Peanut Butter Miso Cookies

These Peanut Butter Miso Cookies are the salty-sweet, chewy treat you didn’t know you needed. Made with simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, they’re perfect for your next baking day.

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Peanut Butter Miso Cookies

I have a serious thing for miso. Ever since I started to add it to my sweet treats, I have been hooked. The umami flavour it gives is next level, and these Peanut Butter Miso Cookies are exactly that. I have never had a more well-balanced cookie in my life. I reduced to sugar in these cookies (duh) because I just don’t see the need to over-sweeten such perfection! As you know, I love simple recipes with clean ingredients. These cookies sound super fancy, but the truth is – they aren’t! They don’t even have chill time; you literally can whip them up on a whim and enjoy in under 30 minutes. 

I tested this recipe more times than I want to admit, and honestly, they were good from the start, but they are amazing now. I think I just wanted to share them with everyone I know! Not chilling the dough allowed the cookie to spread out and get a bit crispier on the edges while still being soft in the middle. Basically, they are perfection, and I cannot wait for you to make them. 

A Sweet-Salty Twist on Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

This Peanut Butter Miso Cookie is what you get when cozy nostalgia meets bold umami. Inspired by classic peanut butter cookies, this version brings a deeply satisfying depth of flavour thanks to the unexpected addition of white miso paste. The result is a rich, chewy cookie with crisp edges, a buttery center, and a salty-sweet finish that makes it almost impossible to stop at just one. The chocolate chips are totally optional; I’ve made this recipe with and without them, and they are just as good both ways. Might I even suggest making half the batch with and half the batch without so you can taste the difference yourself?!

Ingredients You’ll Need for Miso Peanut Butter Cookies

  • Natural peanut butter: A creamy base full of healthy fats and protein, natural peanut butter gives these cookies their signature flavour and richness.
  • Butter: necessary for that brown butter flavour that so perfectly complements these cookies!
  • White miso paste: The secret ingredient that adds depth, umami, and just the right touch of salt. It balances the sweetness beautifully. This is the miso I used.
  • Brown sugar: Provides sweetness with a hint of molasses that enhances the chewy texture.
  • Coconut sugar: Adds a more complex, caramel-like flavour and helps with a soft texture.
  • All-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour): A simple, neutral base that lets the other flavours shine. You can sub a 1:1 gluten-free blend if needed.
  • Egg: Acts as the binder to hold everything together and gives the cookies structure. I have not tested these egg free but you likely could replace with a flax egg if desired.
  • Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and maintain that perfect soft-in-the-middle, crisp-on-the-outside balance.
  • Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavour and adds a hint of warmth.
  • Salt: Enhances all the other flavours, especially the miso and peanut butter.
  • Optional chocolate chips & flaky salt: A finishing touch that makes these cookies feel a little fancy—and even more crave-worthy. The chocolate chips are not necessary, and these cookies are equally good with and without! These are the chips I used.

What is Miso?

Miso is a traditional Japanese fermented paste made from soybeans, salt, and koji. It’s rich in umami and adds a subtle savoury depth to both sweet and savoury dishes. In these cookies, it balances the sweetness with a slightly salty, caramel-like note. This is the miso I used.

How to Make Peanut Butter Miso Cookies

Prep the Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, miso, brown sugar, coconut sugar, egg, and vanilla. Stir until smooth and fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Form the Cookies

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until a thick dough forms. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and gently press each one with a fork to create a crisscross pattern. Sprinkle with flaky salt if using.

Bake and Cool

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

What Do These Cookies Taste Like?

Like heaven, like your new favourite cookie and like a gift from the gods! These peanut butter miso cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with nutty richness. The miso adds an unexpected but irresistible savoury twist that deepens the overall flavour without overpowering the sweetness. Basically, it’s better than any cookie you’ll ever find in a bakery and easier to make than any cookie recipe you’ve ever followed in the past. They are perfect my friends.

Why This Peanut Butter Miso Cookie Recipe Works

These cookies strike a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and nutty, all thanks to the combination of miso and peanut butter. The natural oils in the peanut butter keep them tender and chewy, while the miso adds that irresistible depth you didn’t know you were missing in a cookie. It’s just an ingredient match you have to try to understand – peanut butter and miso are just so complementary. 

Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Miso Cookies

  • Use natural peanut butter for the best texture and cleanest ingredient list.
  • Don’t skip the miso. Even if it sounds strange, it makes these cookies addictive!
  • Bake until just golden on the edges to keep the centers nice and soft.

How to Store Peanut Butter Miso Cookies

Once cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay soft and chewy. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature as needed.

How to Freeze These Peanut Butter Cookies

To freeze the cookie dough balls before baking, just pop them in the oven straight from the freezer and add an extra 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

Why You Should Make These Delicious Peanut Butter Cookies ASAP

This cookie recipe is simple, quick, and incredibly satisfying. It’s a unique twist on a classic peanut butter cookie with elevated flavour thanks to miso. Plus, it’s easy to make with pantry staples and perfect for gifting, snacking, or sharing.

Peanut Butter Miso Cookies FAQs

What’s the best peanut butter to use for these cookies? Creamy, unsweetened natural peanut butter is ideal for this recipe. Be sure it’s well-mixed before using—too much oil or dryness can throw off the dough.

Can I use chunky peanut butter? Yes, you can use chunky peanut butter if you like added texture. Just be aware that it will slightly change the dough’s consistency and the final texture of the cookies.

What type of miso do I need for this recipe? White miso (shiro miso) is best for these cookies. It’s mild, slightly sweet, and blends beautifully with peanut butter.

Can I make them gluten-free? Absolutely. Just swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Do I have to use both types of sugar? You can use just one if needed, but a combination of brown and coconut sugar adds depth and a chewier texture.

Did you make this recipe?

Don’t forget to leave a rating and review below to let me know how you liked them!

Try More Recipes Like This

If you loved these, you might also enjoy:

Banana Date Breakfast Cookies

18 of T Best Gluten Free Cookies

Tahini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

TERI ANN CARTY

Food Photographer and Recipe Developer based in Toronto, Canada. 

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Peanut Butter Miso Cookies

These Peanut Butter Miso Cookies are the salty-sweet, chewy treat you didn’t know you needed. Made with simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, they’re perfect for your next baking day.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Servings: 12 cookies
Author: Teri-Ann Carty
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place parchment paper onto a cookie sheet and set aside.
  • Place stick of butter into a small pot over medium heat. Once butter starts to melt, start swirling the pan. The butter will start to foam. Keep swirling the pan until you see the colour start to change and the butter starts to smell nutty. Remove from the heat.
  • To a stand mixer, add butter, miso and sugar. Blend together until sugar has fully dissolved. Scrape down sides as needed. Add egg, peanut butter and vanilla. Process again until fully incorporated.
  • Add flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Place a kitchen towel over the machine to prevent a flour cloud and process until flour mixture is thoroughly combined. If you are adding chocolate chips, add them in and process once more to combine.
  • Use an ice cream scoop to measure out 5-6 cookies onto a cookie sheet, making sure to leave 2" between them to allow for spreading.
  • Bake for 12 minutes. Firmly bang the cookie sheet to help the cookies fall. You can bake them again for 1-2 minutes or allow them to cool on the cookie sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
  • Sprinkle flaky sea salt if desired and enjoy!

Notes

  • I only used peanut butter for these, but any nut or seed butter would work!
  • I made these with and without chocolate. Both versions are epic.
  • I didn't make these with gf flour, so I can't speak to how the texture will change, HOWEVER, with my vast experience making things GF, I'd use a gf flour blend with the same measurements.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 342mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 258IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

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