These no bake cookies are an easy to make dessert with only a few simple ingredients. Soft, chewy and fudgy with a classic chocolate and peanut butter taste!
Classic No-Bake Cookies
I love to make all types of no-bake desserts because they are simple, quick and no oven is required! These easy no bake cookies are a crowd favorite for after school snacks and game night, as well as no-bake cornflake cookies, avalanche cookies and haystack cookies.
This is my go-to cookie recipe, though, when I crave the perfect chocolate and peanut butter combo! They are super soft, chewy and only take 7 ingredients and 15 minutes to make.
Recipe Ingredients
Before making this easy no bake cookies recipe it is a great idea to gather and measure out all your ingredients.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Butter: Real butter will add the best rich taste although margarine could be used.
- Milk: Any milk works from skim milk to whole milk or even 2%. You could even use a non dairy milk such as almond milk.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a sweet taste and helps the cookies set.
- Cocoa powder: Adds the signature chocolate taste. Use natural unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch-process cocoa powder.
- Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter is best, crunchy peanut butter could be used but skip any natural peanut butter you have to stir.
- Vanilla extract: Adds another layer of flavor.
- Quick cooking oats: Quick-cooking oats are smaller and less chewy and preferred for this recipe.
How to Make No Bake Cookies
Combine sugar, butter, milk and cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook an additional 1 1/2 minutes and then immediately remove from heat.
Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
Then add in quick oats with a pinch of salt and stir until well coated.
Using a spoon or cookie scoop to drop the cookie batter onto the lined baking sheet. Let cool until set.
Tips for Perfect No-Bake Cookies
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or wax paper so the cookies don’t stick.
- Use quick oats. Old fashioned rolled oats will cause the texture of the cookies to change and be chewier. Pulse your rolled oats a few times in the blender and then use them!
- Before removing the pan from the burner, make sure the mixture is boiling (not simmering). This ensures your easy no bake cookies will set properly.
- In order to speed up the setting process, place cookies in refrigerator to harden faster.
- Store at room temperature for 3-4 days or in the fridge for 5-7 days.
- Let set completely, then add to freezer bag or airtight container. Store in freezer for 2-3 months.
If you love chocolate and peanut butter, try my peanut butter blossoms, chocolate peanut butter fudge and peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
More No-Bake Recipes
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No Bake Cookie Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter , see notes
- ½ cup milk
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups Quick 1 minute oats , see notes
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prep. Line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.
- Boil sugar and butter. Combine 1 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup milk and 1/3 cup cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium-heat. Bring to a boil (not simmer). Once it reaches a boil, cook for an additional 1 1/2 minutes and then immediately remove from heat.
- Add in peanut butter, oats and vanilla. Stir in 3/4 cup peanut butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add in 2 1/2 cups oats and a pinch of salt. Stir until well coated.
- Drop cookies onto pan and cool. Drop batter by the spoonful onto the lined pan. Let cool until set. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Chocolate, Chocolate Cookies, Cookies, Freezer-Friendly, No-Bake, Oatmeal Cookies
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I love this recipe. We sometimes substitute peanut butter with cookie butter due to a peanut allergy. Tastes great! Thank you
Thanks for sharing that suggestions. I love hearing ways to make a recipe work for everyone!
Can you sub Rice Krispies?
I haven’t tried, but let me know how it goes if you give it a shot!
I have made this same recipe for years like my Mother before me. Most delicious cookies ever .( I have been known to scoop up one or two before they harden)
They are some of our faves too! Thanks Denise for your review :)
I’ve used this recipe for many years.. however, I am on strict Keto and can no longer eat the oats. Is there a much lower carb option to replace the oats? I thought about unsweetened coconut flakes…what’s your opinion?
Hmm… I haven’t tried. You could try coconut, nut not sure it would have the same effect. I would test with half the recipe (and you’ll most likely need more coconut). Let me know if you try it and how it goes!
Loved these no bake cookies! So easy to make
Absolutely easy and delicious!
So glad you loved them! :)
Can you make these chocolate oatmeal cookies without the peanut butter?
Hi Linda! Since it calls for 3/4 a cup of peanut butter, it wouldn’t work the same if you just left it out. You would need to sub another nut butter.
I love your blue pot! Can you tell me what brand it is? It’s gorgeous and my favorite color! Can’t wait to try your recipe on this!
It’s a Le creuset, I found it on sale at Home Goods a few years ago :)
Can you substitute Splenda for the sugar?
I haven’t tried substituting that much splenda before, but if you have tried it in other recipes and had success it’s worth a try!
I’ve not done the recipe listed, but something similar. I substitute only 1/3 of the sugar for Splenda and keep the other 2/3 in sugar. It makes the cookie softer (doesn’t easily dry out), but too much Splenda and the cookie won’t hold its form.
Ive been making these forever. Never knew about the oats, guess I just always had quick oats. I have a hard time waiting for these to cool. eating these hot r the best.
This couldn’t be any more perfect! Great no bake cookie recipe
Only 15 minutes?! I am definitely in! So yummy!
Thanks for the terrific recipe! But there’s really no reason not to use old fashioned oats. I use them in no-bake cookies all the time because they hold up better and don’t get soggy like quick cooking oats.
I haven’t always had success with old fashioned oats in these type of recipes so I usually avoid them, but I’m glad to know it has worked for you! Thanks for your comment Judy. I’m glad you enjoyed them! :)
I agree I like old fashioned oats as well!!
Love this idea. I hate baking in the summer as it is so hot outside. I look forward to making these very soon.
Looks heavenly! Our whole fam will definitely love this, gotta give this a try!
Incredibly delicious! Definitely making these again, as the kids love them
Love how easy these are to make and delicious to boot! My kids loved making these!
I love that nice crisp crunch throughout the cookies. so good!