Easy 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (High-Protein!)

Have you ever been hit by a sudden craving for something sweet, but don’t want to derail your health goals or spend an hour in the kitchen? We’ve all been there. What if you could have a warm, delicious, fresh-baked cookie ready in about 15 minutes, using only three simple ingredients? It sounds too good to be true, but this recipe for 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies is here to make it a reality. These cookies are not only incredibly easy to make, but they’re also packed with protein, naturally gluten-free, and have no added sugar, making them the perfect guilt-free snack.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
Natural Creamy Peanut Butter	1/2 cup
Vanilla Protein Powder	1/2 cup
Large Egg, whisked	1

Timing

• Preparation Time: 5 minutes
• Baking Time: 4–5 minutes
• Total Time: About 15 minutes

In less time than it takes to brew a pot of coffee, you can be enjoying these warm, protein-packed peanut butter cookies.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep Your Pan

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking tray or cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a medium-sized bowl, add the natural creamy peanut butter, vanilla protein powder, and the whisked egg. Use a spatula or a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients together until they are fully combined and a thick, uniform dough forms. Tip: The consistency can vary slightly depending on your brand of peanut butter and protein powder. If the dough seems too sticky, you can chill it for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Roll and Shape the Cookies

Take about 1 tablespoon of the dough and roll it between your palms to form a small ball. Place the ball on your prepared baking tray. Repeat this process until all of the dough has been used, which should yield about 10 cookie balls.

Step 4: Create the Classic Criss-Cross Pattern

Dip a fork in a little water or flour to prevent it from sticking to the dough. Gently press the tines of the fork onto the top of each ball to flatten it to about a ½-inch thickness. Rotate the fork 90 degrees and press down again to create the iconic criss-cross pattern. This not only looks classic but also helps the flourless cookies bake more evenly.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Place the baking tray in your preheated oven and bake for just 4-5 minutes. These cookies bake very quickly! You’ll know they’re done when the edges are just set. They might seem slightly underdone in the center, but they will firm up as they cool. Let the cookies cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information

This recipe is a powerhouse of protein, making it an excellent post-workout snack or a satisfying treat to keep you full between meals.

• High-Protein: The combination of peanut butter, egg, and protein powder makes these cookies a fantastic source of protein.
• Low-Carb & Gluten-Free: With no flour or added sugar, these cookies are naturally low in carbohydrates and completely gluten-free.
• Healthy Fats: Natural peanut butter provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

Healthier Alternatives and Variations

While these cookies are already quite healthy, here are a few ways you can customize them to your liking:

• Make it Vegan: To make vegan 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies, simply substitute the egg with a “flax egg.” Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water, let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken, and use it in place of the regular egg.
• Add-Ins: Feel free to mix in a tablespoon or two of mini sugar-free chocolate chips, a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavor, or a dash of cinnamon.
• Different Nut Butters: You can easily swap the peanut butter for natural almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are incredibly versatile. Enjoy them…

• Warm, right off the cooling rack, with a cold glass of milk or almond milk.
• As a quick and easy post-workout snack to refuel your muscles.
• Crumbled over a bowl of Greek yogurt or a low-carb ice cream for a delicious, crunchy topping.
• As a simple, healthy dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth any time of day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the Wrong Peanut Butter: This recipe works best with a natural, “drippy” style of creamy peanut butter where the only ingredients are peanuts and salt. Conventional peanut butters with added sugars and oils can alter the texture and make the dough greasy.
• Over-baking the Cookies: The baking time is extremely short. Even an extra minute in the oven can make these cookies dry and crumbly. Solution: Pull them out of the oven as soon as the edges look set. They will continue to bake on the hot tray.
• Over-mixing the Dough: Once the three ingredients are just combined, stop mixing. Overworking the dough can make the cookies tough.

Storing Tips

• Room Temperature: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Refrigeration: You can also store them in the refrigerator, which will give them a firmer, fudgier texture.
• Freezing: Freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. They will keep for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the raw dough balls and bake them from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Conclusion

This recipe for 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies is proof that you don’t need a long list of ingredients or a lot of time to make a delicious and healthy treat. They are the perfect solution for busy days, sudden cravings, and anyone looking for a high-protein, low-carb snack that doesn’t compromise on flavor. We know you’ll be amazed at how simple and satisfying these cookies are. Try them out and let us know what you think in the comments below!

FAQs

Q1. What kind of protein powder works best for this recipe?

A vanilla-flavored whey, casein, or a plant-based protein blend will work well in this recipe. The type of protein powder you use can slightly affect the texture, so you may need to adjust the dough if it seems too wet or too dry.

Q2. Can I make these cookies without protein powder?

While the protein powder is a key ingredient for the structure of these specific cookies, you can find other 3-ingredient peanut butter cookie recipes that use 1 cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 egg. Our version is specifically designed to be a high-protein, low-sugar alternative.

Q3. Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you’d like some extra texture in your cookies! The recipe will work just the same.

Q4. Why did my cookies turn out crumbly?

Crumbly cookies are usually a sign of over-baking. Remember, these cookies bake in just 4-5 minutes. It could also be related to the type of protein powder used, as some are more absorbent than others. If the dough seems very dry to begin with, you can add a tablespoon of milk or water to help it come together.

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