Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones we keep coming back to. I kid you not these 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are proof that you don’t need a long grocery list or complicated steps to create something quickly that is also absolutely delicious. With only peanut butter, sugar, and an egg, you’ll have soft, chewy cookies ready in less than 20 minutes. Perfect for last-minute snack cravings, busy weeknights, or when unexpected guests pop in.
Peanut butter cookies have been a classic in American kitchens since the 1930s, first appearing in cookbooks when peanut butter became a pantry staple. This 3-ingredient version is a modern twist, bringing down the recipe down to its essentials without losing that nostalgic flavor and crumbly yet chewy texture. It’s a minimalist baker’s dream: no flour, no butter, no fuss.
I first time tried this recipe during my college years, when my kitchen tools consisted of a mixing bowl, a spoon, and a toaster oven. One late night, craving something sweet, I remembered a friend once mentioning “peanut butter + sugar + egg = cookies.” Skeptical but curious, I gave it a try and 15 minutes later, I was holding a warm, golden cookie that tasted like home. Since then, this recipe has become my emergency dessert hack, impressing everyone from roommates to dinner guests.
If you’re looking for more quick peanut butter treats, try our easy no-bake peanut butter & chocolate balls a favorite snack for parties or tea time.
How to make 3 Ingredients Peanut Butter Cookies
Jump to:
- How to make 3 Ingredients Peanut Butter Cookies
- Ingredients For Peanut Butter Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookies Instructions
- Reasons to adore Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Substitutions For Peanut Butter Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookies Variations
- Serving Suggestion For Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Storage For 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Peanut butter cookies
- Top tip
- FAQs
- Related
- Pairing
Ingredients For Peanut Butter Cookies
- Peanut Butter – Smooth peanut butter works best for a soft and tender texture, while crunchy peanut butter adds little bites of nutty goodness. Use a good-quality brand for maximum flavor.
- Large Egg – Acts as the binder, holding everything together while adding richness. Fresh eggs give the best texture
- Granulated Sugar – Balances the nutty, salty flavor of peanut butter cookies and helps give the cookies a slight crisp on the edges. You can reduce slightly for a less-sweet cookie.
See recipe card for quantities.
Peanut Butter Cookies Instructions
Step 1: In a bowl, add peanut butter
Step 2: Add flour and egg
Step 3: mix using a spatula or electric beater until smooth.
Step 4: Roll mixture into 1-inch balls
Step 5: and place 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
Step 6: Flatten each with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern.
Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are firm, about 10 minutes.
Hint: For picture-perfect cookies, roll the dough into even balls and gently press them with a fork in a crisscross pattern before baking. This not only looks pretty but also helps the cookies bake evenly.
Looking for a low-carb sibling to your peanut butter cookie? Don’t miss our keto cinnamon rolls soft, sugar-free, and just as satisfying.
Reasons to adore Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Effortless & Quick – Ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish.
- Minimal Ingredients – Perfect for when your pantry is running low.
- Naturally Gluten-Free – No flour, so they’re suitable for gluten-sensitive eaters.
- Customizable – You can customize peanut butter cookies with topping off some chocolate chips, sea salt, or a drizzle of melted chocolate.
- Crowd-Pleaser – Whenever I make these my kids love them and even my friends like it.
- Long Shelf Life – Stay fresh for days when stored properly.
- Perfect Base Recipe – Great starting point for other cookie flavor experiments.
Substitutions For Peanut Butter Cookies
- Sugar → If you don't have sugar go for coconut sugar or brown sugar, it will give a deeper, caramel-like flavor.
- Egg → Instead of regular eggs, Use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoon water) for a vegan version.
- Peanut Butter → Use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter for a different nutty flavor.
Peanut Butter Cookies Variations
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies – Add ½ cup chocolate chips to the dough.
- Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies – Press a chocolate kiss into each cookie right after baking.
- Salted Peanut Butter Cookies – Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty bite.
Serving Suggestion For Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Enjoy warm with a glass of cold milk.
- You can crumble peanut butter cookies over vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert upgrade.
- Serve peanut butter cookies alongside coffee or tea for an afternoon treat.
For local cookie inspiration, check out our review of Moose & Me Bakery in Naperville famous for their gluten-free sugar cookies and exceptional bakery treats.
Storage For 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Room Temperature: Store in a container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: You can freeze baked cookies for 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Dough Storage: Roll dough into balls and freeze raw for 3 months; bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to baking time.
If you’re craving more sweet inspiration, explore our full Dessert Recipes filled with everything from no-bake treats to elegant layered classics.
Peanut butter cookies
These 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are the ultimate quick and easy dessert that proves baking doesn’t have to be complicated. With just peanut butter, sugar, and an egg, you can create cookies that are soft in the center, slightly crisp on the edges, and packed with nutty flavor. The best part? They take less than 20 minutes from start to finish and require no special equipment—just a bowl and a spoon. Naturally gluten-free and endlessly versatile, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, surprise guests, or those moments when a sweet craving strikes and you don’t want to run to the store. Enjoy them plain, add a sprinkle of sea salt, or dress them up with chocolate chips—no matter how you serve them, these cookies are always a hit.
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1⁄2 cup white sugar
- 1 large egg
Instructions
STEP 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
STEP 2
Mix peanut butter, sugar, and egg together in a bowl using a spatula or electric
beater until smooth.
STEP 3
Roll mixture into 1-inch balls and place 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking
sheet.
STEP 4
Flatten each with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern.
Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are firm, about 10 minutes.
Cool down once done and Enjoy
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 198Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 130mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 6g
Top tip
For the perfect chewy texture, avoid overbaking! The cookies will look slightly underdone when you take them out, but they’ll firm up as they cool
FAQs
Yes, but it works best with creamy peanut butter that isn’t too oily or separated. If using natural peanut butter, stir it very well before measuring to avoid greasy or crumbly cookies.
No chilling is required! That’s the beauty of this recipe. Just mix, shape, and bake. However, if your kitchen is very warm, chilling the dough for 10 minutes can help the cookies hold their shape better.
The key is not to overbake them. Remove the cookies when they look slightly underdone in the center they’ll continue to set as they cool. Storing them in an airtight container also helps lock in softness.
To make peanut butter cookies, combine peanut butter, sugar, and an egg for a quick 3-ingredient version, or mix flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and baking soda for the classic style. Roll the dough into balls, flatten with a fork, and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes until golden.
Making peanut butter cookies is simple cream together peanut butter, butter, and sugar, then add eggs and dry ingredients. Shape into dough balls, press with a fork for the signature crisscross pattern, and bake until lightly golden.
For homemade peanut butter cookies, use pantry staples like peanut butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. Mix the wet and dry ingredients, shape into balls, flatten, and bake until soft in the center and slightly crispy on the edges.
To make peanut butter cookies from scratch, start with real butter, creamy peanut butter, sugar, and flour. Mix the wet and dry ingredients, shape into balls, flatten with a fork, and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
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Pairing
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