3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Featured in Sweet Treats and Baked Favorites.

These simple vegan cookies combine natural peanut butter with almond flour and maple syrup for a quick, healthy treat that's naturally gluten-free.

Aisha
Updated on Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:23:02 GMT
A stack of golden-brown peanut butter cookies is displayed on a black plate, with some nuts scattered around. Pin it
A stack of golden-brown peanut butter cookies is displayed on a black plate, with some nuts scattered around. | www.cookingflavor.com

When I first discovered these three ingredient vegan peanut butter cookies they completely changed my baking game. The simplicity is beautiful just natural peanut butter almond flour and maple syrup coming together to create something incredibly delicious. My kitchen fills with the most amazing nutty aroma while they bake and everyone's always shocked when I tell them how easy they are to make.

Why You'll Love These Cookies

These cookies have become my go to when I need something quick and satisfying. The way they just melt in your mouth with that perfect balance of peanutty richness and natural sweetness is pure magic. I love that I can whip up a batch in one bowl when unexpected guests drop by or when those late night cookie cravings hit.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • Natural Peanut Butter: 2 cups, stirred smooth
  • Maple Syrup: 2/3 cup, pure
  • Almond Flour: 2 cups, finely ground
  • Optional Add-ins: Vanilla extract, vegan chocolate chips, crushed peanuts
  • Optional Toppings: Flaky sea salt, coconut sugar, melted dark chocolate

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat and Prepare:
Set oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix Ingredients:
Stir peanut butter and maple syrup in a large bowl until combined. Gradually fold in almond flour until dough forms.
Shape Cookies:
Scoop dough (about 2 tbsp per cookie), roll into balls, and place on baking sheets. Flatten with a fork to make criss-cross patterns.
A stack of four peanut butter cookies, with one cookie showing a bite taken out of it, on a white plate with scattered peanuts in the foreground. Pin it
A stack of four peanut butter cookies, with one cookie showing a bite taken out of it, on a white plate with scattered peanuts in the foreground. | www.cookingflavor.com

Baking and Cooling

The trick is watching these cookies carefully as they bake since they can go from perfect to too dark quickly. I love that moment when they're just starting to turn golden at the edges that's when you know they'll have that ideal chewy texture once cooled. Patience is key during cooling they'll be super soft at first but firm up beautifully.

Decoration Options

I love getting creative with the toppings. That sprinkle of flaky sea salt on chocolate dipped cookies creates such an amazing sweet-salty combo. Sometimes I'll crush up extra peanuts for the top or make a quick drizzle with melted chocolate it makes them look so fancy with barely any extra effort.

Troubleshooting Tips

Over the years I've learned that the consistency of your peanut butter can really affect these cookies. If the dough feels too sticky I just add almond flour a little at a time until it feels right. And if they're spreading too much in the oven a quick chill in the fridge works wonders.

Storage Tips

These cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container though they rarely last long in my house. I often make a double batch and freeze half for cookie emergencies. It's amazing having cookie dough balls ready to pop in the oven whenever the craving hits.

Customization Ideas

The possibilities for making these cookies your own are endless. Sometimes I'll add a dash of cinnamon or fold in some dried cranberries. Using crunchy peanut butter adds such nice texture and that drizzle of vegan caramel sauce takes them to a whole new level of deliciousness.

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A stack of peanut butter cookies, with one partially eaten, beside a small white cup of coffee. | www.cookingflavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use different nut butter?

Yes, you can use almond butter or cashew butter instead of peanut butter. Make sure to use natural nut butter without added oils or sugar for best results.

→ Why are my cookies too soft?

The cookies will be very soft when first out of the oven. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet - they'll firm up significantly as they cool.

→ Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?

While honey will work as a binder, the cookies would no longer be vegan. Agave nectar is another vegan alternative that works well.

→ Why measure in grams?

Weight measurements are more precise than volume, especially for ingredients like almond flour that can be easily compressed. This ensures consistent results.

→ Why use damp hands?

The dough can be sticky, so slightly damp hands help prevent it from sticking while rolling into balls. Just be careful not to add too much moisture.

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

Quick and easy vegan peanut butter cookies made with just peanut butter, almond flour, and maple syrup. Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Aicha

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American, Vegan

Yield: 20 Servings (20 small cookies)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 cup (250g) smooth natural peanut butter.
02 1 ¼ cups (125g) almond flour / blanched almond meal, spooned and leveled.
03 ⅓ cup (115g) maple syrup.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix until combined. Let sit 2 minutes to thicken. Dough should be soft and slightly tacky, thick enough to roll into balls.

Step 03

Using damp hands or cookie scoop, divide dough into 20 balls (~24g each). Place on lined baking trays.

Step 04

Use fork to flatten each ball and mark with criss-cross pattern, or flatten with palm of hand. Make as thin/thick as desired.

Step 05

Bake 10-15 minutes until edges are very slightly golden brown. Less time for soft cookies, longer for crisp.

Step 06

Allow cookies to completely cool on baking tray. They will be very soft initially but firm up significantly as they cool.

Notes

  1. Using gram measurements gives best results.
  2. Can substitute almond flour with 100g oat flour or 50g fine white rice flour.
  3. Cookies will stay fresh for 5 days at room temperature, 2 weeks in fridge, or 2 months frozen.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking sheets.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Cookie scoop (optional).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Peanuts.
  • Tree nuts (almonds).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 120
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 4 g