Cookies, peanut butter, commercially prepared, regular
Whole food · Baked Products
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic American cookie, its dense, crumbly texture is packed with the deep, savory-sweet flavor of roasted peanuts. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense treat where a significant portion of its energy comes from fats and sugars, with a modest protein boost from the peanut butter.
Calorie split: 7% protein · 48% carbs · 44% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the irresistible combination of rich, nutty peanut butter and sweet cookie dough, creating a satisfyingly hearty and comforting treat. Its nostalgic association with childhood lunchboxes and after-school snacks adds to its enduring appeal.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar and refined carb content can lead to blood sugar spikes, and the significant fat and calorie density requires portion awareness. As a common allergen, peanut butter cookies are off-limits for those with peanut allergies. To enjoy more mindfully, pair a single cookie with a glass of milk or a piece of fruit to add protein and fiber, which can help moderate blood sugar response.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick energy source from carbohydrates and fats
- Contains some plant-based protein from peanut butter
- Offers a small amount of dietary fiber
- Can satisfy intense cravings for sweet and salty flavors
- Convenient, shelf-stable, and widely available
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The iconic cross-hatch fork pattern pressed into the top of many peanut butter cookies isn't just decorative; it helps the dense dough bake evenly by flattening it and increasing surface area.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 7.3 g |
| Energy | 473 kcal |
| Energy | 1978 kj |
| Protein | 8.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 23.8 g |
| Ash | 1.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 58.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 28.6 g |
| Sucrose | 23.6 g |
| Glucose | 2.7 g |
| Fructose | 2.0 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.26 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 24.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 41.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 44.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 156 mg |
| Potassium, K | 202 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 463 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.86 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.15 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.64 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 6.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.21 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.21 mg |
| Niacin | 3.9 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.43 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Folate, total | 57.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 30.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 27.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 78.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 10.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.04 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 9.0 ug |
| Retinol | 9.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 32.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 14.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 3.5 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.26 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 6.0 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 1.7 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.90 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.22 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.95 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.16 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.8 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.5 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.17 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.33 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.14 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 10.8 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 10.6 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 9.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.13 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 3.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 3.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 1.3 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 1.0 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 1.0 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.20 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.21 g |
| Cholesterol | 27.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.11 g |
| Threonine | 0.32 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.36 g |
| Leucine | 0.65 g |
| Lysine | 0.38 g |
| Methionine | 0.15 g |
| Cystine | 0.16 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.48 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.35 g |
| Valine | 0.42 g |
| Arginine | 0.85 g |
| Histidine | 0.23 g |
| Alanine | 0.37 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.92 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.3 g |
| Glycine | 0.48 g |
| Proline | 0.61 g |
| Serine | 0.50 g |
FAQ
Why are peanut butter cookies often drier than chocolate chip cookies?
The high fat content of peanut butter coats flour proteins, inhibiting gluten development, which results in a more tender, crumbly, and sometimes drier texture compared to chewier cookies.
Can I make them without refined sugar?
Yes, you can substitute with alternatives like coconut sugar or a measured amount of a natural sweetener like maple syrup, though this will alter the texture and browning.
What makes them gluten-free?
Traditional recipes contain wheat flour, but they can be made gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Always check packaged cookies for hidden gluten in additives.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.73 kcal/g · 8% calories from protein · 2.1 g fiber · 28.6 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.29 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.