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.
Rona
I love your blog! I want to make these because I've never made a no bake cookie. But I was wondering, where do I find malt powder in the store?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much! You can buy malt powder in the same aisle as the hot chocolate mix in most stores.
Lorraine
What are sixlets?
Jocelyn Brubaker
They are a chocolate with a candy coating...like an M&M but Sixlets are round. You can sub M&M's if you can't find them.
trooppetrie
I have never added coconut but will definitly do it next time
Jenn Erickson
Jocelyn, I absolutely love all of your creative and original sweet treats! You're one of the very best in the blogosphere, so I hope you won't veer too far from your original "recipe" for success!
Thank you for being a regular part of what makes "A Little Birdie Told Me..." shine!
Jenn
Mindy
what cute kiddos!! i am still mourning the end of summer. i am also so relieved that you use peanut butter in your no-bakes.
my hubs thought i was crazy to!!
(i thought his momma was weird for not.. among other reasons of weirdness.)
The Outlaw Mom
I love no bake ideas, don't you? These look super yummy. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Michael Ann
I've had these before and LOVED them but I didn't have the recipe. I'm so glad to find it. I think the addition of the colored candy's is brilliant. Yes, makes a much better photo. Nice blog! I found you from Mandy's Recipe Box (Tuesday blog hop).
Amy
These looks so delicious. No bake too? Count me in please! 🙂
My blog just turned 1 and I’m hosting a giveaway on my blog as a way to say thank you for your supports in the past year. Please come over to check it out if you’re interested.
Lindsay
Yummy! Those look delicious! A must try!
By the way, I have a fun giveaway going on now, I would love to have you check it out--
Martha
The children and I made these yesterday-YUM!! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Have a wonderful weekend!
Kara @ Mine for the Making
Im with Holly ^^ LOVE your recipes (have pinned and written down so many of them). Keep them coming! But this is your blog...so maybe show off a little more of YOU...other hobbies and things you like to do/pursue.
Cant wait to add another NO bake recipe to my stash...sometimes these are the most helpful of all recipes 😉
Holly Lefevre
Ilike all your sugary goodness - I am not baking as much as I want because i find it hard to say no to those treats , but I always know where I can come for a good recipe! Of course, new things are fun too!
LOVE no bake cookies!
Taylor
I love seeing all the yummy pics you post on your blog but I would love to hear more spiritual stuff. Being a Christian myself, I always like to read something that is encouraging me in my walk or even just what God is showing you in your life or your family's life. I know that it can be kind of personal, so that is totally up to you. But something Christian based topics would be interesting to me! Keep up the yummy recipes though!
Something Swanky
I loooooove sixlets! And I loooooooove your desserts (they aid my pinning addiction). In fact, I hope you can swing by Something Swanky today and link up to the Sweet Treats Party this weekend!
I'm following you on GFC and stumbling this post! I'd love a follow back when you get a sec!!
Ashton
Julia
I just realized you're a pastors wife too. Nice! Oh pinterest. The best waste of time EVER!!!!
Heather Is...
I love your blog exactly the way it is! I could print it out and make a fabulous desserts-only cookbook. haha
Heather@
heatherishis.blogspot.com
Sarah @ Sugar Bananas!
I love these cookies. I'm sure they were a hit after school. Adorable kiddos - I hope they had an exciting first day.
About your blog...definitely keep up the sweet recipes! I get lots of inspiration from you.
Thanks for adding this to Sweets This Week!
Sarah
Kelli @ RTSM
No bake cookies are my favorite! I never thought to add anything to them though....they look so pretty with the Sixlets on top:)
Camille
These look so good! And yes, the Sixlets totally make them look awesome in the photo. Your kids are darling. 🙂 You are such a good mom!
Camille @
SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com
KB
Looks delish.
We'd love you to share your recipes with us at