4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

These easy 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies are a delightful treat that combines simplicity and irresistible flavor. With just a handful of pantry staples, these cookies are the epitome of quick and easy baking. They have a soft yet chewy texture with the perfect balance of sweetness and nutty goodness.

What makes these cookies even more appealing is how simple and easy they are to make. With 4 simple ingredients, you can whip up these sweet treats in no time. Since these cookies are flourless and if using natural peanut butter you end up with gluten-free peanut butter cookies.

So let's grab that jar of creamy peanut butter and whip up a batch of these chewy peanut butter cookies.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

There are countless reasons why you'll absolutely love this easy peanut butter cookies recipe. The first is the ease and convenience of this recipe which makes it a winner in my books. With just 4 ingredients you can make a batch of freshly baked cookies in no time. These cookies are perfect for those moments when you're craving something sweet but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen.

I mean not only is this recipe incredibly easy to make, but you end up with unbelievably delicious cookies. The combination of peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract creates a harmonious blend of flavors. Tantalize your taste buds with every bite of sweetness and nuttiness. The soft and chewy texture of these cookies alone is irresistible.

Another reason why you will love this recipe is they are easily customizable. You can customize these cookies to suit your preference by adding in your favorite mix-ins. Like chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, chopped nuts, or even a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the cookies. The foundation of this recipe allows for endless creativity, making it a go-to option for experimenting with different flavors and variations.

Last but not least, like our soft peanut butter cookies recipe. This easiest cookies recipe evokes a sense of nostalgia and comfort. They are the kind of cookies that remind you of childhood and bring a smile to your face with every bite.

Whether you enjoy them as an afternoon snack, a dessert after dinner, or pack them for a sweet treat with lunch these cookies are sure to satisfy. So get ready to fall in love with this recipe and indulge in the bliss of homemade 4-ingredient flourless peanut butter cookies.

Ingredients Needed And Substitutions

In this section, we will talk about the ingredients that are needed to make these amazing peanut butter cookies. I will also share any substitutions that can be made for this simple 4 ingredient cookie recipe.

Peanut butter is the base and the primary flavor of these cookies. I love using Jiff creamy peanut butter to get a smooth texture to the cookies. However, you could use crunchy peanut butter to add a bit of crunch to the cookies. Of course, you can use natural peanut butter to make these gluten-free. You can also use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter if you have a peanut allergy. Each will bring a different flavor profile to the cookies.

Granulated sugar is what sweetens the cookies and helps to achieve the desired texture of the cookies. Brown sugar will also work for this cookie recipe to get a slightly richer flavor and chewier texture. Maple syrup or honey can even be used as a substitution.

One large egg is used as the binding agent that helps to hold the ingredients together. Along with contributing to the overall structure of the cookies. For a vegan option or if you have an egg allergy, you can use a flax egg. A flax egg is made by using flaxseed meal mixed together with water or even applesauce.

Vanilla Extract adds a touch of aromatic flavor and also enhances the overall taste of the cookies. The vanilla extract isn't essential to this recipe. But definitely adds a pleasant depth to the flavor profile.

Just remember any substations used may affect the overall texture and flavor of the peanut butter cookies.

How To Make

The first step I do whenever I do any baking is to preheat my oven. Preheating the oven ensures an even bake. To prepare my cookie sheet I use silicone liners, but nonstick cooking spray will also work.

You can use a large bowl and a hand-held mixer or use a stand mixer to combine the 4 ingredients together. You want the cookie dough to be smooth.

I used a small cookie scoop which equals 1 tablespoon, to scoop the cookie dough out. Then rolled it between my hands to form a ball. You can make larger cookies by using a large cookie scoop. Place the cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Then press the tines of a fork into the dough balls, and make a criss-cross patteren into the cookies.

Place the sheet pan into the preheated 350-degree oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. You want the edges of the cookies to be lightly golden.

Once the cookies are baked remove them from the oven, leave them on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This will allow the cookies to continue to bake and set up. Doing this will also make for ease when removing the cookies from the sheet pan to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Once the cookies have fully cooled they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. I like to place the cookies in a single layer in my container. Then place a sheet of parchment paper on top before adding another layer of cookies.

You can also freeze the 4 ingredient peanut butter cookie dough for up to 2-3 months. Shape the cookie dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Then transfer fully frozen cookie dough ball into an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to bake, let the dough balls thaw and bake as instructed.

Please keep in mind all ovens bake differently so the baking time may be different from the recipe card. When the cookies come out of the oven they will be soft but will firm up as they cool.

In Closing

These 4-ingredient peanut butter cookies are a true delight for peanut butter lovers and baking enthusiasts alike. With this simple recipe and minimal ingredients, you can quickly whip up a batch of these mouthwatering treats. The combination of creamy peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract creates a harmonious blend of flavors. That result in soft and chewy cookies that are hard to resist.

This is an easy recipe to add a bit of sweetness to school lunches or as an after-school snack.

Here are some more delightful peanut butter flavor recipes you may also enjoy.