These three-ingredient peanut butter cookies are made from scratch using ingredients you most likely already have at home. From start to finish, they take less than 30 minutes! I also like that this makes a small batch.
This recipe will make about 15 - 18 cookies, depending on how large you make the cookies. Honestly, these are the best peanut butter cookies - they have the best flavor!
If you like easy cookie recipes, try these shortbread cookies. They only have 4 ingredients. This no-bake scotcheroos recipe is also a delicious peanut butter dessert or snack!
Table of contents
Measuring tip for Peanut Butter
Here's a simple tip I learned years ago. When measuring sticky ingredients, spray cooking baking spray in your measuring cup. Then all your ingredient comes out easily!
Ingredients
Nothing complicated here!
- 1 cup peanut butter - at room temperature (either crunchy peanut butter or creamy peanut butter works)
I find the all-natural peanut butter does not work as well. - 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg
Variations
Although there aren't many ingredients, you can make a few easy substitutions. Brown sugar works fine instead of granulated white sugar. Just make sure you pack your measuring cup to use the appropriate amount of brown sugar.
Crunch peanut butter is also great instead of creamy.
Instructions
I've had many readers write to tell me they teach their kids how to make this as their first baking recipe. It's such a nice, simple recipe. It's perfect for that! Of course, the kids love flattening the dough ball!
Preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit.
Step 1
In a medium bowl, add peanut butter, sugar, and egg.
Stir until well combined in a mixing bowl! It is easy to do by hand. No need to use an electric mixer.
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Step 2
I use a cookie dough scoop to put rounded heaps of batter onto a cookie sheet quickly. If you don't have a cookie scoop, use a tablespoon to get a consistent size and then roll the dough into one-inch balls. I do love using my Silpat baking liners with any cookies I make! These silicone baking mats/liners make cleaning your baking sheet easier. If you don't have baking mats, use parchment paper.
Variations
If you want to make just a few chocolate chip peanut butter cookies, just put 3-4 semi-sweet chocolate chips on each dough ball before you flatten them. That way, you can have plain cookies and some with chocolate chips. It's much easier than stirring the chocolate chips into the dough!
Step 3
Once you have all the cookie dough balls on your baking pan, you'll want to flatten the dough with a fork to get the traditional criss-cross pattern. I sprinkle a little sugar on the dough and dip the fork tines into the sugar. It helps prevent the fork from sticking to the dough. Once the cookies have been flattened, add a gentle sprinkle of sugar on top. Optional, but some people like the crunch of the sugar on top.
Step 4
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 F. I prefer my cookies softer so I usually bake closer to 10 minutes. These should appear to start browning around the edges when done. They are a light golden brown and soft when you take them out of the oven. Leave them on the cookie sheet for a few minutes, then carefully place them on a wire rack to finish cooling. As they cool, they firm up.
Do you see some of the chocolate chips that I added?
It's always great having simple options!
How to store these pb cookies
Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days at room temperature. If storing for a week, refrigerate.
Cookies can be frozen if well-wrapped.
Other peanut butter treats to enjoy
FAQ's
Natural peanut butters have different consistencies. They also may have a varying amount of salt added. Since this recipe has few ingredients, a commercial brand (Skippy, Jiff, store brand) will produce more consistent results.
Yes! But I like the small batch size.
This recipe does not use flour so yes, it is naturally gluten-free.
Peanut Butter Cookies - 3 Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter All-natural peanut butter is NOT recommended. Use a regular commercial brand (Skippy, Jiff, store brand)
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Add the above ingredients into a bowl and stir well to combine.
- This recipe makes 15 to 18 cookies. Good-sized cookies too!
- If you would like to add chocolate chips to some of your cookies, just add them on top of the dough balls before you flatten them. It's the easiest way to make just a few chocolate chip peanut butter cookies!
- Dip your fork into sugar then press the cookie dough ball to create the traditional crisscross pattern. The sugar gives you that little crunch on top.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until just starting to brown on the bottom. Watch closely!
- Place on a wire rack to cool and then enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Please pin this to your Pinterest board!
Originally published Dec. 2013.
Mahy
I love how easy it is to make these cookies. This might be my new favorite way to make batches. Yum, too!
Lubna
Incredible. These look so delicious and crunchy. These will be perfect to send in kids snack box. Thank you for sharing.
Heather D Johnson
so yum and very easy to make!
Keri Bevan
I love how simple, but delicious these cookies were. Thanks so much for another great recipe!
Maria
Thanks for sharing this, I love to make this for my grand kids