3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies really are as easy as one, two, three! 3 ingredient cookies are fun to make with kids, easy to prep, and you get to enjoy the results in almost no time at all. And these no flour peanut butter cookies are soft, chewy, dense, and indulgent — the rich, roasted peanut flavor is enough to fill you up after just a couple cookies!
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Sometimes the simplest things in life are the best — like a 3 ingredient peanut butter cookie!
I mean, smooth and creamy peanut butter, sweet and crunchy sugar, and 15 minutes from start to finish… I don’t think it could get any simpler!!
You don’t even need a mixer — you can mix these up with just a spoon.
Recipe Video
To see us make three ingredient peanut butter cookies from start to finish, watch the video in this post!
Looking for something extra indulgent? Just smush two of these together, throw some icing in the middle, and you have some peanut butter sandwich cookies!
Or try these monster cookies that are packed full of peanut butter flavor.
And if you’re really feeling generous, you can make some peanutty cookies for your dog!!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Peanut Butter – Since we’re only using a few ingredients, let’s maximize each one!
To get the most flavor out of your peanut butter, I recommend getting a honey-roasted variety.
I like making Skippy peanut butter cookies just because that’s my favorite brand. There’s a ton of wiggle room for you to use any brand or variety you want!
- Granulated Sugar – Save a lil’ extra for a crunchy sugar topping at the end.
Many readers have asked me if they can use a different type of sugar, and you absolutely can!
Brown sugar can be substituted 1:1 and makes these cookies even chewier — anecdotally, readers have told me this makes the cookies a bit less grainy.
But, really, any solid sweetener works.
- Egg – Just one, but make it a large one. It does most of the heavy lifting in 3 ingredient cookies.
You can also use a flax egg if that’s your preference!
Tips for Making 3 Ingredient Cookies
- Don’t Overbake
This is crucial!! Overbaking will totally ruin your treats.
After 10 minutes, keep checking to see if they’re done — and check out the FAQ for some tips on knowing when they’re baked!
- Stick with Creamy Skippy
The only kind of peanut butter you don’t want to use is crunchy! Really, no-stir varieties are your best bet.
Otherwise, your 3 ingredient peanut butter cookie dough will end up too crumbly and, ultimately, won’t bind together.
- Add An Extra Ingredient
If you want to go absolutely crazy and use a fourth ingredient, I have a couple of recommendations!
A single Hershey Kiss on top makes the fan favorite peanut blossom, for example.
Or, a Reese’s peanut butter cup on top doubles the peanut butter with just a hint of chocolate — delicious!
And, finally, a teaspoon of vanilla or a handful of chocolate chips goes a long way!
Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies FAQ
Do you have to put eggs in peanut butter cookies?
If you’re making three ingredient peanut butter cookies, then the answer is yes. It’s the only ingredient working to bind everything together.
To make peanut butter cookies without egg, you’ll need extra ingredients: flour, butter, etc.
How do you know when no flour peanut butter cookies are done?
These cookies are a bit different, for sure, but they show the same tell-tale signs when they’re done baking.
Look for them to be golden at the edges and slightly browned on top. And a toothpick that comes out clean when poked into the center is your final clue!
Why do peanut butter cookies have fork marks?
3 ingredient peanut butter cookies are really really dense, so we need to flatten them to make them an even height, ensuring even cooking.
The easiest way to do this is with a fork! I also think it looks fun. Alternatively, you can flatten the cookies with a spatula or the bottom of a glass.
Storing and Freezing No Flour Peanut Butter Cookies
You don’t necessarily need to refrigerate these — they’ll last 3 or 4 days on the countertop. They’ll always last longer in the fridge, of course!
3 ingredient peanut butter cookies are also the KINGS of prep-ahead cookies.
You can make so much dough (double or triple the recipe if you want!) and freeze for up to 3 months.
Bake and then freeze, or shape and freeze to bake later — either way works.
Have a layer of wax or parchment paper between the 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies (or dough balls) to keep them from sticking together.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Cookie Recipes
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies + Video
Donna Elick
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are soft and chewy. They are ready to go before the oven is even preheated. Just stir, scoop, and bake!
5 stars from 3 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes mins
Cook Time 12 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Method Oven
Servings 18 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey roasted peanut butter, I used Skippy Natural
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra
- 1 large egg
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (for easy clean up).
Mix ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Use an electric mixer, stand mixer or a wooden spoon.
Using a 1 tablespoon scooper, drop onto baking sheet. Dip fork into extra sugar and press cookie down. Repeat until all cookies are pressed.
Bake 10-12 minutes (until barely golden brown around the edges) and allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Serve and enjoy.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 132cal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 65mg | Sugar: 13g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Originally published December 2014, updated and republished October 2023
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
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