These keto peanut butter cookies transform the beloved 3-ingredient classic into a completely keto-friendly treat. With just an egg, natural peanut butter, and your favorite low-carb sweetener, you can whip up a batch in minutes. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings without derailing your low-carb lifestyle!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I’m always on the lookout for simple keto desserts. These cookies have become my absolute favorite for late-night sweet cravings. The best part? They’re ridiculously easy to make.
Incredibly Simple
You probably have everything you need in your pantry right now. No special shopping trip required. Just three basic ingredients that most keto households keep stocked.
Quick to Make
One bowl, a few simple steps, and you’re done. I can have warm cookies from the oven in just 25 minutes. No complicated techniques or lengthy prep work involved.
Naturally Gluten-Free
These cookies don’t contain any flour whatsoever. The peanut butter acts as the base, making them naturally gluten-free. Great for anyone avoiding gluten in their diet.
Perfectly Low-Carb
By using natural peanut butter and erythritol or monk fruit sweetener, these cookies fit seamlessly into a keto lifestyle. Each cookie contains minimal net carbs, making portion control easy.
Great for Sharing
This recipe yields about 12 delicious cookies. That’s plenty for sharing with friends and family. Or you can keep them all for yourself throughout the week.
Easily Customizable
Add sugar-free chocolate chips for extra indulgence. Mix in chopped nuts for crunch. Drizzle with melted dark chocolate for a fancy finish. The possibilities are endless!
Kid-Approved Treat
Kids absolutely love these cookies! They make perfect additions to school lunches or after-school snacks. I also bring them to parties and special occasions.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12 cookies
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
These sugar-free cookies are as simple as one-two-three. Three ingredients is all you need! Here’s everything required to make delicious low-carb cookies at home.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
| Egg | 1 large | Acts as the binder |
| Natural peanut butter | 1 cup | Creamy or crunchy, 100% peanuts only |
| Low-carb sweetener | ½ cup | Erythritol or monk fruit preferred |
The Egg
One large egg binds everything together. No flour needed whatsoever. Eggs are nearly carb-free and add protein to every bite, making them perfect for keto baking.
Natural Peanut Butter
This is the star ingredient! Peanut butter brings delicious flavor and high-fat content to these cookies. Choose either smooth or crunchy based on your preference.
Make sure to select natural peanut butter made from 100% peanuts. Avoid brands with added sugar, oils, or fillers. These additions can increase carb counts significantly.
Low-Carb Sweetener
A bit of sweetener satisfies your sweet tooth without added carbs. I prefer erythritol or monk fruit because they bake similarly to regular sugar. Stevia works too, though you’ll need to adjust the amount.
Essential Cookie Tips
Before you start baking, review these helpful tips. They’ll ensure you get the best possible results with your keto peanut butter cookies.
- Always verify your peanut butter ingredients. Avoid added sugars and oils to keep things healthier and truly keto-friendly.
- Adjust sweetener amounts based on personal preference. Some people prefer less sweetness while others enjoy a sweeter cookie.
- If your dough feels too sticky, refrigerate it for 15 minutes. This makes forming cookie balls much easier.
- Watch carefully to avoid overbaking! These cookies dry out quickly and become crumbly. Remove them when edges turn lightly golden.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They’ll last 2 weeks refrigerated or even longer frozen.
How to Make Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
It’s baking time! Follow these simple steps to create perfect 3-ingredient keto peanut butter cookies.
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preparing everything for easy baking. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Mix Cookie Dough
Grab a medium mixing bowl and add all ingredients. Combine the peanut butter, low-carb sweetener, and beaten egg together. Mix everything well until a thick dough forms.
Step 3: Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheet
Begin scooping equal-sized portions of cookie dough onto your prepared sheet. You want about 12 balls total. Use a fork to flatten each ball in a classic crisscross pattern.
Step 4: Bake and Enjoy
Pop your tray into the preheated oven. Bake until cookies turn lightly golden around the edges. This usually takes about 12-15 minutes.
Check cookies frequently during your first attempt. This prevents overbaking. Once done, remove the tray and let cookies cool for several minutes.
Transfer cooled cookies to a wire rack. This allows them to finish cooling completely while maintaining their texture.
Serving Suggestions
These peanut butter cookies make an excellent after-dinner treat. They pair wonderfully with your favorite keto-friendly beverages.
Try dipping them in unsweetened almond milk for a classic combination. A cup of creamy black tea also complements these cookies beautifully.
For something more indulgent, pair with keto hot chocolate or sugar-free coffee drinks. Remember to use decaf if enjoying them in the evening.
These cookies also make wonderful gifts! Package them in a decorative box for holidays, welcome baskets for new neighbors, or care packages for friends.
Cookie Variations
This basic recipe invites creativity! With only three core ingredients, you have endless possibilities for customization. Here are some variations to try.
- Add chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans directly into your cookie dough for extra crunch and healthy fats.
- Mix in unsweetened coconut flakes for tropical flavor. This adds interesting texture and a hint of sweetness.
- Include sugar-free chocolate chips for chocolate lovers. Choose milk, white, or dark chocolate based on preference.
- Create double-chocolate cookies by adding cocoa powder to the dough. Drizzle melted dark chocolate over tops for extra decadence.
- Add vanilla extract or fresh vanilla bean for classic baked-good flavor. Just a teaspoon transforms the taste.
- Swap peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Just ensure it’s unsweetened and natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do 3-ingredient cookies actually work?
Absolutely! When you see recipes with just three ingredients, skepticism is natural. However, I can confidently tell you these keto peanut butter cookies work perfectly.
Three-ingredient peanut butter cookies have existed since the mid-20th century. They’ve remained popular because they’re affordable, convenient, and naturally gluten-free. Plus, they taste amazing!
The peanut butter provides structure, the egg binds everything, and the sweetener adds flavor. These three components create a complete cookie without any flour or additional ingredients.
Is peanut butter keto-friendly?
Yes, peanut butter is extremely keto-friendly! It contains high amounts of healthy fats that keto diets require. Two tablespoons provide 16 grams of fat and 7 grams of protein.
The net carb count sits at just 5 grams per serving. These macros make peanut butter easy to incorporate into daily keto meals and snacks.
Note that peanut butter powder isn’t keto-friendly. It contains higher carbs while lacking the healthy fats. Always choose full-fat natural peanut butter for keto recipes.
How do you bake on a keto diet?
Enjoying baked goods on keto becomes easy once you learn the basics. Here are essential tips for successful keto baking.
- Use low-carb flours like almond flour and coconut flour. Traditional wheat flour contains too many carbohydrates for keto.
- Choose low-carb sweeteners including monk fruit, erythritol, and stevia. These replace white or brown sugar perfectly.
- Seek recipes featuring high-fat ingredients such as butter, coconut milk, avocado, and oils. These support your daily macro goals.
- Look for keto-friendly toppings like chopped nuts, sugar-free chocolate chips, and natural nut butters for added flavor.
Can I substitute almond butter for peanut butter?
Yes, absolutely! Almond butter works wonderfully in this recipe. Use the same amount and follow identical instructions. The flavor will be slightly different but equally delicious.
How should I store these cookies?
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks.
These cookies also freeze beautifully! Place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Enjoy your delicious keto peanut butter cookies! These simple treats prove that low-carb baking doesn’t have to be complicated. Happy baking!
Keto Peanut Butter Cookies (3 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- – 1 large egg
- – 1 cup natural peanut butter creamy or crunchy, 100% peanuts only
- – ½ cup low-carb sweetener erythritol or monk fruit
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the natural peanut butter, low-carb sweetener, and beaten egg. Mix well until a thick dough forms.
- Scoop equal-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet to make 12 balls. Use a fork to flatten each ball in a crisscross pattern.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until cookies are lightly golden around the edges. Watch carefully to avoid overbaking.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for several minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
– **Sweetener:** Adjust amount based on preference. Erythritol and monk fruit work best. If using stevia, reduce the amount.
– **Storage:** Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.
– **Sticky Dough:** If dough is too sticky to handle, refrigerate for 15 minutes before forming into balls.
– **Variations:** Add sugar-free chocolate chips, chopped nuts, unsweetened coconut flakes, or swap peanut butter for almond butter or cashew butter.
