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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Cookies

    No Bake Cookies

    Updated: Feb 21, 2022 โ€ข Published: Feb 21, 2022 by Sam Merritt โ€ข 1,175 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    collage of no bake cookies, top image of two cookies stacked, bototm image of them spread out on marble slab

    You can make these peanut butter & chocolate no-bake cookies in less than 20 minutes! This super simple recipe is naturally egg-free and flour-free with just a few common ingredients. Recipe includes a how-to video!

    round, chocolatey no-bake cookies resting on a marble surface

    Peanut Butter & Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

    These no-bake cookies are quite possibly the easiest cookie you’ll ever make.

    Not only are they made with a handful of pantry staples, but they cook for just a few minutes on the stove before you’ll scoop them onto a cookie sheet to firm up. Don’t worry, though, just because they’re simple doesn’t mean they’re boring! These cookies are rich and chocolatey, with undertones of peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. They can hold their own against even the most hearty cookies out there, except they take a fraction of the time to make.

    No-bake cookies are quite different from other cookies, and if we’re getting technical, they’re actually more similar to a candy than a cookie. Because of this, they can sometimes be a little tricky to make, especially in humid environments.

    To help those of you who are new to this recipe, I’ve included some troubleshooting below to help you avoid some of the more common issues with this kind of dessert. If you follow all of the tips in this post though, you’ll have perfectly set no-bake cookies in no time!

    What You Need

    overhead view of ingredients needed for no-bake cookies

    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. Unlike most of my recipes, I actually use salted butter for these no-bake cookies. If all you have on hand is unsalted, just add ¼ teaspoon of salt in with the butter.
    • Milk. I recommend whole milk, but some of you have reported that 2%, almond, and even evaporated milk have all worked too.
    • Sugar. I love using a mix of granulated and light brown sugar for rich, flavorful cookies. Most no-bake cookie recipes use just granulated, but I think the brown sugar just adds something special.
    • Cocoa powder. My preference is natural unsweetened cocoa powder, but you could also use Dutch process cocoa if that’s what you have–the flavor will be more intense though!
    • Peanut butter. Use regular peanut butter, not the natural kind that separates. Either crunchy or creamy will work!
    • Vanilla. A generous splash adds a lovely flavor. If you’ve got some homemade vanilla extract sitting around, feel free to use it here!
    • 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.

    And finally…these no-bake cookies are both egg-free and flour-free! Many of you have asked for recipes like this, and these cookies check both boxes without sacrificing any flavor or texture.

    SAM’S TIP: You can always leave out the peanut butter or the cocoa powder, and your cookies will still turn out great! You could also substitute the peanut butter for another nut/seed butter (still make sure it’s not the kind that separates), and some people have even substituted Nutella. I even have cookie butter no-bake cookies!

    Remember, 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

    collage of four images showing how to make no-bake cookies
    1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cocoa, milk, sugar, and butter. Heat this over low heat, stirring frequently, until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.
    2. Once the butter has melted, increase the heat to medium and begin stirring constantly. When the mixture begins to boil, keep stirring and let it boil for exactly one minute. Remove the pot from the heat and keep stirring for a few more seconds.
    3. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until they’re fully incorporated, then fold in your oats until they’re completely coated.
    4. Drop the cookies by 1 ½-2 Tablespoon-sized scoops onto a wax paper lined baking sheet. Let them cool for about 20-30 minutes before enjoying.

    SAM’S TIP: I highly 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 may turn out dry and crumbly. Using a timer for one minute avoids these issues and sets you up for beautiful, perfectly textured no-bake cookies!

    Troubleshooting

    white decorative plate piled with no-bake cookies

    As I mentioned before, these no-bake cookies are a bit more like candy than actual cookies. While they don’t require a candy thermometer, they’re subject to some of the same issues that you can run into when making other candy recipes. Humidity can keep them from setting up properly, so sometimes I have to boil them a bit longer if it’s a rainy day. However, boiling too long can make them dry/crumbly, so it’s a fine balance. It can be hard to salvage your cookies in either scenario, so read this post thoroughly, and make sure to watch the video for extra tips.

    • Cookies that are dry and crumbly: You most likely cranked up the heat to speed things up, or you boiled the mixture for too long. Be patient while you cook, keep the heat on low/medium low, and boil the mixture for only one minute (set a timer)!
    • Cookies that are liquidy, sticky, or won’t set: You probably didn’t boil your mixture long enough. This can happen from simply rushing or from high humidity in your environment. Always use a timer, and if you try to make these on a humid day, you will probably just need to boil them for a bit longer (roughly another minute or so).

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do no-bake cookies have to be refrigerated?

    Nope! They’ll last for roughly one week stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you prefer to eat them cold or just need them to last longer, you can always refrigerate them in an airtight container.

    Can I add shredded coconut, dried fruit, or nuts?

    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.

    Can you freeze no-bake cookies?

    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.

    two no-bake cookies stacked on top of each other on a metal cooling rack, with the top cookie missing a bite

    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

    two no-bake cookies resting on a marble surface

    No Bake Cookies

    These are easy peanut butter chocolate no-bake cookies made with no flour and no eggs! Ready in under 30 minutes!
    4.94 from 290 votes
    Print Pin Rate
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    Course: Dessert, cookies
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 19 minutes minutes
    Servings: 22 cookies
    Calories: 197kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt

    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

    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

    ¹Milk

    I have only ever made these cookies using whole milk and that is what I recommend. However, readers have reported success using 2% milk, skim milk, evaporated milk, and almond milk.

    ²Peanut Butter

    I do not recommend using a natural peanut butter (the kind where the oil separates).

    ³Oats

    You may substitute old-fashioned oats but the cookies will have a different texture. Please see my post for more information.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 197kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 5mg

    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.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jackie

      July 26, 2020 at 12:51 pm

      5 stars
      These are so yummy…I followed your recipe to a “T”. So good. Please keep posting your recipes. I can’t wait to make the cheesecake next weekend. So many yummy recipes on here. Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 27, 2020 at 11:27 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Jackie! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    2. Katie

      July 24, 2020 at 10:53 pm

      5 stars
      These no bakes are amazing!! They remind me of the ones my Nana and Mom used to make and itโ€™s exactly what I wanted! Great recipe and love how detailed you are in your recipes….thank you!!

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 27, 2020 at 2:58 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Katie! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    3. karina

      July 22, 2020 at 8:03 pm

      I have’t made these cookies yet because all I have is natural unsweetened cocoa powder. Is there a way I could switch out the cocoa powder for natural unsweetened cocoa powder? if so, would I have to add more sugar?

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 24, 2020 at 10:46 am

        Hi Karina! Your cocoa powder should work just fine here. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    4. Christina

      July 19, 2020 at 1:25 pm

      Hello,

      I have been searching the internet for a recipe my mother made for us kids in the 60โ€™s. Unfortunately, she has passed, so Iโ€™m on my own. They were pinwheel, refrigerator, no bake cookies. I think they were vanilla and chocolate but I know she kept them wrapped in a towel with powdered sugar on the outside. She would pull the roll out and slice us a cookie that was to die for. The main flavor I remember was the powdered sugar and Iโ€™m not even sure they were two flavors, just that they were rolled and then sliced. I was very young, so Iโ€™m trying my best to remember them. Any ideas?????

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 19, 2020 at 4:03 pm

        Hmmm I’m wondering if this potato candy is what you are looking for. I am not quite sure but this is probably the closest thing I have. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
      • Lori

        July 24, 2020 at 3:00 pm

        Could it have been a pumpkin roll?

        Reply
    5. Shirley Cantley

      July 16, 2020 at 1:37 pm

      Can I add chopped nuts to these?

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 17, 2020 at 4:30 pm

        Hi Shirley! That sounds good to me. You will want to stir them in at the end. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    6. RIMA SHARMA

      July 14, 2020 at 11:46 pm

      Hi,

      I tried these cookies , they taste yum but it did not hardened after cooling of, can you suggest something to fix this
      thnk you

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 15, 2020 at 9:34 pm

        Hi Rima! I’m so sorry this happened. This can happen if it is too humid where you are of if the cookies didn’t get boiled quite long enough. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    7. Meg sawchuk

      July 11, 2020 at 11:40 pm

      Can you freeze them

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 13, 2020 at 9:54 pm

        Hi Meg! They should freeze just fine. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    8. Shirley

      July 02, 2020 at 9:24 pm

      Hi Sam,
      Can you interchange the peanut butter and cookie butter between your two no bake oatmeal recipes. I wanted to make both and I like the chocolate but not the peanut butter and my husband is the opposite he likes the peanut butter but not the chocolate. I am not sure how I even married a man who doesn’t like chocolate ; ) but that just means more for me.

      Reply
      • Sam

        July 03, 2020 at 9:22 am

        Hi Shirley! Yes you can! You can make the recipe with the cocoa powder as written, though sometimes I cut the sugar a bit (1/4-1/3 cup) to accommodate for the extra sweetness in the cookie butter, or you can make my no bake cookie butter cookies, which do not use the cocoa powder at all. I hope that helps, and enjoy the extra chocolate in your life, sometimes I wish I didn’t have to share mine with my husband! ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‰

        Reply
    9. Tessa

      June 13, 2020 at 5:27 pm

      5 stars
      SO good! I have made no bake cookies before and they have never turned out as good as these turned out! Super easy to understand the instructions! I loved all the flavors! Thank you for posting!

      Reply
      • Sam

        June 14, 2020 at 3:01 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Tessa! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    10. Lara

      June 12, 2020 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      Best no-bake cookie recipe ever!!!! So easy and so so good too!!! I make these for parties, get- togethers and everything thing in between! Thank you for such detailed instructions!! Love, love, love this recipe!

      Reply
      • Sam

        June 14, 2020 at 2:44 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Lara! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    11. Joyce

      June 06, 2020 at 2:14 pm

      I have tried No Bake Cookies in the past and they never turned out right. I have made these cookies twice now and they come out perfect every time. Thank you for this recipe. There are very delicious.

      Reply
      • Sam

        June 08, 2020 at 10:50 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Joyce! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    12. Denise O

      June 05, 2020 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      My daughter and niece wanted to make no bake cookies and came upon your website. The instructions were easy for them to understand And follow and the cookies came out great. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sam

        June 05, 2020 at 3:33 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed the cookies, Denise! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    13. Melody ( Mel)

      June 05, 2020 at 7:09 am

      I tried this recipe this morning. They turned out great and were Delicious. I am looking at more of your recipes to try. All I can say is ur Awesome. Have a Great Day.

      Reply
      • Sam

        June 05, 2020 at 12:19 pm

        Thank you so much, Mel! I am so glad you enjoyed the cookies! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    14. Jen

      June 01, 2020 at 5:14 pm

      5 stars
      They came out tasting like my Great Grandmotherโ€™s! Fantastic recipe!

      Reply
      • Sam

        June 02, 2020 at 10:11 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed them so much, Jen! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    15. Denise

      May 27, 2020 at 12:48 am

      Great recipe. I made a couple of changes first I used 1/2 of the sugar and used coconut instead of some of the oats

      Reply
      • Sam

        May 27, 2020 at 9:26 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed the cookies, Denise! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
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    The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

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