Stovetop Instructions: Place the peanut butter, maple syrup and water in a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Cook and stir until hot and the beginning to bubble. Remove from heat and proceed with the remaining instructions, using the saucepan in place of the mixing bowl.

 

• Peanut butter alternatives: Use an equal amount of any smooth nut butter or seed butter you prefer. For example, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, pumpkin seed butter, or tahini. 
• Maple syrup alternatives: Use an equal amount of agave nectar or brown rice syrup, or baking molasses (not blackstrap molasses, it will be too bitter). If you do not follow a vegan diet, you can also use an equal amount of honey. 
• Carob Option: You can use an equal amount of unsweetened carob powder in place of the cocoa powder.
• Rolled oats alternatives: An equal amount of quinoa flakes or millet flakes can be used in place of the rolled oats. Use an equal volume (not weight). Unlike the oats, you will not need to chop the flakes.

Flavor Variations

• Coffee: Replace the water with 2 tablespoons of strong brewed coffee or espresso. Alternatively add 1 to 2 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the peanut butter-cocoa mixture.
• Spices: Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite spice, such as cinnamon, nutmeg (stick with 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, at most), cardamom, allspice, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, or your own combination of spices (no more than 1/2 teaspoon to 3/4 teaspoon total).
• Dried Fruit: Add up to 1/4 cup of chopped dried fruit, such as raisins, dried apricots, dried cherries, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, or dried figs.
• Extra Chocolate: Add up to 2 to 4 tablespoons of your favorite dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate chunks, or one to two tablespoons of cacao nibs, to the cookie dough after stirring int the oats. Alternatively, drizzle or dip the chilled cookies with melted dark chocolate (set on wax paper or parchment paper; chill again in the fridge to harden the chocolate).
• Nuts or Seeds: Replace 1/4 cup of the oats with 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts or seeds, such as walnuts, pecans, peanuts, almonds, pepitas, or sunflower seeds.
• Other Extracts or Citrus Zests: Replace the vanilla extract with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract. You could also add a teaspoon of finely grated lime, lemon or orange zest to the cookie dough.
• Coconut: Replace 1/4 cup of the oats with 1/4 cup finely chopped shredded unsweetened coconut or flake unsweetened coconut (toasted or un-toasted).
• Spirits: Replace the water with an equal amount of whiskey, rum, brandy, dark red wine, orange liqueur, coffee liqueur, or another spirit (I know, less healthy--but for a special treat for the adults. Keep out of reach of the kiddos).