Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blondies (Vegan Option)

These gluten-free peanut butter blondies are thick, chewy, and loaded with peanut butter flavor, chocolate chips, plus a surprise layer of peanut butter cups in the middle. A dream dessert for peanut butter lovers, with an easy vegan option included.

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The Best Recipe for Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blondies

These peanut butter blondies are rich, chewy, and downright addictive—in the best way. Packed with chocolate chips and chunks of peanut butter cups, they’re a dreamy treat that’s easy to make and impossible to forget. Here’s why you’ll love them:

• Great Texture: Soft, buttery, with golden edges and a gooey middle
• Flavor-Packed: Loaded with chocolate chips and chunks of peanut butter cups
• Gluten-Free + Vegan Option: Easy to adapt for different diets
• One Bowl Wonder: Quick, simple, and no chill time required

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blondies Ingredients & Substitutions

Every bite is packed with indulgent flavor and easy-to-find ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need—and how to make it work for any diet.

• Gluten-free 1:1 baking flour – Use a blend that includes xanthan gum for structure; swap with all-purpose if not gluten-free
• Baking powder + baking soda – Help the blondies rise and get that soft chew.
• Coarse sea salt – Enhances flavor and balances sweetness; swap with regular table salt but reduce the amount slightly.
• Brown sugar – Adds moisture and a rich caramel flavor; coconut sugar works as an unrefined alternative.
• Granulated sugar – Helps with structure and sweetness; swap with cane sugar or monkfruit for a lower-sugar option.
• Smooth peanut butter (no-stir) – The star of the show; swap with almond butter or sunflower seed butter for nut-free. Make sure you are using a no-stir nut butter such as Kraft, Jif, or Skippy.
• Butter – Adds richness and a tender crumb; swap with plant-based butter for dairy-free.
• Vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavor; no swap recommended, but you can skip in a pinch.
• Milk – Helps bind and smooth the batter; use any type of plant-based milk for dairy-free
• Chocolate chips – Add melty, sweet pockets throughout; use whatever style or kind as needed.
• Peanut butter cups – For extra bursts of peanut butter indulgence; sub with chopped chocolate bars, pretzels, or omit entirely. Justin’s makes a fabulous plant-based peanut butter cup.

Peanut Butter Gluten-Free Blondies Step-by-Step

A fuss-free peanut butter cup blondie that comes together in one bowl. Grab a mixing bowl, a spatula, and let’s get to work!

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper and non-stick spray.
2. Mix wet ingredients: Mix the peanut butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, softened butter, milk, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.
3. Add dry ingredients: Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until a soft dough forms.
4. Fold in mix-ins: Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Spread, sandwich, and top: Spread half the batter into the pan and put the peanut butter cups on top of the dough. Gently press them down into the dough. Cover with the remaining dough.
6. Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
7. Cool and slice: Let cool at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Helpful Hints For Vegan Peanut Butter Blondie Success

Here are a few tips to help set you up for blondie success.

• Don’t Overbake: They’ll keep setting as they cool, so pull them out when just set in the center.
• Clean Cuts: Use a sharp knife and wipe between slices for neat edges.
• Extra Flavor Pop: Sprinkle flaky salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty finish.
• Chill for Firmer Texture: Refrigerate before slicing if you prefer fudgy bars.

Fun Flavor Twists

These blondies are endlessly customizable, so feel free to get creative with your mix-ins and toppings. A few easy swaps can give them a whole new personality.

• PB&J Style: Swirl in raspberry or strawberry jam before baking for classic peanut butter and jelly vibes.
• Salty-Sweet Crunch: Add crushed pretzels or salted peanuts for texture and contrast.
• Toffee Boost: Swap the chocolate chips for chopped toffee bits for a rich, caramel-like twist.
• Dark Chocolate Dream: Use dark or bittersweet chips for a deeper, more grown-up flavor.

The Best Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blondies

Chewy, gooey, and loaded with peanut butter goodness—these gluten-free peanut butter blondies are everything delicious. They’re easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly customizable. They can be made vegan-friendly, too!

If you make them, I’d love for you to leave a 5-star rating and review, and don’t forget to tag me @cakedbykatie on social media so I can celebrate your bake!

More Blondie Recipes

Blondies have more fun, they say. Here are a few of my favorite blondie recipe.

• Blueberry Blondies (Gluten-Free & Vegan)
• Butter Pecan Blondies (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)
• Raspberry Blondies

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