Tired of mundane mornings? Imagine starting your day with a delicious cookie that’s not only satisfying but also packed with wholesome ingredients! These Peanut Butter Chocolate Breakfast Cookies are a game-changer, offering a delightful blend of flavors and ultimate convenience to fuel your busiest mornings.

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Seeking more wholesome and convenient breakfast ideas? Don’t miss out on these other fantastic options: Oatmeal Muffins with Applesauce, a vibrant Smoothie Bowl with Berries and Coconut, classic comfort in Bran Muffins, or savory Egg Muffins.

Start Your Day Right: Delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate Breakfast Cookies

In countless households, the morning routine often falls into a predictable pattern, especially when it comes to breakfast. While dinner might be an opportunity for culinary adventure, the first meal of the day often succumbs to the pressures of time and energy. It’s easy to get stuck in a breakfast rut, cycling through the same few options day after day.

For many, breakfast often consists of quick grabs like cereal, yogurt, or a simple egg dish. While these are perfectly fine, they can become uninspiring over time. Kids, in particular, often dream of special treats like pancakes, but the reality of busy mornings often means this wish is granted only on rare, relaxed weekends. The desire for something new, exciting, and still relatively healthy becomes a common goal for families looking to add a little sparkle back into their morning meals.

That’s where the brilliance of breakfast cookies comes into play. The very phrase “cookies for breakfast” sparks a sense of intrigue and joy, transforming a routine meal into a delightful experience. But these aren’t your typical indulgent cookies; they are thoughtfully crafted to be hearty, satisfying, and packed with ingredients that offer sustained energy, making them an ideal way to kickstart your day.

Why These Peanut Butter Chocolate Breakfast Cookies Will Become Your Morning Hero

Our Peanut Butter Chocolate Breakfast Cookies are designed to solve your morning meal dilemmas. They are moist, soft, and incredibly satisfying, offering a substantial bite that keeps you full longer than many traditional breakfast options. Forget crispy edges and chewy centers – these cookies embrace a tender texture, almost like a hearty muffin top in cookie form, perfect for a nourishing start.

Beyond their delightful taste and texture, these cookies excel in convenience. They are a fantastic make-ahead option, meaning you can bake a batch on Sunday and enjoy stress-free breakfasts all week long. Imagine simply grabbing a cookie (or two!) on your way out the door, knowing you’re getting a delicious, balanced meal without any morning prep. This grab-and-go ease makes them indispensable for anyone with a packed schedule, from busy parents and students to professionals needing a quick, portable breakfast solution.

They’re also wonderfully portion-controlled. Each cookie is a perfect serving, preventing overeating and making it simple to track your intake if desired. This thoughtful design ensures that “cookies for breakfast” is not just a fun idea but a genuinely practical and wholesome choice for a more enjoyable and efficient morning.

Essential Ingredients for Your Breakfast Cookies

Crafting the perfect breakfast cookie begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that ideal balance of flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

• Peanut Butter: Opt for natural creamy peanut butter where the ingredients list primarily contains just peanuts, and perhaps a touch of salt. This provides a purer flavor and avoids unnecessary sugars and oils found in highly processed varieties. Peanut butter contributes rich flavor, healthy fats, and protein, making these cookies wonderfully satisfying. You could also experiment with other nut butters like almond or cashew butter for a different flavor profile.
• Banana: The riper the banana, the better! Over-ripe bananas, with their distinct brown spots, offer natural sweetness and moisture, reducing the need for excessive added sugar. They also act as a fantastic binder, helping to hold the cookie dough together while imparting a subtle fruitiness.
• Brown Sugar: We use light brown sugar in this recipe. Its molasses content adds a deeper, more complex sweetness and contributes to the cookies’ moist texture. If you’re keen on reducing sugar further, you could explore sugar substitutes, though this hasn’t been tested with this specific recipe.
• Egg: A large egg provides essential structure and acts as a binder, ensuring the cookies hold their shape and have a consistent texture.
• Vanilla Extract: High-quality real vanilla extract is crucial for enhancing all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic depth that makes these cookies irresistible.
• Flour: All-purpose flour provides the base structure. For an added nutritional boost, consider using half whole wheat flour or even white whole wheat flour. These alternatives integrate seamlessly, adding fiber and nutrients without significantly altering the taste or texture, making your cookies even more wholesome.
• Baking Soda: This leavening agent helps the cookies achieve a slight lift and a tender crumb, preventing them from becoming too dense.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is vital in any sweet recipe. It balances the sweetness, amplifies the flavors of the peanut butter and chocolate, and prevents the cookies from tasting flat.
• Granola: This is where a lot of the magic happens! We recommend a chocolate peanut butter granola, such as Love Crunch Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter, which brings in both chocolate chunks and peanuts for an extra layer of texture and flavor. However, feel free to get creative here. Any granola that complements peanut butter would work wonderfully, whether it’s plain, oat-based, or features different nuts and dried fruits. The granola provides a delightful textural contrast, especially when the cookies are fresh out of the oven.

How to Make Your Delicious Breakfast Cookies

Creating these delightful breakfast cookies is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these simple steps for a batch of wholesome, flavorful treats:

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Begin by preheating your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step is essential for preventing sticking and ensuring easy cleanup.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the natural creamy peanut butter, mashed ripe banana, and light brown sugar. Beat these ingredients together on medium speed until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well combined. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes, especially if using a stand mixer. The thorough mixing helps to fully incorporate the banana and sugar into the peanut butter base.
3. Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the wet mixture. Continue to beat well, ensuring all ingredients are fully blended. Remember to pause and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed. This ensures that no dry spots are left behind and everything is evenly mixed.
4. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking dry ingredients separately helps to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt, ensuring a consistent texture throughout your cookies.

5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the whisked flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the larger bowl. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl again to ensure everything is thoroughly incorporated.
6. Stir in Granola: Finally, gently fold in the chocolate peanut butter granola (or your chosen granola variety). Stir until the granola is evenly distributed throughout the dough. The goal is to mix just enough to combine, maintaining the texture of the granola.

7. Portion and Shape: Use a large cookie scoop (approximately 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie) to portion out the dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing each ball about 2 inches apart. The dough will be a bit sticky, so a spring-release scoop is highly recommended for ease.
8. Flatten the Dough: These cookies don’t spread much during baking, so it’s crucial to slightly flatten the top of each dough ball before placing them in the oven. You can do this easily with slightly wet hands or the back of a spoon. This ensures an even bake and a more traditional cookie shape.
9. Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies for about 10-12 minutes, or until they are just set and lightly golden brown around the edges. They should still be soft to the touch in the center. Allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking.

Expert Tips for Perfect Breakfast Cookies Every Time

To ensure your Peanut Butter Chocolate Breakfast Cookies turn out perfectly every time, keep these useful tips in mind:

• Mind the Size and Shape: These are substantial cookies, with each using about 3 tablespoons of dough. Because the dough doesn’t spread significantly during baking, manually flattening each ball of dough before it goes into the oven is essential. This step helps them bake evenly and achieve the desired cookie shape. If you forget this step, you can gently press them down a few minutes before the end of the baking time, but it’s simpler to do it at the start.
• Texture Transformation: The granola is key to these cookies’ unique texture. When fresh from the oven, you’ll enjoy a delightful crunch from the granola. However, after being stored, the granola will soften and meld more into the cookie’s tender texture. Both stages are equally delicious, offering a slightly different experience.
• Customize Your Nut Butter: While peanut butter offers a classic, comforting flavor, feel free to experiment with other nut butters. Almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter (for a nut-free option) can be fantastic alternatives, each lending its own unique taste profile to the cookies.
• Granola Variations: Don’t limit yourself to chocolate peanut butter granola. Plain rolled oats can be used for a simpler, oat-forward cookie, or try a different flavored granola like maple pecan, cranberry almond, or even a cinnamon spice blend to switch things up.
• Add-Ins Galore: Feel free to customize your cookies further! Stir in a handful of mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans), dried cranberries, raisins, or even flax or chia seeds for an extra nutritional boost. This is a great way to personalize the recipe to your preferences.
• Avoid Overmixing: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher cookies. A light hand will ensure a tender, moist texture.
• Doneness Cues: Keep an eye on the edges. The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers appear set, but still feel soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool.

Storage and Freezing for Ultimate Convenience

One of the best aspects of these breakfast cookies is their versatility for meal prep and long-term storage, ensuring you always have a wholesome option on hand:

• Room Temperature Storage: Any leftover baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. Ensure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: For longer storage, baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to 4 weeks. To freeze, arrange fully cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about 30 minutes until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply take a cookie or two out the night before and let them thaw at room temperature. By morning, they’ll be perfectly thawed and ready to eat, providing an effortless grab-and-go breakfast. Make sure to keep them covered while thawing to prevent them from drying out.
• Freezing Dough (Optional): You can also prepare the dough and freeze it. Form dough balls, flatten them slightly, and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls on a prepared baking sheet and add an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time. This is a fantastic option for fresh-baked cookies on demand!

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

These versatile breakfast cookies are delicious on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with other breakfast staples:

• Enjoy them with your morning coffee or tea for a quick, energizing start.
• Serve alongside a bowl of fresh fruit or a cup of yogurt for a more complete meal.
• They make an excellent post-workout snack, providing a good balance of carbs, protein, and healthy fats.
• Pack them in lunchboxes for a satisfying midday treat.

Whether you’re looking for a convenient breakfast solution, a healthier snack alternative, or simply a delicious way to enjoy cookies guilt-free, these Peanut Butter Chocolate Breakfast Cookies are sure to become a cherished recipe in your home. Their ease of preparation, customizable nature, and hearty goodness make them an absolute winner!

More Wholesome Breakfast Inspiration

If you loved these breakfast cookies, be sure to explore more of our favorite wholesome breakfast recipes:

Raspberry Overnight Oats
Banana Oat Bread
Peanut Butter, Coconut, and Banana Oatmeal
Peanut Butter Banana Bran Muffin Recipe
Oatmeal Pancakes with Chocolate Chips

Breakfast Cookies with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Recipe

Breakfast Cookies with Peanut Butter and Chocolate

Author: Deborah Harroun

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Servings: 12 cookies
• Course: Breakfast
• Cuisine: American

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Summary:

Cookies for breakfast? Yep! These Breakfast Cookies with Peanut Butter and Chocolate are a delicious way to wake up in the morning.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (128 g) natural creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup (120 g) mashed, over-ripe banana (about 1 medium banana)
• 1/2 cup (107 g) packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (240 g) chocolate peanut butter granola

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat liner.
2. In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the peanut butter, banana, and brown sugar. Beat until smooth and combined, 2-3 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this into the creamed mixture and mix to combine. Stir in the granola.
4. Form the dough into balls of about 3 tablespoons of dough each. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Use wet fingers to slightly flatten each ball of dough.
5. Bake until the cookies are just set, about 10-12 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Recipe Notes:

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 cookie, Calories: 262kcal (13%), Carbohydrates: 36g (12%), Protein: 7g (14%), Fat: 9g (14%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 16mg (5%), Sodium: 141mg (6%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 6g (7%)

Keywords: Breakfast Cookies

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