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    Home » The Best No Bake Cookies

    The Best No Bake Cookies

    Published: May 31, 2020 · Modified: Sep 17, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies recipe is easy and delicious ! They're made on the stovetop in 5 minutes with 8 ingredients and they are gluten-free! They make a great after school treat or addition to your holiday cookie tray!

    front view of a stack of 6 no bake cookies

    If you had a feeling I would share my recipe for these classic no bake cookies sooner or later, then you know me too well! These are the best no bake cookies ever. 

    My healthy no bake cookies are wildly popular (and for good reason - they're amazing), but one bite of this classic version transports me to to my childhood and nostalgic cookie nirvana. 

    This no bake cookie recipe only takes 5 minutes to make, and then you just have to let them set (the agony). They are a great summer treat since they don't require the use of a hot oven. But they also transcend the seasons, and make a great addition to any Christmas cookie tray (like these cut-out sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, peanut butter blossoms, etc.)

    up close photo of a no bake cookie surrounded by 6 others

    No-Bake Cookies: Ingredients & Substitutions

    • Granulated sugar. White sugar or organic cane sugar both work well in this recipe. I do not bake with sugar substitutions so I cannot advise in that department.
    • Cocoa Powder. Be sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder. Dark cocoa powder can be used to make dark chocolate chocolate no bake cookies! 
    • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted butter. Also vegan butter and ghee. 
    • Whole milk. 2% milk or half and half can be used in place of whole milk. 
    • Peanut Butter. If you have a peanut allergy in your home, any nut or seed butter should work well in this no bake cookie recipe.
    • Quick-cooking oatmeal. If you only have old-fashioned oats on hand, simply put them in a blender or food processor and pulse once or twice. This will give them the texture of quick-cooking oats. 
    overhead view of the ingredients in this no bake cookies recipe

    Equipment

    • Saucepan (4 quarts)
    • Cookie sheet
    • Wax paper
    • Small cookie scoop or 1 TBS measuring spoon
    • Whisk
    • Spatula
    • Measuring cups & measuring spoons 
    • Kitchen timer (or watch timer)
    stack of four no bake cookies, top one has a bite taken out of it

    How to make no bake cookies

    This no bake cookie recipe only takes 5 minutes to make. This is a fast-paced recipe and it's important to lay our all the equipment and ingredients you'll need before starting. 

    Lay out equipment & ingredients

    Start by lining a large baking sheet with wax paper, and set it aside. Then find a small cookie scoop or 1 TBS measuring spoon to use to portion out the cookies. 

    Combine ingredients

    In a medium saucepan, over medium heat combine butter, milk, sugar and cocoa powder. Whisk continuously to combine until the butter is melted. Bring mixture to a boil and boil for 1 minute. You will need 

    After 1 minute, turn off the heat but leave the pan on the warm burner. Next, add peanut butter and vanilla and whisk to combine until the peanut butter is melted.

    two overhead photos showing how to make no bake cookies

    Add Oatmeal

    Lastly, add quick-cooking oatmeal and sea salt. Stir until combined.  You need to work quickly during this step because the mixture begins to harden as it cools. 

    two overhead photos showing how to make no bake cookies

    Measure & form cookies

    Use a small cookie scoop or 1 TBS measuring spoon to scoop the no bake cookies onto prepared baking sheet.

    Cool & Harden

    Let the no bake oatmeal cookies sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or until hardened. You can put them in the refrigerator to hasten the hardening process. 

    overhead photo showing how to make no bake cookies

    Serve 

    Serve these chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies with a tall glass of milk as an afternoon snack or holiday treat! Everyone will love them!

    To store

    Store these no bake cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. 

    To Freeze

    Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Transfer them to the refrigerator or the counter at room temperature to thaw slowly. Do not warm in the oven or microwave.

    front view of 6 no bake cookies

    FAQs about No Bake Cookies

    Why did my no bake cookies not set up?

    The main reason no bake cookies don't set up is not boiling the mixture long enough. Be sure to wait until the mixture is boiling, then set the timer for 1 minute! 

    How do you fix no bake cookies that won't harden?

    If you wind up with gooey no bake cookies, simply store them in the refrigerator or freezer and eat them cold. As I tested this recipe this happened many times, my kids still gobbled up the chilled cookies, no problem. They taste like fudge! Then remember to boil the mixture longer next time. 

    How long will no bake cookies stay fresh?

    These chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature. 

    up close photo of a no bake cookie with a bite taken out, stacked on three other no bake cookies

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Best No Bake Cookies

    No Bake Cookies

    Laura
    This Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies recipe is easy and delicious ! They're made on the stovetop in 5 minutes with 8 ingredients and they are gluten-free! They make a great after school treat or addition to your holiday cookie tray!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 2 mins
    Cooling Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 7 mins
    Course cookies, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24 cookies
    Calories 183 kcal

    Equipment

    • 3 quart saucepan
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • glass batter bowl
    • baking sheet
    • wax paper

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup cocoa powder
    • ½ cup butter cubed
    • ½ cup milk
    • ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
    • pinch sea salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Line a large baking sheet with wax paper. Set aside.
    • In a medium saucepan, over medium heat combine butter, milk, sugar and cocoa powder. Whisk continuously to combine until the butter is melted.
    • Bring mixture to a boil.
    • Boil mixture for 1 minute (set a timer).
    • After 1 minute, remove pan from heat.
    • Add peanut butter and vanilla and whisk to combine until the peanut butter is melted.
    • Add quick-cooking oatmeal and sea salt. Stir until combined.
    • Use a cookie scoop or 1 TBS measuring spoon to scoop cookies onto prepared baking sheet.
    • Let sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or until hardened.

    Video

    Notes

    To store/freeze

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. 

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Granulated sugar. White sugar or organic cane sugar both work well in this recipe. 
    • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter can be used in place of salted butter. Also vegan butter and ghee. 
    • Whole milk. 2% milk or half and half can be used in place of whole milk. 
    • Peanut Butter. If you have a peanut allergy in your home, any nut or seed butter should work well in this no bake cookie recipe.
    • Quick-cooking oatmeal. If you only have old-fashioned oats on hand, simply put them in a blender or food processor and pulse once or twice. This will give them the texture of quick-cooking oats. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1CookieCalories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 70mgPotassium: 103mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 126IUCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    If you love this recipe, try these

    As you know, we take our desserts seriously around here. If you love this almond toffee recipe, here are some others I recommend trying!

    • Bars: Bars are so much easier to make than cookies (in my opinion) because it's a spread and bake situation. We love these chocolate peanut butter bars, chocolate chip cookie bars, and these chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars. 
    • Cookies: Some of our favorite cookies include, these double chocolate cookies, the best chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, peanut butter oatmeal cookies, monster cookies, and these peanut butter cookies.
      • Check out our roundup of all of our favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes!
    • Cake: Everyone needs classic cake recipes in their repertoire. This is the best chocolate cake recipe you'll ever eat (ever), plus try this banana cake, pumpkin cake, and I can't forget my favorite - flourless chocolate cake. 
    • Brownies. I have so many brownie recipes on my site because they're my favorite dessert. The best homemade brownies, peppermint brownies, black bean brownies, flourless brownies, fudgy paleo brownies, etc. each one delicious! 
    • Try this puppy chow (the best ever) or this Reindeer Food (Christmas Puppy Chow) for a delicious & festive treat. 

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julia

      March 11, 2021 at 5:08 pm

      5 stars
      These no bake cookies are seriously SO good!! I’ve made them several times and we eat them up in no time. I have many dietary restrictions so I love making these for me and my mom to enjoy; she also reminisces about her childhood because these were her favorite cookies that her mom used to make. Thank you for such delicious, wholesome recipes! 😊 ♥️

      Reply
    2. Lucy

      January 26, 2021 at 11:44 pm

      Hi! Can I use non fat milk?

      Reply
    3. Lise

      December 23, 2020 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing! I missed the part about what to do with old fashioned oats so I put them whole... but the flavor is still great!

      Reply
    4. Shehz

      July 20, 2020 at 6:17 am

      5 stars
      I made it and its delicious. Thanks

      Reply
    5. Naomi Robinson

      June 15, 2020 at 1:00 am

      5 stars
      So easy to make and they look incredible!

      Reply
    6. Emily Munday

      May 31, 2020 at 7:28 am

      I have to say; no bake cookies are one of my very favorite kinds!

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 31, 2020 at 1:06 pm

        Yay! You will love these!

        Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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