4 ingredient peanut butter cookie on a plate
March 16, 2026

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

These 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies use just a handful of ingredients and take very little time to prepare. They are a great one for kids to make themselves and very easy to sub in other seed butters to make nut free, if needed. It’s a small batch of 4-5 cookies, so feel free to double the recipe if you prefer to make more.
prep time5 minutes
total time15 minutes
cook time10 minutes

These 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are number 7 in my 4-Ingredient snack series and probably my favourite so far!

They come together in no time and are made from peanut butter, rolled oats and a little maple syrup. They are then dipped in dark chocolate which elevates them even further.

They use everyday cupboard ingredients and are a great option when you want a homemade snack but don’t have much time or too many ingredients.

Nutritional highlights:

Peanut butter
Peanut butter provides plant-based protein along with healthy unsaturated fats. It also contains minerals such as magnesium and vitamin E.

Rolled oats
Oats are naturally high in fibre, particularly beta-glucan, a type of soluble fibre forms a gel in the gut promoting fullness and slowing the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

Maple syrup
Maple syrup adds natural sweetness while also contributing small amounts of minerals such as manganese and zinc.

Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants and contains minerals such as iron, magnesium and copper. It’s also high in fibre.

Storage and Shelf Life

These 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies keep will last for around 5 days in an airtight container (a bit longer if you keep in the fridge).

I don’t recommend freezing once baked. You can freeze the uncooked dough, however.

Recipe Tips

Choose a natural peanut butter

A smooth peanut butter with just peanuts (and perhaps a little salt) works best, as it blends easily.

Make nut free

If you need these cookies to be nut-free, replace the peanut butter with a seed butter like tahini or sunflower seed butter. You may need to add more sweetener if you use this option.

Dark chocolate

I have used dark chocolate that is 70% cocoa solids. I prefer this as it’s less sweet and contains more of the beneficial compounds found in cocoa. However, feel free to use whichever chocolate you enjoy most.

Adjust the sweetness

If you prefer a sweeter cookie, you can add a little more maple syrup.

4 ingredient peanut butter cookie on a plate

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Helen Ridgeway Helen Ridgeway
These 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies use just a handful of ingredients and take very little time to prepare. They are a great one for kids to make themselves and very easy to sub in other seed butters to make nut free, if needed. It’s a small batch of 4-5 cookies, so feel free to double the recipe if you prefer to make more.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Servings 5
Calories 201 kcal

Ingredients
 

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 180C (160C fan oven) or 350F.
  • Add the peanut butter, oats and maple syrup to a small bowl and mix to combine. Depending on the brand of peanut butter you use you may need to add in 1-2 tbsp of milk as you mix. This will help the mixture come together.
  • Separate the mixture into 5 equal pieces. Spoon onto a baking tray. I like to use a cookie cutter as a guide and spoon into that. Press down to flatten. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
  • Once the cookies are cool, melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water (or for 20 second bursts in the microwave). Dip the base of each cookie in the chocolate and place on some baking parchment. Drizzle the remaining chocolate over the top. Refrigerate to set.

Notes

  • If you need these cookies to be nut-free, replace the peanut butter with a seed butter like tahini or sunflower seed butter. You may need to add more sweetener if you use this option.
 
*This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission when you purchase through these links (at no extra cost to you). I only endorse products that I personally use or have tested.

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 10.8gProtein: 5.5gFat: 10.8gSaturated Fat: 3.4gFiber: 2.8g
Keyword 4 ingredients, oat cookies, peanut butter cookie
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

6 Comments

  1. Jilly B

    5 stars
    These are so easy to make and so yummy – I will definitely be making them again! Good to share with the grandchildren too.

    Reply
    • Helen Ridgeway

      So pleased you enjoyed them Jilly.

      Reply
  2. Adrienne Mullins

    Just made these today, absolutely delicious, made without chocolate.
    Will definitely be making again

    Reply
    • Helen Ridgeway

      So pleased you liked them. And thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  3. Sue

    5 stars
    Really yummy – and very filling! I doubled the quantities and used 1/2 Almond butter 1/2 crunchy peanut butter with a bit of milk as suggested. They came out perfectly !! Will be making again – and quickly! These won’t last for long !!

    Reply
    • Helen Ridgeway

      Hi Sue, so pleased you liked the cookies! And thanks so much for taking the time to let me know.

      Reply

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Nutritionist Helen Ridgeway facing camera wearing green apron and white shirt

Hi, I’m Helen,

I’m a Nutritional Therapist based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire with a passion for helping women feel their best through simple, sustainable changes. I believe good nutrition goes beyond food; it’s about supporting your energy, hormones and overall well-being in a way that fits real life.

More about Helen

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