These 3 Ingredient peanut butter cookies are the ultimate quick treat! They’re sweet and nutty, with the classic criss cross top that everyone loves. Perfect when you need a cookie recipe with simple ingredients and simple instructions!

With these simple PB cookies you get soft, tender bites with rich peanut butter flavor, a simple mix and bake, and a cookie jar that fills fast. No fancy tools, no extra trips to the store, just pantry staples and smiles.

For more simple recipes try out 3 Ingredient Banana Bread, 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies, and Easy Shortbread Cookies.

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • Quick. It honestly only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.
  • Simple. Only 3 ingredients and is so easy the kids could do it by themselves.
  • Delicious. Similar to regular Peanut Butter Cookies, they are packed with flavor.
Ingredients to make 3 Ingredient peanut butter cookies on a kitchen counter.
  • Creamy peanut butter (1 cup)- Peanut Butter adds rich, salty sweet nuttiness and the fat that keeps these cookies soft and tender. Natural peanut butter is not recommended as the texture is quite different, and the cookies don’t turn out as well. Stick with something smooth and creamy like JIF, Skippy, or even a generic store brand.
  • Sugar (½ cup)- The sugar sweetens, helps the cookies spread a touch, and gives that classic lightly crisp edge. Substitute the white sugar with brown sugar to make them more chewy, or do half white and half brown.
  • Egg (1 large)- The egg binds everything together, adds moisture, and helps the cookies set with a soft bite. For a lighter texture, add an extra egg. It will make the dough stickier so you won’t be able to roll it. Just use a spoon or cookie scoop to plop dough on a cookie sheet.

How to Make 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter, sugar and egg in a mixing bowl.
Peanut butter cookie dough in a mixing bowl.

PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F.

DOUGH. Using an electric mixer, beat together the peanut butter, sugar, and egg until smooth and creamy. 

Peanut butter cookie dough balls on a baking sheet.
Cross crossed peanut butter cookie dough balls on a baking sheet.

ROLL. Roll mixture into small balls and place on a baking sheet. Using a fork, flatten each ball, making a criss-cross pattern.

BAKE. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Baked 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies on a tray.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

  • Natural peanut butter is not recommended as the texture is quite different, and the cookies don’t turn out as well. Stick with something smooth and creamy like JIF or Skippy.
  • Chilling for 15-20 minutes before scooping and baking to help keep them from spreading as much.
  • Top with chocolate chips or chocolate frosting. Make them into a sandwich with vanilla frosting or Vanilla Ice Cream in the middle. 
  • Higher elevations may require a different bake time. Watch carefully so they don’t burn. 
3 ingredient peanut butter cookies stacked on a cookie sheet.
4.97 from 26 votes

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

By: Kristyn Merkley
Delicious 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies take just minutes to throw together and are so easy the kids can make them!
Servings: 24
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 large egg

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat together the peanut butter, sugar, and egg until smooth and creamy. Roll mixture into small balls and place on a baking sheet. Using a fork, flatten each ball, making a criss-cross pattern.
  • Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

Notes

Recipe Tips.
  • Natural peanut butter is not recommended as the texture is quite different, and the cookies don’t turn out as well. Stick with something smooth and creamy like JIF or Skippy.
  • Chilling for 15-20 minutes before scooping and baking to help keep them from spreading as much.
  • Top with chocolate chips or chocolate frosting. Make them into a sandwich with vanilla frosting or Vanilla Ice Cream in the middle. 
  • Higher elevations may require a different bake time. Watch carefully so they don’t burn. 
Store the dough. Cover the bowl and store the dough in the fridge for about 2 days, or freeze cookie dough balls for 3-4 months. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips.
Store baked cookies in an airtight container for about 3-5 days. To freeze, place cookies in an airtight freezer safe container, separating the layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 6 months.
For more substitutions and tips, check out the full recipe post

Nutrition

Calories: 82kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 52mg, Potassium: 72mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 10IU, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Adapted from allrecipes.com

Recipe FAQ

Store the dough?

Cover the bowl and store the dough in the fridge for about 2 days, or freeze cookie dough balls for 3-4 months. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips.

Store baked cookies?

Store baked cookies in an airtight container for about 3-5 days. To freeze, place cookies in an airtight freezer safe container, separating the layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 6 months

More Like This

Peanut Butter Cookies

Collections

This recipe was originally published February 2018.

Categorized as: , ,

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

More About Kristyn

Get my cookbook!

My cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes with videos, tips & more!

Order Today
4.97 from 26 votes (9 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




40 Comments

  1. kidi says:

    my cookies were not done in ten minutes I left them in for 5 more minutes. still wet in middle so turned up side down to see if they will dry out

    Reply
  2. Erin Martin says:

    5 stars
    These are on a monthly rotation in our house.
    My son in laws ask for them all the time!
    LOVE LOVE LOVE

    Reply
    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Oh I love to hear that!!! So glad the cookies are a hit!

      Reply
  3. Marty Taylor says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe for an old classic. Soft and chewy just out of the oven! And only 3 ingredients!

    Reply
    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the cookies. And yes, the three ingredients makes them so easy to just whip up when you have a craving for cookies. 😉

      Reply

See More Comments