4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

These flourless peanut butter cookies only take one bowl and are a breeze to whip up. Their ultra-rich flavor makes them perfect for peanut butter lovers!

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About 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

The only thing better than cookies are easy cookies, and these flourless peanut butter cookies definitely hit that mark.

And, yes, you read that right: there is no flour in these cookies, but I promise you, they taste just as good as a traditional cookie. And if anything, the peanut butter flavor is even more potent with these because of the fewer ingredients. The peanut butter is the star of these cookies and they know it.

So if you’re a peanut butter lover like I am (high-five!) then this is definitely a cookie recipe you need in your arsenal for curing cravings.

What’s in 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies?

To whip up a batch of these simple cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Granulated sugar – Because every respectable cookie needs a little sweetness.
• Peanut butter – The star of the show! You can use creamy or crunchy peanut butter, but make sure it’s one of the “big brands” (like Skippy, Jiff, etc.). Do not use natural peanut butter.
• Large egg – Used for baking chemistry and bonding everything together.
• Vanilla extract – A totally optional ingredient but it adds a nice boost of classic cookie flavor.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

While these cookies can technically be considered gluten-free peanut butter cookies, not all brands of peanut butter are created equal. From what I’ve read, there are varying opinions of the “trustworthiness” of certain types of peanut butter.

So before serving these cookies to someone you know who lives a gluten-free lifestyle, let them know what brand of peanut butter you used. If you’re baking with them in mind, you could even ask them what brand of peanut butter they use and trust. And, finally, you can also try verifying a brand of your choice with this list: 12 Gluten Free Peanut Butter Brands.

Can you use natural peanut butter?

Due to the limited ingredients in these cookies, no, you should not use natural or homemade peanut butter. These types of peanut butter tend to include more oil (and less sugar) and this can greatly impact the consistency or taste of the baked cookies. In short, you’ll need all the “extra stuff” that comes from brands like Skippy, Jiff, etc for this recipe to come together.

Can you use crunchy peanut butter?

I’ve only made these cookies with creamy peanut butter, but in theory, yes, you can use store-bought crunchy peanut butter (so long as it’s not natural or homemade – see above note).

How long do peanut butter cookies last?

Once prepared, these cookies should last for up to one week in a sealed container. There’s no need to refrigerate these cookies.

Can you freeze peanut butter cookies?

Yes, you totally can!

Once prepared, store the cookies in a sealed container or freeze bag for up to six months.

Notes & tips for these flourless peanut butter cookies

• If you’re doing a lot of baking, I highly recommend having some silicone baking mats on hand. Baking cookies takes enough time without having to cut or measure parchment paper. Or if you prefer using parchment paper, you can try using pre-cut parchment paper sheets instead.
• Plus, some quality baking sheets are a must for a cookie baking extravaganza!
• For this recipe, I highly recommend using a stand mixer or a hand mixer. This recipe would be difficult to make by hand with a whisk.

More fun cookie recipes

Other peanut butter recipes

How to make easy peanut butter cookies

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer + large bowl), add sugar, peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract.

Step 2 – Cream everything together on medium-high speed until batter is thick and crumbly.

Step 3 – Use a cookie scoop to scoop out some dough, then roll it between your hands until it forms a ball. Place the cookie ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 4 – Use a fork to gently press a criss-cross pattern on the top of the cookie. Doing this will also give the cookie a classic flat, round shape, since these cookies won’t change that much while baking.

Step 5 – Bake!

Step 6 – Serve and enjoy!