Peanut Butter M&Ms Cookies

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Golden, soft, and packed with colorful candy-coated chocolate, these Peanut Butter M&Ms Cookies are everything a cookie lover dreams of. Each bite melts in your mouth with the perfect balance of sweet and salty, thanks to the rich peanut butter base and the crunch of M&Ms. Whether you’re baking for a crowd, prepping lunchbox treats, or just craving something nostalgic, these cookies check every box.

What sets them apart is the irresistibly chewy texture paired with bursts of chocolate and peanut flavor. They’re thick, bakery-style cookies that hold their shape beautifully, and the M&Ms not only add a pop of color but bring in extra crunch and fun. You don’t have to be a pro baker—this recipe is beginner-friendly and comes together in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter M&Ms Cookies Recipe

• Texture Heaven: Crisp edges, soft chewy centers, and plenty of melty chocolate.
• Kid-Friendly: Bright, colorful, and a fun twist on classic peanut butter cookies.
• Quick & Easy: No chilling required and uses basic pantry staples.
• Perfect for Gifting: These cookies hold up well and look fantastic in treat bags.

What Kind of Peanut Butter Should I Use?

For the best texture and structure, stick with a creamy, no-stir peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter tends to separate and can result in oily or crumbly cookies. If you want a chunkier texture, you can sub in a bit of crunchy peanut butter, but don’t replace it entirely or the cookies may fall apart. And don’t forget to balance the salt—if your peanut butter is salted, you may want to slightly reduce the added salt in the dough.

---

Ingredients for the Peanut Butter M&Ms Cookies

Every ingredient in these cookies plays an important role in building flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

• All-purpose flour – Forms the base of the dough and gives structure.
• Baking soda – Helps the cookies rise and creates that soft, chewy texture.
• Salt – Enhances the sweetness and balances the peanut butter.
• Unsalted butter – Adds richness and helps with spread; make sure it’s softened.
• Creamy peanut butter – The star ingredient that adds flavor and chewiness.
• Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and gives a slight crisp.
• Brown sugar – Provides moisture and deepens the flavor with a hint of molasses.
• Egg – Binds everything together and gives structure.
• Vanilla extract – Adds a warm, sweet aroma.
• M&Ms (peanut or regular) – The colorful, crunchy mix-in that makes these cookies shine.

How To Make the Peanut Butter M&Ms Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes using a hand mixer.

Step 4: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix.

Step 6: Fold in the M&Ms

Gently stir in most of the M&Ms, reserving a handful to press on top of each cookie before baking.

Step 7: Scoop and Bake

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out dough balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Press a few extra M&Ms on top of each dough ball.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

---

How to Serve and Store These Peanut Butter M&Ms Cookies

These cookies are best served fresh from the oven when the centers are still a little warm and gooey. However, they’re just as delicious cooled and perfect for dunking in milk. They make a great addition to cookie platters, bake sales, or lunchbox treats.

This recipe makes about 18-20 cookies, which is perfect for serving 6 to 8 people. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for a few seconds to enjoy again.

What to Serve With Peanut Butter M&Ms Cookies

Glass of Cold Milk

The classic companion—nothing beats dunking a warm cookie in cold milk.

Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream

Turn your cookie into an ice cream sandwich or serve it a la mode for a decadent dessert.

Fresh Fruit

A small bowl of berries balances out the richness of the cookies.

Hot Coffee or Espresso

The nutty notes of coffee pair beautifully with peanut butter and chocolate.

Chocolate Sauce or Caramel Drizzle

For a dessert platter, serve the cookies with a side of sauces for dipping.

Yogurt Parfait

Crumble a cookie into a vanilla yogurt parfait for a playful texture boost.

Peanut Butter Smoothie

Lean into the peanut butter flavor with a smoothie on the side—it’s like a cookie and shake duo.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, you can substitute some of the creamy peanut butter with crunchy if you want added texture. However, using only crunchy peanut butter may make the dough harder to work with and could affect the cookie structure.

Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely. Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer—just add a minute or two to the baking time.

Why did my cookies spread too much?
This could be due to overly soft butter or not enough flour. Make sure to measure your flour correctly and chill the dough briefly if it’s too soft before baking.

Can I use mini M&Ms or holiday-themed ones?
Yes! Mini M&Ms work great and give more chocolate in each bite. Seasonal or themed M&Ms are also fun for customizing these cookies for different holidays.

Save This Pin For Later

Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you stick with classic M&Ms or try peanut or mini versions? Maybe added a surprise twist?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too, let’s help each other bake smarter.

You can find more recipe inspiration and sweet ideas on my Pinterest board here: Meals We Share By Sally.

Conclusion

These Peanut Butter M&Ms Cookies are the perfect combination of chewy, sweet, and colorful. With their rich peanut butter base and pops of candy crunch, they’re fun to make and even more fun to eat. Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping for a party, or just want a comforting sweet treat, this cookie recipe will never disappoint.

---

Print

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?