13 Three-Ingredient Recipes That Keep It Simple and Tasty

Cooking doesn’t always have to mean juggling a dozen ingredients. Sometimes, just three simple items are all you need to create something delicious, whether it’s a quick dessert, a warm side dish, or even a satisfying dinner. These recipes prove that less can truly be more, giving you everything from chewy cookies and creamy fudge to hearty casseroles and savory wings. With short ingredient lists and easy instructions, these ideas are perfect for busy nights, last-minute baking, or anytime you want something tasty without the fuss.

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.

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Nutella, flour, and egg bake into fudgy cookies full of chocolate-hazelnut flavor. They’re chewy inside with a soft bite. The recipe takes only minutes to mix and bake. Perfect for Nutella lovers who want a quick fix.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies

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.

Buttermilk, flour, and butter form tender, flaky biscuits. They bake golden on the outside and soft inside. They’re perfect with butter, jam, or gravy. A quick bread option that works for breakfast or dinner.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits

Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies (Only 3 Ingredients!)

Pie crust, apple pie filling, and sugar create handheld desserts that crisp quickly in the air fryer. The crust bakes golden and flaky while the filling turns bubbly. They’re portable and sweet with a little crunch. A fast dessert made with pantry shortcuts.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies (Only 3 Ingredients!)

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.

Soft peanut butter cookie dough bakes into chewy rounds, each topped with a chocolate kiss. The peanut butter and chocolate balance perfectly in every bite. They’re festive but easy to make with pantry staples. A holiday classic simplified.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

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.

Butter, flour, and sugar form the base of these buttery cookies. They bake into crisp, crumbly treats that melt in your mouth. The flavor is simple but timeless. Great on their own or with a dusting of sugar.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Shortbread

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 keeps things just as simple, using the same short ingredient list. The cookies bake up soft and chewy, with rich chocolate flavor. They’re ready in no time and easy to double. A go-to recipe when you need dessert fast.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Nutella Cookies Recipe (Quick and Easy)

3 Ingredient Fudge

Close-up view of several pieces of chocolate fudge, with some stacked and one showing a bite taken out of it. — 3 Ingredient Fudge. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

This simple fudge combines chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and butter into a smooth, creamy treat. The texture is rich and melt-in-your-mouth. You can keep it plain or add a sprinkle of nuts or sea salt. It’s an easy way to get classic fudge flavor without complicated steps.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Fudge

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 simmer in a slow cooker with barbecue sauce and a splash of soda until tender and flavorful. The sauce reduces to a sticky glaze that clings to every piece. The wings come out juicy with just the right balance of sweet and smoky. Perfect for game days or weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Crockpot BBQ Chicken Wings

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, shredded cheese, and cream of mushroom soup bake into a creamy side dish. The broccoli softens while the cheese melts throughout. It’s rich, comforting, and simple to throw together. A quick casserole that works for any dinner.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies (Only 3 Ingredients)

Peanut butter, sugar, and egg mix into dough that bakes quickly in the air fryer. The cookies come out golden with crisp edges and chewy centers. They’re ready in minutes and taste rich and nutty. A fast dessert made with ingredients you already have.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies (Only 3 Ingredients)

3 Ingredient Keto Strawberry Ice Cream

Fresh strawberries, heavy cream, and a sugar substitute blend into a low-carb ice cream that freezes smooth and creamy. The berries bring natural sweetness and color. It’s light but satisfying, perfect for a quick frozen dessert. A simple option for anyone watching carbs.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Keto Strawberry Ice Cream

Three Ingredient Peach Pie

This easy pie uses pie crust, canned peaches, and sugar to create a bubbling, golden dessert. The filling turns syrupy and sweet as it bakes. The crust comes out flaky and crisp. A simple shortcut pie that tastes homemade.
Get the Recipe: Three Ingredient Peach Pie

Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter, sugar, and egg mix into a dough that bakes into chewy, nutty cookies. They’re soft in the middle with crisp edges. The flavor is bold and simple, highlighting the peanut butter. An easy classic you’ll want to make on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies