This 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is the ultimate easy dessert for busy days, late-night cravings, or quick homemade treats. With just peanut butter, sugar, and an egg, you can make soft, chewy cookies packed with rich peanut butter flavor in under 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 3 simple pantry ingredients
- Naturally flourless and gluten-free
- Quick and beginner-friendly
- Soft centers with crisp edges
- Perfect for kids, parties, and lunchboxes
- No mixer required
Ingredients
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter (well stirred if using natural peanut butter)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Arrange 2 oven racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, granulated sugar, and egg. Mix with a flexible spatula until smooth and fully combined.
- Scoop the dough into 24 level tablespoon-sized portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
- Place the dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets, about 12 cookies per sheet.
- Flatten each cookie with a fork to create a classic crosshatch pattern. Press until each cookie is about 2 inches wide and 1/4-inch thick.
- Bake for 5 minutes. Rotate the baking sheets between racks and turn them from front to back.
- Continue baking for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the centers are set, the cookies are lightly puffed, and the edges feel firm.
- Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets for about 30 minutes. The 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe becomes firmer as the cookies cool.
Tips & Tricks
- Use creamy peanut butter for the best texture.
- Natural peanut butter works well if thoroughly stirred.
- Do not overbake or the cookies may become dry.
- Add a pinch of sea salt for extra flavor depth.
- Chill the dough for 10 minutes if it feels too soft.
- For extra texture, sprinkle coarse sugar on top before baking.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Gluten-Free, Flourless
Notes
- You can use brown sugar for a slightly softer texture.
- Crunchy peanut butter adds extra crunch and texture.
- Serve with milk, coffee, or hot chocolate.
- Store completely cooled cookies before sealing in containers.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Cookie)
- Calories: 95
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fat: 6g
- Sugar: 7g
FAQ
Can I make these cookies without flour?
Yes. This 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is naturally flourless.
Why do peanut butter cookies have fork marks?
The dough is dense, so flattening helps the cookies bake evenly while creating the classic crosshatch design.
Can I use natural peanut butter?
Yes, but stir it very well before measuring to avoid oily dough.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should look firm and the centers lightly puffed.
Can I freeze peanut butter cookies?
Yes. Freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Absolutely. Mini chocolate chips work especially well in this recipe.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Let thaw at room temperature or warm for a few seconds in the microwave.
Similar Recipes
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
These 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are soft, chewy, and incredibly easy to make.Made with peanut butter, sugar, and egg only.Perfect flourless cookie recipe ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter well stirred if using natural peanut butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Arrange 2 oven racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, granulated sugar, and egg. Mix with a flexible spatula until smooth and fully combined.
- Scoop the dough into 24 level tablespoon-sized portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
- Place the dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets, about 12 cookies per sheet.
- Flatten each cookie with a fork to create a classic crosshatch pattern. Press until each cookie is about 2 inches wide and 1/4-inch thick.
- Bake for 5 minutes. Rotate the baking sheets between racks and turn them from front to back.
- Continue baking for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the centers are set, the cookies are lightly puffed, and the edges feel firm.
- Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets for about 30 minutes. The 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe becomes firmer as the cookies cool.
Notes
- You can use brown sugar for a slightly softer texture.
- Crunchy peanut butter adds extra crunch and texture.
- Serve with milk, coffee, or hot chocolate.
- Store completely cooled cookies before sealing in containers.
Conclusion
This 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe proves that simple ingredients can create incredibly delicious results. These chewy, rich, and easy cookies are perfect whenever you need a fast homemade dessert with minimal effort. Keep this recipe handy for quick baking anytime.