3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

These 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies have been one of my go-to recipes for years. All you need is peanut butter, sugar, and an egg - no flour, mixer, or chilling required! I love having a dependable cookie recipe I can stir together in minutes when I want something homemade without much fuss.

This simple recipe has been around for generations, and there’s a reason people keep making it: it’s easy, reliable, and full of peanut butter flavor. I first shared it here in 2013, and readers have told me they use it to teach their kids to bake. From stirring the dough to pressing those familiar fork marks, it’s a great first cookie for little helpers - and a favorite worth making again as they grow!

My Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies recipe version is another fun way to make them. If you're looking for other quick peanut butter desserts, try this Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies or these chewy no-bake Scotcheroos.

Why I love these 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

• This is the simplest 3 ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe and it comes together in one bowl with pantry ingredients in about 5 minutes.
• This is a flourless peanut butter cookie recipe – no butter, no chilling, and no special equipment.
• Cookies bake in about 10 minutes and stay soft and chewy inside with just lightly crisp edges.
• They’re naturally gluten-free 3 ingredient cookies and simple enough for kids or beginner bakers
• This recipe will make about 15 cookies. Perfect for small batch baking! For more easy 3 ingredient recipes, check out this big list of my best 3 Ingredient Desserts!

Ingredients for Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

Nothing complicated here! Yes, only three ingredients.

• 1 cup peanut butter - at room temperature (either crunchy peanut butter or creamy peanut butter works)
  I find that the all-natural peanut butter does not work as well.
• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 1 large egg

Variations and Substitutions

Although there aren't many ingredients, you can make a few easy substitutions. Brown sugar works just as well as granulated white sugar. Make sure you pack your measuring cup to use the appropriate amount of brown sugar.

Crunchy peanut butter is also great instead of creamy.

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

The simplest addition makes these cookies 4 Ingredient Peanut butter cookies! Add some chocolate chips!! Since this is a small batch of cookies, I just put 4-5 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!

How to Make 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

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°F.

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.

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.

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 the chocolate chips I added?

It's always great having simple options!

Susan's Helpful Tip!
Spray the inside of your measuring cup with cooking spray before scooping your peanut butter. It slides right out, and there’s no waste or frustration.

Storing these Three Ingredient Peanut Butter 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.

Another yummy cookie recipe that you should try is these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies!

FAQ's

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Other Peanut Butter Desserts

Originally published Dec. 2013. Updated for clarity and new images.