No bake cookies are an old-fashioned and ever-popular candy/cookie hybrid. They come together in about 15 minutes without even turning on the oven. Recipe includes a how-to video tutorial.
Peanut Butter & Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
No bake cookies are quite possibly the easiest cookie you’ll ever make, and one of the first dessert recipes I ever mastered. They’re irresistible and nearly on-par with rice krispie treats in terms of ease. I think you’ll love them just as much as I do!
What’s To Love:
- Hundreds of five star reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Since I first shared this recipe over 5 years ago, it’s garnered hundreds of rave reviews and a dedicated following, with people calling them “perfect”, “easy”, and giving them “two thumbs up”.
- Basic ingredients, but not boring. Ready in minutes and calling for just basic pantry staples, you might not expect much. But the end result is anything but basic, with a rich, fudge-like texture, peanut butter/chocolate flavor, and undertones of vanilla. They can hold their own against even the best chocolate chip cookie recipe.
- Versatile. The peanut butter or cocoa can be omitted (though I don’t recommend it unless you’re in a bind or have an allergy!), the oats are adjustable, and the recipe works with both traditional and natural or homemade peanut butter.
- A helpful recipe. Because it is prepared like a candy, the recipe, while easy, can still go awry if you don’t know what to watch out for. My recipe and tutorial include lots of helpful tips to make sure they set up firmly/properly without being dry or crumbly.
What You Need
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. While I generally reach for unsalted butter, when it comes to no bake cookies I usually just reach for the salted. If you don’t have any on hand, just add a pinch (¼ teaspoon) of salt when you are melting the butter.
- Milk. I recommend whole milk and this is all I ever personally use, but a number of commenters have reported that 2%, almond, and even evaporated milk have all worked too. Gotta love a versatile recipe!
- Sugar. Here’s one of the things that really sets my version apart from most. After years of using only granulated sugar, I switched to using a blend of granulated and brown sugar. And I’ve never looked back. It adds a special touch and depth of flavor that you just can’t get with granulated.
- Peanut butter: Since publishing this recipe, I’ve tested it with both store-bought, natural, and even homemade peanut butter and all work well (just stir the natural peanut butter well before using). Some people have substituted sun butter or even left out the peanut butter with no issue in texture.
- Cocoa powder. My preference is natural unsweetened cocoa powder for the best and most traditional flavor. If you only have Dutch process, that would work, but the flavor will be different.
- 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.
Possibly worth noting: these no bake cookies are both egg-free and flour-free!
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
No-bakes are quite different from other cookies, and if we’re getting technical, they’re actually more similar to a candy (think peanut butter fudge) than a cookie. Because of this, they can sometimes be a little tricky to make, especially in humid environments. Keep this in mind and aim to make them on a cool, dry day for best results.
- Step 1: Combine the cocoa, milk, butter and sugar and heat until the butter is melted and everything is nice and smooth, then bring everything to a boil and boil for 1 minute (if it’s raining/bad weather, I usually boil a bit longer). Very important: The sugar needs time to slowly dissolve, so don’t crank up the heat to melt the butter or your no bake cookies won’t set up properly and will be no-bake puddles.
- Step 2: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla, and stir until the peanut butter is uniformly combined into the mixture.
- Step 3: Add the oats and quickly stir until they’re completely coated with the chocolate mixture.
- Step 4: Drop by spoonfuls (I use a 1.5 Tbsp cookie scoop) onto a wax or parchment lined baking sheet. Let them cool until firm (usually 15-30 minutes) before removing and enjoying.
SAM’S TIP: I 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 will be dry and crumbly. Using a timer for one minute avoids these issues and sets you up for beautiful, perfectly textured cookies!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you rushed through melting the butter and sugar in the beginning, kept your heat too high, or you boiled for too long, the cookies will be dry, crumbly, and likely won’t spread much or at all when you scoop them. Be patient while cooking, keep the heat on low/medium, and boil for only one minute (use a timer!). If you are in a particularly dry and arid environment, you may want to check the cookies 10 seconds sooner.
Most likely you simply didn’t boil your mixture long enough, which can leave the cookies looking like puddles (so always use a timer!). However, the weather can also be a factor. If it’s a humid or rainy day, sometimes the cookies need a bit more time. Always use a timer, and if you’re battling wet weather I recommend you boil them for a bit longer (roughly another 20-30 seconds or so). Once you’ve made these enough you’ll get a knack for it and intuitively know how long to cook them!
Not to brag, but my no bake cookies have quite the reputation. They’re a family and party favorite, have been a popular recipe on my site for years and they’ve repeatedly gone viral on Facebook and other social media, collecting millions of views 🫢. The secret? Pretty sure it’s in the brown sugar. The added depth of flavor makes the texture smoother and the flavor richer, deeper, and just gives it that extra special touch.
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.
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.
More Easy Recipes to Try
A lot of people told me in the comments that they had all kinds of fun, unique names for these cookies growing up, I’d love to know what you call them! 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
No Bake Cookies
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
Recommended Equipment
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
Nutrition
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.
BARBARA Skaggs
just made these been cooling for 30 mins and they are not setting up, what did i do wrong
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Barbara! I’m sorry that has happened. If they won’t set, the batter may have needed a few more seconds to cook. If there is higher humidity where you are baking that could cause this issue. I hope this helps. 🙂
Brandy Lee Smith
I did the recipe to a T and they are so YUMMY!! REALLY moist and set up great. I added the ingredients really slow to the coco and liquid ingredients. I’m making another batch for gifts.
Thank you
Sugar Spun Run
That is wonderful, Brandy! I am so glad that you enjoyed the no-bake cookies. I hope that those you gift it to, enjoy them as well. 🙂
Kay
I love these cookies, always use real butter not margarin, I use evaporated milk from a can it works great, and don’t start the 1 minute countdown until it starts a full rolling boil. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you for trying my no-bake cookie recipe, Kay! I am so glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
Karen E Pearson
These are the best! I’ve made other no bakes, but these are my favorite so far.
Sam
Thank you so much, Karen! I am so glad you enjoyed the cookies so much! 🙂
Tana Shutt
I just made these as well. Fabulous.. Thank you!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed them, Tana! Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Erin
I don’t have brown sugar 😩 do I use another cup of white sugar in its place?
Sam
Hi Erin! You can substitute regular granulated sugar here and they should still turn out. 🙂
Jim E
I made these and followed to the second/letter. I’m trying to freeze them now as they are not setting.
Sam
Hi Jim! I’m sorry that has happened. Unfortunately, freezing probably won’t help them. If they won’t set, the batter may have needed a few more seconds to cook. If there is higher humidity where you are baking that could cause this issue. I hope this helps. 🙂
Nancy
Sadly I only had natural peanut butter – as such – my cookies are not setting up! I made them last year using regular peanut butter and turned out perfectly! So upset!! Also had steel cut oats and I think that was a mistake.. ughhh Live and learn!
Sugar Spun Run
Oh no, Nancy! I am sorry that it didn’t work out in your favor, natural peanut butter is tricky. 🙁
April A
Delicious!!!! I grew up on the ones made with Nestle Quick☺️
Sam
So glad you enjoyed the cookies, April! 🙂
Melissa Rice
What happens if you use crunchy peanut butter?
Sam
Hi Melissa, you can use crunchy peanut butter without a problem. Enjoy! 🙂
Prana
Hi Sam,
Why do you recommend not to use natural peanut butter?
Sam
Hi Prana! Unfortunately my experience with using natural peanut butter in this recipe has not been very good, the cookies just don’t turn out. I think it is because of the way the oil tends to separate.
Aspen Boomer
I just used natural peanut butter and they turned out amazing.
Shirl
Easy and delicious tasting cookies! Always a hit with my family.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Shirl! I am so glad that your family enjoyed the no-bake cookies. 🙂
Stormy
Took my time…followed your recipe to.the T and they came out PERFECTLY! Thank you for posting such a classic, good, tasty recipe!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the no-bake cookies, Stormy! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Hannah
I turned your cookie recipe into a vegan recipe because I can’t have dairy and they turned out perfect.
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Hannah! I am so glad that the no-bake cookie recipe worked so well with the adjustments you made. Thanks for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
Maggie
How do u make them Vegan?
Prana
Hi Hannah, would love to hear how you made the cookies vegan.
Pam
These are the best No Bake Cookies hands down. I was not a No Bake Cookie lover before I found this recipe. The instructions are spot on and over cooking was probably the reason I never liked No Bakes before finding this recipe. Thank you Sam for you wonderful recipes and videos.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so happy that you enjoyed the cookies, Pam! I am glad that you have found the tips & video helpful. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Suzanne
I have made these several times now. The one minute boil is very important. The first time I made them, I let them boil for two minutes because I didn’t want to end up with goo. While still tasty, they were very dry and fell apart. So yeah, they really only need boiled for one minute (I know, I’m the worst about not following the instructions! haha!)
I have also made them with hazelnut spread. I swapped out the peanut butter (same amount of hazelnut spread as the recipe calls for with peanut butter.) I highly recommend this, if you have hazelnut spread lovers in the family. They were very tasty.
Thank you for such a terrific recipe! ( and congratulations on your beautiful new addition!)
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Suzanne! The boil is very important. Thanks for sharing your feedback. I am so glad that you enjoyed the no-bake cookies. And thank you for your good wishes. I appreciate it! 🙂