No bake cookies are an old-fashioned and ever-popular candy/cookie hybrid. They come together in about 15 minutes without even turning on the oven. Recipe includes a how-to video tutorial.
Peanut Butter & Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
No bake cookies are quite possibly the easiest cookie you’ll ever make, and one of the first dessert recipes I ever mastered. They’re irresistible and nearly on-par with rice krispie treats in terms of ease. I think you’ll love them just as much as I do!
What’s To Love:
- Hundreds of five star reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Since I first shared this recipe over 5 years ago, it’s garnered hundreds of rave reviews and a dedicated following, with people calling them “perfect”, “easy”, and giving them “two thumbs up”.
- Basic ingredients, but not boring. Ready in minutes and calling for just basic pantry staples, you might not expect much. But the end result is anything but basic, with a rich, fudge-like texture, peanut butter/chocolate flavor, and undertones of vanilla. They can hold their own against even the best chocolate chip cookie recipe.
- Versatile. The peanut butter or cocoa can be omitted (though I don’t recommend it unless you’re in a bind or have an allergy!), the oats are adjustable, and the recipe works with both traditional and natural or homemade peanut butter.
- A helpful recipe. Because it is prepared like a candy, the recipe, while easy, can still go awry if you don’t know what to watch out for. My recipe and tutorial include lots of helpful tips to make sure they set up firmly/properly without being dry or crumbly.
What You Need
These cookies are so simple that I bet you already have all the ingredients to make them! Here’s what you need (and what you don’t!):
- Butter. While I generally reach for unsalted butter, when it comes to no bake cookies I usually just reach for the salted. If you don’t have any on hand, just add a pinch (¼ teaspoon) of salt when you are melting the butter.
- Milk. I recommend whole milk and this is all I ever personally use, but a number of commenters have reported that 2%, almond, and even evaporated milk have all worked too. Gotta love a versatile recipe!
- Sugar. Here’s one of the things that really sets my version apart from most. After years of using only granulated sugar, I switched to using a blend of granulated and brown sugar. And I’ve never looked back. It adds a special touch and depth of flavor that you just can’t get with granulated.
- Peanut butter: Since publishing this recipe, I’ve tested it with both store-bought, natural, and even homemade peanut butter and all work well (just stir the natural peanut butter well before using). Some people have substituted sun butter or even left out the peanut butter with no issue in texture.
- Cocoa powder. My preference is natural unsweetened cocoa powder for the best and most traditional flavor. If you only have Dutch process, that would work, but the flavor will be different.
- Oats. My preference is to use instant or quick oats, because they yield a chewier, more compact cookie; however, you could use the same amount of old fashioned or rolled oats if that’s what you have on hand.
Possibly worth noting: these no bake cookies are both egg-free and flour-free!
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make No Bake Cookies
No-bakes are quite different from other cookies, and if we’re getting technical, they’re actually more similar to a candy (think peanut butter fudge) than a cookie. Because of this, they can sometimes be a little tricky to make, especially in humid environments. Keep this in mind and aim to make them on a cool, dry day for best results.
- Step 1: Combine the cocoa, milk, butter and sugar and heat until the butter is melted and everything is nice and smooth, then bring everything to a boil and boil for 1 minute (if it’s raining/bad weather, I usually boil a bit longer). Very important: The sugar needs time to slowly dissolve, so don’t crank up the heat to melt the butter or your no bake cookies won’t set up properly and will be no-bake puddles.
- Step 2: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla, and stir until the peanut butter is uniformly combined into the mixture.
- Step 3: Add the oats and quickly stir until they’re completely coated with the chocolate mixture.
- Step 4: Drop by spoonfuls (I use a 1.5 Tbsp cookie scoop) onto a wax or parchment lined baking sheet. Let them cool until firm (usually 15-30 minutes) before removing and enjoying.
SAM’S TIP: I recommend using a timer when you reach the boiling step. If you don’t boil the mixture long enough, your cookies may not set properly. On the other hand, if you boil it for too long, your cookies will be dry and crumbly. Using a timer for one minute avoids these issues and sets you up for beautiful, perfectly textured cookies!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you rushed through melting the butter and sugar in the beginning, kept your heat too high, or you boiled for too long, the cookies will be dry, crumbly, and likely won’t spread much or at all when you scoop them. Be patient while cooking, keep the heat on low/medium, and boil for only one minute (use a timer!). If you are in a particularly dry and arid environment, you may want to check the cookies 10 seconds sooner.
Most likely you simply didn’t boil your mixture long enough, which can leave the cookies looking like puddles (so always use a timer!). However, the weather can also be a factor. If it’s a humid or rainy day, sometimes the cookies need a bit more time. Always use a timer, and if you’re battling wet weather I recommend you boil them for a bit longer (roughly another 20-30 seconds or so). Once you’ve made these enough you’ll get a knack for it and intuitively know how long to cook them!
Not to brag, but my no bake cookies have quite the reputation. They’re a family and party favorite, have been a popular recipe on my site for years and they’ve repeatedly gone viral on Facebook and other social media, collecting millions of views 🫢. The secret? Pretty sure it’s in the brown sugar. The added depth of flavor makes the texture smoother and the flavor richer, deeper, and just gives it that extra special touch.
Yes! Just stir them in at the end when you add the oats. Don’t add too much (no more than a cup of add-ins), or you could risk making your cookies dry.
Yes! Place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet or plate and let them firm up in the fridge for a few hours. Once they’re firm, you can transfer them to a freezer bag and freeze.
More Easy Recipes to Try
A lot of people told me in the comments that they had all kinds of fun, unique names for these cookies growing up, I’d love to know what you call them! Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113 g) salted butter cut into Tablespoon-sized pieces
- ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk¹
- 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (25 g) cocoa powder
- ⅔ cup (165 g) creamy peanut butter²
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups (285 g) instant/quick oats³
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Prepare two cookie sheets by lining with wax paper and set aside.
- Combine butter, milk, sugars, and cocoa powder in a medium-sized saucepan over low heat. Don't bump up the heat to speed up the process or you run the risk of your ingredients not combining properly and your cookies not setting properly.½ cup (113 g) salted butter, ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk¹, 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, ¼ cup (25 g) cocoa powder
- Stir ingredients frequently until butter is completely melted (I recommend using a long wooden spoon as a metal spoon can become really hot).
- Increase heat to medium and, stirring constantly, bring to a boil.
- Boil, still stirring constantly, for 1 minute (I recommend using a timer, see post for more details on why it’s important to not over or under-boil) then remove from heat. Continue to stir the mixture for several seconds.
- Add peanut butter and vanilla extract, stirring until peanut butter is completely combined and melted into the mixture.⅔ cup (165 g) creamy peanut butter², 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add oats and stir until coated in chocolate.3 cups (285 g) instant/quick oats³
- Drop no bake cookie mixture by approximately 1 ½-2 Tablespoon-sized spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheet.
- Allow to cool (approximately 20-30 minutes) before serving, the cookies will harden as they cool.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Cassy
I made these no bakes exactly as the recipe states and they turned out perfect! Eat no bake recipe I’ve tried so far!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed them, Lisa! 😊
Antonette
Can I use coconut instead of oats and can I leave the peanut butter out
MrsJDT
Thank you for the recipe and tips! I’m a third generation (at least!) making the same recipe (minus the PB as neither my mom nor husband can stand stuff in their chocolate!), but lately I can’t ever get them to set up correctly, except the last couple. They used to do fine, but no longer. So yes, I’ve had cookie puddles. 🙂 I’m going to try your recipe to see if I can get better results.
Quick question: we have a peanut allergy in the house. Will leaving out the PB greatly affect the way these turnout? Or has anyone else tried that?
Thanks!
Sam
I think they will turn out fine without the peanut butter. I have had several people comment and say they have left it out. Good luck! ☺️
Rhea Halloran
Has anyone tried making these with Stivea? I had gastric bypass surgery and sugar is a big no for me,
Connie Saffell
What can you use in place for the coco I don’t like chocolate
Sam
I believe some people just leave it out
Josie
You can use carob
Eleanor
Can I use 2% Milk?
Chris
I did and they tasted great but they don’t look as good as Sam’s.
Ashley
These were amazing and easy to make. I forgot to add the vanilla and they were still perfect!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed them! ☺️
Patty
Can the recipe be doubled and still get the same result??
Sam
That shouldn’t be a problem. 😃
Cheri Moss
I’ve used a very similar recipe for decades. I’ve also used a similar recipe as a professional baker. Make sure to boil it 1 minute per batch. So a double batch would be 2 minutes.
I prefer half rolled oats and half quick oats. Coconut can also be added at the same time as the peanut butter.
Brenda Burgess
I have substituted granola for the oats and it came out great
Jenny
Sounds delicious. I’d like to make these without oats and gluten free. Could you use crushed cornflakes instead?
Sam
I have not tried it and I am not sure. I would be afraid they would get soggy.
Stephanie
Oats should be gluten free, I thought. I have successfully made them with rolled quoina, but they look a lot like something out of a litter box.
You can also sub sun butter without any textural differences.
A Monarch
My mother used to use corn flakes. That was many years ago, I don’t know if the recipie has changed for corn flakes have changed since the 50’s.
Nola
Can you use salted margarine
Sam
I would think so, but I have not tried it so I don’t know how it will turn out.
Janice
My mother made these — when making the chocolate mixture (the boiling part), Momma would always drop a drop into a cup of cold water to see if it hardened. If it did, she removed from heat.
Shelly
Yes- I use margarine and it works great
Josie
Yes margerine works just fine, been making these since in the 50’s 🙂
Laura
I too would like to know if it will still work with a nut milk – we drink Cashew
Sam
Hi Laura, unfortunately I do not know as I have never tried it.
Avail
I love these cookies! I used a little less peanut butter and about a half cup more of oats, and they were PERFECT!!
Maria
I doubled up the recipe and let it boil for 1 minutes and 1/2, cookies were still wet. I made them into square cuts instead of round.
Should I let it boil longer?
Sam
These cookies can be very finicky. If there was too much humidity they may not set properly, if they cook time was maybe just short of a minute they may not have set properly. The shape of the cookie should have no effect on the final outcome. 😃
Brenda Burgess
I make these no-bake cookies usually around the holidays, I too have added about 1/4-1/2 cup coconut to mine, I also will use granola cereal in place of the oats, my family loves them and my husband took them to work one year at Christmas time, everyone loved them
Lynn W.
can I use almond milk or coconut milk? I am not allowed to eat dairy?