Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a no-fuss, absolutely delicious treat you can whip up in no time, this Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. I love this recipe because it’s ridiculously simple, uses ingredients you probably have on hand, and yet delivers soft, chewy cookies that everyone in my family goes crazy for. Stick with me — I’m sharing all my tips and tricks to help you nail these cookies on your first try.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe, the magic really comes from the simplicity of the ingredients working together. Each one plays an important role: the egg binds everything, the peanut butter brings flavor and texture, and the sugar gives just enough sweetness with that perfect crisp edge. When shopping, I recommend using natural peanut butter if you want a more intense peanut flavor, or crunchy if you love a little bite in each cookie.

• Egg: Acts as a binder so your cookies aren’t crumbly—make sure it’s fresh for best results.
• Peanut Butter: Creamy or chunky works fine; I personally prefer creamy for a softer cookie but chunky adds great texture.
• White Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that delightful crust on the outside.

Variations

I love how versatile this Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can easily customize these cookies to suit your taste, dietary needs, or just to get a little creative.

• Adding Chocolate Chips: I sprinkle in a handful of chocolate chips for a classic peanut butter and chocolate combo that my kids adore.
• Using Honey Instead of Sugar: For a slightly different sweetness and texture, swap the sugar for honey; I tried this and loved the chewiness it adds.
• Vegan Option: Use a flax egg or chia egg substitution to make these vegan-friendly without losing that perfect cookie texture.
• Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of vanilla extract can deepen the flavor if you want to jazz it up.

How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Space

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This step is key because these cookies bake fast, and you don’t want the oven lagging behind. While the oven warms, prep your cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper or just use it ungreased — these cookies tend to come off easily.

Step 2: Mix Your Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and toss in the peanut butter, sugar, and egg. I usually use a wooden spoon to stir because it gives me control — plus, no electric mixers, no fuss! Mix everything until smooth and fully combined. The dough should be thick but easy to scoop. If it feels too sticky, just chill it for 15 minutes to firm up.

Step 3: Shape Your Cookies

Scoop out golf ball-sized portions of the dough and place them on your baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart — they don’t spread much, so no worries. Then, lightly press each ball down with a fork, creating that classic crosshatch pattern. Trust me, that little design helps the cookies bake evenly and looks super cute.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes — watch the edges carefully as you don’t want them overbaked. I typically pull mine out right before the edges brown to keep them soft inside. After baking, let them cool completely on the baking sheet to firm up before moving them to a wire rack or plate.

How to Serve Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually leave these cookies simple because the peanut butter flavor is the star, but sometimes I sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking to add that exciting sweet-salty kick — it’s absolutely addicting. You could also roll the dough balls in sugar or cocoa powder before baking for an added flair.

Side Dishes

Personally, I love serving these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee. They also pair beautifully with fresh fruit slices for a balanced snack if you want to keep it lighter. I’ve even enjoyed them alongside vanilla ice cream for a quick dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or casual get-togethers, I arrange these cookies on a pretty platter and sprinkle chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips around them. Another fun idea I tried was stacking them with a dollop of peanut butter frosting sandwiched in between—a definite crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay soft and fresh this way, though I recommend layering with parchment paper if you stack them to avoid sticking together.

Freezing

Freezing works wonderfully for this Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. I freeze baked cookies wrapped individually in plastic wrap, then placed in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When you want a cookie fix, just thaw them at room temp or in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

To perk up leftover or frozen cookies, I pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or briefly warm them in a low oven (about 300°F for 5 minutes). This brings back that fresh-out-of-the-oven softness, making them taste just as amazing.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it proves that sometimes, less really is more. I used to shy away from simple recipes thinking they’d be bland or boring — these cookies changed my mind completely. Once you try them, you’ll find it’s tough to go back to complicated batches with dozens of ingredients. So grab those three staples, mix them up, and enjoy the sweetest, easiest homemade peanut butter cookies you (and your loved ones) will constantly ask for. Trust me, you’re gonna love how effortless and tasty these turn out!

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