No Bake Cookies Recipe

Deliciously chewy No Bake Cookies are made in minutes! These simple, yummy cookies will become a go-to treat.

Chocolate No Bake Cookies are great to make all year long, especially when it’s hot outside! They have become classic treats in our house, like our No Bake Energy Bites and No Bake Cheesecake.

No Bake Cookies stacked on white plate.

No Bake for the win!

We love to make cookies all year long! One of our favorite recipes to make, especially in the summer, is our classic No Bake Cookie recipe, along with our Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies! They’re simple, quick and I don’t have to turn on the oven.

Whenever we are looking for a quick treat, the kids like to join me in the kitchen to whip up a batch of these easy No Bake Cookies (trust me when I say they are beyond easy!)

They take less than 10 minutes to make (start to finish). The result is a super delicious and simple treat, perfect for an after-school snack, a party, or even an upcoming cookie exchange.

If you’ve had these oatmeal no bakes before, you know that they’re easy and quite addicting!

How to Make No Bake Cookies - mixture in pot.

How to Make No Bake Cookies

The ingredients for the best No Bake Cookies are ones we usually always have on hand – no flour or eggs required! We hope you have them on hand too, because you’ll love how simple these chocolate peanut butter goodies are. All you need:

  • unsalted butter
  • sugar
  • milk
  • unsweetened cocoa powder
  • peanut butter
  • vanilla
  • quick oats

BOIL. Add butter, sugar, milk and cocoa powder to a saucepan. Bring to a boil for 1 minute over medium heat.

MIX. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Add the oats and stir.

SCOOP. Use a cookie scoop to drop heaps of the mixture onto wax paper or parchment paper.

COOL. Let cool for at least 30 minutes. Try not to eat a dozen of these guys!

Substitutions

This No Bake Cookies recipe is very accommodating when other ingredients are used. However, keep in mind that results may vary a little more with each substitution.

  • Butter can be replaced with an equal amount of margarine or coconut oil.
  • 2% Milk. Skim, whole milk, or even almond milk works.
  • Cocoa powder. Use natural cocoa powder, cacao powder, or Dutch processed cocoa. Just be sure that it is unsweetened.
  • Peanut Butter. Creamy peanut butter makes for the best consistency (in my humble opinion). If you use crunchy pb, add an extra ¼-½, c or the cookies can turn out dry. I’ve never used natural peanut butter, but if you do, make sure it’s well-stirred and not oily.
  • Oats. Quick cooking oats are smaller and absorb the liquid easier, which makes the cookies softer and chewier. With old fashioned oats, the cookies will have a less chewy, oat-y texture. For a gluten-free cookie be sure that you buy gluten-free oats.
No Bake cookies setting up on wax paper.

Recipe Tips

Soft No Bake Cookies. If your cookies are too soft, be sure that you brought the mixture to a full boil for 1 minute.

Another factor is the temperature of the kitchen. If there’s any humidity, these cookies can take up to an hour to set. Try putting them in the fridge or freezer to see if the cold helps them set. This usually does the trick!

Use a timer. Keep a timer on hand. Start the 1-minute countdown as soon as the mixture comes to a FULL boil. This will help insure you get the mixture off the stove within that “perfect consistency” window. If it doesn’t cook long enough, the cookies won’t set. If they cook too long, they will be a crumbly mess.

Candy thermometer. If you’re worried about over or undercooking the liquid mixture, use a candy thermometer. The mixture is done when it reaches 235-240°F.

Ice water test. Another method is the classic “ice water test”. Once you’ve cooked the mixture for a minute, drop a small spoonful into the ice water. If it forms a small, squishy ball as it cools, it’s done.

Dry crumbly Cookies. Dry crumbly cookies can be a result of boiling the mixture too long. You really need to reach the perfect temperature. The liquid mixture may seem like it can handle extra oats, but it will only yield a drier cookie. 

more no bakeS + STORING TIPS

No Bake Cookies are especially nice to have on hand in the summer months when you want a nice, homemade treat that doesn’t require turning on the oven. Here are some more of our favorites:

storing info

STORE at room temperature, in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Storing them in the fridge will make them last longer, but is not required.

FREEZE. No bake cookies can also be frozen. Unlike baked cookies that can last for several weeks in the freezer, these no bake cookies will only last for 3-4 weeks.

No Bake Cookies Recipe stacked on tea towel.

For more no bake treats, check out:

No Bake Cookies Recipe

4.97 from 64 votes
Deliciously chewy No Bake Cookies are made in minutes! These simple, yummy cookies will become a go-to treat.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings 24
Calories 206 kcal
Author Lil’ Luna

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats

Instructions
 

  • Combine sugar, cocoa powder, butter and milk in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Once it comes to a boil, start a timer and boil for 1 minute.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth, then stir in oats.
  • Drop heaping tablespoons onto a parchment paper–lined cookie sheet and let cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

Make Ahead: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. In an airtight container in the refrigerator, they can last up to 2 weeks. Can I Use Old-Fashioned Oats? You can—it just depends on what texture you prefer for your no-bake cookies. Quick-cooking oats are smaller and absorb liquid more easily, which makes the cookies more soft and chewy. If you use old-fashioned oats, the cookies will have a less chewy texture.

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About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Comments:

      1. 5 stars
        These no bake cookies are one of my kids favorites snacks! This momma loves them because they are easy to make, and most of all absolutely delicious!

  1. 5 stars
    Just like mom makes! One of those recipes I should have written down somewhere but thankfully you have it right here for me! Everyone in my house loves these. Perfect amount of oats too.

  2. 5 stars
    Melt in your mouth literally. These no bakes are so good and they are always eaten up so quick in our house. This a staple recipe.

  3. 5 stars
    This is the best and easiest recipe for no bake cookies! I’ve made these several times and they don’t last long in my house.

    1. You know, I haven’t tried it with honey before, so I’m not sure. If you try making them with honey, you’ll have to let us know how they turn out.

  4. 5 stars
    I love this recipe n so does my family. My only complaint is that they don’t set up as much as I’d personally like. They are very good with butterscotch flavoring too!

  5. 5 stars
    These no bake cookies are OUTSTANDING! I used almond milk and crunchy peanut butter and all worked out just perfectly.
    One question: what could I substitute for the peanut butter? I love it but my husband doesn’t and I know he would love the cookies even more without the p/butter. I welcome your suggestions.
    P.S. I’ve made quite a few of your recipes and they are all delicious! Keep up the amazing work!

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