No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
Get your little ones involved in the kitchen with these no-bake oatmeal cookies! With simple ingredients and no oven required, this recipe is perfect for kids to help make. Let them mix, shape, and enjoy these chewy, sweet treats. Start creating delicious memories together!
No bake oatmeal cookies are the perfect treat for you and your kiddos to make together! This classic recipe always makes the most delicious chewy cookies. I love having no bake recipes that I can use during the summer months when I don’t want to heat up my kitchen. But they’re also great during the holidays when all the oven space is taken!
However, my most favorite reason for no bake recipes is that my kids can always help with them. These chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies are one of their favorites and they get so excited when I pull out the ingredients to make them.
They make no bake treats on their own too! These Valentine’s rice krispies are always made in February and they love to make them for friends.
So, if you’re looking for recipes that are family friendly, you’ll love these easy no bake cookies.
Why You’ll Love No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
- It only takes about 20 minutes to prep these cookies. Then you can leave them to set and make some more treats or a fun craft while you wait!
- These are a wonderful make ahead treat since you can store them in room temperature, in the fridge, and in the freezer.
- No bake cookies are a great school lunch addition! You can easily and affordably make a large batch and have cookies for weeks.
Ingredients for No Bake Cookies
- Quick oats – This is the key to successful no bake cookies. The quick oats are much easier to work with!
- Peanut butter – Your favorite creamy peanut butter will add a creamy texture and tasty flavor to these cookies.
- Cocoa powder – Believe it or not, unsweetened cocoa powder will make these no bake cookies perfectly chocolatey!
- Salted butter – The salt in salted butter compliments the chocolate flavor and will help balance out the sweetness in these no bake cookies.
- Milk – Whole milk will produce the best results! If you don’t have that, you can use 2% milk or 1% milk.
- Sugar – Just regular ol’ granulated sugar is all you need to sweeten this easy recipe.
- Vanilla extract – A touch of vanilla extract goes wonderfully with the chocolate and peanut butter in these cookies.
Helpful Tools
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ice cream scoop or cookie scoop
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Medium saucepan
How to Make No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
- Begin by lining two separate baking sheets with parchment paper and then set them to the side for later.
- Next, combine the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and milk in a medium saucepan.
- Heat the ingredients in the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture while stirring frequently until it reaches a full boil. Once boiling, allow chocolate sugar mixture to boil for about 60 seconds without stirring.
- Remove from the saucepan from heat and then stir in vanilla extract, smooth peanut butter and quick oats.
- Stir the mixture until well combined, and then use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to scoop the cookies into to even mounds. Place the scooped cookies onto lined baking sheets.
- Finally, allow the drop cookies to set at room temperature for 20-30 minutes until they firm up.
- Serve when ready!
How to Store Leftover No Bake Oatmeal Cookies
Place leftovers into an airtight container and store with parchment paper in between layers to prevent sticking. Keep the cookies at room temperature for about a week.
Or, extend the life of the cookies and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. These easy no bake cookies freeze well too! Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just choose whichever storage option works best for you and how quickly you plan to chow down on these cookies.
Why are my no bake cookies so dry?
If you end up with cookies that crumble and are a dry texture, the most likely culprit is that you boiled the mixture too long. Watch closely for when the cookie mixture begins to boil, and don’t leave it any longer than 90 seconds. But the 60 second mark tends to be the magic number for me! This could be one step where your kids will need help.
Can I use a different nut butter in no bake oatmeal cookies?
Have a peanut allergy in the house? Not to worry. You can substitute almond butter, sunflower butter, or any other nut butter in place of the peanut butter. Keep in mind it will change the flavor a bit, but they’ll still be super yummy!
Pro Tips for the Best No Bake Cookies
- These chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies will set more quickly if you place them in the fridge.
- Just as boiling too long can effect the texture of these cookies, not boiling the mixture long enough can make them sticky. I recommend setting a kitchen timer when the cookie mixture begins to boil so that there is no room for error.
- Work quickly when scooping the cookies onto the baking sheet. The longer the mixture sits in the saucepan, the more difficult it will become to work with.
These classic cookies are just so delicious! Make memories in the kitchen with these easy no bake cookies.
More Cookie Recipes You’ll Love
- These four ingredient Cake Mix Cookies are a favorite around our house!
- Need a festive cookie to welcome Spring? These Spring Sugar Cookies are just perfect.
- Bunny Face Cookies are one of the cutest Easter treats ever!
- Rainy day gotcha down? Make these Thumbprint S’mores Cookies and bring the yummy fun of a campfire indoors!
No Bake Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups quick oats don’t use old fashioned oats
Instructions
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a 2.5 to 3 quart medium saucepan combine butter, sugar, cocoa, and milk.
Set over medium heat, and cook stirring frequently until it reaches a full boil. - Allow the mixture to boil for 60 seconds without stirring.
- Remove from heat, immediately add in vanilla, peanut butter and quick oats.
Stir mixture until well combined then, using a medium cookie scoop drop mixture onto lined baking sheets. - Allow to rest at room temperature until set, about 20 – 30 minutes (to speed up setting refrigerate).
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
To extend the life of the cookies and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just choose whichever storage option works best for you and how quickly you plan to chow down on these cookies.
