Easy No Bake Cookies are a crowd favorite and are ready to enjoy in under 30 minutes! This extra tasty chocolate peanut butter no bake cookie recipe is made without flour or eggs and is a classic cookie recipe that is worth the hype!
Love easy no bake recipes? Make sure to try this Cannoli Dip and Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding!
No Bake Cookies are a timeless classic and have been around for decades. There is definitely universal appeal for this chocolate, peanut butter no bake cookies that require simple, pantry staple ingredients and are ready to enjoy in under 30 minutes. These cookies are so simple, they are often the first type of cookie that young bakers learn and I know my boys love to make (and eat!) these tasty treats.
This easy no bake cookie recipe is a family favorite and one that we enjoy year-round, not just the summer months. They are so quick to make and enjoyed by all. It’s a great “back pocket” recipe that we pull out all time for last minute parties, get togethers and any time we just want a sweet treat.
There is nothing better than peanut butter and chocolate together and when you add in the chewiness of the oats, cookie perfection is achieved!
What Are No Bake Cookies?
Most cookie recipes require baking in the oven. A “no bake” cookie recipe calls for cooking the ingredients together on the stovetop. Typically, a mixture of butter, sugar, cocoa powder and milk are brought to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Then the mixture is removed from heat and a combination of peanut butter, oats and vanilla extract is added. This provides the structure for the cookies.
The cookie “dough” in a recipe for no bake cookies is very loose compared to traditional cookie dough but is still able to be scooped out to form cookie shapes. The cookies then set up at room temperature or in the refrigerator until solid.
No bake chocolate oatmeal cookies can be stored at room temperature but I like to store mine in the fridge for the best consistency.
Recipe Notes:
These No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are made with quick oats, not standard oats, so make sure you pick up the right ones at the grocery store.
Favorite Chocolate Recipes
If you love chocolate, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some of our very favorite chocolate desserts:
- Flourless Chocolate Cookies
- Chocolate Cheesecake for Two
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
- Chocolate Pots de Creme
No Bake Cookie Recipe Ingredients
This quick and easy no bake cookie recipe is unbelievably delicious and requires just a handful of ingredients. As always, you can find the full, printable recipe in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:
- butter – go for salted butter and do not use margarine, it won’t work.
- granulated sugar and brown sugar – for sweetness and flavor.
- milk – I use whole milk in this recipe.
- unsweetened cocoa powder – you can use dutch process if you want but it will result in darker cookies.
- peanut butter – use creamy peanut butter. You can use Nutella instead of peanut butter.
- vanilla extract – adds such an important flavor note in these cookies.
- quick oats – make sure to grab the quick oats as the regular oats will not get cooked enough and will have an odd texture in the cookies.
NOTE: Take time to measure out all of your ingredients needed in this no bake cookie recipe in advance. The mixture comes to a boil rather quickly and it will really be beneficial to have the ingredients pre-measured and ready for when you need them.
How To Make No Bake Cookies
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Combine butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until smooth.
- Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, peanut butter and oats until well combined.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Chill for 15 to 20 minutes or until cookies have set up and are firm. Enjoy!
Storage Information
Once the no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies have set up, they can be stored in the refrigerator in a ziploc bag for up to 4 days. Should you choose to freeze the cookies, place on a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and flash freeze for 30 minutes before transferring to a freezer-safe ziploc bag. The cookies can be safely frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Trish’s Tips and Tricks
- Take time to measure out all of your ingredients in advance. The mixture comes to a boil rather quickly and it will really be beneficial to have the ingredients ready when you need them.
- Just as with the ingredients, make sure to line the sheet pans before you start making this no bake cookie recipe. You can use parchment paper or use silicone baking mats for easy clean up.
- It’s important to bring the mixture to a FULL boil. You want bubbles breaking across the entire surface of the sauce pan.
- Replace the peanut butter with Nutella for a delicious chocolate twist.
More Cookie Recipes To Try
- Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
- Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Sugar Cookie Recipe
How To Make No Bake Cookies
No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup whole milk
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup peanut butter or Nutella
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
Instructions
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, peanut butter and oats until well combined.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Transfer baking sheets to the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes or until cookies have set up and are firm. Enjoy!
I use margarine every time and it works.