If you’re craving a sweet treat but want to keep things simple, you’ve got to try this Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies turn out—soft, chewy, and perfectly peanut buttery. When I first made them, I was amazed that just three pantry staples could create such a satisfying cookie. Keep reading and I’ll share all my tips to help you nail this recipe every single time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Minimal Ingredients: Just three simple ingredients you likely already have on hand—no fancy shopping needed.
- Quick and Easy: From mixing to baking, it takes under 15 minutes—perfect for busy days or last-minute cravings.
- Delicious Texture: Soft and chewy edges with a tender center that your family will gobble up.
- Kid-Friendly: Great activity to make with kids since the dough is no-fuss and fun to shape.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe lies in the simplicity and harmony of the ingredients. Each one plays an essential role, and together they make a cookie that’s satisfyingly sweet and nutty. For best results, I like to use fresh, room-temperature eggs and my favorite creamy peanut butter, but I’ll share some options below.
- Egg: Acts as the binder holding everything together—make sure it’s fresh for the best texture.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy or chunky works; I personally enjoy creamy for a smoother cookie, but chunky adds a nice little crunch!
- White Sugar: Sweetens the dough and gives the cookies that classic crunchy sugar finish on the outside.
Variations
I love making this recipe my own depending on the mood and the occasion. Don’t be afraid to tweak it a bit—you’ll find that small changes can bring out new flavors or fit your dietary needs perfectly.
- Chocolate Chip Twist: I like stirring in mini chocolate chips before scooping the dough for a melty, chocolatey surprise in every bite.
- Natural Peanut Butter: Using natural peanut butter makes the cookies a bit more wholesome, though the texture will be slightly different—still just as tasty!
- Sweetener Swap: If you want to reduce refined sugar, try coconut sugar or maple syrup, but keep in mind it can affect the cookie’s texture.
- Gluten-Free Boost: This recipe is naturally gluten-free—just double-check your peanut butter to avoid additives if you’re sensitive.
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This gets the oven nice and ready so your cookies bake evenly. I find using an ungreased cookie sheet works perfectly here because the peanut butter has enough fat to prevent sticking. If you’re worried, you can always line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Grab a large bowl and toss in your peanut butter, sugar, and egg. Use a wooden spoon or a sturdy spatula and mix everything until well combined. The dough will be smooth but a bit sticky—that’s exactly what you want! I discovered this trick when I realized a hand mixer overworked the dough and made it too tough.
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
Scoop out small golf-ball sized portions of dough and place them on your cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently press each ball down with a fork to flatten and create that classic criss-cross pattern. This step not only adds charm but helps them bake evenly.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 8-10 minutes at 350°F. Keep a close eye towards the end—they should be lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center. If you bake too long, they can become dry, so I recommend setting a timer. Once done, let them cool completely on the baking sheet before enjoying.
Pro Tips for Making Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: It helps the dough mix smoothly and bakes more evenly.
- Don’t Overbake: These cookies firm up as they cool, so pulling them out when edges are just golden avoids dryness.
- Fork Pressing Makes a Difference: That criss-cross fork pattern is not just pretty—it also flattens the dough so cookies bake consistently.
- Use a Light Hand Mixing: Overmixing can toughen the cookies, so mix just until combined.
How to Serve Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie before baking—it balances the sweetness and really enhances the peanut flavor. Sometimes I also add a few chopped peanuts for a bit of texture and extra nuttiness.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a cup of coffee or chai tea. For a fun twist, I serve them alongside some fresh fruit for a balanced snack or after-school treat that feels a little more special.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthday parties or holiday trays, I like to stack the cookies in a mason jar or arrange them on a wooden board with edible flowers and ribbons. It’s an easy way to dress up a simple cookie and makes gifting them extra cute.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for about 3-4 days—sometimes longer if you like them a bit more firm. Adding a slice of bread inside the container helps keep moisture in.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies beautifully! I usually freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once hard. They hold up for up to 3 months, perfect for when you want a quick sweet fix later on.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop a couple cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or place them in a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. This refreshes their softness like they’re freshly baked—my family loves this little revival trick.
FAQs
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Can I use natural peanut butter in this Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe?
Yes! Natural peanut butter works well, but since it contains natural oils, the dough might be a bit looser. If this happens, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to make it easier to handle.
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What if I’m allergic to eggs—can I make these without one?
Great question! You can try substituting the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water, mixed and let sit). It might change the texture slightly but still yields tasty results.
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How can I make the cookies less sweet?
Try reducing the sugar slightly or swapping in a less refined sugar, like coconut sugar. Keep in mind it may affect the cookie’s color and texture a bit, so experiment with small batches first.
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Can I add chocolate chips or nuts to this recipe?
Absolutely! Adding mix-ins like mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon can personalize these peanut butter cookies perfectly to your taste.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe enough, especially for those days when you want a no-fuss dessert that still feels homemade and indulgent. It’s one of those recipes I keep coming back to because it’s reliable, delicious, and just plain fun to make. Give it a go—you might just find your new everyday cookie favorite!
Print
Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Super Easy Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are a quick and delicious treat made with just peanut butter, sugar, and an egg. Perfectly soft and chewy, these cookies are a delightful homemade snack with minimal effort, ideal for any peanut butter lover.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- 1 cup white sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the egg, peanut butter, and white sugar. Use a wooden spoon to mix thoroughly until you achieve a consistent dough.
- Form Dough Balls: Spoon out small golf-ball sized portions of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them to allow for slight spreading.
- Shape Cookies: Gently press down each dough ball and create cross hatch marks on top using a fork to give the classic peanut butter cookie appearance.
- Bake: Place the cookie sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden and the cookies are set.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the cookie sheet before enjoying your soft, chewy peanut butter cookies.
Notes
- These cookies are soft and chewy, despite having only three ingredients.
- You can use either creamy or chunky peanut butter depending on your texture preference.
- Do not grease the cookie sheet to ensure cookies maintain their shape and texture.
- Allowing the cookies to fully cool helps them set properly for the best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 16.7 g)
- Calories: 146 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 74 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
