Gluten-Free PB&J Cookies (Almond flour, 1 bowl, 30 minutes)

Name: Gluten-Free PB&J Cookies (1 bowl, 30 minutes)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup blanched almond flour; 2 tablespoons tapioca starch; 1/8 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons maple syrup (or more, as needed); 1 1/2 tablespoons melted coconut oil (I use refined coconut oil.); 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (less or more to preference); 2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter (or almond butter, softened in the microwave or just let it sit and come to room temperature); 2 tablespoons preserves (or jam, softened by warming)

These cookies use the almond flour cookie base that I really, really love. Check out my other almond flour cookies, like my ginger molasses cookies, almond joy cookies, baklava cookies, and blueberry muffin cookies!

I love making cookies with almond flour, because not only are they gluten-free that way, they take just a few minutes, they don’t need vegan butter, and they’re also packed with protein! That makes them a great breakfast cookie or snack in addition to being a delicious dessert option.

These cookies are so simple to make! Make the gluten-free, almond flour cookie base and then swirl in some softened peanut butter and jelly. Scoop it onto a baking sheet and bake. And that’s about it!
I like the crisped peanut butter on some edges. If you don’t like that much mess, then stuff the cookie with the peanut butter and jelly/preserves.

close-up of gluten-free peanut butter and jelly cookies on a wooden cutting board

Why You’ll Love PB&J Cookies

tender cookies with creamy peanut butter and sticky jam swirls
only 9 ingredients
gluten-free, grain-free, and soy-free
one-bowl, 30 minute recipe

extreme close-up of a gluten-free peanut butter and jelly cookie on a wooden cutting board

More PB&J Recipes

PB&J Baked Oatmeal
Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies
PB&J Cake or Bread
Snickers Peanut butter cups, add some preserves in these!

almond flour, peanut butter, jam, and other cookie ingredients in bowls on a kitchen counter

Ingredients and Substitutions

almond flour – This is the base for your cookie dough.
tapioca starch – Acts as a binder to help the dough hold together.
baking soda and salt – To condition the dough.
maple syrup – To add moisture and sweeten.
coconut oil – Adds moisture and texture. Use refined coconut oil, if you prefer your cookies not have a coconut flavor.
vanilla extract – Gives the dough such a nice flavor!
peanut butter and jelly – To swirl into the dough. You can use almond butter instead, for peanut-free. Choose whatever flavor of jam, jelly, fruit preserves you love!

Tips

When mixing the dry ingredients, make sure to get as many of the lumps out as possible. It’s much harder to break up those lumps once you add the wet ingredients in.
These cookies are very soft when they first come out of the oven, but they firm up nicely as they cool.

How to Make Gluten-Free Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Preheat the oven to 335° F (168° C).

In a bowl, add all the dry ingredients and mix really well. Press and mix to break up any almond flour lumps.

dry ingredients in a glass bowl before mixing

dry ingredients in a glass bowl after mixing

Then add in the maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Mix and press until you have a smooth, slightly-sticky dough. If it is still too dry, mix in another teaspoon or so of maple syrup.

If you haven’t already softened your peanut butter and preserves, then microwave them for a few seconds so that they soften up.
Drizzle the pb and preserves onto the dough and just lightly mix in. Alternatively, chill the dough for 10 mins, then take a scoop of the dough. Flatten it, add 1/3 teaspoon or more of peanut butter and preserves, then fold dough over and somewhat seal (see my tiramisu cookiesfor stuffed cookie pics).

adding peanut butter and jelly to the almond flour cookie dough

Then, use a two-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop balls of the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. If the peanut butter and jelly are flowing out too much, pick them up using a spoon, and put them back onto the cookie dough.

unbaked cookies, scooped onto the baking sheet

Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes. I like to keep these softer, so check in at the 12-minute mark. If they’ve spread and are starting to get a little golden on the edges, then they’re done.

Remove from the oven, and let them cool on the baking sheet for another five minutes, then transfer the parchment paper off of the baking sheet and let them cool completely.

pbj cookies on the baking sheet, after baking

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is this recipe allergy friendly?

These are naturally gluten-free and soy-free. To make them peanut-free, use almond butter instead of peanut butter. It would be really difficult to make these nut-free, since almond flour is the base.