Easy No Bake Cookies

Easy No Bake Cookies

These easy cookies require simple ingredients and NO oven! It primarily consists of my three favorite ingredients – oats, cocoa, and peanut butter. In 15 minutes you have yourself quite the treat! 

Craving something sweet but don’t want a ton of leftovers and don’t want it to take a lot of time? These no bake cookies are the answer! The ingredients are things you probably already have in your pantry, and since the 2 main ingredients are oats and peanut butter (no flour!), they fall into the category of a healthier cookie for me. If you want a truly healthier no bake version, check out my healthy no bake cookie recipe. It uses healthier alternatives for those looking for healthier substitutes. If you only want to substitute some of the ingredients from the healthy version and meet somewhere in the middle – more power to you!  

Tips for perfect no bakes

1. You first start by boiling sugar, butter, milk, peanut butter, and cocoa powder together. The secret is all in the boiling time! My preferred time is exactly 60 seconds. They aren’t crumbly, and not too gooey – perfectly soft almost fudgy-like. The great thing is – you can easily adjust this to make it your favorite texture. Boil 15 seconds longer if you like it to be a little more crumbly and boil 15 seconds less if you want it to be a lot softer. 

2. Most people say quick oats are a must, and my husband prefers that as well truthfully. I actually prefer rolled oats which create a bit of a “heartier” cookie. So use whatever oats you prefer (or whatever you have on hand!) 

3. Traditionally, and to get that lighter no bake color, use classic unsweetened cocoa powder. I prefer mine richer and darker and usually have dutch processed cocoa on hand (richer and darker in color), which is the version you see pictured here. So if yours look different because you use quick oats and/or normal unsweetened cocoa, that’s perfectly normal and expected. Still delicious. 

4. Want a bit of a crunch? Use chunky peanut butter instead of smooth. Just add 1/4 cup more if you decide to use crunchy so that it keeps the same consistency of a normal no bake.

5. I love the flavor that the brown sugar brings to these no bakes, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute it for additional granulated sugar. Replace it with the same amount. 

Keeping them fresh

Keep your no bakes in an airtight container and they’ll stay fresh for a week. Even better, you can put them in the freezer and they’ll last for months. I LOVE eating them cold out of the freezer. It’s such a refreshing treat! 

Happy baking!

Easy No Bake Cookies

Lori Vaughn
These easy cookies require simple ingredients and NO oven! It primarily consists of my three favorite ingredients - oats, cocoa, and peanut butter. In 15 minutes you have yourself quite the treat!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cooling: 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup milk (fattier the better, but any milk will work)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • cup peanut butter
  • 3 cups quick oats
  • ½ TB vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Instructions
 

  • Prepare a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet or counter top.
  • Add butter, sugars, milk, cocoa, and peanut butter to a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Mix until all ingredients are melted together.
  • Let the mixture come a boil. Once it starts to boil, start the timer for 90 seconds, stirring occasionally to ensure the bottom does not scorch. Then quickly remove from the heat and add your oats, vanilla, and salt.
  • Stir together until all evenly mixed. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, scoop out balls onto your piece of parchment paper. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes to allow the mixture to set. I love the consistency that 90 seconds brings but if it's too "crumbly" for your liking, next time decrease the boil by 15 seconds. If it's too soft, increase the boil for 15 seconds.
  • Keep in an airtight container for 1 week or in the freezer for several months.
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Kirsten
Kirsten
3 years ago

5 stars
Delicious and incredibly simple. Lori puts so much care and detail into each recipe.

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