Life teaches us to value the simple things.
The moments that prove to be our most cherished tend to be those that were formed out of the convergence of seemingly ordinary bits and pieces. A walk on a blue-skied day that ends with an unexpected view, a warmhearted, laughter-splashed conversation with a friend, or a vibrant, fresh meal with good company; it's the little moments that touch our hearts in the biggest of ways throughout our lives. No frills or fanciness needed; less really can be more when we open our minds to the moment upon us.
The same seems to hold true for recipes, too. It’s the simple ones that nab our attention and have us repeating our every move in the kitchen in hopes of recreating the feeling of that first magical bite.
And you know what else?
There’s just something about peanut butter. Time and time again it steals the show in desserts, life, and even in blogs. In October of 2013, I shared this gluten-free, vegan peanut butter cookie recipe, and within a few months it became clear I wasn’t alone in my utter adoration for these simple cookies. And then in August of 2014, it was this 3-ingredient peanut butter fudge that garnered oohs, ahhs, and praise. Those two peanut butter recipes hold the #1 and #2 spots for most-viewed recipes on the blog, and they’re also the two recipes I most frequently return to when I’m craving something sweet. And thus it appears that we’re all on the same page: simple + peanut butter = magic.
These no-bake peanut butter + buckwheat cookies offer an even simpler approach than their popular baked predecessor. The ingredient list is shortened too, making these a double-threat on the simplicity front, and the addition of buckwheat makes them a grain-free, nutrient-packed treat. Although there is no substitute for freshly-baked peanut butter cookies, this no-bake version reignites the competition.
To make these salt-flecked peanut butter cookies, you’ll process raw buckwheat groats into a flour. Then, add pitted medjool dates, natural peanut butter, coconut oil, and pure vanilla extract to a food processor. Pulse several times and process until a crumbly, stick-together mixture forms. Then, roll the mixture into balls, use a fork to flatten and create a crosshatch pattern, sprinkle with large-flake sea salt, and freeze for 20 minutes to set.
And then…
Set the stage for good memories to be made and get after those pb cookies.
📖 Recipe
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw buckwheat groats
- 1 cup pitted and packed medjool dates
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- large flake sea salt for garnishing, optional
Instructions
- Add the buckwheat groats to a food processor and process for 3-4 minutes or until a fine flour forms. It's okay if the flour isn't perfectly fine -- larger pieces will add more texture to your cookies.
- Add the dates, peanut butter, vanilla bean seeds, and coconut oil to the food processor. Pulse several times and then process for 2-3 minutes. If the dough is too dry and crumbly, add in 1 tablespoon of water and process to incorporate.
- Roll the mixture into 14 balls and drop onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a fork, press the balls into cookies while making a crisscross pattern. Sprinkle the cookies with large grain sea salt, such as Maldon
- Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to set the cookies.
- You can store the cookies in either the freezer or refrigerator. The freezer will add a snap when biting in and the refrigerator will keep the cookies firm but tender.
Notes
Related Posts
Peanut Butter Kitchen Sink Cookies | Vegan, Gluten-Free
No-Bake Chewy Peanut Butter Oat Cookies | Vegan, Gluten-Free
No-Bake Chocolate Covered Snickerdoodles (vegan, gf)
Peanut Butter Mousse & Chocolate Crumble Parfait (vegan, gf)
6-Ingredient No-Bake Quinoa Peanut Butter Crunch Cups
Just Beet It 5-Ingredient Red Velvet Fudge
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Baked or raw, I'm a fan of peanut butter either way. Obsessing over the fact that you used groats!
Ashley says
Ditto on the peanut butter love! After experimenting with buckwheat groats, I realized how fantastic they are in raw cookies and crusts. If you like the pb cookies, you should try these raw almond butter cookies that also use buckwheat groats: https://www.blissfulbasil.com/2014/03/17/raw-almond-butter-cookies/ They're up there on my list of favorites!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
An easy way to peanut butter?!? Yes please!
It is SO true what you said about simple recipes!! The less than 7 ingredient recipes are the ones I find myself making again and again. It's also so true what you said about PB! Whenever I'm baking for a party or friends PB is always a safe bet :)
Ashley says
I hear you on the recipes with 7 ingredients or less, Natalie! Most of the recipes I repeat time and time again have less than 10 ingredients. Also, agreed about the PB. It's a crowd-pleaser for sure!
The Holistic Herbivore says
These sound amazing! I love using dates in desserts, or for anything really. The flaked salt on these cookies looks so great! I am such a fan of salted desserts! I cant wait to try them!
Ashley says
Thanks so much! I've only recently (within the last year or so) gotten into adding salt to desserts, and I feel like I have years of salted-dessert eating to catch up on. It really does make the sweetness and other flavors pop!
Celeste Jackson says
These are delicious and a new favorite to repeat! Love the simplicity and all the wholesome ingredients to create a great flavor.
Ashley says
Thank you! Glad you're loving them so much, mom!
lynsey | lynseylovesfood says
you are right.... there is just something about peanut butter! these look amazing. love the flecks of salt that are showered on them. so so pretty. xo
Ashley says
Thanks so much, Lynsey! PB gets me every time and so does pretty sea salt. What is it about those two? :)
michelle says
peanut butter!!! yum!
Ashley says
That is my exact reaction to peanut butter every time I eat it! A house is not a home without a jar of peanut butter :)
Lisa Passante says
If I have buckwheat flour already, how much would you suggest using? Thanks!
I am a school social worker by day and trying to cook and eat my way through an autoimmune condition by night... I will be subbing in macadamia nut butter in and will let you know how it goes. Loved your red velvet fudge recipe I tried last weekend.
Ashley says
Hi, Lisa! I believe that the yield is the same, so I would start with the same amount (or maybe a few tablespoons less) and work up to the full amount if needed.
Also, so awesome that you're a social worker and even more awesome that you're eating your way through an autoimmune condition by night -- I hope it's going well. So glad you enjoyed the red velvet fudge -- hope you enjoy this recipe just as much! xoxo, A
Veritable Top Georgetown Tow Truck service says
Totally making these this week! I’ve been on the lookout for a chewy peanut butter cookie 🙂