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4.7 from 40 votes

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

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By: Joanna Cismaru 27 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are probably the easiest, softest, and most delicious cookies you could make. And yes, they only require 3 ingredients, and are gluten free. Soft, chewy, and simply the best peanut butter cookies!

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies with a glass of milk in the background

Peanut Butter Cookies

I’ve been making these cookies for years, if not decades. I even made these cookies with bacon before. Yes, they were crazy delicious! But for now let’s stick with the original peanut butter cookies and if you’re brave enough, go ahead and add in some bacon. You won’t regret it!

These cookies are such a great snack and nothing is better than a good chewy peanut butter cookie to get your energy back up and in the mood for more work.

Ingredients in 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

So what are the 3 ingredients in these peanut butter cookies? You guessed it, peanut butter is one of them!

  • Peanut Butter
  • Eggs
  • Sugar

process shots for making 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

How to Make 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

This is such a popular recipe all over the internet, however as usual I always make my own tweaks and this time I reduced the sugar. I’ve mentioned before that my sister is diabetic and pretty much my entire family is watching their sugar intake, so I will always cut down sugar every chance I get. Bonus: these cookies are gluten free!

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees. You will need 2 baking sheets so line them both with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Place all the ingredients in the bowl of your mixer and using the paddle attachment mix everything until combined. (A whisk attachment can also be used). The cookie dough should be soft and easy to scoop.
  3. You can use a small ice cream scoop to scoop out cookie balls or use your hands to roll out the dough into balls the size of a golf ball. Place them onto the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart, or 3 per row.
  4. Using the back of a fork, press down onto each cookie ball, then press again from the opposite direction (90 degrees the other way).
  5. Place both baking sheets in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies start to turn golden. DO NOT over-bake. They will still be soft when you take them out of the oven, but as they cool they will harden.
  6. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets completely before transferring them.

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies right out of the oven

Trust me when I tell you that you will not miss that sugar, these cookies are still sweet, soft and chewy. Don’t forget that the peanut butter itself usually has sugar in it, depending which brand you go with.

overhead shot of 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

How to Store Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies will last up to 5 days stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid cookie jars as they tend to get stale and lose their chew.

For really long-term storage, tuck a slice of bread in the container along with the cookies. The cookies will stay moist and chewy by absorbing the moisture from the bread.

Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Cookies

Absolutely! After you bake them, let them cool completely.

  1. Place them on a baking sheet and flash freeze them until they are frozen solid. This is done so they won’t stick to each other in the freezer.
  2. Place them in an airtight container with a piece of parchment paper in between the layers. You can also place them in freezer bags.
  3. Freeze for up to 3 months.
  4. When ready to serve, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter.

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies stacked with glass of milk in the background

Try These Other Cookie Recipes:

  • Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Oatmeal Cookies
  • Chocolate Sugar Cookies
  • Classic Shortbread Cookies
  • Snickerdoodle Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Cookies

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

side view shot of a stack of peanut butter cookies, the top cookie is split in half and stacked
Print
4.73 from 40 votes

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Total 20 minutes
Rate Recipe
These 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are probably the easiest, softest, and most delicious cookies you could make. And yes, they only require 3 ingredients, and are gluten free. Soft, chewy, and simply the best peanut butter cookies!
28

Ingredients

  • 2 cups peanut butter (creamy, at room temperature)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar (granulated)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Prepare oven and baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Make cookie dough: Place all the ingredients in the bowl of your mixer and using the paddle attachment mix everything until combined. (A whisk attachment can also be used). The cookie dough should be soft and easy to scoop.
  • Form cookies: You can use a small ice cream scoop to scoop out cookie balls or use your hands to roll out the dough into balls the size of a golf ball. Place them onto the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart, or 3 per row.
  • Using the back of a fork, press down onto each cookie ball, then press again from the opposite direction (90 degrees the other way).
  • Bake: Place both baking sheets in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies start to turn golden. DO NOT over-bake. They will still be soft when you take them out of the oven, but as they cool they will harden.
  • Cool and serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets completely before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Video

Notes

  1. This recipe will yield approximately 28 cookies.
  2. Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  3. Mixer/No Mixer: As you can see in the video, I mixed and whisked everything by hand for these cookies because all my mixers were already packed for our move, but in the instructions I am giving you instructions on how to do this with a mixer. 
  4. Peanut Butter: I used Jif Creamy Peanut Butter for these cookies. You will want a smooth peanut butter and not a crunchy one. I have also used organic peanut butter in the past, and while the texture of the cookie dough was quite a bit crumblier, the cookies turned out the same.
  5. This is a popular 3 ingredient peanut butter cookie found all over the internet, however in my version I have reduced the sugar by half. The original recipe requires 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar and 1 egg. However, I prefer my cookies not quite so sweet, which is why the sugar has been reduced, but feel free to use the full amount of the sugar.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 140kcal (7%)Carbohydrates: 10g (3%)Protein: 5g (10%)Fat: 9g (14%)Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)Cholesterol: 11mg (4%)Sodium: 89mg (4%)Potassium: 123mg (4%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 8g (9%)Vitamin A: 15IUCalcium: 10mg (1%)Iron: 0.4mg (2%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

side view shot of a stack of peanut butter cookies, the top cookie is split in half and stacked

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Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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27 Comments
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Cynthialawson
Cynthialawson
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
Cound I use a banana in this recipe

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Cynthialawson
Posted: 2 years ago

You can try some peanut butter instead of egg!

0
Reply
jo jo
jo jo
Posted: 2 years ago

I made these before with my own recipe and made these ones. This recipe is really good.

0
Reply
Derek
Derek
Posted: 3 years ago

Why does this recipe never work for me. I measured exactly one cup of regular white sugar, and 2 cups of peanut butter – I used a spatula and measuring cup so it was exact. Two eggs. I’ve got a bowl full of batter the consistency of thick pancake batter. It’s not dough-like; I can’t roll it in balls; I can barely spoon it.

0
Reply
Jo Cooks Team
Jo Cooks Team
Reply to  Derek
Posted: 3 years ago

It must be the type of peanut butter you’re using. Make sure to find a nice and thick brand- one that you can hold the jar upside down without any pouring out.

0
Reply
Kathy
Kathy
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
I was so happy to see a recipe that doubled my usual 3 ingredient recipe. This was great! i used Jif and added chocolate chips on the tops by pushing them in slightly before the cookie cooled. My husband loved them. Said he liked getting chocolate in every bite.
Thanks for this!

0
Reply
Judy
Judy
Posted: 3 years ago

Looking forward to trying this recipe. Thank you

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Judy
Posted: 3 years ago

My pleasure!

0
Reply
Wendy
Wendy
Posted: 4 years ago

This recipe looks fabulous! Do you think I could use unrefined coconut sugar?

0
Reply
Nicole Beaulieu
Nicole Beaulieu
Reply to  Wendy
Posted: 4 years ago

Of course! Enjoy 🙂

0
Reply
Janice Richard
Janice Richard
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
I’m trying these today 😀 glad I checked your recipe because the one I usually made only had the one of everthing so going to try your way thanks

0
Reply
Linda
Linda
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
My granddaughter and I made these using monkfruit sweetener in place of sugar because my husband is diabetic. Very good!! Cutting the sweetener in half is a good idea!

0
Reply
Cassandra
Cassandra
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
Omgoodness yes….I made these and they were delicious. Since I found out that I’m fructose intolerance. I try to find receipts that I can make at home when I have an sweet tooth. I’ll go make me some of these peanut butter cookies thank you so much for sharing your recipe.

0
Reply
Pandora Fox
Pandora Fox
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
Wonderful! Didn’t miss the additional sugar at all. I did use brown sugar, because I like the slight molasses flavor. Also, added in a tsp of vanilla and pinch of salt. I know that’s not three ingredients but I wanted a bit more complex flavor. With your recipe, I FINALLY found the perfect peanut butter cookies! Thanks so much! PS: Felt kinda bratty so I dipped half of the cookies into dark chocolate. Didn’t last 24 hours. 💗

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Pandora Fox
Posted: 4 years ago

LOL I would have done the same thing, love peanut butter cookies dipped in chocolate. 🙂

0
Reply
SusiRenea
SusiRenea
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
I have been making these cookies for many many years! They are so quick, easy, and delicious! I have reduced the sugar even further using as little as 1/4 cup and I generally always use crunchy peanut butter. I have never had a dry or crumbly cookie…yet lol. They are so super easy I often whip up a batch after dinner for a lil snack.

0
Reply
Susan
Susan
Posted: 4 years ago

Can I use fresh, natural peanut butter?

0
Reply
Nicole Beaulieu
Nicole Beaulieu
Reply to  Susan
Posted: 4 years ago

You can, but they may turn out a bit crumbly. They’ll still taste great.

0
Reply
A'sa Melvin
A'sa Melvin
Posted: 4 years ago

Hi Joanna!!!
I am very excited to try these yummy looking peanut butter cookies, but (& yes, there is always someone that has to [but?]), guess it’s me this time… I was wondering why ‘smooth not crunchy’ peanut butter is the only choice??? You don’t seem to mind brand types, even organic, so Why the obvious disdain for Crunchy peanut butter??? Is this just personal choice or is there a problem with peanut bits??? Help, please?!?!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  A'sa Melvin
Posted: 4 years ago

We tried making peanut butter cookies with crunchy peanut butter a few months ago and they came out super crumbly and had trouble holding their shape around the peanuts. You can, of course, use crunchy peanut butter if you don’t mind a crumbly cookie. They still tasted good.

0
Reply
John Elliott
John Elliott
Posted: 4 years ago

I use brown sugar and quinoa flour no gluten lots of protein

0
Reply
Dan from Platter Talk
Dan from Platter Talk
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
Great job with these easy-to-make cookies. I love that you have reduced the sugar in them because as pointed out, often times there is much sugar in a recipe than is necessary. Thanks for passing these along, they look totally dunkable!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Dan from Platter Talk
Posted: 4 years ago

And they are! 🙂

0
Reply

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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