Peanut Cookies

If there’s one thing that always brings a smile to my kitchen, it’s the comforting smell of nuts and oats mingling with a hint of sweetness. Today, I want to share a little story about Peanut Cookies – though, to be fair, they’re not your classic flat, crisp cookies. Think of them as a delightful hybrid: part cookie, part chewy bar, a sweet little square that manages to be both crunchy and soft in one bite.

The beauty of peanut cookies lies in their simplicity. They don’t require a long list of fancy ingredients or a complicated technique. Instead, they’re built on wholesome staples that most of us probably have tucked away in the cupboard: oats, rice cereal, peanut butter, a handful of peanuts, and something sweet to bind it all together. It’s the sort of recipe you could whip up on a rainy afternoon without needing to dash out to the shop for special items.

Now, let’s talk about flavour and texture. Imagine biting into peanut cookies: the roasted peanuts give you that deep, nutty crunch, while the chewy raisins (or any dried fruit you fancy) add little bursts of sweetness. The oats bring heartiness, grounding everything with a rustic, almost earthy taste, while the rice cereal lightens it up, giving you those satisfying airy snaps. Then comes the rich, sticky blend of peanut butter, brown sugar, and honey – the magical trio that glues everything together. It’s indulgent without being heavy, sweet without being sickly.

One of the best things about peanut cookies is how forgiving and adaptable it is. Don’t have raisins? Try chopped dates, apricots, or even dried cranberries for a tart twist. Not a fan of creamy peanut butter? Crunchy peanut butter will double the nuttiness. And if you’re feeling experimental, you can even throw in a handful of chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the top once it’s set – a little extra indulgence never hurt anyone!

These Peanut Cookies aren’t just tasty; they’re practical too. Because they’re pressed into a tray and cut into bars, they travel well and keep their shape – making them perfect for lunchboxes, road trips, or picnics. They’re also brilliant for bake sales and gatherings because you can cut them into small squares to feed a crowd. They look humble, but trust me, they’ll disappear quickly once people realise how moreish they are.

I also love how little actual baking is required. It’s really more about mixing and setting. The peanut butter, sugar, and honey get a quick zap in the microwave until they bubble together into a smooth, glossy syrup. Stir in the vanilla, pour it over your dry mix, and suddenly you’ve got a sticky, sweet concoction that begs to be pressed into a pan. After that, it’s just patience – giving it an hour or so to firm up before slicing into neat bars. And here’s the fun part: because they’re no-bake, you can get the kids involved without worrying about oven mishaps.

On a personal note, I find there’s something nostalgic about these peanut cookies. They remind me of those cereal bars we all used to pack in our school bags, except these taste infinitely better because they’re homemade. Plus, you get to control exactly what goes in – less processed, more wholesome, and tailored to your own taste buds.

So, whether you call them cookies, bars, or treats, these Peanut Cookies are the kind of snack that bridges the gap between comfort food and convenience. They’re sweet but balanced, crunchy yet chewy, nostalgic yet endlessly customisable. And the best part? They come together in hardly any time at all, leaving you with a tray of golden, nutty goodness that’s just waiting to be shared (or not – I won’t judge if you keep them all to yourself).

Next time you’re in need of a simple, satisfying bake – or rather, “no-bake” – give these Peanut Cookies a try. I promise they’ll earn a permanent spot in your kitchen repertoire.

Peanut Cookies

Peanut Cookies are chewy, nutty bars made with oats, rice cereal, roasted peanuts, dried fruit, and a sweet peanut butter-honey mixture that binds everything together. They’re crunchy yet soft, simple to make, and perfect for lunchboxes, snacks, or sharing with friends.

4.86 from 95 votes

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Course: Picnic, Snacks

Cuisine: British

Keyword: Fruit, Nuts, Oats, Peanut Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 biscuits

Calories: 381kcal

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Ingredients

 

MetricImperial

• ▢ ½ cup peanuts dry roasted or salted
• ▢ 2 cups raisins or other dried fruit
• ▢ 2 cups oats rolled/instant
• ▢ 2 cups rice cereal such as Rice Krispies
• ▢ ½ cup peanut butter creamy or crunchy
• ▢ ½ cup brown sugar
• ▢ ½ cup honey
• ▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• Cover an 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
• Mix the peanuts, raisins, oats, rice cereal in a large bowl.
  ½ cup peanuts, 2 cups raisins, 2 cups oats, 2 cups rice cereal
• Combine peanut butter, brown sugar and honey in a microwaveable bowl and cook on High until bubbling.
  ½ cup peanut butter, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup honey
• Add vanilla essence and stir until blended.
  1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until coated.
• Pour the mixture to the baking pan and press down firmly.
• Let stand for about 1 hour to harden.
• Cut into peanut cookies bars.

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 459mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 4mg