If you’re looking for a bit of joyful baking that’s simple, fuss-free, and flat-out delicious, look no further than these 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies. These cookies pack all the classic peanut butter flavor you love into soft, chewy treats—with just three pantry staples! Perfect for a last-minute sweet tooth fix, a quick bake with kids, or when you’re craving nostalgia without a kitchen full of dirty bowls. With one bowl, one pan, and about 17 minutes, you’ll have the most satisfying cookies that taste like a warm hug. You will absolutely love how these cookies come together effortlessly and disappear even faster!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With recipes this simple, each ingredient gets to shine! These three are absolute essentials—not just for their bold flavors and textures, but because they work together to create the perfect batch of 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies every time.
- Peanut butter: Choose your favorite—creamy for classic chewiness, or crunchy if you want a little peanutty bite in every cookie! Just make sure to stir it if it’s the natural kind.
- Sugar: Standard granulated sugar adds sweetness and that beautifully tender crumb we all crave in a cookie.
- Large egg: This binds the dough together and gives the cookies their soft, rich texture right out of the oven.
How to Make 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Taking a few seconds to line your baking sheet with parchment paper makes your cookie removal a breeze and cleanup even quicker!
Step 2: Mix It Up
In a mixing bowl, combine your peanut butter, sugar, and egg. At first, it might seem like a strange trio, but just wait—after a minute or two of stirring, you’ll see a beautifully cohesive dough form. No electric mixer needed here; a simple spoon or spatula does the trick. This is the magic step in the world of 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: the dough comes together in no time.
Step 3: Shape and Pattern
Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to drop even balls of dough onto your lined baking sheet, leaving an inch or two between each for spreading. Now for the signature look: grab a fork and gently flatten each ball, creating a crisscross pattern on top. Not only does this help the cookies bake evenly, but it also makes them instantly recognizable and extra charming!
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pop your cookies into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for lightly golden edges, while the centers remain soft—they’ll firm up as they cool. It can be tempting to leave them in longer, but trust the process: perfect 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are soft and chewy, not dry.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes—they’ll be quite delicate at first. Then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling (if you can resist eating them straight from the pan!). As they cool, they’ll hold their shape and become even more irresistibly chewy.
How to Serve 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt just after baking elevates these cookies from tasty to gourmet in mere seconds! You could also drizzle melted chocolate over the tops, or—my favorite—press a few chocolate chips into each cookie as soon as they come out of the oven. Even a light dusting of powdered sugar will make them sparkle for special occasions.
Side Dishes
Pairing your 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies with a cold glass of milk is a timeless classic. They’re also delicious served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even as a cookie sandwich, filled with a bit of jam or marshmallow fluff for an extra indulgent twist!
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with your presentations—stack a few cookies and tie them with baker’s twine for a sweet gift, arrange them on a pretty platter for parties, or serve mini versions as fun toppers for pudding cups and sundaes. You can even pack them in lunchboxes for a delightful midday treat that surprises and delights.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. Their texture stays delightfully chewy, and if you can keep them hidden, they’ll last for days of snacking. Just make sure they’re completely cooled before sealing up to prevent any moisture buildup.
Freezing
These cookies are freezer-friendly too! Simply arrange completely cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze for an hour, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or freezer container. They’ll keep for up to three months—perfect for baking ahead and pulling out just what you need for surprise guests or those sudden cookie cravings.
Reheating
To enjoy that freshly-baked flavor, you can reheat cookies straight from the freezer in a 300°F oven for just 2–3 minutes, or give them a quick 10-second zap in the microwave. They’ll taste as warm and inviting as the day you made them!
FAQs
Can I use natural or sugar-free peanut butter?
Absolutely! Natural peanut butter works, but make sure it’s well-stirred and not too oily or dry. Sugar-free versions will make the cookies a little less sweet, but the structure still holds up. You may want to bump up the sugar just a bit for sweetness and better binding.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Nope, chilling isn’t necessary for these 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies. The dough is ready for scooping and baking straight away, which is perfect when you want cookies in a hurry!
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe as written is naturally gluten-free, making it a fantastic treat for those avoiding wheat. Always double-check your peanut butter as some brands do add thickeners or fillers containing gluten, but most are safe.
Can I double or halve the recipe?
Definitely. These cookies scale up or down with ease. If you double the batch, just mix the dough in a larger bowl and perhaps rotate your baking sheets halfway through for even baking. For a small batch, just halve each ingredient—works like a charm!
What’s the best way to get perfectly chewy cookies?
Keep a close eye on baking time! Take the cookies out as soon as the edges look set and lightly golden, but the centers still seem soft. Letting them cool on the baking sheet helps them firm up while staying deliciously chewy.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a recipe like 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies—minimal effort, maximum payoff, and a flood of happy memories with every bite. Whether you’re a novice baker or a seasoned pro, this is one recipe you’ll turn to again and again. Grab those three ingredients and treat yourself (and your loved ones!) to a batch of warm, homemade cookies today—you won’t regret it!
Print
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Soft and chewy peanut butter cookies made with just three simple ingredients for the ultimate quick and satisfying treat.
Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix ingredients: In a bowl, mix peanut butter, sugar, and egg until well combined.
- Shape and bake: Scoop tablespoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork, making a crisscross pattern. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and serve: Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
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