Peanut Butter Cookie Bars (Gluten free Option)

Peanut butter cookie bars are one of my favorite desserts because I just cannot say no to the peanut butter and chocolate combination. These Peanut butter cookie bars are incredibly easy to make, chewy and soft! Basically just the BEST texture!

I love a good sweet and salty dessert. These peanut butter cookie bars are so satisfying. They are similar to my chocolate chip cookie cake bars but with more peanut butter and a peanut butter cup on top! Since I am celiac, I used gluten free flour to make these.

These chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are one of the easiest gluten free dessert recipes you’ll make ever make! Plus, they come together in less than 30 minutes, just like my pumpkin blondies and my pumpkin brownies.

These chocolate chip cookie bars with peanut butter are the best of both worlds! Think of these like a combination of a thick, chewy blondie and a chocolate chip cookie! Kind of reminds me of the cookie cake texture from my childhood! These peanut butter cookie bars are thick and chewy with gooey melted chocolate in every bite.

These peanut butter cookie bars are the ultimate dessert recipe for any peanut butter lover, me included! Anything made with peanut butter and I’m in!

why you’ll love this gluten free recipe

• A perfect make-ahead-of-time sweet treat. These bars taste just as good on day two as they do on day one so feel free to make them ahead of time! I like to store them in the fridge until I’m ready to serve.
• There’s absolutely no chilling required to make these cookie bars! I hate when I’m making chocolate chip cookies and I need to chill the dough. I’m just sitting around waiting for them to be ready and wasting time! For this recipe, I just spread the batter into the parchment lined pan and I’m good to go!
• My favorite part is that these peanut butter cookie bars don’t require any special ingredients, nothing you have to buy just once (I literally hate that!). All the ingredients are common pantry staples you will always have on hand, which makes this the perfect dessert recipe for when you need a last minute treat for a party or need a late night sweet treat.
• This dessert recipe screams comfort food for me! Who doesn’t consider chocolate chip cookeis comfort food!? I love bringing this to a potluck because no one ever knows it is actually gluten free and I get to safely enjoy it!
• The best part about this chocolate chip cookie bars with peanut butter recipe is that it is a one bowl recipe…which means only one bowl to make it and only one bowl to clean up! My ideal situation since I hate doing dishes. I like to line my baking pan with parchment paper so I don’t need to wash it when I’m done.
• This recipe is allergy friendly. You can use gluten free flour like I did for gluten free peanut butter bars. You can use dairy free butter and dairy free chocolate for an easy dairy free recipe!
• It’s literally easier than making cookies! Making the dough is just as simple as making classic cookie dough, but the no need to scoop the cookie dough into even-sized balls! That always slows me down so this recipe is naturally faster!

ingredients & substitutions

Butter: I used vegan butter in this recipe because it is just what I had on hand. Plus, by using vegan butter it helps to ensure these are dairy free cookie bars. If you have standard dairy butter it will work all the same. I used salted butter.

Applesauce or mashed banana: I used applesauce here to avoid using oil. It helps to make the gluten free peanut butter bars cakey and fluffy instead of oily. You can also use mashed banana instead if you have that on hand instead!

Brown sugar: I like using brown sugar instead of white sugar because it has a richer taste. If you only have white sugar that is OK to use too in these chocolate chip cookie bars with peanut butter!

Eggs: I used eggs here which means these gluten free chocolate chip cookie bars are dairy free but not vegan. To make vegan cookie bars, I use an egg substitute instead.

Gluten free flour: Gluten free flour ensures these peanut butter cookie bars are gluten free. If you are not gluten free, you can use standard all purpose flour.

Baking powder: This helps the gluten free chocolate chip cookie bars rise. I definitely would not suggest skipping this step.

Chocolate chips or dairy free sub: I used dairy free chocolate chips to make the gluten free peanut butter bars. You can use any chocolate chip that is your favorite in these peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars!

directions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350.

Step 2

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix together. This is a dump recipe which means you do not need to separate the wet and dry ingredients. Just mix it all up in one bowl.

Step 3

Add to an 8×8 or 9×9 parchment lined baking sheet.

Step 4

Add to oven and bake the peanut butter cookie bars for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Top with peanut butter cups and let melt for 5 minutes. I press the cups into the cookie bars to make sure they are secure.

Step 6

Let the chocolate chip cookie bars with peanut butter cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

expert tips & tricks

• Do not over-bake the peanut butter cookie bars. I promise, you want the center a little under-baked for a chewy, gooey texture. Think chewy chips ahoy!
• Let the bars cool completely before cutting. This way the peanut butter cookie bars cut easily and cleanly.
• I like to line my baking pan with parchment paper so I don’t need to wash it when I’m done. These soft and chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars are made in a 9×9 baking pan, but you can double the recipe to make it in a 9×13 baking pan. Baking time will be slightly longer, around 35-40 minutes.

serving, storing and meal prepping

These peanut butter cookie bars can be served warm or at room temperature. I like to eat them warm so if its the next day I just pop them in the microwave for 20 seconds! You can serve with whipped cream or ice cream on top too for a fun cookie sundae!

To store, I let the gluten free peanut butter bars cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to four days.

For longer storage, I love to portion the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months.

To make individual portions of these peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars, I divide them into separate containers or baggies and freeze. These individual portions are my favorite for great grab-and-go snack or quick dessert during the week.

Looking for more allergy friendly easy recipe?

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