3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: Simple and Scrumptious
Everyone loves peanut butter cookies – they make for an easy, anytime treat. And this 3-ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe makes them even easier!
Not only are these soft, chewy cookies packed with peanut butter flavor, but they’re gluten free too, making them perfect for those on a GF diet.
These snacks are my go-to for when I need to feed a crowd quickly. They’re so quick and simple to whip together, and they make the whole house smell amazing and welcoming for guests.
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Things To Love About 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Why do we love this wonderful recipe? Because the cookies are delicious and simple to make!
And the three ingredients for these peanut butter cookies are all pantry staples that you probably have on hand. I do recommend good quality peanut butter – which you probably use, anyway.
Prepping these cookies takes only minutes, and they’re ready for the oven in no time!
Plus, they have the perfect consistency – soft and chewy, just like the ones that are fussy to make. (The peanut butter cookie recipe in my trusty Better Homes & Gardens cookbook lists nine ingredients!)
You can even prepare this dough ahead of time if you want to save some for later. Just store it in an airtight container or freezer until you’re ready to bake.
What Are Some Variations on This Recipe?
One thing I love about this recipe is how you can change it up. You can make the peanut butter cookies as shown, or you can customize ingredients for new flavors.
- For instance, you could add chocolate chips for an irresistibly delicious peanut butter-chocolate cookie!
- Or even switch up the peanut butter with almond butter, for someone with a peanut allergy.
- You could add a teaspoon of vanilla.
- You could add butterscotch chips.
- Or you could top the hot, oven-fresh cookies with Hershey’s KISSES and make 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms! (Although technically, they’d have four ingredients at that point.)
Is There a Recipe for 2-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies?
Every ingredient contributes something special to a recipe. I think the 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies do surprisingly well with just peanut butter, sugar and egg.
In the recipe for 2-ingredient peanut butter cookies, the sugar is omitted. And to my own taste buds, that just isn’t the peanut butter cookie I’m looking for.
Now, for those on a keto or lowcarb diet, the 2-ingredient version might be welcome. It would also be good for diabetics or for someone watching their weight.
But the texture is more crumbly, and the flavor isn’t my favorite. I won’t be including the recipe here.
Recipe: 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
These delicious cookies are quick & easy to make. They're soft and chewy with a rich peanut butter flavor. I've made these cookies several times, and they always turn out perfectly. I hope your house loves them as much as ours does!
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter (we prefer crunchy)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, brown sugar, and egg. Mix well.
- Roll dough into small balls and place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Press down each ball with a fork, creating a criss-cross hash mark. (optional)
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cookies are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes to firm up before eating.
Notes
- I prefer crunchy peanut butter, as it adds some nice texture. But smooth peanut butter would work just fine.
- Using brown sugar (dark is more flavorful!) make the cookies extra rich, soft and chewy. White sugar is good, too, but the cookies will be more crisp.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1 cookieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 95Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 56mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 3g
Nutrition data can vary based on the precision of measurements, brands used, and ingredient freshness. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee it. We suggest that you make your own calculations by using a preferred nutrition calculator with the actual ingredients employed in your recipe.
Final Thoughts
These peanut butter cookies are a quick & easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your guests.
With only three ingredients, they come together in a snap – perfect for when you’re short on time or ingredients. Plus, they’re so delicious, you’ll be hard-pressed to eat just one.
So go ahead and give them a try! And then leave me a comment to share your review.
Thanks, and happy cooking!
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