Classic No Bake Cookies are easy to make in minutes with a few ingredients. Everyone will love the chewy fudge texture in these chocolate oatmeal cookies.
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No bake cookies remind me of my childhood. These chewy oatmeal drop cookies were one of the first cookies I learned how to make. Every summer I would sell no bakes and Congo bars at a lemonade stand.
These two old fashioned recipes are always a hit whenever I make them for different events.
To be honest, the chocolate peanut butter no bakes have always been my top pick. I love that there is no baking involved, and you can always dig in before they cool completely.
Why You Will Love Chocolate No Bakes
- These easy no bake cookies only require a few ingredients.
- They can be made in minutes, so they are perfect when you are short on time.
- Chocolate and peanut butter is always a winning flavor combination.
- The best part is there is no need for an oven, so they won't heat up the house.
- These cookies have a dense and chewy fudge texture that is more like candy.
What are No Bakes?
These easy unbaked cookies are a type of fudge cookie made with peanut butter and oats. The mixture is made on the stove top, then the batter is dropped by spoonfuls onto prepared pans.
Ingredients Needed
You probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen right now to make these no bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies. Make sure you prep all the ingredients ahead of time because this recipe moves quickly.
- Granulated Sugar - Sweetens the cookies and also makes them set.
- Unsalted Butter - Real butter gives the best taste. Do not use margarine because it gives the cookies a strange flavor.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - Give the cookies their chocolatey flavor. You can also use Hershey's dark cocoa for a darker cookie color and taste.
- Salt - Balances out the sweetness.
- Milk - Any kind of milk will work in this recipe. We usually use 2%, but whole, fat free, almond, or chocolate milk is fine.
- Peanut Butter - Use your favorite brand of creamy peanut butter Jif or Skippy. We do not recommend using a natural peanut butter. Crunchy peanut butter can be used if you want extra nuts.
- Vanilla Extract - Adds flavor.
- Quick Oats - Using quick cooking oats is best because they are smaller and not as chewy as the old fashioned oats.
How to make No Bake Cookies
These classic no bakes come together quickly on the stovetop. They only take 15 minutes to make, and everyone will love them.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Measure all the ingredients first.
- Stir together the sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa powder in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Once it start boiling, set a timer for 1 minute.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until creamy. Add the oats and stir quickly.
- Use a large cookie scoop to drop spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
- Let the no bake cookies cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then dive in.
Storage Recommendations
Keep the no bake cookies in a tightly sealed container on the counter for 6-7 days, if they last that long. You can also refrigerate them if you like them chilled or if your house is humid.
Place sheets of parchment paper or wax paper between the cookies to keep them from sticking together.
Tips and Tricks
- Measure all your ingredients ahead of time. This will make the recipe go smoothly when you start.
- Make sure you use quick cooking oats for this recipe because they hold the cookies together better. If all you have are rolled oats, pulse them in a blender or food processor for a few seconds.
- Use a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop to make 18 even round cookies. I think the larger cookies taste better than the smaller ones.
- These cookies set up very quickly. As soon as everything is mixed in, scoop them onto parchment lined trays.
- Skip making these cookies if it is raining or very humid. For some reason the cookies just don't set the same.
- Change up the cookies by adding some shredded sweetened coconut.
- Try these Nutella no bake cookies for a delicious twist.
Recipe FAQ'S
The biggest reason chocolate oatmeal cookies do not turn out is because the chocolate mixture didn't boil long enough. Once the entire mixture is boiling (bubbling like crazy), start your timer for 60 seconds.
Make sure you do not boil the chocolate mixture for longer than one minute. If the mixture boils too long, the no bake cookies will crumble and be dry.
You sure can. Feel free to swap the peanut butter for Nutella, Biscoff, almond butter, or any other type of nut butter. Sun butter is also a good choice, if you need a nut free option.
Yes, these chocolate peanut butter cookies freeze very well. Scoop the mixture onto parchment lined trays and place in the freezer. Once the cookies are frozen, place them in a freezer safe bag where they will keep for 1-2 months. Thaw on a plate in the fridge overnight or at room temperature.
More No Bake Recipes
- M&M Rice Krispie Treats
- Cookie Dough Truffles
- Buckeye Pretzels
- Peanut Butter S'more Bars
- Apple Nachos
- Pineapple Dole Whip
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Recipe
Classic No Bake Cookies
Classic No Bake Cookies are easy to make in minutes with a few ingredients. Everyone will love the chewy fudge texture in these chocolate oatmeal cookies.
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup dark cocoa powder
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups quick oats
Instructions
- Stir together the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and salt in a large pan over medium heat. Continue to stir until the sugar is dissolved. Increase the heat slightly until it comes to a full rolling boil.
- Boil for one full minute while you stir a few times. (This helps to melt the sugar down so you end up with creamy cookies.)
- Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until creamy. Add the oats and stir until coated.
- Use a 3 tablespoons cookie scoop to drop 18 spoonfuls onto wax paper lined trays. You can also use a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop to make 36 smaller cookies.
- Let cool completely. Store in a sealed container on the counter.
Notes
- Measure all your ingredients ahead of time. This will make the recipe go smoothly when you start.
- Make sure you use quick cooking oats for this recipe because they hold the cookies together better. If all you have are rolled oats, pulse them in a blender or food processor for a few seconds.
- These cookies set up very quickly. As soon as everything is mixed in, scoop them onto parchment lined trays.
- Skip making these cookies if it is raining or very humid. For some reason the cookies just don't set the same.
- Change up the cookies by adding some shredded sweetened coconut.
- Try these Nutella no bake cookies for a delicious twist.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 267Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 132mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 2gSugar: 24gProtein: 5g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for No Bake Cookies was first published August 2011. The post and the photos were updated July 2022.
ColleenB.~Tx.
I have used Rice Krispies before when I didn't have oatmeal on hand.
Growing up, these where an old time favorite cookie my mother used to make at Christmas. I continued to make these as well; especially at Christmas. Santa even got a few himself.. I'm in my mid 70's and can't have a holiday without them.