Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (2024)

30 minutes mins

| 18 Comments |

4.89 from 27 votes

Jump to Recipe | Updated: | by Nora

Easy chocolate chip peanut butter cookies you can make with your kids! Flourless and simple, have fun in the kitchen together! With FREE printable recipe to use with little ones who cannot read yet.

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (1)

Now that my daughter is getting older, she loves to help in the kitchen. And by helping I do mean sticking her fingers into everything she possibly can. We’ve been making a lot of muffins and cookies together ever since. And I’ve been cleaning the kitchen. All. the. time. Since she’s having so much fun I figured I’d be OK with a little extra cleaning ?

But I’ve definitely been picking the simple recipes with a small amount of ingredients.Think about it: Every additional ingredient can potentially be ALL over the cabinets and floor. I was really intrigued when I saw a recipe forTHREE ingredient peanut butter cookies.

But because I can’t ever leave anything alone, we added chocolate chips and made them into 4 ingredient cookies! Wait, let me rephrase that: I added the chocolate chips. Em picked them back out of the raw cookie dough andate them… Kids, huh ?

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  • ? Step by Step
  • ? Printable Recipe Illustration
  • Printable recipe
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? Step by Step

Step 1 – Gather Your Ingredients

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (2)

This step is really simple – just 4 ingredients! You will need:

  • 1 cup (280g) creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup (200g) white sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup (100g) chocolate chips (I used mini chips)

Step 2 – Make the Cookie Dough

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (3)

Now, you’ll want to place the peanut butter, sugar and egg in a mixing bowl.

Adult: Measures out ingredients.

Kid: Places measured ingredient in mixing bowl (the adult probably needs to help with the peanut butter; depending on age of child, adult cracks the egg or helps kid crack the egg).

Adult: Cream all ingredients until a smooth cookie dough forms. (Older kids may be able to help).

Let your child add the chocolate chips while the mixer is off (!!), then stir them in for 5-10 seconds, or until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 3 – Shape and Bake the Cookies

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (4)

Adult: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silpat mat.

Kid & adult: Roll cookie dough into balls and place them on the prepared cookie sheet (around 2 inches apart; use multiple cookie sheets to bake the cookies in batches if needed). I like using a cookie scoop to portion out the dough, then I hand it to my kid to roll and place on the baking sheet.

If you don’t trust your child with chocolate chips, better do this step by yourself ?

Kid & adult: Criss-cross the cookies with the back of a fork. I try not to push down too much, because I like the cookies thick and soft!

Adult: Bake the cookies for about 8-10 minutes (they will still feel soft). Allow them to cool completely on the cookie sheet before storing in an airtight container. Or eating them all!

Step 4 – Eat and Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (5)

Both my daughter and my husband LOVE these cookies. Bonus: Making them together is such a fun activity!

? Printable Recipe Illustration

If you’re looking for an easy way to spend time with your kids AND have delicious cookies to eat WITHOUT having to spring-clean the entire kitchen – this is the recipe you need to try! I made a printable recipe, there’s words (for mom) and picture instructions (for kids).

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (6)

You can get the printable by clicking here, to start having loads of fun with your kiddos in the kitchen! Mess-free-ness not 100% guaranteed 😉

Enjoy!

Printable recipe

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (7)

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

4.89 from 27 votes

This easy 4 ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe is quick to pull together and doesn't even need any flour!

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup chocolate chips (I used mini chips)

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 8 minutes mins

Ready In: 30 minutes mins

Instructions

  • Prep: Heat oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with baking parchment or a silicone baking mat.

  • Make cookie dough: Place peanut butter, sugar and egg in a mixing bowl and mix until well combined (I use an electric mixer, but a stand mixer or even a wooden spoon would work). Add the chocolate chips and stir in until evenly distributed.

  • Shape cookies and bake: Shape cookies, using around 1 heaping tablespoon of cookie dough per cookie. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden (cookies will still be soft). Cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.

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More recipe information

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert

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Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (8)
About Nora
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me! Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Luna says

    I used organic coconut sugar instead and added walnuts to the mixture, was very very yummy! Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply

  2. WENDY says

    Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (11)
    Really good!! I actually used 3/4 cup of Brown Sugar instead of white sugar and added a tsp of vanilla. 🙂

    Reply

    • Nora says

      What a great idea, Carrie!

      Reply

  3. Anita says

    I don’t have chocolate chips, do you think if I chopped up a bar of chocolate it would work?

    Reply

    • Nora says

      Yes, for sure, Anita!

      Reply

  4. Jenn says

    Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (13)
    I love the egg substitute and I am not using sugar, I was thinking of putting in applesauce so that I don’t have to put the sugar in. And know that it can still give that same texture and I can leave the egg out then too.. that’s always a hit around here.

    Reply

    • Nora Rusev says

      That sounds so interesting, Jenn! I tried to make a healthy version of these once and miserably failed. I’ll have to try again!

      Reply

      • Regina says

        I used swerve instead of sugar, and you can use sugar free chips, I’m pre diabetic so cutting sugar where I can.

        Reply

  5. Britt says

    These were DELICIOUS! We can’t have eggs so we used flaxmeal/water egg replacement & it worked! Thanks for a simple & yummy recipe!

    Reply

    • Nora Rusev says

      I’m so glad, Britt! Thank you for sharing your egg substitution, I’m sure it will be helpful to others, too!

      Reply

  6. Bell says

    Can I frezee these?

    Reply

    • Nora says

      Yes Bell, absolutely! You can either freeze them baked for up to 3 months (just unpack them and place them on a wire rack on the counter for a couple of hours to defrost), or you can scoop the cookies and freeze them unbaked (up to 3 months). I recommend freezing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid (1-2h) before transferring to a bag, so they don’t stick together. You can bake from frozen, they’ll take a few extra minutes and will be thick. You can also defrost them in the fridge for a couple of hours, then they’ll be less thick.

      Reply

  7. Mary-Kate Burnett says

    we are giving the neighbors these because we are stuck inside !

    Reply

  8. Danielle says

    Aww you have the cutest little helper, Nora! I definitely need to try these cookies out with some chocolate chips! You can never go wrong with a little chocolate 😉

    Reply

  9. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says

    Sometimes simple recipes are the best! Plus any that don’t dirty up the whoooole kitchen immediately jump to the front of the line. 😉 I love these, Nora!!

    Reply

  10. Medha says

    Love the graphic! So cute 🙂 Peanut butter cookies are just the best, and I love the minimalist ingredients list- pinning!

    Reply

  11. Rachel @ Bakerita says

    Sounds like so much fun baking with your little helper! 🙂 These cookies sound SO good, Nora!

    Reply

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies - 4 Ingredient Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 main ingredient in baking cookies? ›

While there may be countless variations, each cookie at the core has four ingredients – butter, sugar, flour & eggs. The proportions of ingredients and the methods of mixing are what define our cookies. Dough spreads – Inside the hot oven, the butter starts to melt and the dough gradually starts to spread out.

What are the basic ingredients for peanut butter cookies? ›

Image of What are the basic ingredients for peanut butter cookies?
Peanut butter is a food paste or spread made from ground, dry-roasted peanuts. It commonly contains additional ingredients that modify the taste or texture, such as salt, sweeteners, or emulsifiers.
Wikipedia

Why are my 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies falling apart? ›

The wrong type of peanut butter may cause them to fall apart. Or using old eggs may create crumbly cookies. How long do peanut butter cookies last?

What's the secret to baking cookies? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  1. Always use butter.
  2. Choose the right sugar.
  3. Choose the right flour.
  4. Check your flour is in date.
  5. Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  6. Cream the butter and sugar.
  7. Beat in the eggs.
  8. Fold in the flour.

What are the 4 cookie types? ›

Here are the 4 main types of cookies:
  • Session cookies. These are temporary web cookies that are only present as long as your web browser stays open or your session is active. ...
  • Persistent cookies. ...
  • Third-party cookies. ...
  • First-party cookies. ...
  • User experience. ...
  • Advertising and marketing. ...
  • Analytics and web optimization.
May 22, 2023

Why are my homemade peanut butter cookies falling apart? ›

One reason could be that you overcooked them. Another reason could be that you didn't add enough moisture to the dough. Finally, your peanut butter cookies might be dry and crumbly if you used a natural peanut butter that doesn't have any added oil.

What happens if you don't flatten peanut butter cookies? ›

If you don't flatten the cookies first, then the fork does double duty – it performs both functions. One very subtle result of creating the pattern is that the little tips of dough bake up crisper than the rest of the cookie, giving you both a bit of additional texture and deeper taste where the dough is more baked.

How do you keep peanut butter cookies from going flat? ›

“When chilled cookies bake, the butter stays in a solid form longer, slowing the spread,” says Dawn. “30 to 60 minutes in the refrigerator does wonders, and you can bake the cookies right from the fridge.” Not only will chilling help the fats firm up and the flour hydrate, but it also helps the flavors develop.

Why do my peanut butter cookies taste weird? ›

Ones with lots of additives do not have as distinct a peanutty taste. So, use a natural peanut butter. Two, your expectations for a peanut taste are too high. The cookies have lots of other ingredients including a significant amount of flavor that decrease the flavor of the peanut butter.

What not to do when making cookies? ›

15 Common Cookie Baking Mistakes You Might Be Making
  1. Your cookies aren't baking evenly. ...
  2. You use eggs straight from the fridge. ...
  3. You use the wrong kind of flour. ...
  4. You measure flour the wrong way. ...
  5. You soften butter too much — or not enough. ...
  6. You use stale baking powder or baking soda. ...
  7. You overwork the dough.
Nov 4, 2020

What makes cookies fluffy and not flat? ›

Room temperature butter is just the right consistency to incorporate air when it's creamed with sugar. These trapped air pockets result in risen, fluffy cookies. If the butter is any warmer, it won't incorporate enough air and your cookies will have less rise.

What is the main ingredient of cookies? ›

Flour is the main ingredient that provides structure in a cookie – without it, there would be no cookie! The gluten in flour forms a web of sorts – the framework that catches the air bubbles/gasses given off during rising.

What are the 4 major baked products? ›

Bread, cookie, muffin, and cake are the most common baked goods. The major components responsible for the texture, flavor, and visual appearance of most bakery items are flour, water, and leavening agents.

What are the important ingredients in cookies? ›

6 Ingredients That Affect Your Cookies
  • Granulated sugar. Using granulated white sugar will result in a flatter, crispier and lighter-colored cookie. ...
  • Brown sugar. Using brown sugar will result in a denser, moister cookie. ...
  • Melted butter. ...
  • Baking powder. ...
  • Baking soda. ...
  • Chilling dough for 24 Hours.

What are the 7 basic ingredients in all cookies? ›

What are the 7 basic baking ingredients?
  • Flour.
  • Raising Agent.
  • Salt.
  • Fats & Dairy.
  • Add-Ins.
  • Water.

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