen dough can last for up to 3 months. When you are ready to bake the dough, take them out and cook them as directed. Just add a couple of minutes to the cooking time. No need to thaw the dough!
Print

Flourless Peanut butter Cookies

A flourless twist on a classic cookie? Yes, please! These cookies are packed with incredible peanut butter flavor and perfect for any gluten-free diet!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword flourless peanut butter cookies, peanut butter cookies
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 18 Cookies
Calories 133kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  • ½ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • ½ Cup Brown Sugar packed
  • ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 Pinch Salt
  • 1 large Egg

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350° and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl use the hand mixer to beat together the peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Once combined add in the baking soda, salt, and egg. Mix until just completely combined.
  • Scoop generous tablespoons of dough onto the baking trays, leaving 2 inches between each cookie. Use a fork to press an indentation into the tops of the cookies.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookie should just barely be turning golden brown at the very edge. They will look under baked but they will continue to bake as they cool. Any longer and they will over-bake and become crumbly.
  • Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack or a plate.

Nutrition

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Creamy Avocolada Smoothie

Posted: 15 Jan 2022 05:00 AM PST

This delicious and perfectly smooth avocolada smoothie combines avocado, pineapple, spinach, kale, coconut, and lime. It’s SOO GOOD that you will want one every day!

Smoothies are a great snack or breakfast option. Try out a few of my other favorites like this mixed berry, delicious peanut butter banana, or this raspberry peach one.

Avocolada smoothie in a glass with pineapple garnish and blue and white striped straws.

What IS an Avocolada Smoothie?

While in North Carolina, my friend took me to Tropical Smoothie Cafe and told me that I had to try their avocolada smoothie. I mean. I am obsessed with anything avocado. But an avocado in a smoothie? I couldn’t wait to try it! The avocado added such a smooth and creamy texture to this smoothie. I was instantly hooked! Not to mention it has kale hidden inside as well. This smoothie had better-for-you ingredients hidden inside, and it is incredible.

I became so obsessed that I had it three times while I was there. I liked it so much that I even got one on the way to the airport. But here is the problem. There isn’t a Tropical Smoothie Cafe here in Utah. So, I just had to make it myself! It is seriously the creamiest smoothie that I have ever had. It is absolutely delicious with the avocado added. Then you add some pineapple, coconut, and lime, and it is incredible. This is the perfect tropical smoothie to make all year long!

Ingredients in an Avocolada Smoothie

Like when you make any smoothie, it’s always best to use chilled ingredients. Doing this makes your smoothie turn out thick and not runny. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Avocado: Make sure that it’s ripe! If you can slightly indent the sides then it’s ready to use.
  • Pineapple: You can use fresh pineapple that has been chilled in the fridge or frozen works just as great.
  • Spinach and kale: These two power foods bring in such a healthy side to this smoothie.
  • Coconut water: A smoothie always needs some liquid as a base so that the ingredients mix up. The coconut water does this and adds just the right amount of flavor too.
  • Agave nectar: You can find this by the sugars and sweeteners in your local grocery store.
  • Lime juice: Fresh lime juice or from a bottle work fine!
  • Coconut butter: You can use coconut oil too if that’s all that you have on hand.
  • Vanilla extract: This really enhances all of the sweet flavors in this smoothie.

Let’s Make a Smoothie!

This avocolada smoothie only takes 5 minutes to put together. And once you try avocado in a smoothie, you won’t go back! You will be enjoying this healthy and delicious smoothie in no time at all!

  1. Add ingredients to blender: Put avocado, diced pineapple, spinach, kale, coconut water, agave nectar, lime juice, coconut butter, and vanilla into the blender.
  2. Mix: Blend until smooth. Enjoy!
A top view of a finished smoothie in a glass.

Smoothie Making Tips

If you love making smoothies and are looking for delicious and healthy ones, then this avocolada smoothie is for you! Here are a few tips on how to make it turn out perfectly.

  • Too thin? Try using frozen fruit instead. This helps thicken your smoothie right up! You can also add in some ice if you don’t have any frozen fruit on hand.
  • Too thick? If you can’t even suck it out of your straw then it’s probably too thick! Add in some extra coconut water to thin it out a bit.
  • Order matters: If you are having a hard time mixing this up in your blender then you’ve probably loaded it up wrong (I know, it’s cray that there is a right way to put stuff in!). Start with your liquids, then fruits and greens and then any ice should be added on top!
Avocolada smoothie in a glass with two striped straws.
Print

Creamy Avocolada Smoothie

This delicious and perfectly smooth smoothie combines avocado, pineapple, spinach, kale, coconut, and lime. There are so many delicious things packed into this smoothie you are sure to love!
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword avocolada smoothie, smoothie recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4 Smoothies
Calories 256kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 1 avocado ripe
  • 3 cups pineapple diced, chilled
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 cup kale
  • 2 cups coconut water
  • 3 Tablespoons agave nectar
  • 3 Tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 Tablespoon coconut butter or oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Put avocado, diced pineapple, spinach, kale, coconut water, agave nectar, lime juice, coconut butter, and vanilla into the blender.
  • Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Notes

Updated on January 15, 2022
Originally Posted on August 6, 2015

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 145mg | Potassium: 816mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 2522IU | Vitamin C: 93mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 2mg

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