Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips are sweetened with honey, and are a healthier version of the classic favorite.
Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies
Now, I am a big believer in balance, and my 80/20 approach when it comes to food is alive and well. Normally I enjoy a nice sugary sweet when I have a treat, but that being said, I also wanted to start making some “better for you” treats because I love to bake. I find myself finding plenty of excuses to eat sweets throughout the week and eat sweets we do. I’m trying to rein in our processed sugar consumption a bit and this Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies (sweetened with honey) with Chocolate Chips recipe is a great way for me to do that. My kids had no idea that these cookies were “healthy” - they loved them.
These cookies aren’t low in calories and they still have some sugar - I used high quality dark chocolate chips, but they still have sugar, and honey is a sugar even though it’s more natural. That being said, I think these totally count as healthy!
They do have whole grains, fiber, healthy fats, and when it comes to the ingredients in them, I know what they are, how they are made, and have a good idea of where they came from. I love that! These are still a treat and you should approach them as such, but also applaud yourself for going with a healthier version of a traditional classic.
Why are my cookies burning?
Honey burns much more easily than sugar. Be careful to not overbake!
Does whole wheat flour make cookies taste different?
They will be a bit more dense and the texture is slightly different but these cookies made with whole wheat flour taste delicious.
What peanut butter is best to use in cookies?
It's really a personal choice. Natural and normal will both work, smooth or creamy.
Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 ½ dozen cookies 1x
Description
Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips are sweetened with honey, and are a healthier version of the classic favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter (natural and normal will both work, smooth or creamy)
- 1 cup honey (I like to buy local, it seems less bitter than cheap store honey)
- 1 large egg
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ½ to 1 cup good quality dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment or a baking mat. In a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the peanut butter and honey and beat until totally incorporated. Stir in egg and vanilla. Add the salt, soda, and flour, and mix until it comes together to form a dough. Shape dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon of dough each) and place on the prepared sheet. Use fork to lightly press each dough ball down. Press a few chocolate chips on the top of each dough ball.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until cookies become slightly golden brown. (Note: Be careful to not overbake! Honey burns much more easily than sugar). Remove from the oven and place the cookies on a wire rack to cool.
Notes
You can stir the chocolate chips into the dough like traditional chocolate chip cookies, but I always think they look extra pretty when I press them on the top.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 11.9g
- Sodium: 99.4mg
- Fat: 5.6g
- Carbohydrates: 18.8g
- Protein: 3.4g
- Cholesterol: 6.2mg
Keywords: whole wheat cookies, peanut butter, dessert, chocolate chips
Here are a few more healthy dessert recipes I think you'll enjoy:
- Healthy Applesauce Cookies
- Healthy Honey Coconut Granola Recipe
- Whole Wheat Honey Cake
- Whole Wheat Graham Crackers
- Healthy Coconut No-Bake Cookies
- Healthy Vegan Breakfast Cookies
- Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins
- Crunchy Oat and Honey Granola Bars
- No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Energy Balls
Enjoy this healthy treat of Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Cookies and happy baking!
Karolyn
Can you use white flour instead of wheat? And would it be the same amount?
Melissa
That should work great, you might need just a little more, maybe 1/4 cup.
Libby
For those asking, maple doesn’t work that well here. They will be good as a breakfast “cookie” though. Will try w honey next time.
bja
Made these today - used sugar free syrup. Not a fan.
Monika Dabrowski
Great recipe! I love to use whole wheat flour in baking too.
★★★★★
Melissa
So glad you liked them Monika! I don't know why but it makes me feel better too, like a little color and fiber adds some missing vitamin and minerals. Why not add it!
Ayang
Sounds easy to cook it. I plan to make it soon
. But can I replace the honey with sugar? Will it be the same amount when I use it?
Melissa
I haven't tried it yet but I think that you could, like a traditional cookie. I'd stick with the same amount.
Lizzie @ It's a Veg World After All
These look so tasty! And so easy to make. I love that they use whole wheat flour. Can't wait to try them!
HJ
These look delish!! I'm going to make them tomorrow. ?
Christina | Christina's Cucina
I love anything made healthier that tastes just as good as an original recipe! Children would gobble these up and they are SO much healthier than ones from the store!!! Excellent recipe!
Melissa
Don't you just feel good about it!
Kim
Looks yummy! I'm allergic to honey can I use maple syrup instead?
Melissa
Hmmm, I didn't try it with maple but it might work, you might want more flour since it seems to be a bit thinner? I think brown rice syrup might be a closer match. I'd love to know what you try!