Easy 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (No Flour, Soft & Chewy)
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Easy 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
These easy 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies are soft, chewy, and flourless. Made in minutes with pantry staples—perfect for a quick dessert.
There’s something about peanut butter cookies that just feels like comfort.
Maybe it’s the smell while they’re baking.
Maybe it’s the way they crack on top just enough to look imperfect (which we love around here).
Or maybe it’s the fact that you can make them with four simple ingredients you probably already have — no mixer, no chilling, no fancy nonsense.
These are the cookies you make when:
- the kids are hungry right now
- you forgot you signed up to bring dessert
- or your brain is tired and you still want something sweet
Low effort. Big reward. That’s the vibe.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- Only 4 ingredients (pantry staples)
- Naturally gluten-free
- One bowl situation
- Soft, chewy centers with those classic criss-cross tops
- Perfect for after-school snacks, late-night treats, or “I deserve a cookie” moments
Ingredients You’ll Need
You really only need four things:
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy works best, but chunky is totally allowed)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
That’s it. No flour. No butter. No baking powder.
Just simple, cozy goodness.
How to Make 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix everything together in one bowl until smooth.
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet.
- Flatten with a fork in a criss-cross pattern (this part is oddly therapeutic).
- Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set but centers are still soft.
- Let cool for a few minutes (or don’t… I won’t tell).
They’ll firm up as they cool — if they even make it that long.
Tips for Cookie Success
- If your dough feels sticky, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Don’t overbake — they should look slightly underdone when you pull them out.
- Natural peanut butter works, but stir it really well first.
- Sprinkle a little sugar on top before baking if you’re feeling fancy ✨
Easy Variations (Because We Like Options)
- Add chocolate chips (obviously)
- Press a Hershey’s Kiss on top right out of the oven
- Use brown sugar for a deeper, cozy flavor
- Drizzle with melted chocolate once cooled
Still a low-effort cookie. Still very loved.
Perfect For…
- Busy weeknights
- Bake sales
- Cookie swaps
- Lunchbox treats
- Emotional support baking
Honestly, these cookies show up when you need them.
If you make these Easy 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies, I hope they bring a little warmth into your kitchen — and maybe a quiet moment where everyone slows down just enough to enjoy one together.
Because sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that stick the longest 💛
Easy 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (No Flour, Soft & Chewy)
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth and fully combined.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls onto the baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
- Flatten each ball with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are just set (centers will look soft—this is perfect!).
- Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
• Use regular creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) for best texture—natural PB can be crumbly.
• For softer cookies, don’t overbake.
• Let them cool completely—they firm up as they set. Optional Easy Variations (still simple!)
• Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top before baking
• Press a chocolate chip into the center after baking
FAQ’s: Easy 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Looking for more easy, budget-friendly recipes?
Take a peek around — there’s always something cozy baking here at Grounded in Thyme.
