Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest ones, and nothing proves that more than a dish made with just three ingredients. With minimal effort and almost no grocery list, you can whip up desserts, snacks, sides, or even full meals that taste like they took far more work. These recipes cover everything from cookies, fudge, and pie to hearty soups, casseroles, and savory wings. Whether you’re short on time or just love the idea of keeping things fuss-free, these three-ingredient ideas show that delicious food doesn’t have to be complicated.

Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

These cookies mix peanut butter, sugar, and an egg into a dough that bakes up chewy and rich. They’re soft in the center with a little crispness around the edges. The peanut butter flavor comes through bold and simple. An easy classic that never fails.
Get the Recipe: Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

3 Ingredient Shortbread

A close-up of several rectangular pieces of shortbread placed on a wooden surface.
3 Ingredient Shortbread. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Buttery shortbread needs only flour, sugar, and butter to come together. The cookies are tender, crumbly, and melt in your mouth. They’re perfect plain or with a dusting of sugar on top. A timeless recipe made simple.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Shortbread

3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies

Side angle view of piped Nutella cookies on a wooden board lined with parchment paper.
3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Nutella, flour, and egg combine to make fudgy, chocolate-hazelnut cookies. They bake up soft and chewy with a rich flavor. Quick to mix and quick to eat. Perfect for Nutella fans who want a fast treat.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies

3 Ingredient Fudge

A stack of four glossy, square chocolate fudge pieces sits on a light surface; more fudge pieces and chocolate chips are in the background—perfect for those who love easy recipes.
3 Ingredient Fudge. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Sweetened condensed milk, chocolate, and butter melt together into smooth fudge squares. The texture is creamy and rich, just like old-fashioned versions. You can add nuts or keep it plain. It’s a quick way to get fudge without the fuss.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Fudge

Three Ingredient Peach Pie

A rustic peach galette with golden crust and sliced peaches arranged in a circular pattern, served in a white pie dish—one of our easy recipes perfect for sweet and savory recipes lovers alike.
Three Ingredient Peach Pie. Photo credit: Quiche My Grits.

This pie uses pie crust, canned peaches, and sugar for a simple dessert. The peaches bubble into a syrupy filling as the crust bakes golden. It’s sweet, juicy, and comforting. A pie that feels homemade without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Three Ingredient Peach Pie

Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies (Only 3 Ingredients!)

Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies (Only 3 Ingredients!). Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Ready-made pie crust, apple pie filling, and a sprinkle of sugar create these handheld treats. The air fryer makes the crust golden and flaky in minutes. They’re warm, sweet, and portable. A fast, fun dessert.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies (Only 3 Ingredients!)

3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

An image of broccoli cheese casserole served on a table with a spoon on the right side.
3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Broccoli, cheese, and cream of mushroom soup bake into a creamy casserole. The broccoli softens while the cheese melts into every bite. It’s rich, comforting, and easy. A classic side dish without the long list of ingredients.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

A plate of peanut butter blossoms, with one cookie broken in half.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

These cookies combine peanut butter cookie dough with a chocolate kiss pressed on top. The peanut butter and chocolate balance perfectly. They look festive but are incredibly simple. A holiday cookie made easy.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

3 Ingredient Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings

BBQ Chicken Wings cooked with a 3-ingredient crockpot recipe.
3 Ingredient Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Chicken wings slow cook with BBQ sauce and soda until tender and saucy. The sauce thickens into a sticky glaze. They’re juicy and flavorful with little prep. A simple wing recipe for game day or dinner.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings

3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits

A stack of three golden-brown, flaky biscuits on a white surface, with a blurry background.
3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Self-rising flour, buttermilk, and butter make tender, flaky biscuits. They bake up golden on the outside and soft inside. Perfect with butter, jam, or gravy. A quick way to get fresh bread on the table.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits

3 Ingredient Keto Strawberry Ice Cream

3-Ingredient Keto Strawberry Ice Cream in glass jar with an ice cream scoop and in a white bowl with a spoon.
3 Ingredient Keto Strawberry Ice Cream. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Strawberries, cream, and a low-carb sweetener blend into creamy ice cream. It freezes smooth and scoopable with fresh berry flavor. It’s sweet without being heavy. A fast treat for anyone eating low carb.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Keto Strawberry Ice Cream

3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies Recipe (Quick and Easy)

Soft and chewy Nutella cookies made with just three ingredients on a cooling rack.
3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies Recipe (Quick and Easy). Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

This variation on Nutella cookies mixes up fast with just three pantry staples. They bake soft with a chewy center and rich chocolate taste. The recipe is easy to double or customize. A go-to for fast desserts.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies Recipe (Quick and Easy)

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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