These Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies are the epitome of go big or go home. A made-from-scratch creamy peanut butter cookie dough is filled with oats, chocolate chips and salted peanuts. Scoop onto a cookie sheet and bake until golden and crispy around the edges then pour a glass of milk.
Warm Cowboy Cookies and a Glass of Milk
I've never outgrown the thrill of warm gooey chocolate filled cookies and a glass of cold milk. I fully intend to keep it that way, too. Don't judge me. There seems to be a universal appeal and love for cookies in any way shape an form so, I'm in good company for sure. Perhaps it's the fact cookie dough is incredibly versatile, or the fact they're a quick handheld dessert and simple to make. Regardless, I can't think of a single occasion that cookies wouldn't be a happy sight nestled among other desserts.
Tips for Making Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies
Cowboy cookies are an all-time favorite of ours, because they're loaded with so much goodness. For my little peanut butter lovin' cowboys, I lace the cookie dough with creamy peanut butter.
- In keeping with the peanut butter theme I switched out the pecans, typically found in cowboy cookies with peanuts.
- When using a medium-size ice cream scoop to divide the dough these cookies bake-up cowboy size. You can make them smaller or any size you like, of course.
- This dough can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to one week, when kept chilled.
- To freeze, shape the cookies into desired size rounds and place on a sheet pan to freeze. When solid, package in plastic storage bags and keep in the freezer ready to bake a quick batch when you're ready.
- Frozen cookie dough will keep up to 2 months.
- They're amazingly delicious and go down quite nicely straight from the oven with a glass of ice cold milk.
Other Cookie Recipes to Fill Your Cookie Jar
- Loaded Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Loaded Up Butterscotch Toffee Pecan Cookies
- Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pudding Cookies
- Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Rolo Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies from Mom on Timeout
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cup quick cooking oats
- 1 cup cocktail peanuts roughly chopped
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 12 oz milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, peanut butter and vanilla. Beat for 3 minutes until smooth, fluffy and light beige in color. Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Stop to scrape the bowl periodically so all of the ingredients fully combine.
- Add the dry ingredients gradually while beating on low speed, mixing well between each addition.
- Repeat until all of the dry ingredients have been added, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
- After all of the dry ingredients have been added, increase the speed of the mixer and beat for 1 minute.
- Use a large non-stick spatula to mix in the quick-cooking oats, peanuts, milk chocolate chips and sweetened flaked coconut by hand. The batter will be stiff.
- Use a 4 oz ice cream scoop to separate the dough. Place the dough rounds at least 3-inches apart on the baking sheet. Press the centers to flatten slightly for even baking.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Susan
My new favorite cookie!
Terry
New favorite cookie recipe. Great cookies!!
Melissa
Thank you!
Barb
Can chunky peanut butter be used instead if smooth?
Melissa
Sure!
Linda
After baked, how do these cookies freeze? Like to keep some in the freezer for unexpected company.
Melissa
They freeze well, bake and cool completely. Wrap in airtight freezer safe wrap.
Cindy
DELICIOUS!!!!
Melissa
Thank you!
Jean
I’ve made these three times now. Absolutely love them. I share with my neighbors and they agree and keep asking to make more. Easy to stir up and everything goes quickly. Great recipe! Thanks
Melissa
You're a great neighbor, thanks so much!
Kelly Collins
Didn't have peanuts, but forged ahead regardless. Glad I did! Super simple but tastes luxurious with all the flavors and textures. I had to bake mine for 23 minutes...my older oven has issues. Thank you for sharing!
Valerie
I’m not a coconut fan...what can I substitute?
Melissa
You can omit the coconut, if you prefer.
MaryAnne Lattimore
Loved these cookies! It has all my favorite ingredients: chocolate, coconut, peanut, and oats! I used measure for measure GF flour, turned out perfect! Thanks, Melissa!
Melissa
Thanks so much and, for sharing your experience making these cookies gluten free!
Cheryl Babineau
Hi Melissa
Just found your recipe for Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies. Can hardly wait to bake some. It’s a very hot day here in the Maritimes on the east coast of Canada but we are having a family gathering this long weekend and I’m sure everyone will love em.
Thanks so much and I’m looking forward to visiting your site again soon
Cheryl
Melissa
Hi Cheryl, welcome! I'm delighted you're sharing this with family. You can go ahead and mix up the dough and chill. Then, bake when you're ready.
Jeanette McCrea
These cookies are absolutely the best. I make them all the time.
Melissa
Thank you!
Jackie
Very good and easy to make!
Melissa
Thanks so much!
Susan
Made these cookies for a party...there were none left to take home. So I guess I’ll just have to make more!
Melissa
Wonderful, thanks so much!
Melodee
Can you use regular rolled oats instead of quick oats?
Melissa
Rolled oats are larger so, if you want to use them, pulse them a couple of times in a food processor to make them more like the texture of quick oats. Measure them after.
Chuck
I do NOT like chocolate so I've been trying to find an oatmeal pnut butter cookie. I'm going to try these without the chocolate chips.
Melissa
Do you like peanut butter chips? That might be a nice substitute or even butterscotch.
Mary
Making right now and already ate a few. OMG are they good!
Melissa
I love these, too, thanks!
Debbe
They are delicious even though I forgot to add the oatmeal. I will be making these again and next time add the oatmeal. Thanks
Melissa
Glad you loved these Debbe, thanks!
Michelle
Just made these cookies and they are really good. I will definitely be making these cookies again.
Melissa
I love these, too. I'm happy to hear you do!
Marian
Is the amount of butter correct? Mine turned out very dry.
Melissa
The amounts are correct. Keep in mind, there's peanut butter for moisture, too. Perhaps bake them for less time as your oven may run a little hot.
Nicole
I made these yesterday! SOO Yummy. I changed the sugars a bit. I've found that instead of equal parts on the sugars, if you use 3/4 white and 1 1/4 brown the cookies will be "chewier". Also I did half and half of peanut butter chips and semi sweet chocolate chips. They turned out so yummy and moist!
Marybeth
Hi!!! How many calories are in these cookies? I love them and having a hard time keeping track of my caloric intake because I can't figure out the calories for these! Make then all the time! Thanks for your help!!
Melissa
There are many free online calorie calculators available. Just enter the values and it will calculate for you.
Patty Thayer
I made these cookies yesterday because I had purchased crunchie peanut butter by accident and wanted to use it up. Instead of using smooth peanut butter I used the crunchie and eliminated the cocktail peanuts and added some pecans and about 1/2 cup of white chocolate bits along with the milk chocolate and other ingredients. Cookies are AWESOME! My husband doesn't care for peanut butter but he likes these a lot. This recipe is a keeper! Thanks for sharing.
Skygirl
Hi! I just made this dough! Looking forward to tasting the cookies! My five year old son said that the dough is so yummy)! I was wondering if you have ever tried to freeze the dough for future use?
Melissa
I have and it freezes beautifully.
Deb
I just made these with sunflower seeds and butterscotch chips, YUM!!!!!
Melissa
Nice!
Mary
What are 'cocktail peanuts'? I don't think we have them in the UK Can I substitute ordinary salted peanuts or should they be unsalted?
Melissa
Oh sure, cocktail peanuts tend to be a bit smaller and thus good for this cookie. Regular salted peanuts will do nicely.
Lindsay
I just made these cookies. They are delicious (so is the dough :P)!! I didn't have peanuts so I omitted them. I will try to have them for next time. This is going to be a go to cookie recipe from now on. Thanks!
Melissa
Awesome Lindsay we love them too!
Fran
Been making cookies very similar to this recipe for many many yers. My grandkids love them!!
Cheryl Hicks
Melissa
Will a hand mixer work for this recipe? I really love your site and have tried many of the recipes. Keep the good food coming!
Melissa
Hi Cheryl, oh of course. I use my stand mixer as a rule of thumb but yes, go for it! ☺
Melissa
What a fun idea for a party. Welcome, send my best to your friends.
Anonymous
Hi Melissa
Your site is absolutely amazing I love it ! - So many great recipes. I'm getting hungry as we speak.
I'm planning a Southern Theme Dinner Party inspired by two of my favorite movies Fried Green Tomatoes and The Help. I found your site just by chance and I'm so glad I did
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful recipes. I don't know quite where to begin.
Mare
Melissa
They should bake fine without the coconut, you can leave it out.
Beverly
Will the cookies bake the same without the coconut, not a big fan
Melissa
Millie, that sounds like a dynamite finish to a Saturday. Happy baking!
Millie Brinkley
Melissa, thanks for another mouth watering recipe! These sound insanely good! Well, goodbye diet....hello cookies, hot tea, and a hedonistic, lazy evening!
Melissa
Thanks for sharing Melissa!
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite Books
I have been thinking about baking some cookies, these look delicious! =) Pinned to try soon!