Easy and Amazing No Bake Cookies

These creamy, decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies are incredibly easy, call for simple ingredients, and taste amazing! They are always a hit with both kids and adults. If you need a last minute dessert, give them a try!

I’ve been making these addicting no bake cookies since I was a girl, and they are still a favorite. Now my kids make them when they have a hankering for chocolate and peanut butter. They are some of the easiest and tastiest cookies you will ever taste!

WHAT MAKES THESE THE BEST NO BAKE COOKIES:

• Chocolate + Peanut Butter is always a winning combination!
• You don’t need to use a mixer or turn on your oven.
• They take only about 10 minutes to make.
• They are egg free and gluten free, and can easily be made dairy free!
• Oats give them a wonderfully chewy texture, but the chocolate melts in your mouth.
• They store incredibly well just at room temperature.
• Best of all, everyone loves them!

 I am always amazed when I take these cookies to potlucks and they are the first treats to disappear, because they are so fast to throw together. My family adores them, and apparently so does everyone else!

 

HOW TO MAKE NO BAKE COOKIES

INGREDIENTS FOR NO BAKE COOKIES:

• granulated sugar – Adds sweetness to the cookies, but also helps them set up.
• unsweetened cocoa powder – Gives the cookies their amazing chocolate flavor.
• milk – I use 2% milk, but any type of milk will work. You can even substitute almond milk.
• butter – I use salted butter. It adds richness and also helps the cookies set up.
• salt – Even though I use salted butter, I still add a bit of salt. You can omit it if you prefer.
• creamy peanut butter – Make sure you use regular, not natural peanut butter for best results. 
• vanilla extract – Use whatever brand is your favorite. Even the cheap stuff works for these cookies.
• oats – We think old fashioned oats yield the best texture, but you can use quick oats if that’s what you have.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine sugar, cocoa, milk, butter, and salt in a large heavy pan. 
   
2. Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat, and boil for barely 60 seconds.
   
3. Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the peanut butter, vanilla, and oats.
   
4. Drop by spoonfuls onto silicone pan liners or parchment paper. Let cool till set, about 30 minutes.
   

PRO TIPS:

• Use creamy peanut butter. Crunchy peanut butter makes for dry cookies, because some of the creamy part is replaced with chopped peanuts. If you have to use crunchy peanut butter, add an extra 1/4 cup.
• Watch the cooking time very carefully! Too little time and your cookies won’t set up, too long and they will crumble apart.

VARIATIONS:

• For extra crunch, stir in 1/2 cup of finely chopped peanuts with the peanut butter.
• Love coconut? You can also stir in 1/2 cup of flaked coconut with the oats.
• If you like your cookies extra chocolatey, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of extra cocoa powder.

How long are no bake cookies good for?

These classic no bake cookies keep really well. We’ve had them last for up to two weeks at room temperature. They may dry out a bit, but they are still tasty.

Because they store so well, they are great for shipping and give giving. Just protect them well so they don’t crumble apart.

Are no bake cookies gluten free?

Yes, as long as you make sure you are using gluten free oats, these cookies are naturally gluten free.

How long does it take for no bakes to harden?

It depends on the temperature of your kitchen, but it usually takes 30-40 minutes. You can speed up the process by popping them in the refrigerator for a few minutes.

Why do my chocolate no bake cookies not harden?

If your no bake chocolate oat cookies are gooey, or flatten out too much, you didn’t cook them long enough. 60 seconds of boiling works perfectly on my stove, but yours may be different.

On the other hand, if no bake cocoa cookies are crumbling apart, you cooked them too long. Because they cook so quickly, you need to really watch the time. I set a timer for one minute so that they turn out perfectly. With these cookies, you can’t guess on the boiling time!

Does it matter what kind of oats I use for peanut butter fudge no bake cookies?

We like our no bake cookies with old fashioned oats. Quick oats absorb more moisture, so they tend to result in a more dry and crumbly cookie. Old fashioned oats make for hearty, chewy cookies that have great texture but are still soft. 

If all you have is quick oats, you can use them, and the cookies will still taste great! You cannot substitute instant oats though. 

Can you make no bake cookies without peanut butter? 

You can use another type of nut butter (like almond butter), but if you eliminate it entirely, your cookies will be dry and overly sweet. Make sure you use a regular nut butter, not a natural variety.

MORE NO BAKE TREATS:

• Eggless Cookie Dough
• Cookie Crunch with Andes Mints
• Rice Krispies Peanut Butter Balls
• No Bake Cornflake Cookies
• Marshmallow Popcorn Balls

RECIPES FOR CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FANS:

• Peanut Butter Bars with Oatmeal
• Reeses Cake
• Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake
• Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
• Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies

NO BAKE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL COOKIES

(originally published 4/27/2009, updated May 2021)

If you need a delicious treat at the last minute, you need to make these peanut butter cocoa no bake cookies. They are perfect any time of year, for any occasion!