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A few weeks ago when my parents were in Kansas City for our extended family’s annual caroling night, I asked her if she would help me make a batch of peanut butter cookies. I had a normal recipe ready for us to try, when she suggested that we make the “easy” version – 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies.
Eh?
Somehow even after living in food blogger land for 3.5 years, and being a cookie lover all the longer, I had never heard of a recipe for 3 ingredient cookies! But she assured me that 1 cup pb, 1 cup sugar and 1 egg would do the trick. So we gave it a try. We mixed up the dough in literally less than a minute. And then she rolled, I forked, and these little guys were in the oven and baked in a snap.
Sure enough, they emerged as delicious little cookies!! Granted, they are definitely much crumblier than traditional peanut butter cookies. But the flavor is there, the look is pretty much identical, and sure enough they were just as irresistible to us cookie lovers as any yummy cookies. So if you are ever in a time crunch, or an ingredient crunch, or just want to try these little baking miracles for yourself, I highly recommend these 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies!
Quick, simple and delicious peanut butter cookies…made with just THREE ingredients!
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
1 cup sugar (plus extra for dipping if desired)
1 egg
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using an electric mixer or a strong spoon, mix together the peanut butter, white sugar and egg until smooth.
Form dough into round tablespoon-fulls. Then roll in an extra bowl of sugar, if desired, to coat the outside of the dough ball. Place on the baking sheet at least 2 inches apart, and then use a fork to flatten and form a cross pattern.
Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, until the cookies are just slightly browned on the botton, being careful not to over-bake. Remove and let cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
I’m pinning these because I always forget the recipe when I need a quick and simply perfect cookie recipe. Plus, these are adorable and tied with a string is the cutest add ever!
These cookies look awesome and I love how short the ingredient list is! I’m going to try them using honey or agave instead of sugar and I’ll let you know if it works out. Looks delicious!
They’re so cute! I haven’t tried these either. I suppose because of my love for all things chewy. But like you said, in a pinch?! Perfect!
Melanie —
Quick and easy!! My husband said these were the best cookies he had ever tasted! Ingredients I have readily available and don’t have to buy anything extra!!
We love making these at my house. You can lighten them up by using PB2, which is a powdered peanut butter with the oils removed (and it makes it way easier to mix). They’re also really awesome with some chocolate shavings mixed in.
Allison —
I love PB2. What a great idea, but how was the consistency?
Hi I just wanted o let you know that I just made the first batch of these and they are gone ALREADY!. I wanted something sweet and didn’t have much in my cabinets, Let alone my wallet. So I came across your site and was so happy that I had the ingredients to make them.. Thank you they are Delicious!!
Love it! I am visiting my parents, and they are not quite as into baking as I am. Short on supplies and craving cookies, I was stoked to find this recipe! Because my mom and I are HUGE Nutella fans I used 1/2c P.B. and 1/2c Nutella. Turned out awesome!
Hmmm…wondering how these would turn out using something other than classic peanut butter (like dark chocolate or white chocolate peanut butter). May have to experiment since I usually have dark chocolate, honey and plain peanut butter in the pantry most of the time!
Molly —
I made them once with Nutella instead of peanut butter. The consistency was pretty different but they were amazing! I also like to put chocolate chips in when I have them.
Just made these for my family using creamy PB, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Definitely the best PB cookies ever! Since we are gluten and dairy free, this will always be a big hit around the house! Thanks for sharing!
Could I possibly use honey instead? And add a bit of oatmeal?
Crystal —
These were delicious! I did add a bit of oatmeal and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Wonderful!
ploo —
Honey instead of the sugar? They wont come together if you replace the honey 1:1 to sugar. I should think that these cookies depend on the dry, grainy sugar to hold it together.
So, I tried these with just honey, super gooey cookies, which I love, (2/3 c only) but to balance out the consistency a bit I went with half honey & half sugar(1/3 C of each ) (coconut sugar since I’m sugar concious), I liked my 3rd try best which was 1/3 honey + 1/6 c sugar, & still super sweet cos’ of the honey. The consistency was awesome, a bit crunchy edges & chewy centre! My last batch I added 1/2 c cooked quinoa for some added protein & nutrients (for a good healthy kids cookie) & found them amazing & delicious & can’t tell the quinoa is even in it! I also added vanilla to these. :)
I have not tried Splenda in this recipe, and am not sure I would recommend a direct substitution for flavor/consistency.. But if you try it, let me know how they turn out!
I’m gonna make these for an upcoming bake sale for Relay for Life! With the other goodies that I’m gonna bake, these cookies won’t take long. Glad I stumbled across this!
My boyfriend’s family has made these forever and they are incredible! Best peanut butter cookies ever. Even good with some chocolate chips thrown in. One tip he has given me when making these cookies however is to only make one batch at a time,they don’t come out right if you try to double the recipe.
Best cookies ever. So easy, I’m going to let my 4 year old make the next batch. He loves these cookies and they are ready quickly enough to satisfy his short attention span. Best of all, I used organic ingredients. Do you know how much organic cookies cost? I love this recipe and I’m going to share it right now so all my friends can make it.
Nothing is better than an effortless cookie recipe. Definitely saving this one for a lazy day :).
I’m pinning these because I always forget the recipe when I need a quick and simply perfect cookie recipe. Plus, these are adorable and tied with a string is the cutest add ever!
This recipe is a classic. The perfect trick to have up your sleeve in case of “culinary” need!
3 ingredients? That’s my kind of baking!! Merry Christmas Ali. :-)
I’ve been thinking about trying these forever. They certainly look like quite a treat!
Sometimes mother knows best!
Id these taste half as good as they look, I’m in!
I used to make these ages ago they are just as good as more complex recipes. I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference
Love these cookies, it’s hard to beat only 3 ingredients!
So simple! I love these kind of recipes!
whoa, so cool to write a post with 3 ingredients…time saver :) These sound like winners and also super adaptable..
Wow, 3 ingredients?! Doesn’t get easier than that!
These cookies look awesome and I love how short the ingredient list is! I’m going to try them using honey or agave instead of sugar and I’ll let you know if it works out. Looks delicious!
They’re so cute! I haven’t tried these either. I suppose because of my love for all things chewy. But like you said, in a pinch?! Perfect!
Quick and easy!! My husband said these were the best cookies he had ever tasted! Ingredients I have readily available and don’t have to buy anything extra!!
These are the only kind of pb cookies that I ever make and have been for a long time!!! YUMMY
We love making these at my house. You can lighten them up by using PB2, which is a powdered peanut butter with the oils removed (and it makes it way easier to mix). They’re also really awesome with some chocolate shavings mixed in.
I love PB2. What a great idea, but how was the consistency?
Omg those cookies look perfect trying it RIGHT NOW!
Hi I just wanted o let you know that I just made the first batch of these and they are gone ALREADY!. I wanted something sweet and didn’t have much in my cabinets, Let alone my wallet. So I came across your site and was so happy that I had the ingredients to make them.. Thank you they are Delicious!!
Love it! I am visiting my parents, and they are not quite as into baking as I am. Short on supplies and craving cookies, I was stoked to find this recipe! Because my mom and I are HUGE Nutella fans I used 1/2c P.B. and 1/2c Nutella. Turned out awesome!
These are actually the only peanut butter cookies that I like! Make them all the time – cheap and easy…my 3 year old can make them!
Hmmm…wondering how these would turn out using something other than classic peanut butter (like dark chocolate or white chocolate peanut butter). May have to experiment since I usually have dark chocolate, honey and plain peanut butter in the pantry most of the time!
I made them once with Nutella instead of peanut butter. The consistency was pretty different but they were amazing! I also like to put chocolate chips in when I have them.
I have been making these for years..Use crunchy peanut butter and brown sugar instead of white..Super easy and oh so good…
Just made these for my family using creamy PB, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Definitely the best PB cookies ever! Since we are gluten and dairy free, this will always be a big hit around the house! Thanks for sharing!
Get in my face. These look so good!
I was surprise for the 3 ingredients. It’s not to bad at all. Thank you so much.
Could I possibly use honey instead? And add a bit of oatmeal?
These were delicious! I did add a bit of oatmeal and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Wonderful!
Honey instead of the sugar? They wont come together if you replace the honey 1:1 to sugar. I should think that these cookies depend on the dry, grainy sugar to hold it together.
These look fantastic! I am going to be giving them a whirl for sure!
They are also gluten free!
My husband made these last night and these were so delicious! Wow! Thanks for sharing!
I am making these right now! I can’t wait till they come out!
So, I tried these with just honey, super gooey cookies, which I love, (2/3 c only) but to balance out the consistency a bit I went with half honey & half sugar(1/3 C of each ) (coconut sugar since I’m sugar concious), I liked my 3rd try best which was 1/3 honey + 1/6 c sugar, & still super sweet cos’ of the honey. The consistency was awesome, a bit crunchy edges & chewy centre! My last batch I added 1/2 c cooked quinoa for some added protein & nutrients (for a good healthy kids cookie) & found them amazing & delicious & can’t tell the quinoa is even in it! I also added vanilla to these. :)
Can splenda be used to replace the sugar for a more diabetic friendly cookie?
Hi Kassandra,
I have not tried Splenda in this recipe, and am not sure I would recommend a direct substitution for flavor/consistency.. But if you try it, let me know how they turn out!
~Ali
I’m gonna make these for an upcoming bake sale for Relay for Life! With the other goodies that I’m gonna bake, these cookies won’t take long. Glad I stumbled across this!
Awesome found this and made them less than 5 minutes and so good!
They’re perfect for Passover if you substitute almond butter for the peanut butter!
These are a little too sweet. I wonder if I can add some salt to break it up a bit?
Sure, salt would be great. Different peanut butters have different levels of saltiness, so feel free to add more to the dough or sprinkle on top.
I made these over the weekend…so tasty. Substituted with Cashew butter and (only) 1/2 cup of brown sugar. Delicious!
I made these for my husband and my son and they love them! I added one tsp of vanilla so they weren’t so peanut buttery rich!
I just baked the pb cookies. LOVED them! They were De… delicious!
These cookies are delicious!!!! I put chocolate chips on top so good! My toddler is chowing down lol
Do you know how many calories are in these cookies?
This recipe does NOT work.
Hi Meredith,
I’m sorry they didn’t work for you. They are definitely not exactly like traditional PB cookies and have a different texture, if that was the concern.
~Ali
My girlfriend is making them for the second time. Can’t wait
I love these! So easy and my 6 and 8 year old boys are always asking me to make them this summer.
My boyfriend’s family has made these forever and they are incredible! Best peanut butter cookies ever. Even good with some chocolate chips thrown in. One tip he has given me when making these cookies however is to only make one batch at a time,they don’t come out right if you try to double the recipe.
I’m made them less than 6 minutes can’t wait to taste them.
Best cookies ever. So easy, I’m going to let my 4 year old make the next batch. He loves these cookies and they are ready quickly enough to satisfy his short attention span. Best of all, I used organic ingredients. Do you know how much organic cookies cost? I love this recipe and I’m going to share it right now so all my friends can make it.
Thank you, my son is in love! They were yummy!!!
I was out of white sugar, so I used brown sugar and still great.
I’m making these now and hopefully they turn out good because I’m pregnant with twins and I’m wanting cookie.
So they’re turned out great.. (-:
Yay! Glad that you (and the twins!) enjoyed them! :)