Best No Bake Cookies
Updated Nov 02, 2026
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These are the best chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies! They are fudgy and chewy with a rich chocolate peanut butter flavor. Made with cocoa powder, peanut butter and oats, this easy no bake cookies recipe comes together in 5 minutes with 8 ingredients — no oven required!
One bite of these classic chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies instantly takes me back to my childhood! They’re rich, fudgy, chewy, and packed with nostalgic chocolate peanut butter flavor in every bite!
This easy no bake cookies recipe only takes 5 minutes to make with simple ingredients, and then all you have to do is let them set. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free so everyone can enjoy them!
They are a perfect warm weather treat because you don’t need to turn on your oven. But they’re also a must-make for Christmas cookie trays alongside favorites like these cut-out sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, peanut butter blossoms, etc. because they are so easy and delicious.
These no bake cookies are seriously SO good!! I’ve made them several times and we eat them up in no time.
– Julia
No-Bake Cookies: Ingredients & 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, ghee or coconut oil.
- 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 works 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.
Equipment
Here’s the equipment you will need to make this recipe!
- Saucepan (4 quarts)
- Cookie sheet
- Wax paper
- Small cookie scoop or 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Measuring cups & measuring spoons
- Kitchen timer (or watch timer)
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 out all the equipment and ingredients you’ll need before starting.
Start by lining a large baking sheet with wax paper, and set it aside. Then find a small cookie scoop or 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon to use to portion out the cookies.
In a medium saucepan, over medium heat combine butter, milk, sugar and cocoa powder.
Whisk or stir continuously to combine until the butter is melted.
Bring mixture to a boil and boil for 1 minute.
After 1 minute, remove the pan from the heat. Next, add peanut butter and vanilla and whisk to combine until the peanut butter is melted.
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.
Then, use a small cookie scoop or 1 Tablespoon measuring spoon to scoop the no bake cookies onto prepared baking sheet.
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.
No Bake Cookies Troubleshooting Tips
The key to making the best no bake cookies is boiling the chocolate mixture for the correct amount of time. If you don’t boil it long enough, the cookies might not set. If you boil it too long, they can become dry and crumbly. Here are some more tips:
- Use quick-cooking oats. They have a better texture and cook faster.
- Wait for a rolling boil. The chocolate mixture needs to reach a full rolling boil before you start your timer.
- Set a timer. Once the mixture reaches a rolling boil, boil it for 1 minute. Timing is important for getting the cookies to set properly.
- Work quickly. Have your ingredients measured and your baking sheet prepared before you begin. The mixture starts to harden as it cools.
- Let them cool completely. The cookies need about 1 hour to set at room temperature. You can put them in the refrigerator or freezer to get them to set faster.
Why Are My No Bake Cookies Not Setting?
- Here are the main reasons your no bake cookies wouldn’t harden.
- Did not boil long enough. If your no bake cookies didn’t set (they are soft and a little sticky), you didn’t boil the chocolate mixture long enough. Make sure the mixture reaches a full rolling boil before starting your timer. Boil for 1 minute, then remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Heat was too low – you can’t just simmer the mixture – it has to be a full rolling boil.
- Humidity – if your kitchen is humid try putting the cookies in the fridge to harden.
- The cookies haven’t cooled all the way – let the cookies cool fully. Put them in the fridge or freezer to speed up the process.
If your cookies are already made and won’t harden, try putting them in the refrigerator or freezer. They’ll still taste delicious when eaten cold.
Why Are My No Bake Cookies Dry and Crumbly?
If your no bake cookies turn out dry or crumbly, you boiled the chocolate mixture too long.
Boiling evaporates moisture from the mixture, so even a little extra cooking time can change the texture. Be sure to set a timer and remove the pan from the heat after 1 minute. If you leave it on the heat for too long after you’re done boiling it will continue to cook!
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!
More No-Bake Recipes
If you love these no bake cookies, you need to try some of these recipes:
- Chocolate peanut butter bars are my family’s favorites.
- Puppy chow a classic and my method makes it perfect.
- Haystack cookies are so fun and easy!
- Healthy no bake cookies for a lighter treat.
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars lunch lady perfection.
- Scotcheroos made without corn syrup.
How to Store No Bake Cookies
Store these no bake cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
How to Freeze No Bake Cookies
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.
No Bake Cookies FAQs
The main reason no bake cookies don’t harden is not boiling the mixture long enough. Be sure to wait until the mixture is boiling, then set the timer for 1 minute!
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.
It’s possible you over-boiled the mixture and cooked off too much moisture. This results in dry cookies. Please set a timer for the best results!
These chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.
Yes, but the texture will be slightly chewier.
Nope! They can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Yes, if you have a peanut allergy you can use almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.
Yes, easily! Just use gluten-free oats.
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
Best Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter cubed
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
- pinch sea salt
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 Tablespoon measuring spoon to scoop cookies onto prepared baking sheet.
- Let sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or until hardened.
Notes
- 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, ghee or coconut oil.
- 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 works 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I substitute full fat coconut milk for the whole milk? My daughter cannot have dairy.
Yes!
Has anyone used coconut oil in place of butter?
This recipe is a variation of chocolate burrs that my family has made for years. Ours has no peanut butter and adds shredded coconut when adding oats. Will have to try yours as we also love peanut butter
Can you put raisins and nuts in these cookies????
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! 😊 ♥️
Hi! Can I use non fat milk?
Amazing! I missed the part about what to do with old fashioned oats so I put them whole… but the flavor is still great!
I made it and its delicious. Thanks
So easy to make and they look incredible!
I have to say; no bake cookies are one of my very favorite kinds!
Yay! You will love these!