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4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are the easiest peanut butter cookies you’ll ever make! And yes, you only need four ingredients to make them and there is no flour in these deliciously rich and chewy peanut butter cookies.
For all the peanut butter lovers out there (hello, me!) be sure and try these other great peanut butter recipes – Peanut Butter Bars, Peanut Butter Pie, Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cheeseball, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Cups.
4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Do you ever just have an intense cookie craving hit? I certainly do, and most of the time that craving is for peanut butter cookies. Which is why this 4 ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe is made way too much at my house.
If you’re looking for a good peanut butter cookie, that also happens to be an easy cookie recipe, that’s bursting with rich peanut butter flavor – then you have found it my friend.
You really only need 4 ingredients to make these cookies – no need to assemble tons of ingredients when you want cookies. And it’s such a simple recipe that even the kids can make them.
So let’s fill up that cookie jar with the easiest cookies you’ll probably ever make.
Only 4 Simple Ingredients Needed
- Creamy Peanut Butter : Stick with a regular creamy peanut butter and nothing labeled as ‘no-stir’, ‘organic’, ‘all natural peanut butter’, or anything with a thick layer of oil on top. See notes below for reasons why. I use Skip, Jiffy, or Peter Pan creamy peanut butter.
- Granulated White Sugar
- Large Egg
- Vanilla Extract
How To Make Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (Printable Recipe Card)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (for best results) or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add the creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir with a wooden spoon, stirring spoon, or you can use an electric hand mixer (on medium speed) to blend everything together until it is well combined.
Scoop about 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of cookie dough (or use a small cookie scoop) and roll it into a ball. Place the cookie balls onto the prepared baking sheet about 2-inches apart.
Use a fork to flatten the top of each cookie dough ball in the classic crisscross pattern. If wanted, dip the fork in some granulated sugar before making the criss-cross pattern.
Bake for 10-11 minutes or until the edges are set and firm.
Allow the cookies to cool on the warm cookie sheet. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
How To Store 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Room Temperature : These easy peanut butter cookie should be stored at room temperature, in an airtight container or Ziploc bag, for up to 5 days.
- To Freeze Baked Cookies : If freezing the cookies after baking, wait until they have completely cooled to room temperature, before placing them in a single later onto a plate or something flat to freeze them. Once frozen, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag or container and freeze for up to 4 weeks. You can also skip the first freeze of the cookies and individually wrap each cookie in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped cookies into a freeze safe Ziploc bag or container and freeze for up to 4 weeks.
- To Freeze Unbaked Cookie Dough : Scoop out the cookie dough into individual balls and place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet or plate in a single layer. Put them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the frozen cookie dough balls to a freezer-safe Ziploc bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw to room temperature when ready to bake, then press the fork cross pattern and bake according to the recipe.
Can I Make Substitutions?
- Peanut Butter – You can use your preference for creamy or crunchy peanut butter. I do think that using crunchy peanut butter tends to dry out the cookies, but that could just be a personal opinion. Try it and see what you think! If you need a peanut-free option but want that same peanut butter flavor, try using WOW butter instead.
- Granulated Sugar – Light brown sugar is another option. Make sure that you pack it in when measuring.
- Add-Ins : This is such a basic cookie recipe that it can be fun to mix in some extras. Don’t go too crazy but you could try using peanut butter chips or chopped peanut butter cups for more peanut butter flavor. You could even try some mini chocolate chips as well.
Are 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Gluten-Free?
Yes! Because this peanut butter cookie contains no flour, wheat, or grain of any kind, they are gluten-free. Be sure to double check each ingredient if you have a gluten allergy and are very sensitive to it.
Recipe FAQ’s
Are The Cookies Still Supposed To Be Very Soft When Coming Out Of The Oven?
Yes, peanut butter cookies are one of those cookies that are still soft when done baking and must cool before they firm up and set completely. Be sure to not overcook them or else they will be crunchier once they have cooled and continued cooking while cooling.
Do I Have To Use Forks To Flatten The Cookies?
You don’t have to use forks specifically to flatten the cookies, but you do need to flatten the cookies before baking. These are a denser cookie and will not flatten on their own, so they will not cook properly in left-in-the-ball form. You could use skewer sticks to make the crisscross pattern or toothpick even. But using a fork is the preferred and most popular way to get that iconic pattern on the peanut butter cookie.
How Can I Get Picture Perfect Criss-Cross Pattern On The Cookies?
To get a more perfect criss-cross pattern, use a fork with longer tines on it so it can reach across the whole cookie to form the lines. It also helps to dip the tines of a fork in some granulated sugar before pressing, this not only gives a little extra sweetness but it makes it so the fork does not stick to the cookie dough causing it to look weird.
Is It Ok To Use Natural or Organic Peanut Butter?
It is possible to use all-natural, organic, or any peanut butter with that oil layer on top but be sure to stir it really well before measuring out the amount needed. You need to mix the oils back into the peanut butter. However, please note that the cookies may come out slightly different because of the heavier oils – I have found that it either makes the cookies runnier or makes them drier with a dry chalky texture. I always recommend using regular creamy peanut butter like Skip, Jiffy, or Peter Pan.
Can I Roll The Cookies In Sugar?
Yes you can! Traditionally, peanut butter cookies are rolled in sugar. If that’s what you love, then do it! Having the sugar exterior on the cookie dough ball also makes making the crisscross pattern easier because the fork tins won’t stick to the dough.
More Cookie Recipes You’ll Love
- Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies
- Triple Peanut Butter Monster Cookies
- The Best Monster Cookies
- M&M Cookies
- The Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Reese’s Stuffed Monster Cookies
- Chewy Cornflake Cookies
- Banana Pudding Cookies
4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (for best results) or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir with a wooden spoon, stirring spoon, or you can use an electric hand mixer (on medium speed) to blend everything together until it is well combined.1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/2 cup granulated white sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of cookie dough (or use a medium cookie scoop) and roll it into a ball. Place the cookie balls onto the prepared baking sheet about 2-inches apart.
- Use a fork to flatten the top of each cookie dough ball in the classic crisscross pattern.* If wanted, dip the fork in some granulated sugarr before making the criss-cross pattern to avoid sticking. You can also roll the dough balls in sugar for a classic peanut butter cookie look.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes or until the edges are set and firm.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the warm cookie sheet. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
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