Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
Easy is an understatement. One bowl. No mixer. No shaping. This is the easiest cookie you will ever make. With no butter, you get heart-healthy fat from the peanuts and with no flour, they are gluten-free. Use natural peanut butter (just peanuts and salt) chunky or smooth. - Jenny Jones
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Makes: about a dozen cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (made with peanuts and salt)
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Stir ingredients together in a bowl.
- Drop onto baking sheet and press down halfway with a fork.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on sheet for 5 minutes.
Want To Add Dark Chocolate Chunks? Click here.
I had to dip the fork in flour so it would stick…but worked just fine. Taking out of the oven as i write.
Thanks Jenny….love these recipes1
Wow. Just made these. They are so yummy. Love that they don’t require butter and flour. Thank you Jenny. You really make cooking and baking fun. My family always asks me “what did Jenny teach you to cook today.” We all love your videos. Thanks for the joy. 🙂
These cookies are delicious, and so quick and easy!
Love your videos, thank you for doing them.
And really enjoy trying your recipes.
oh.my.goodness! who knew?!
as always, followed the recipe to a T and just took these out of the oven, they are fantastic! i’m flabbergasted 🙂
GREAT recipe! Even my most judgemental child loves them. I also bake for my racoons & crows & it’s a vicious fight when I put them out! All around hit!
Just wondering if you have a video of making the peanut butter cookies?
I enjoy your videos….love your humour and your recipes are great. I’ve tried many of them and they always turn out perfect. Thank you Jenny.
You are a delight! I love all the colorful utensils.
I feel happy to bake….and things have turned out good also!
Thank you for your sense of joy I always look forward to the end
to hear something sweet and funny, or even in the beginning.
Daughter says cookie was too crumbly. I used Smucker’s all natural peanut butter. Didn’t change anything. Even let them cool for 10 minutes. What could be the problem?
The only thing I can think of is you may have used baking powder instead of baking soda.
Jenny
Your recipes are wonderful. Everything I try comes out great, the first time. You should compile all into a cook book and include all your adorable kitchen gadgets that you use. You are really one of a kind!
That is very kind. I am so overwhelmed right now with the whole world cooking at home, I barely have time to do my own cooking. Between this website and my youtube videos I’m getting 350,000 visitors a day and about 450 comments/questions a day. I never expected this and I have no staff – it’s just me trying to answer questions when I can. I would never do a cookbook for profit but having a book to give away has crossed my mind. At least for now my recipes are available here to everyone, for free.
I hope I get one of your cookbooks. I am 77 so stuck at home mostly. Have enjoyed your wonderful recipes, even making ww yeast bread w kneading for the first time! Your videos are delightful, entertaining, and helpful. Gives me something to look forward to. Please don’t stop. I have read recipe books for years. Yours is my favorite by far. Your recipes are easier and healthy. Enjoy your personality on the videos. Feeling blessed to have found you?
Thank you for all the free recipes, they are so appreciated.
Can I use regular peanut butter (store bought/skippy)
I bought 100% all peanut peanut butter and found it rather messy to work with, so decided to use the regular pnb I had in the pantry. Added chocolate chipits. Turned out perfectly!
Thanks for the tip, Toots! I don’t have “natural” PB in the pantry. Now I’m not as worried to try it with store bought instead! 🙂
I use almond butter salt free and it works wonderfully.
Hi,
I was wondering the same thing! Maybe we should cut back on the sugars a little.
Blessings 😊
Love your videos and recipes! I just made the peanut butter cookies.Fast easy and delicious! Cinnamon rolls yesterday, best I ever had, thanks Jenny for making a stressful time a little easier to manage.
Can this be made with sun butter (sunflower butter) instead of peanut butter? We rarely buy peanut butter. We have a grandson who is allergic.
I have used sunbutter for peanut butter in cookie recipes for years. Try it I bet it works. I’m going to!!
Jenny, would ground Date sugar work with these peanut butter cookies? or any recipes cane sugar is used. I’m very allergic or intolerant to cane.
I know that sounds strange, and it took me many years of feeling really, really bad, and the worst migraines , ever, to finally find out, and , then , believe it.
The Good side of it is , I Truly Enjoy a sweet treat to the fullest , when I can find something sweet I love , that is gluten free and cane free.
I made them and love them my husband loves them also actually I used all your recipes and all of them we love my husband favorite is your cinnamon bun he doesn’t cook but me and him do the cinnamon buns recipe together now he makes it on his own lol we also watch you make your recipe you are so funny you make good food and you make people laugh thank you Jenny
Made these before. YUM YUM
Very good cookies, quite impressed. I subbed white sugar for brown sugar, and they still turned out well.
Will definitely make this recipe. Question, no flour is required with this recipe?
No flour.
Hi Jenny, I have probably made these cookies 20 times and love the tastes. I have one question, can you think of anyway to make them a little more crisp?
I think I would try pressing them down more than halfway. It seems to me the thinner they are, the crispier they might be. If pressing more doesn’t work, you could also try baking them an extra minute or two. Good luck!
My husband wanted me to make him peanut butter cookies so I of course check to see if Jenny has a recipe. I used Kroger brand all natural PB and Zulka pure cane sugar and they turned out great! They looked like they would be crunchy but was actually very soft. Thanks so much Jenny! I really enjoy your healthy recipes and ad free site. Starting of 2018 I decided to cut out as much processed food as possible from our diets and it’s great to find recipes that are healthy and still taste great. Keep posting and I’ll keep baking 🙂
Just taking the second batch out of the oven. These cookies are delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
I was skeptical, but these are really good! Perfect size for 1 sheet of cookies.
Never never be skeptical of Jenny’s recipes. Unless, of course, you decide to change them and are disappointed the way they turn out. She gives the exact measurements etc. so they are delish – change at your own risk!?
You dear Jenny have the best recipes and the patience of a Saint!
(I just read all the questions and comments and came to the Saint conclusion.
God Bless you.
~C
I’m amazed at your patience with answering the same question over and over. I look forward to trying these delicious looking cookies. Many thanks for simplifying so many delicious dishes.
Hi Jenny, please forgive me if I sound like an airhead but is old fashioned peanut butter the same as all natural peanut butter? The ingredients of the former one also only has peanuts and salt. i love love simple but yummy peanut butter cookies! Thank you!
Any peanut butter made with only peanuts and salt will work.
I do not understand why so many people who make Jenny’s recipes completely alter them, then are disappointed in the results. If you want to fully appreciate Jenny’s recipes, then follow her recipes to the letter or why bother?
Made these with my grade one class. We have a G F child in the class.(Luckily, no one this year has a peanut allergy). Everyone enjoyed the cookies. It was great to have an easy cookie recipe we could all enjoy. I make these for all my GF friends, they love them too.
G F ?
Gluten free.
These look great! What happens if I decrease the amount of peanut butter to 1/2 a cup, but leave everything else the same?
I don’t think they would turn out but even if they did, they would be too sweet. I guess you can always try…
Just make them mini peanut butter cookies, or just eat one ,if you can , Jenny would probably say double dare you…. ? Jenny, we love you to pieces.
How lucky your next door neighbors are to have you ! You are not only the Perfect cook, but, such a Joy to watch, and learn many things from. A Wonderful teacher, in every way, not just cooking, and I mean that , sincerely.
Ditto!
Hi jenny ,I have Kraft all-natural crunchy peanut butter but there is no salt in this ,, is that ok ….
It’s okay but you may want to add a little salt, like 1/4 teaspoon.
They smell amazing
They look awesome jenny
I don’t have any white sugar, so can i just use more brown sugar? Are there any white sugar substitutions??
For a good result it’s best not to change the recipe.
Ive just made the recipe but i failed. The cookie tastes so bitter. Since my peanut butter has an oil i added 2 tbsps all purpose flour in the mixture. What I have done wrong?
If you follow the recipe exactly and use a natural peanut butter with nothing added except salt, it will not taste bitter.
I had my doubts about this recipe but these cookies are delicious! The recipe is so easy &, having added Ghriadelli dark chocolate chips to the batter, are our new favorite cookie.
Do I have to use the fork or is it just to make a design? I’ve cooked twice now for this recipe (Which is better every time) and I dian’t use it. ;D
The fork is not for the design. It’s just an easy way to press them down.
Jenny I need help today before I baked it was cookie like but it turned out like a flat cracker any tips? (I’m a beginner baker)
It could be from changing the recipe, or maybe using peanut butter that’s not natural but has things added.
I used honey peanut butter and 2 aluminum foils on top of each other and sprayed with cooking spray (Listing the substitutes) and it turned out great! I’ve got a 99.99% good rate!
It was so easy by the way easy and tasty great recipe 10 out 10 rate!
I don’t have a cookie sheet but I have a cooking spray what should I do help please!
You can bake these on a greased baking pan.
Jenny ? Cookies are amazing,could I put like half cup of peanuts?(salted or unsalted). Thanks
Yes, you can add peanuts or chocolate chips.
These were ok considering the minimal ingredients required. They came out cooked really well but were pretty bland to taste.
The only flavor really comes from the peanut butter so you might want to try a different brand and make sure it’s salted. I use Santa Cruz brand – just made some last weekend.
Hi Jenny,
My peanut butter has added vegetable oil to it, will it still work in this recipe? Also I was just wondering if I can substitute coconut sugar for white sugar.
Thanks!
I have only used natural peanut butter with nothing added and I have never made these cookies with coconut sugar. For you not to be disappointed, I would suggest you either use my recipe (which is proven) or look for another recipe that uses a different peanut butter and coconut sugar.
Perfect!!! I was a little skeptical that these would turn out, little did I know they were amazing!!! So simple and easy. A little too easy for baking. Will definitely make them again.
I made them today; delicious !! I slight modified the recipe; I made 3/4 cup homemade peanut butter by grinding peanuts and salt; and then I added 1/4 cup readymade peanut butter bought from the supermarket. The nice thing about these cookies is that they do not stick to the trays after baking
I made the cookies today &I they are wonderful! Could I put some mini chocolate chips in them also?
Yes, you can.
But I really enjoyed making it- it was so easy, thank you, Jenny!
USE AN OVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I tried to microwave it- but ended up failing because the aluminom foil caued sparks which almost destroyed the microwave… I learned the hard way that you should follow the instrustions. X_X
you shouldnt put ant type of foil in the microwave at all
I just made these while my 3 month old napped and my 2 year old watched Prince of Egypt. One word “genius”!
Parchment paper nessecary?
Parchment paper is not necessary but it saves cleanup. Otherwise, use an ungreased baking sheet.
Can I use peanut butter made of peanuts, salt, honey, molasses, and different oils for this recipe?
No, it should be natural peanut butter where the ingredients are just peanuts and salt. ( I need to clarify the recipe so I’m glad you asked)
What is natural peanut butter and which brand sells it?
By natural peanut butter I mean that nothing is added – it’s just ground peanuts and salt with no added sugars, etc. I use Santa Cruz brand or Laura Scudder or Smuckers but it depends where you live. Just read the ingredient lists on the labels. You can use any brand as long as the only ingredients are peanuts and salt, and you can use smooth or chunky.
If you live in Southern California will you be able to buy natural peanut butter?
I live in Southern California and see it everywhere.
Thanks, Jenny! Will you be able to find it in the 99¢ store?
I’m not sure but I doubt it. Can you get someone to take you the the grocery store?
I’m only twelve but I see this recipe is very simple. I love your recipes! This recipe is perfect for young bakers! Thanks, Jenny!
You are 12!? I’m 10 kind of close ;D
These are by far the BEST peanut butter cookies I have ever eaten!! I love how simple it is to make and how moist they are. You are a genius to come up with this recipe.
thank you for sharing with the rest of us!
This recipe looked so easy that I had my 7 year old son on make them. I was able to set out the appropriate measuring spoon/cup beside the right ingredient. Once cooked, I found them to be quite dry. The cookies don’t hold together well and my mouth feels like the moisture is being sucked our of it with each bite. My son, however, loves, loves, loves them. He isn’t usually one for sweets. This wasn’t too sweet. I got the biggest hug and bright eyed smile. He begged me to please please please make them again. So, for him, I will do so.
I make these cookies often and they never turn out dry so I hope you will make them again and keep an eye that nothing changes in the recipe. Too much baking soda could make them dry, in case your son measured with the wrong spoon. I take pride in my recipes working for everyone and if this recipe is followed exactly, the cookies will not be dry. Please let me know if they turn out next time.
But… Jenny…. there IS no flour in this recipe… Or am I missing something??
OMG! Thank you for not letting me look stupid for too long. I will correct my response and remove the comment about the flour. Thank you so much!! I guess her comment threw me because it seemed kind of mean.
Jenny! I’m glad you didn’t take my post wrong; I only wanted to be helpful and keep others from being confused, too. LOVE that you caught it right away! I’m taking some time from work for a few minutes to browse your other recipes; thanks for this site!! 🙂
Hi jenny, so reading comments is there flour or ?.
Thank you.
There is no flour in this recipe.
I made them according to the instructions last night after leaving the above message, and they are awesome. More chewy than traditional recipes, and GREAT if you put them in the freezer for a few minutes! If they overbake even a little, though, they get crisp and break easily.
Hey Jenny! Can I use Skippy’s Natural CREAMY peanut butter?
Yes, if the ingredients are only peanuts or peanuts and salt.