EASY 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

When your husband adds peanut butter to practically everything he eats, you know you’ve married a true peanut butter devotee. That’s my Pete! He’ll put peanut butter on toast, pancakes, and don’t even get me started on his peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Naturally, peanut butter desserts have become his absolute favorite, which led me to perfect these incredibly simple 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies. Ready to get started? Hit the “jump to recipe” button, or scroll through for more tips and tricks.

Why I Love These Cookies (And You Will Too!)

Let me be honest, I’m not a great baker. Sure, I can handle simple baked goods like coffee cakes and maybe an organic-looking galette over a pie. But those complicated, intricate sugar cookies you see everywhere during the holidays? Not happening in my kitchen. I usually make cherry chocolate chip cookies or a simple pear crisp. I much prefer recipes that don’t require a degree in pastry arts, which is exactly why these 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies have become one of my go-to treats.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just four basic ingredients, you can delicious cookies ready in under 20 minutes. No fancy equipment, no complicated techniques. Just mix, scoop, and bake.

Our Peanut Butter Adventures

Pete and I have turned into bit of peanut butter connoisseurs over the years. We love trying different brands when we travel, and so far, Calvé peanut butter from the Netherlands takes the crown. There’s something about that European approach to nut butters that just hits differently!

Back home, we stick to two reliable favorites: Trader Joe’s creamy salted peanut butter or fresh ground peanut butter from Fresh Market. The Trader Joe’s version wins on affordability and simplicity. The ingredient list literally says “peanuts” and that’s it. We actively avoid traditional store-bought peanut butter loaded with palm oil and other additives. When you’re making something as simple as 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies, the quality of your peanut butter really shines through.

Ingredients In 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

With just four simple ingredients, these peanut butter cookies sound too easy. But I swear, this is all you need! Since there’s no flour, they’re even gluten free. And they pack a little protein too.

• natural peanut butter
• light brown sugar
• egg
• baking soda

That’s it! No flour, no butter, no long list of ingredients to forget at the store. You likely already have all these ingredients on hand to get started.

How To Make Peanut Butter Cookies With 4 Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. If there’s excess oil sitting on top of your natural peanut butter, pour it off first. Then stir the peanut butter really well before measuring. This ensures you get the right consistency and prevents your cookies from being too oily.

In a medium sized bowl, combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, egg, and baking soda. It helps to use a hand mixer or stand mixer to get all the ingredients well combined. The dough will be soft and slightly crumbly.

Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough, then press each portion into a ball in your hands aiming to shape it into the size of a golf ball. Hand pressing is better than rolling as the dough can fall apart.

Place the shaped balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet. You can leave them as is, or gently flatten the top with a fork for that classic crosshatch pattern. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are just set. Be sure not to overbake as the peanut butter cookies will continue cooking slightly on the hot pan.

Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5-7 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Be patient and let them cool completely before serving as it helps the cookies set properly and prevents them from falling apart.

Why These Work So Well

The simplicity of 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies lies in the science. The natural oils in peanut butter provide the fat typically found in butter, while the proteins help bind everything together. The egg adds moisture and acts as a binder, the brown sugar provides sweetness and chewiness, and that single teaspoon of baking soda gives just enough lift. They’re simple and yet perfect!

Perfect for Any Occasion

These cookies have saved me countless times when I needed a quick dessert or when Pete’s sweet tooth demanded immediate attention. They’re perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or just a Tuesday evening when you want something homemade without the fuss.

The best part? Even non-bakers like me can master these 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies on the first try. There’s no creaming butter, no chilling dough, no complicated steps. Just simple ingredients coming together to create something delicious.

Storage and Variations

Store your finished cookies in an airtight container for up to a week (though they rarely last that long in our house). You can also add a handful of chocolate chips or chopped nuts if you’re feeling fancy or want extra texture. But honestly, they’re perfect just as they are.

These 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies prove that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most satisfying. When you can create something this delicious with just four pantry staples, why complicate things? Pete certainly approves, and in a house where peanut butter reigns supreme, that’s the ultimate seal of approval.