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Looking for a fast and delicious treat? These No Bake Cookies are the answer! With a prep and cook time of less than 15 minutes, you can satisfy your chocolate and peanut butter cravings in no time.
Why You’ll Love These No Bake Cookies
These Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies are my go-to treat when I’m short on time, but still want a tasty homemade cookie to serve or to eat. My kids love them as an after-school snack with a tall glass of cold milk. My husband whips them up on a lazy weekend afternoon as we are playing board games or watching movies.
- Quick & Easy: Perfect for busy days or last-minute dessert needs.
- No Oven Needed: Keep your kitchen cool – just a bit of stovetop magic is all it takes.
- Healthy-ish Ingredients: Peanut butter and oatmeal are good for you, right?
I love to make these cookies, and I also love to eat them. They are my favorite. I put them in my homemade Christmas containers last year. They are one of the first if not the first to get eaten! EASY to make. – Jennie
Ingredients in No Bake Cookies
All of these ingredients are likely to be in your pantry and fridge right now. All you need is:
- Quick Oats: My mom always used quick oats in her no-bake cookies, but I didn’t know why until I tried making them with regular oats. Regular oats don’t work as well, trust me! The quick oats give the cookies a softer, chewier texture.
Tip: Regular oats can be used in a pinch of you pulse them a few times in the blender first. - Peanut Butter: Creamy or crunchy both work great. Peanut butter is the binding agent and adds that delicious nutty flavor that pairs so well with chocolate.
- Butter: Use salted butter for the perfect balance of sweet and salty. If unsalted is all you have on hand, add a pinch of salt to the mixture.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is essential to sweeten the unsweetened cocoa powder and give the cookies the right consistency.
- Milk: I prefer 2% or whole milk for a creamier cookie texture.
- Cocoa: For the best chocolate flavor, use a high quality unsweetened cocoa powder like Ghirardelli’s or Hershey’s.
- Vanilla: It enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
How to Make No Bake Cookies
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Measure out the quick oats, peanut butter, and vanilla into a mixing bowl.
- Spread a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet, or on a clean countertop to prepare for the cookies.
2. Cook the Chocolate Mixture:
- Combine butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa to a heavy saucepan.
- Stir constantly over medium heat. When the mixture comes to a full boil, set a timer for one minute.
3. Combine and Scoop:
- Remove from heat and pour the mixture over the oats, peanut butter, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
- Scoop the mixture onto the prepared parchment paper using spoons or a cookie dough scoop.
4. Cool and Set:
- Let the cookies cool for 15-20 minutes until they set. Resist the temptation to dig in early!
Tips for Perfect No Bake Cookies
Set a Timer! Boil the chocolate mixture for exactly 1 minute. Too short, and the cookies won’t set. Too long, and they’ll be hard and crumbly.
Stick with Real Sugar. Avoid sugar substitutes to ensure the cookies set correctly.
Use Quick-Cooking Oats. Quick oats give the best texture. If using old-fashioned oats, place them in a blender and pulse a few times for better results.
Storage. Keep these cookies in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to a week or freeze up to three months.
No-Bake Cookie Recipe Variations
Add-in ideas. For a fun twist, mix in shredded coconut, raisins, or chopped nuts.
For a peanut allergy: One of our readers recommended using cookie butter in place of peanut butter for those who have peanut allergies. Check label to be sure there are no nuts.
Gluten-free: This recipe is gluten free as long as certified gluten-free oats are used.
Vegan no-bake cookies: Use almond milk or oat milk instead of cow’s milk and vegan butter. It works great!
Frequently Asked Questions
They are gluten-free as long as you use certified gluten-free oats. Check the label of your oats to be sure.
This happens when the sugar/butter mixture isn’t boiled long enough. It should be at a rolling boil for one minute.
The cookies will turn out dry and crumbly. Stick to the 1-minute rule for best results.
More No Bake Recipes
Looking for more easy no bake desserts? Try these no bake favorites:
No Bake Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup peanut butter creamy or crunchy
- 3 1/2 cups quick oats
Instructions
- Measure out oats, peanut butter, and vanilla into a mixing bowl. Don't mix.
- Mix butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa together in a heavy saucepan and bring to a full boil. Allow to boil for one full minute (set a timer). Remove from heat.
- Quickly stir in the rolled oats, peanut butter, and vanilla.
- Drop by spoonfuls or cookie scoop onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper or wax paper as quickly as possible. Cool 20-30 minutes.
Notes
Recipe tips:
- Measure ingredients exactly to get best results.
- Watch boiling time carefully to get best results.
- Use a quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
- Any nut butter can be substituted for peanut butter.
- Optional additions: ¼ cup coconut, chocolate chips, chopped nuts.
- Store no bake cookies at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks in an airtight container.
- Place cookies in an airtight container or a Ziplock bag and freeze for up to two months.
These sound like a Krispy treat with PB and chocolate. These will be so delish to try!
So easy to make and so good. A hit no matter where you take them.
Simple, easy and delicious! Gone in no time at my house!
I have seen these cookies in a local bakery/grocery, and thank you for sharing this recipe. I simply love them ! And the tips you give are so helpful. These tips help with making a perfect cookie, baked or no-bake. I do like no-bake cookies and cheesecakes. I refer/use your recipes for main entrees/and desserts as well as some old time favorites which I find has been made better by referring to the tips. Delicious recipes. Thanks/ tried and proved by you-and that makes all the difference’ made with love !! Martha
We used to call these Washday cookies! My mother added coconut to them too. Many memories of taking these on car trips to visit my uncle near Cleveland! My Mom always took them wrapped in wax paper in a shoe box so they’d be protected for the trip! I loved these cookies. A family favorite for sure!
Love this cookie
I never thought about adding pecans or even raisins to my no bake cookie recipe. I will certainly do that on this recipe! Sounds good, can’t wait to try one !
I love thes cookies!! So simple, and so good!
Love these cookies! They remind me so much of cookies my grandma would make during the holidays. Such a wonderful memory
Is it busy Teacher, I appreciate being able to make things that are no bake. My students love treats so I can make these while I’m doing some of my lessons. These are perennials favorite for my students. If there’s any left I might even get one or two! I love these
Absolutely love these cookies! They’re so quick to whip up and so delicious will be the hot if the party. I’ve shared this same exact recipe with many people over the years and they all still make them for their parties or little get togethers. And I love how you explain the importance of cooking them the exact amount of time stated, so many people have called me over the years asking why theirs didn’t turn out and that’s the number one reason. Guess I should’ve explained as well as you guys have lol. Great choice!!
When I was in grade school the lunch ladies served this cookie and they were SOOOO good! I searched high and low for a recipe that would compare. I’m 64 years old and found this to be the closest to theirs! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Love no bake cookies! Easy to make even with the youngest of my grandchildren!!! Outstanding best no bake recipe!
This DOES sound pretty easy! I ALWAYS have trouble making these. They end up crumbly. I can’t wait to try your recipe.
I use to love these as a kid! I hadn’t found a recipe for them so glad you shared this one! Can’t wait to taste them again!!
These look like they would be a gift cookie to do with kids
Agreed! It’s a quick and easy recipe – and kids love them!
Easy to make, tried Boling a )title longer, it work, now I have from cookies.
Oh so good! I never get tired of these. I usually boil mine too long and they turn into a pile of crumbs before they all get eaten. You’d think I would stop boiling a bit sooner. Maybe I will next time. But the taste is what counts. Now seems like a perfect time to try again!
I bake all kinds of Christmas cookies, but the no bakes are fun and delicious and always get rave reviews.
So easy to make. Myfamily love them