Let’s be real—sometimes you just want a cookie. Not a complicated, 16-step, chill-the-dough-for-24-hours kind of cookie. Just a good old-fashioned, cheap, easy-to-make, hits-the-spot kind of treat that doesn’t cost your entire grocery budget or leave you elbow-deep in dishes.
And if you’ve got a family to feed (or a house full of hungry kids who act like cookies are a food group), you already know the pressure’s on. You want something fast, something affordable, and maybe—just maybe—something that uses whatever random ingredients you’ve got left in the pantry.
Well, friend, you’re in the right place.
I’ve rounded up 20 cheap cookie ideas that are perfect for busy folks, broke college students, stressed-out parents, or literally anyone who just wants a cookie without the drama. These aren’t tips or fancy recipes that require a culinary degree—just real, simple ideas that hit that sweet spot when you need it most.
Ready to turn “we’ve got nothing to eat” into “why didn’t we make these sooner”?
1. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
When you’re craving something sweet but your pantry looks like a sad, half-empty shelf of regrets, these cookies come to the rescue. All you need? Peanut butter, sugar, and one lonely egg. That’s it. No flour, no fuss, and definitely no dragging out a stand mixer that weighs more than your toddler.
These cookies are rich, nutty, chewy, and wildly satisfying for something you can mix with a spoon. They’re also naturally gluten-free, which is great if you’re avoiding gluten or just ran out of flour… again. Plus, there’s a solid chance you already have these ingredients in your kitchen, buried behind that suspicious jar of pickles.
- Use creamy or crunchy peanut butter—whatever your heart (or spoon) desires
- Don’t overbake; 10 minutes is your sweet spot
- Add a pinch of salt if your peanut butter isn’t already salty
- Press with a fork to get that classic crisscross vibe
Bonus: these freeze well, but let’s be honest—who’s freezing cookies?
2. Cake Mix Cookies
Let me introduce you to the queen of lazy baking: cake mix cookies. These babies only ask for a box of cake mix, oil, and eggs. That’s it. No softening butter or sifting flour while questioning your life choices.
You just mix, scoop, and bake. And here’s the magic: they come out fluffy, soft, and somehow tasting like you actually know what you’re doing in the kitchen. You can customize them to infinity—throw in chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles, leftover Halloween candy, or whatever you find in your snack drawer.
- Use any flavor cake mix—chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, lemon—get wild
- Swap oil for melted butter if you want a richer cookie
- Add-ins make these look fancy even when they’re not
- Great for bake sales, potlucks, or bribes
Seriously, this is the recipe you keep in your back pocket for “Oh no, I need to bring something” situations.
3. No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
You don’t even have to turn on the oven for these—and that’s a major win if it’s summer, you’re lazy, or both (hi, it’s me). Made with oats, cocoa, peanut butter, and a few kitchen staples, these are what I like to call “pantry survival treats.”
They’re chewy, chocolatey, and borderline addictive. Plus, they hold up in lunchboxes, which makes them kid-approved. And mom-approved. And me-eating-them-directly-from-the-fridge approved.
- Old-fashioned oats give the best texture (but quick oats work too)
- Stir in shredded coconut or raisins if you’re feeling bold
- Cool them on wax paper so they don’t stick to your counter and ruin your day
- You don’t need a mixer or baking sheet. Just a pot and some patience
File these under “dessert miracles made on a stovetop.”
4. Banana Oat Cookies
These are the kind of cookies that make you feel like you have your life together… even if you’re still wearing pajamas at 3pm. Just mash up some overripe bananas (you know, the sad ones in the fruit bowl you swore you’d eat) and mix them with oats.
You can keep them as basic as that, or add in chocolate chips, cinnamon, a splash of vanilla, or nuts. They’re naturally sweet, soft, and—dare I say it?—almost healthy. Like, eat-for-breakfast-and-not-feel-guilty healthy.
- Use 2 bananas and 1 cup of oats for a good base
- Add-ins make these feel more like dessert and less like a cry for help
- Great for toddlers, snack attacks, or pretending you’re eating clean
- They won’t win any bake-offs, but they’ll win over your hungry self at 10pm
Plus, no sugar crash later. Win-win.
5. Sugar Cookies with Just 4 Ingredients
Sometimes you want a cookie that’s simple and sweet, like a blank canvas for your sprinkle obsession. Enter: the 4-ingredient sugar cookie. Just butter, sugar, flour, and a little vanilla (which is optional, but let’s be real, you’re using it).
These cookies are buttery and soft with just the right amount of sweetness. You can roll them into balls and flatten with a glass, or cut into shapes if you’re feeling like Martha Stewart on a sugar high.
- Chill the dough for 15 minutes if it’s too soft to handle
- Dust with sugar before baking for a little sparkle
- Decorate with icing, sprinkles, or dip in melted chocolate
- Great for holidays, tea time, or “just because it’s Tuesday”
These are the kind of cookies that make you feel like you’re doing something fancy without any actual effort. My favorite kind of lie.
6. Easy Snickerdoodles Without Cream of Tartar
Let’s be honest, 98% of us do not have cream of tartar just hangin’ out in the cupboard. And yet, every snickerdoodle recipe insists on it like it’s the law. Well, not here. We’re going rogue—with baking powder instead.
The result? Still soft. Still chewy. Still covered in glorious cinnamon-sugar. No one will know the difference (unless they’re a snickerdoodle snob… in which case, they’re not invited to cookie night anyway).
- Swap cream of tartar + baking soda for just baking powder
- Roll generously in cinnamon-sugar before baking
- Underbake slightly for the softest centers
- Keep ‘em stored in an airtight container to stay chewy
Pro tip: double the batch. You’ll eat half of them warm off the tray, guaranteed.
7. Chewy Chocolate Cookies from Brownie Mix
Got a box of brownie mix and no desire to actually bake brownies? Make cookies instead. Just a few tweaks and you’ve got thick, fudgy cookies that taste like a brownie and a cookie had a very delicious baby.
They’re rich, chocolatey, and basically scream “I baked something impressive!”—without revealing you started with a $1 box mix from the discount aisle.
- Use brownie mix + egg + oil for cookie dough
- Add a splash of milk or espresso powder if you’re feeling fancy
- Fold in chocolate chips, nuts, or marshmallows
- Chill dough before baking for extra thick cookies
Brownie cookies: the glow-up your pantry didn’t know it needed.
8. Microwave Mug Cookie for One
It’s late. You want a cookie. You don’t want to bake a dozen (and then eat a dozen). The solution? Mug cookie. It’s a single-serve miracle that comes together in one mug and about 90 seconds.
You stir. You nuke. You eat with a spoon while standing in your kitchen pretending this is totally normal behavior. (It is.)
- Use flour, sugar, butter/oil, and a splash of milk
- Add a few chocolate chips or chopped nuts on top
- Microwave for 60–90 seconds—don’t overdo it
- Top with ice cream if you’re feeling extra
One mug. One cookie. Zero shame.
9. Cornflake Cookies
You know that stale box of cornflakes you keep ignoring in the back of your pantry? It’s finally time for its moment to shine. Cornflake cookies are crunchy, sweet, and surprisingly addicting.
Think of them as the love child of a cereal bar and a cookie. No one expects much—and then bam, you’re ten cookies in and wondering what just happened.
- Use cornflakes + sugar + peanut butter or marshmallow base
- Stir in chocolate chips or drizzle with melted chocolate
- Great no-bake option if your oven is off-limits
- They store well in the fridge or freezer
Also a genius way to use up cereal before it goes truly stale. We’ve all been there.
10. Shortbread Cookies with 3 Ingredients
There’s something wildly comforting about shortbread. Maybe it’s the butter. Maybe it’s the way it crumbles in your mouth like a buttery cloud. Either way, you only need three ingredients: flour, butter, and sugar.
That’s it. No eggs. No drama. Just mix, shape, and bake. And boom—you’ve got cookies that taste like they came from a fancy tin (but really, you made them in your pajamas).
- Chill the dough before baking for cleaner edges
- Add lemon zest or almond extract if you want to jazz it up
- Dip in chocolate or dust with powdered sugar for flair
- Great for gifting—or hoarding in a tin labeled “salad”
Low effort, high reward. My favorite combo.
11. Saltine Cracker “Cookies” (Christmas Crack Style)
Listen, I know calling these “cookies” is a stretch, but stick with me. These are that dangerously addictive sweet-salty-crunchy snack you accidentally eat 12 pieces of before you even realize what happened. And they’re made with stuff you probably already have: saltine crackers, butter, brown sugar, and chocolate chips.
You boil the butter and sugar together (that’s your caramel cheat code), pour it over a layer of crackers, bake it for like 5 minutes, then sprinkle chocolate chips and let them melt into glossy magic. Chill, break into pieces, and try not to eat the whole tray. Good luck.
- Use whatever crackers you have—Ritz, graham, or even pretzels in a pinch
- Add chopped nuts on top for extra crunch (if you’re fancy like that)
- Keep in the fridge or freezer for snack emergencies
- Dangerous around guests… or just yourself
It’s not technically a cookie, but it is technically delicious.
12. Homemade Animal Crackers
Channel your inner kindergartener with these cute little nostalgic bites. Homemade animal crackers are surprisingly cheap to make, require basic ingredients (flour, butter, sugar, egg), and can be shaped using cookie cutters, bottle caps, or anything vaguely animal-shaped you can find in the junk drawer.
They’re mildly sweet, a little crispy, and just the right size for guilt-free grazing. Kids love them. Adults pretend they’re making them for kids. We know the truth.
- Add a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon for that classic flavor
- Chill the dough to make it easier to roll and cut
- No cutters? Just slice into little rectangles and call them “zoo fences”
- Bake until just golden for that satisfying crunch
Perfect for lunchboxes, snack jars, or hiding in a purse for emergency sugar lows.
13. Pudding Mix Cookies
This might be the most underrated cookie hack on the planet. Adding instant pudding mix (just the powder!) to your cookie dough turns regular cookies into soft, pillowy, bakery-style showoffs.
You start with a basic cookie dough and stir in a box of pudding mix—vanilla, chocolate, butterscotch, whatever you’ve got. It adds flavor, moisture, and this amazing chewy texture that makes people think you’ve got a secret baking degree. You don’t. But we’ll let them believe it.
- One small box per batch of cookie dough does the trick
- Add complementary chips—white chocolate with pistachio pudding is elite
- Store in an airtight container to keep that soft-batch vibe
- Great for holiday swaps or “fake it ‘til you bake it” moments
These cookies don’t just taste good—they feel good. You’ll understand after the first bite.
14. Applesauce Cookies
This is where “baking” and “accidental health food” overlap. Applesauce cookies are soft, subtly sweet, and give you that cozy “grandma made these” feeling—even if your grandma was more of a store-bought-pie lady.
Unsweetened applesauce replaces some (or all) of the butter or oil, which means less fat and more fiber without making the cookies sad and dry. They’re especially good with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and maybe a few raisins or chocolate chips if you’re living on the edge.
- Use ½ cup applesauce in place of butter or oil
- Add oats or whole wheat flour for a heartier bite
- Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking for extra charm
- Store well, and taste even better the next day
These are the cookies that trick you into thinking you’re being virtuous… and I fully support that delusion.
15. Basic Drop Cookies with Mix-In Options
If you only memorize one cookie formula, let it be this one. This is your ride-or-die base dough that turns into whatever cookie you need it to be, depending on what you’ve got lying around.
Start with flour, sugar, butter, egg, baking soda, and salt. From there? Go nuts—literally. Chocolate chips, raisins, crushed pretzels, coconut, leftover Halloween candy, whatever. It’s like a choose-your-own-cookie-adventure.
- Make one base, divide into bowls, and customize each batch
- Freeze extra dough balls for later cookie emergencies
- Use this method to finish off odds and ends in your pantry
- Great for picky eaters because you get to choose what goes in
You’re basically the Cookie Architect now. And honestly? You wear it well.
16. Rice Krispie Cookies with Marshmallows
Take everything you loved about Rice Krispie Treats, and give it a cookie twist. Marshmallows, cereal, and a little butter or oil are all you need to whip up a nostalgic, chewy, sticky batch of joy.
They’re crunchy around the edges, gooey in the middle, and way too easy to pop in your mouth like popcorn. Warning: they disappear fast.
- Add chocolate chips or M&Ms if you want a little flair
- Use fresh marshmallows—stale ones will fight back
- Stir fast once the marshmallows melt to avoid cereal mush
- Line your tray with parchment so your life stays stress-free
This one’s for anyone who believes dessert should crunch and melt. Which, let’s be honest, is all of us.
17. Frozen Dough Ball Hacks
Let’s talk about the ultimate gift to your future self: pre-scooped frozen cookie dough balls. Make a big batch of whatever dough you love, scoop it onto a tray, freeze solid, and then bag ‘em up like little edible snowballs.
Whenever the craving hits (or your in-laws drop by unannounced), you can just pop a few on a tray and bake fresh. Instant homemade cookies. No dishes. No meltdown.
- Label the bag with cookie type + baking temp/time
- Add a few extra minutes to bake time straight from frozen
- Make a variety batch: some chocolate chip, some double chocolate, some oatmeal
- Perfect for portion control… in theory
Honestly, nothing feels more luxurious than fresh-baked cookies on a Wednesday night for no reason. You deserve that.
18. Trail Mix Cookies
Look, trail mix is basically nature’s way of pretending candy is healthy. So naturally, mixing it into cookie dough is a total power move. These cookies are chewy, crunchy, salty-sweet, and best of all, use up all those snack leftovers that are too random to eat alone.
Got raisins, almonds, sunflower seeds, coconut flakes, or those last five M&Ms? Toss ‘em in. These cookies are where forgotten pantry bits go to thrive.
- Use an oatmeal cookie base for the best texture
- Mix-ins should total about 1 to 1½ cups per batch
- Add a pinch of salt to bring out the flavors
- They freeze well and travel great
A cookie that feels rugged and adventurous… while still just being dessert.
19. Powdered Sugar Crinkle Cookies
These are the pretty cookies that make you look like a professional baker—without actually trying. You roll balls of dough in powdered sugar, and as they bake, they spread and crack into this gorgeous crinkly finish.
They taste just as good as they look—soft, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth good. Bonus: you can totally cheat and use cake mix as the base.
- Chill the dough to make rolling easier
- Use red velvet, chocolate, or lemon cake mix for variety
- Roll heavily in powdered sugar—don’t be shy!
- Great for gifting because they’re photogenic little showoffs
Serve these at any gathering and watch people lose their minds over how “fancy” they are. You’ll be smiling through the secret that they took 10 minutes to make.
20. Bread Heel Cookie Sandwiches
I know this sounds unhinged. But hear me out. You take those neglected bread heels (because no one wants them), toast them, spread on peanut butter and chocolate chips (or Nutella, or marshmallow fluff), and sandwich them together. Stick the whole thing in the fridge for 10 minutes and BAM: a crunchy-chewy, salty-sweet, weirdly addictive “cookie” sandwich.
- Use any nut butter or spread you’ve got
- Sprinkle with cinnamon, sea salt, or crushed cereal if you’re feeling wild
- Great for kids, lazy nights, or desperate sugar fixes
- Not elegant, but definitely edible
It’s frugal. It’s weird. It’s kind of genius. And yes, it counts as a cookie. I said what I said.