Mother’s Day and no gift in hand? An upcoming potluck and barbecue and you need a quick dessert? No need to panic; these 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies can be prepared in no time flat. This time-tested recipe for a super-simple, naturally dairy-free and gluten-free treat is really a no fail option when you need something sweet in a hurry.
I first learned about these 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies several years ago when my nieces proclaimed it their go-to for gifting and a general sweets fix. I was actually amazed to discover they were baking a dairy-free recipe in their cheese-filled household, but embraced the opportunity to enjoy a nice little nosh and happily helped them deliver their fresh-from-the-oven bounty to friends and neighbors during the holidays.
Many of you may already be familiar with this simple and delicious 3-ingredient cookie, but just to mix things up, we have also included Hannah‘s vegan variation. It’s a true, 100% straight from the pantry option. Whichever you choose, these are best eaten the same day, which shouldn’t be a problem!
Special Diet Notes: 1-2-3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, optionally egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free, optionally vegan / plant-based, and vegetarian.
For peanut-free and nut-free 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies, you can substitute sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter. Since there isn’t any baking soda, you shouldn’t have an issue with the cookies turning green.
For paleo 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies, you can substitute coconut sugar (grind in your spice grinder) for the sugar and almond butter for the peanut butter.
- 1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter (can use a natural variety, but stir well)
- 1 cup sugar or packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg (see below for egg-free / vegan)
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF and optionally line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Thoroughly mix all ingredients in a medium size bowl with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Drop the dough by the tablespoon (about 1-inch balls of dough) onto cookie sheets. Press each cookie with a fork in a criss-cross fashion to flatten slightly and create that traditional peanut butter cookie look.
- Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until they are just cooked; you don't want to brown them.
- Let cool for 10 minutes on the sheet, before removing the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
18 Comments
I tried the vegan version with the chia seeds and it was terrible. They’re just a crumbly mess. It’s kind of like chewing on powder. 🙁
That’s a bummer! That is my friend Hannah’s vegan version, as noted above, so I haven’t used that one myself. She does note to add water or milk beverage, which should resolve dryness. Did you add any or did you just add the seeds?
I was really skeptical because there’s no normal ingredients in here but it came out great, don’t panic!
Hi Alisa! These look yummy! How much water do I add to the powdered chia seeds to achieve egg consistency? I have never baked with eggs so please guide me. Thanks!
Hi Sargam, for this recipe you don’t add any water to the chia. You add it then add water as needed if the dough is too thick. Some PBs are runnier than others, which I think is why the instructions are this way for Hannah’s vegan version.
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PB is out of questions at schools (my son is turning 4 in 2 months) and cookies are not allowed at his school either, but these are great to make for his b-day to offer to his friends. Thanks for sharing… they also look very yummy!
These peanut butter cookies look great, wish I had a tall glass of milk to dip them in right now!! 🙂
I remember when I discovered you could make PB cookies this way and I was BOGGLED lol! It is almost like they are magic lol. Yours look fantastic!
I was the same way Laura – it is seriously magic!
10 mins at 350* ?
sorry don’t see the recommended oven temp.
So sorry Leisha! When I updated this recipe to our new format, I missed a step – thanks for catching that! Yes 350ºF. I’ve corrected the recipe.
These look delightful! Plus, I always have these three ingredients on hand! I can’t wait to try!
LOVE how easy these are. Every time I make cookies, it’s always a big ordeal, so I’m looking forward to trying these on a relaxing day (and actually get to relax for a change!)
Love these! So simple and they look delicious! Like you said, perfect for when you need something, stat!
Not even kidding you, I made these last night but I used this brown sugar blend and it turned out so good (even though I nearly burnt them…damn conversions!)
Awesome! Yeah, I like brown sugar in them, too 🙂
peanut butter cookies are one of my favorites (sometimes dipped in melted chocolate…), I am definitely trying Hannah’s version!