If you’re craving something sweet, chewy, and peanut buttery without a long ingredient list or complicated steps, you’re going to flip for this Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe whips up in just minutes, yet delivers cookies that feel indulgent and homemade. Whether you’re new to baking or just want a no-fuss treat, keep reading because these cookies are pure magic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 3 Ingredients: Perfect for when your pantry is bare or you want to keep it simple.
- Quick and Easy: From mixing to cooling, you’ll have fresh cookies in under 15 minutes.
- Deliciously Soft & Chewy: Despite the simplicity, these cookies never fail to impress with their texture.
- Kid & Beginner Friendly: Great recipe for cooking with kids or first-timers in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe relies on pantry staples that blend beautifully together. I like to use creamy peanut butter for a silky dough, but chunky peanut butter adds lovely texture too. Plus, picking fresh eggs and a good quality sugar really helps these cookies shine.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, so the dough holds together beautifully—fresh large eggs work best here.
- Peanut Butter: Use creamy for smooth cookies or chunky if you want a bit more crunch and character.
- White Sugar: Sweetens the cookies perfectly; I haven’t tried brown sugar here, but feel free to experiment!
Variations
I love how versatile this Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is. Once you nail the classic version, you can start personalizing it with flavors or mix-ins to keep things interesting. It’s fun and easy to make it your own!
- Chocolate Chips: Adding a handful of chocolate chips took my cookies to a whole new level of indulgence—my family goes crazy for that combo.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Try swapping a bit of sugar for natural sweeteners for a subtle twist in flavor and moisture.
- Sea Salt Sprinkle: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top before baking balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Nut-Free Version: If allergies are a concern, sunflower seed butter works as a decent peanut butter substitute.
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by heating your oven to 350°F. This is key because these cookies bake quickly, so you want a hot oven waiting for the dough.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients Until Combined
Grab a large bowl and toss in the peanut butter, sugar, and egg. I like to use a wooden spoon for mixing because it gives me good control without overworking the dough. You’ll want everything fully combined—no streaks of egg or sugar visible. The dough will be thick and sticky, which is exactly what you want.
Step 3: Shape and Press Your Cookies
Using a spoon, scoop golf-ball sized dough balls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. I find using a cookie scoop makes this quick and uniform. Then, gently flatten each ball with a fork in a criss-cross pattern. This isn’t just a classic look—it helps the cookies bake evenly and adds a nice texture on top.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Pop your tray into the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye starting at 8 minutes; the edges should look set but not too browned because you want these soft. After baking, let them cool completely on the sheet before you touch—this step is crucial to let the cookies firm up just right.
Pro Tips for Making Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: I found that eggs at room temp mix more smoothly, giving you a more consistent dough.
- Don’t Overbake: These cookies are best taken out just as edges set; they continue firming as they cool, keeping the inside soft.
- Try Chunky Peanut Butter: For a fun twist, chunky peanut butter adds delightful little bites in the cookie that everyone comments on.
- Skip Greasing the Sheet: These cookies won’t stick, so you save a step and cleanup by baking directly on the cookie sheet.
How to Serve Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sometimes I sprinkle a few chocolate chips or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a little extra something. A pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking also creates a lovely contrast to the sweetness that I swear makes these cookies irresistible.
Side Dishes
I love serving these cookies with a cold glass of milk—classic combo! They also go great with a cup of coffee or chai tea for a cozy afternoon snack.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or gatherings, I like to arrange them on a pretty plate with a scattering of crushed peanuts and mini chocolate chips. They also make adorable cookie sandwich treats filled with a dollop of whipped cream or Nutella.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for up to 4 days, which gives you plenty of time to snack and share.
Freezing
If I’m making these for later, I freeze the dough balls before baking. That way I can pop them straight in the oven from frozen, baking for a couple minutes longer. It’s a huge time saver and keeps that fresh-baked feeling on demand.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a warm oven for a few minutes. This brings back that freshly baked softness without drying them out.
FAQs
-
Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?
Yes, you can! Just keep in mind natural peanut butter is usually thinner and oilier, which might affect the dough’s texture. I recommend stirring it well before measuring and maybe chilling the dough a bit if it feels too loose.
-
Do I have to use white sugar or can I use alternatives?
White sugar works great for the classic taste and texture, but you can experiment with brown sugar for a richer flavor or coconut sugar for a subtle twist. Just note that different sugars can make the cookies softer or chewier.
-
How do I store these cookies to keep them fresh?
Store your peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid refrigeration, as it can dry the cookies out. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days, though honestly they rarely last that long in my house!
-
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just double all ingredients and bake on multiple sheets as needed. Keep an eye on baking times; sometimes larger batches might need a minute or two more depending on your oven.
Final Thoughts
This Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe has been my go-to when I want that warm, comforting cookie fix without fuss or fancy ingredients. I used to struggle with complicated recipes that never quite turned out, but this one is virtually foolproof—and the results are always a hit. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll keep coming back for the quick mixing, baking ease, and the pure peanut buttery goodness. So grab your bowl, and let’s get baking!
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
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These super easy 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with peanut butter flavor. With just an egg, peanut butter, and sugar, you can whip up a batch of delicious homemade cookies in under 15 minutes—perfect for a quick treat or last-minute dessert.
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 ensure it’s at the right temperature when the cookie dough is ready.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the egg, peanut butter, and white sugar. Use a wooden spoon to mix everything together until well combined into a consistent dough.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop small golf-ball sized portions of dough and place them onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Each ball will form one cookie.
- Shape and Add Texture: Gently press down each dough ball with a fork to flatten slightly and create the classic crosshatch pattern on top of each cookie.
- Bake: Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Serve: Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on the cookie sheet before enjoying. This allows them to set perfectly and remain chewy.
Notes
- These cookies turn out soft and chewy despite only using three simple ingredients.
- You can use either creamy or chunky peanut butter depending on your texture preference.
- No need to grease the cookie sheet—the peanut butter keeps the cookies from sticking.
- Let cookies cool fully before removing to maintain their shape and texture.
- Perfect for a quick, gluten-free snack or dessert when you’re short on time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 16 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: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
