3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

If you’re craving something sweet right now and don’t want a pile of dishes or a mile-long ingredient list, these 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are your new best friend. They’re soft, chewy, packed with peanut butter flavor, and ready in under 20 minutes—yes, really! With just peanut butter, sugar, and an egg, these cookies are the ultimate fuss-free treat that’ll totally hit the spot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Only 3 Ingredients: No flour, no butter, no baking soda—just three pantry staples and done!
• Quick and Easy: From mixing bowl to oven in 5 minutes flat. Perfect for last-minute dessert emergencies.
• Naturally Gluten-Free: No flour means these are perfect for gluten-free eaters without needing special swaps.
• Chewy, Soft, and So Satisfying: Each bite melts in your mouth with rich peanut buttery goodness.
• Perfect for Beginners or Busy Days: No mixer needed, no chilling time, and basically foolproof!

Ingredients

You only need three ingredients—yes, just three!—to whip up these delightfully chewy cookies:

• Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Gives the cookies their rich, nutty flavor and moist texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens things up and helps give the cookies their signature chew.
• Egg: Binds everything together and helps with that soft, tender bite.

For full measurements and instructions, see the recipe card below.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps keep the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a medium bowl, stir together the peanut butter, sugar, and egg. It’ll only take a minute or two to come together into a thick, glossy dough—no mixer needed!

Step 3: Shape the Cookies

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls. Place them on your prepared baking sheet and flatten each one gently with a fork in that classic crisscross pattern. (It’s nostalgic and helps them bake evenly.)

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Pop them in the oven for 10 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the pan for about 5 minutes (they’ll be fragile when hot), then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Or… sneak one warm. You won’t regret it. 😉

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Use Room Temperature Peanut Butter: It mixes more easily and evenly with the sugar and egg.
• Don’t Overbake: They’ll look slightly soft in the center when you take them out—that’s exactly what you want!
• Add a Pinch of Salt: If your peanut butter is unsalted, a little salt brings out the flavor even more.
• Make it Fancy: Press a chocolate chip or sprinkle sea salt on top before baking for an extra touch!

How to Serve

These cookies are amazing on their own, but here are a few fun ways to enjoy them:

• Classic and Cozy: Pair with a cold glass of milk or a hot mug of coffee.
• Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies—trust me, it’s a dream.
• Drizzle with Chocolate: Melt some dark chocolate and zig-zag it over the top after baking for an extra treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay soft and chewy!

Freezing

Freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. You can also freeze the raw dough balls and bake straight from frozen—just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

If you like your cookies warm and gooey, pop one in the microwave for 8–10 seconds and enjoy like it’s fresh from the oven.

FAQs

Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes! Chunky peanut butter adds little bits of peanuts for texture. Just make sure it’s not too dry or crumbly.

Are these cookies gluten-free?
Totally! Since there’s no flour in the recipe, these cookies are naturally gluten-free—just double-check your peanut butter to be safe.

Can I use a sugar substitute?
You can try it! Many readers have had success with alternatives like coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener, but the texture might vary slightly.

Do I need to chill the dough?
Nope—this recipe is all about instant gratification. Just mix, scoop, and bake. No chilling required!