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    Home » Easy Recipes » Desserts & Treats

    3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (Easy & Naturally Gluten-Free)

    Published: Apr 25, 2025 · Modified: Apr 28, 2023 by Susan Moncrieff · This post may contain affiliate links · 30 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Craving something sweet but don’t want a big baking project? These soft and chewy peanut butter cookies are made with just 3 pantry ingredients—no flour, no butter, and no fuss. You’ll have a fresh batch of warm cookies in under 30 minutes!

    Close up of three peanut butter cookies stacked on a white plate.

    They’re one of my go-to easy cookie recipes, especially when I want a small batch of cookies fast.

    If you're looking for other quick peanut butter desserts, try my Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies or chewy no-bake Scotcheroos.

    This recipe will make about 15 - 18 cookies, depending on how large you make the cookies.

    Table of contents

    • Tip for Measuring Peanut Butter Easily
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • How to store these PB cookies
    • Other peanut butter treats to enjoy
    • FAQ's

    Tip for Measuring Peanut Butter Easily

    Here's a simple tip I learned years ago. When measuring sticky ingredients, spray cooking spray in your measuring cup. Then all your ingredient comes out easily!

    Measuring peanut butter using a cup coated with cooking spray.

    Ingredients

    Nothing complicated here!

    Three ingredients laid out: peanut butter, sugar, and an egg.
    • 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

    Although there aren't many ingredients, you can make a few easy substitutions. Brown sugar works fine instead of 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.

    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°F.

    Step 1
    In a medium bowl, add peanut butter, sugar, and egg.

    chocolate banana muffins
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    Peanut butter cookie dough ingredients in a glass mixing bowl.

    Stir until well combined in a mixing bowl!  It is easy to do by hand.  No need to use an electric mixer.

    Stirring peanut butter, sugar, and egg to form cookie dough.

    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!

    Fork dipped in sugar used to flatten cookie dough with criss-cross pattern.

    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.

    Baked peanut butter cookies cooling on a wire rack.

    Do you see some of the chocolate chips that I added?

    It's always great having simple options!

    Peanut butter cookies on a white serving plate with sugar on top.

    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

    • two special K Bars on a white plate.
      Special K Bars
    • green apple slice with peanut butter cool whip dip.
      Cool Whip Peanut Butter Dip
    • peanut butter and banana roll ups
      Easy Peanut Butter Banana Wrap
    • Puppy chow in a small bowl.
      Easy Puppy Chow Recipe

    FAQ's

    Can I use all-natural peanut butter?

    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.

    Can this recipe be doubled?

    Yes! But I like the small batch size.

    Are these cookies gluten-free?

    This recipe does not use flour, so yes, it is naturally gluten-free.

    cookies on a cookie rack
    Print Recipe
    5 from 16 votes

    3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (Easy & Naturally Gluten-Free)

    Craving something sweet but don’t want a big baking project? These soft and chewy peanut butter cookies are made with just 3 pantry ingredients—no flour, no butter, and no fuss. You’ll have a fresh batch of warm cookies in under 30 minutes!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 18 cookies
    Calories: 132Kcal
    Author: Susan Moncrieff

    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℉.
    • 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

    This is a small enough batch that I sometimes make it in my toaster oven!   If you want to try that, decrease the heat to 325 and watch carefully to see when they are done - they often are done a couple of minutes earlier.
    How to Store
    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.
    Optional - add chocolate chips if desired.
    Some other easy peanut butter recipes include this
    Peanut Butter and Banana Snack
    No Bake Scotcheroo Bars

    Nutrition (I am not a nutritionist. These are estimates only)

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 132Kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 66mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Please pin this to your Pinterest board!

    close up of peanut butter cookies with text overlay describing three ingredient peanut butter cookies.

    Originally published Dec. 2013.

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      Pineapple Upside Down Cake with cake mix (easy)
    • Pumpkin spice donuts arranged on a white plate for serving
      3 Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Donuts
    • Overhead view of simple peanut butter cookies arranged on a blue plate after air frying.
      Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Pumpkin muffins with a swirl of Nutella.
      Easy Pumpkin Nutella Muffins

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 16 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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    1. Michelle Leslie

      May 17, 2021 at 9:29 am

      Whoop, whoop, my hubby loves peanut butter so he's in for a treat when I make him some of these.

      Reply
    2. Rosemary Palmer

      May 17, 2021 at 9:20 am

      These look so simple. I love homemade cookies.

      Reply
    3. Linda Johnston

      May 17, 2021 at 9:14 am

      tTimeless. So many memorries of making these very cookies with my mom! Delicious.

      Reply
    4. Emma Allen

      October 26, 2018 at 5:14 pm

      This work great! Especially with coconut sugar!

      Reply
    5. momcrieff

      December 10, 2017 at 9:57 am

      They do stay a little softer, since they don't have the flour in it.

      Reply
    6. momcrieff

      December 10, 2017 at 9:55 am

      I totally agree!

      Reply
    7. Keely

      October 27, 2017 at 1:40 pm

      5 stars
      I grew up with this exact recipe... only peanut butter cookie recipe worth making in my book!

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        December 10, 2017 at 9:55 am

        It's such a simple recipe but it is soooo good! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

        Reply
    8. Joyce Blodgett

      December 17, 2016 at 11:20 pm

      I made these for the men in the boarding house I live in; greedy dogs hardly left any for me, then complained that I didn't make enough. They've all moved out, so now I'm going to make a batch just for me. They're delicious, and I have a brand-new jar of Jif's Maple flavored peanut butter--and I do love maple!

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        December 10, 2017 at 9:56 am

        I'll have to try flavored peanut butter! Thanks for the suggestion!

        Reply
    9. Anonymous

      September 13, 2016 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      Had to extend baking time to 10-12 minutes but otherwise a pretty decent cookie.

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        December 10, 2017 at 9:58 am

        The timing does depend on how hot your oven is. And, since it's a short baking time, your oven needs to be well preheated. Thanks for letting me know you liked them!

        Reply
    10. Anonymous

      February 18, 2016 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for posting this I used this with my preschool class for years. I stopped using it because of all the peanut allergies. You can add raisins or chocolate chips about 1 cup.

      Reply
    11. momcrieff

      February 04, 2016 at 7:47 am

      They don't change color much. The bottoms may get a touch darker and they are ready. And, they also feel very soft when hot. They firm up when they cool. You were doing it right!

      Reply
    12. Judy

      December 02, 2015 at 10:15 pm

      5 stars
      I use this gluten free recipe but use crunchy peanut butter & add a Hershey"s kiss on each cookie before baking (the kiss holds up very well)

      Reply
    13. Alesig

      April 03, 2015 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing. I have a big jar of peanut butter standing in the kitchen. I can't wait to use in this recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        April 03, 2015 at 5:58 pm

        It's as easy and as good as it looks! Enjoy!!

        Reply
    14. Anonymous

      December 01, 2014 at 10:52 pm

      5 stars
      I split half Splenda and half sugar and they turned out great, be sure to let them only get lightly brown on the bottom. I also let them fully cool on the cookie sheet to avoid super crumbly cookies

      Reply
    15. Anonymous

      October 26, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      5 stars
      This is awesome. So easy and soooo good.

      Reply
    16. Patti

      September 09, 2014 at 8:02 am

      Great idea. Especially if you need to make a batch of cookies in a hurry and can't get the store. I think everyone has peanut butter, sugar and one egg (could ask a neighbor too). Thanks for sharing. Pinning

      Reply
    17. Connie

      February 20, 2014 at 11:00 pm

      I tried truvia and it was great!!!

      Reply
    18. Polly

      February 20, 2014 at 10:01 pm

      My 7 year old daughter made these cookies and they were delicious! Easy as 1 2 3..lol

      Reply
    19. Elecia

      December 08, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      Should I melt the PB or mix at room temp?

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        December 08, 2013 at 8:03 pm

        Room temperature is fine. Hope you like them!

        Reply
    20. gina

      December 07, 2013 at 11:24 pm

      Hello, just made these cookies and they are great, I made mine a little bigger so it took 18 minutes till they were done, soo good, thank you

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    I'm Susan! I love sharing easy recipes, especially those that take less than 30 minutes and have less than 5 ingredients. I'm passionate about gardening and creating flower planters. My home is 100 years old and sometimes you will see it in my posts! It was a true fixer upper and I love it!

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