Easy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars (3-Ingredient Recipe)

Name: Easy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Prep time: PT-969807H16M12S
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional); Pinch of salt (optional); ¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)

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Homemade easy peanut butter cookie bars on wooden board with peanut drizzle — 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Bars – Soft, chewy, and ready in 20 minutes!

When you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, easy peanut butter cookie bars are the perfect solution. These bars combine the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with a soft, chewy texture—all with minimal effort.

If you enjoy simple desserts like our popular brookie recipe, you’ll love this even easier version.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Just 3 Ingredients – No complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients
No Mixer Needed – Simply stir everything together in one bowl
Perfect Texture – Soft, chewy, and packed with peanut butter flavor
Great for Sharing – Bake in a pan and cut into squares for parties or snacks
Customizable – Add chocolate chips, nuts, or a drizzle of caramel

You only need three basic ingredients:

1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural—it can be too oily)
1 cup granulated sugar (or mix brown and white sugar for extra chewiness)
1 large egg (binds everything together)

Ingredients for easy peanut butter bars: peanut butter, sugar, egg — Just 3 simple ingredients needed!

Optional add-ins:

½ tsp vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
Chocolate chips or chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper
Mix ingredients – Stir peanut butter, sugar, and egg until smooth
Press into pan – Spread evenly into the prepared pan
Bake 15-20 minutes – Edges should be lightly golden (center will firm up as it cools)
Cool completely before slicing into bars

How to make peanut butter cookie bars step-by-step — Mix, press, bake – it’s that easy!

Tips for the Best Results

Don’t overbake – The bars will firm up as they cool
Let them set – Cutting too soon can make them messy
Add toppings – Melted chocolate or a sprinkle of sea salt adds extra flavor
Storage – Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days

Serving Suggestions:

Enjoy these peanut butter cookie bars warm with a glass of milk, or try these easy upgrades:

Peanut butter cookie bars with milk and strawberries — Perfect with milk or coffee for snack time!

Ice Cream Sandwich – Layer between vanilla ice cream
Chocolate Drizzle – Melt dark chocolate over top
PB&J Style – Spread with strawberry jam

Storage Tips:

How to store peanut butter cookie bars in airtight container — Keeps fresh for 5 days at room temperature!

Room Temp: Keep in airtight container for 5 days
Freezer: Wrap tightly, store for 2 months
Refresh: Microwave 10 seconds to restore soft texture

FAQs about Easy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

What are the ingredients for 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies?

The basic recipe uses just peanut butter, sugar, and an egg. These same ingredients work for both cookies and bars – the only difference is the baking method.

Why are my 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies falling apart?

This usually happens if: You used natural peanut butter (too oily). Didn’t include the egg (it’s the binder). Tried to cut or move them before they cooled completely.

What is the difference between a cookie and a cookie bar?

Cookie bars :
– Baked in a single pan and cut into squares
– Often softer and chewier than individual cookies
– Faster to make since you don’t portion dough

Why won’t my peanut butter cookies harden?

If your bars stay too soft:
You may have underbaked them (they continue to set as they cool),
or you used too much peanut butter or the wrong kind

Final Thoughts

These easy peanut butter cookie bars are the ultimate quick dessert—simple, delicious, and always a hit. For more no-bake treats, check out our Mint Oreo Pie that’s equally simple to prepare.

Try them today and enjoy the rich, nutty goodness in every bite!

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